Thursday, May 16, 2013

CFDA's {FASHION INCUBATOR} fosters fashion in Dallas

runway drama from Reece Hudson
The CFDA's {FASHION INCUBATOR} scooted into Dallas yesterday to introduce four of the program's designers to our market's VIP's in the fashion industry.  They visited upscale stores like Neiman Marcus, Stanley Korshak and Forty Five Ten, threw a private luncheon and a glam cocktail party at the W Hotel's Ghost Bar.

The see-and-be-seen of Dallas fashion set came out for the evening's cocktail soiree and as I wandered about I spotted Neiman Marcus' Chuck Steelman, John Piermarini, stylist Stephanie Quadri, Tracy Hayes, Joslyn Taylor, handbag designer Susie Straubmueller and blogger Krystal Schlegel all scoping out this hot new talent.

I didn't know much about the program so I hit the internet and discovered that CFDA's {FASHION INCUBATOR} was designed to support the next generation of fashion designers. They provide a creative professional environment to foster promising fashion talent, and help selected designers grow and sustain their business. By offering low-cost design studio space, business mentoring, educational seminars, and networking opportunities the program provides a way for participants to reach their full potential and become an integral part of the New York Fashion community.


Ali Volk and John Piermarini, Chuck Steelman's new bulldog ring, Susie Straubmueller and Chuck Steelman


This past September, W Hotels and the CFDA announced a partnership that is taking {FASHION INCUBATOR} designers out of New York City and into markets that are important to growing their businesses - so natch Dallas was the second stop on this US road tour! During my Google search, I stumbled across Roopal Patel Consulting, who provided me his rundown on these exciting new designers:

Reece Hudson
Reece Soloman and Max Stein from Reece Hudson. Dynamic, unique, original and wildly talented describe the powerful duo behind these must have bags.

Timo Weiland
Timo Weiland had the East London girl who heads to the country in mind when designing their fall collection. It’s great mix of grunge meets polish. They are all about providing their girl with the fall essentials.

Ari Deen
Deen focuses on intimates and sleepwear. Its made-to-order and hand-crafted sensibility adds to the charm and appeal of the brand. Her fall 2013 collection is influenced by art deco vibe of 1920′s Manhattan and desires to be worn outside of the home.

Jonathan Simkhai
Jonathan’s downtown vibe translates to the edgy and easy separates that can be worn in any city across the globe. Jonathan’s boy-meets-girl take on his Fall 2013 collection is going to be stocked by Barneys, Neiman Marcus, Ikram and Matches.



Click here to read Patel's profiles on each of these brands.