GenArt, the incubator that nurtures up-and-coming new designers (and helped launch the careers of Zac Posen and Phillip Lim, among others), is in expansion mode. After a two year hiatus in which the organization lost its funding, then subsequently found new owners and a much-needed cash infusion, GenArt is looking for talent outside the US.
Rachel Roy to Release Footwear Line: As a few non-designers zealously stamp their names on shoe lines, actual designer Rachel Roy is expanding her brand, adding a footwear collection to the two clothing and accessory lines bearing her namesake. Due out in August, Rachel Roy collection consists of flats, boots, and naturally, pumps inspired by long-time mentor and collaborator, Manolo Blahnik. {WWD, subscription required}
i-D Rings in The Year of the Dragon: … with a set of 12 absolutely stunning covers featuring Asian models rocking some breathtaking hair and makeup. Photographed by Chen Man with the help of M.A.C’s Director of Makeup Artistry, Terry Barber, these seriously gorgeous covers are worth framing and mounting in your salon. {Models}
Alexa Chung Designs a Teddy Bear: For the BBC’s Children in Need charity, Alexa Chung joins the ranks of designers like Giles and Louis Vuitton, designing a version of their iconic Pudsey Bear. Alexa keeps Pudsey’s look relatively simple, in ink blue velvet and a red and white heart-embroidered bandana. {Vogue UK}
Gen Art, that incubator of new design responsible for launching the careers of Zac Posen and Philip Lim, has been sorely missed the past two years while it’s been on hiatus to deal with financial troubles. Now under new ownership, the organization has trained its eagle eye on a new cadre of up-and-coming designers.
Gen Art is going to spotlight six ready-to-wear designers, one men’s wear designer, and four accessory designers. Ace & Jig, Ann Yee, Eighteenth, Jennifer Chun, Shunghee Bang, William Okpo, and Baron Wells will make their runway debut at New York Fashion week, WWD is reporting.
Gen Art, which has a long history of introducing the world to emerging talent in film, fashion, art and music through respected events like film festivals, showcases, and seasonal fashion shows, had to shut its doors for a little bit last year, but has thankfully gotten back on its feet and is ready to officially re-launch “Fresh Faces in Fashion.” The annual presentation, which has helped launch careers for the likes of Zac Posen, Phillip Lim, the Vena Cava girls and Peter Som, gives promising designers who may not otherwise have the resources an opportunity take part in a high-profile runway show during fashion week. This year, Gen Art will produce two shows–one in New York on September 9 and one in Los Angeles at the end of October.
Starting today, Gen Art is accepting submissions for both. It’s a pretty amazing opportunity for a young designer, especially now that the organization has more resources to nurture and market its fresh faces beyond just giving them a runway to put clothes down. A few years from now, you could be winning a Swarovski award from the CFDA (as six Fresh Faces alumni have).
You’ve probably heard that Gen Art–the beloved arts organization dedicated to showcasing the talents of emerging artists, musicians, filmmakers and designers–was revived this week under new leadership. Sandow Media acquired the arts organization, installing Gen Art vets Elizabeth Shaffer and Jeffrey Abramson as co-presidents.
And with the revival of Gen Art comes the revival of Fresh Faces in Fashion, the program which famously launched the careers of Zac Posen, Phillip Lim and Vena Cava (to name a few). Except this go round, Gen Art plans to put more effort into nurturing the talented designers they take on beyond giving them a runway show.
“At the former Gen Art, once we made the intro and showcased designers, we let them go on their way,” said co-president Elizabeth Shaffer. “Now we’re developing a relationship so we stay connected and offer services beyond their debut–ranging from licensing to representation.”
I’ve been captivated by Nomia’s sleek yet feminine designs since Gen Art’s presentation at fashion week, so I decided to head over to designer Yara Flinn’s Williamsburg studio to find out more about the up-and-coming brand. The label’s following includes some of the coolest girls in New York, so you can trust that Nomia is Read more →
Bend it Like the Other Beckham: Heidi Mount plays Posh Spice in this on-line only editorial from V. Though “chasing her kids all day,” really? {V} Not So Fast: Gen Art, the nonprofit organization known for supporting emerging designers (including at points Zac Posen, Sari Gueron and Phillip Lim) is having serious financial trouble. This Read more →
