Designer Studio - Fashionista

Designer Studio

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What It's Like Inside the CFDA Incubator (Hint: A Lot Like College)

We visited the CFDA Incubator (where 10 hand-picked emerging designers are provided with studio space--which they still pay for at a monthly rent--and mentoring for about two years) for a market day during fashion week and kind of didn’t want to leave. There were lots of positive vibes. In addition to checking out the latest from designers like Timo Weiland, Daniel Vosovic, Whit and Isaora, we decided to try and find out what it's like to work in a shared space with a bunch of other designers--something designers don't really do, unless they're on Project Runway (though Vosovic tells us this is totally different).

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Get to Know Brazilian Designer Martha Medeiros (Then Go Buy Her Clothes, Which Just Made their US Debut)

While in Sao Paulo a few weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting designer Martha Medeiros, who, in addition to being one of the sweetest, cutest persons I have ever met, also happens to be one of the most talented and unique designers in the country. In short, I kind of fell in love--both with Martha, and with her clothing. And now that Medeiros' designs will be available for the first time ever in the USA--they debuted at Bergdorf Goodman yesterday--here's why you need to get to know this designer. Stat. There's a lot of awesome fashion design going on in Brazil, and as the shows during Sao Paulo Fashion Week evidenced, the clothing has a pretty international appeal to it--as in, the collections would feel as at home in New York or London as they do in Sao Paulo. But if you're looking for a label that's authentically, and uniquely Brazilian--something that's Brasilidade, as they say--well, look no further than Martha Medeiros.

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Dior Costume Jewelry Designer Camille Miceli Chats With Us About Working With Marc Jacobs, Being a Muse, and the Dior Rumors (Plus, Check Out the Cool New Dior Jewelry Video)

Yesterday afternoon, I had the pleasure of meeting Dior's creative director of costume jewelry, Camille Miceli. She's one of those impossibly chic French women who, despite having just gotten off a plane from Paris and spending two hours in customs, appeared absolutely stunning, immaculately put together and full of energy. Not surprisingly, I was most impressed and even a bit distracted by her jewelry, including her three earrings: two matching studs on one ear and one completely different stud on the other. It was so chic. Interestingly, Camille's eye for costume jewelry was something she only started to develop a few years ago, while she was working at Louis Vuitton as the head of communications for ready-to-wear. In fact, it was Marc Jacobs, with whom she still has a close relationship, who encouraged her to pursue her creative interests. After helping Jacobs launch Vuitton's first-ever costume jewelry collection, she jumped ship to Dior in 2009. After a sneak preview of a clever new animated short that premiered today on NOWNESS, in which the construction of a Mise en Dior costume jewelry necklace is re-imagined as a pinball machine, I chatted with Camille about making the video, changing careers, the differences in working with Marc versus Galliano and all those rumors. Plus, watch the full video below.