Author: danieldcnyc

NEW YORK CITY, NY – October 7-9

Fashion Tech Week New York celebrated fashion- and technology designers from all around the world to present the most innovative and groundbreaking designs in the Big Apple.

This was the 6th annual Fashion Tech Week New York exhibition, and it took place on October 7 to 9.

The “expo” included panel discussions, networking mixers, keynote speakers, demos, pop-up shops, a fashion tech competition, and a runway show, highlighting the applications of 3D-printing designed apparel, accessories and footwear, augmented- and virtual reality, retail technology, robotics, wearables, IoT, and sustainability in the fashion ecosystem.

Among the participating designers were Dr. Kitty Yeung, Stephanie Santos, Felipe Flallo, and Sabina Saga who are shaping the next Gen of the fashion industry.

Dr. Kitty Yueng

Dr. Kitty Yeung is a hardware engineer/designer with a PhD in Applied Physics, interested in technology and making consumer products that can integrate science, art and music and in pursuing intellectual contribution to the wider society.

Accomplished designer with background in physics and proven experience integrating engineering, visual design, device design, industrial design, and interaction design to optimize user experience. Leverages expertise in science and fine arts, innovating solutions across multiple disciplines that have garnered attention in international publications, as well as invitations to speak and judge at forums on bridging between technology and design. Demonstrates creations in public events and classrooms.

Stephanie Santos

Couture designer Stephanie Santos uses technology to achieve the complex, organic forms found in nature in her own designs,
Santos relies on 3D technologies, like 3D printing and 3D softwares. In her work, she promotes sustainability through methods of digital fabrication, use of ethically sourced and natural or leftover fabric, and made on demand practices.

Santos also works with thermoplastic polyurethane, a reusable, recyclable plastic which is sustainably produced and maintained.

Stephanie Santos is only one of the many designers who have incorporated 3D technology into their design process.

3D technologies are unique in that they allow designers to experiment with
and create geometries that couldn’t possibly be made by the human hand.

The process of 3D printing involves layering thin films of material according to a pattern or digital blueprint which is typically rendered using computer-aided design techniques.

While most of these garments are produced primarily for runway and fashion shows, 3D printed accessories have been finding their way to the consumer market in larger quantities than ever before.

3D technology offers a sustainable alternative to the manufacturing of garments, shoes, and accessories, as products are printed as needed therefore reducing waste material.

Felipe Fiallo

Felipe Fiallo is a footwear designer who has combined technological innovation with sustainable materials, style, and comfort to create unique lines of shoes.

His collection “We Go Far” features seven pairs of athletic sneakers which were inspired by an investigation into the biological materials found in Latin America.

Along with unconventional material use,
Flallo incorporated methods of digital fabrication and design to produce this line of shoes.

Other collections include “Crystal Walk”, in which natural crystals grow directly on the shoe, and “Growing Shoe”, where a shoe grows from fungi.

The field of footwear manufacturing and design has become increasingly dependent on the introduction of different technologies.

Technology has been used to elevate shoe aesthetic design, as well as shoe practicality by making them more comfortable and convenient, especially for athletes.

Brands like Nike and Adidas, as well as many independent footwear designers, have adopted many such methods to make their shoes more accessible and desirable to the public market.

Sabina Saga

A creative genius, Sabina Saga is an FIT graduated technical designer specializing in 3D printed accessories, jewelry, and garments.

Tanya James

Tanya James is a fashion entrepreneur, technologist and analytics professional.

She is currently the founder/CEO/Curator of Global Fashion Technology Federation.Org, Fashion Tech Week NY, The Internet of fashion and Wearable Institute of fashion and accessories design.

Each company branded as startups of fashion and technology integrations business models.

When people ask Tanya James to describe herself, she doesn’t hesitate to say that first and foremost she is a passionate innovator, idealist and visionary to her core—a trait birthed from her family of entrepreneurial, creative and passion driven female role models.

Throughout her tenure partnering with leading technology companies she became the go to advocate for fashion tech contacts.

Her Internet of Fashion brand focuses on hardware/software education that expose and encouraging all who have interest in understanding which technologies would work best in creating the desired products or services.

For Tanya James education is a daily experience.

Ms. James grew more into her natural ability as a leader when mentoring many high school/college students plus volunteers during the annual Fashion Tech Week NY events and The Internet of fashion monthly educational meet ups.

Always inspiring others to dream big with a motto that nothing is impossible if you believe you can achieve.

For more on Fashion Tech Week NY by Tanya James, clink on the highlighted link in the bold paragraph to get full access on FTWNY21.

Daniel Quintanilla

New York, NY – October 18, 2021

COTERIE, the leading industry connector for the women’s advanced contemporary and contemporary market, organized by Informa Markets Fashion, announced Monday plans for its 2022 event calendar.

Continuing its approach to delivering increased variety and higher value business opportunities, COTERIE’s 2022 schedule will include a combination of locations and formats and will feature newly enhanced hybrid events designed to deliver a greater assortment of products and connection touchpoints for the advanced contemporary and contemporary women’s market in support of ongoing and evolved industry needs.

With the unveiling of a new hybrid approach, which has been in development over this past year, the 2022 schedule will provide retail buyers with a more diverse set of opportunities to capitalize on new and emerging trends and discover a greater variety of designers, advanced contemporary and contemporary labels utilizing AI-powered technology for a more personalized and efficient user experience; from pre-event planning to post event follow-up and ongoing discovery.

For advanced contemporary and contemporary women’s brands, the introduction of newly enhanced, multichannel opportunities will provide deeper storytelling and promotion opportunities with expanded access to elite and refreshed audiences – both in-person and online – allowing for additional business connections throughout the coming year.

Continuing with its twice annual keystone and now hybrid events, COTERIE New York will return to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on February 27, 2022 – March 1, 2022, and again on September 18-20, 2022.

The New York editions will feature new brands and top sellers from categories such as advanced contemporary and contemporary apparel, footwear, accessories, and beauty, as well EDIT-COTERIE’s advanced international collections.

The September event will also welcome the return of destination – COTERIE’s highly curated swimwear and resortwear community.

Further facilitating a clarified and intuitive onsite experience for buyers, COTERIE New York’s February and September editions will also feature “curations,” such as minority-owned and sustainable brands, which will be displayed throughout the show floor to highlight new areas of shopping interest as retailers look to deliver on updated consumer demands and diversify their inventory offerings.

Emphasizing the COTERIE experience in both the February and September editions, guests can also enjoy top tier educational programming, featuring prominent industry talent and fresh voices, in addition to curated, show- exclusive activations and elite networking events.

Expanding beyond the live event, the accompanying digital platform will also be available before, during, and, after the February and September show dates, which will further extend discovery, shopping, and connection opportunities for both brands and buyers.

Providing a more holistic approach to today’s evolving market needs with more targeted, unique discovery journeys and broaden connection opportunities, COTERIE’s product-forward, AI-powered digital platform will feature a variety of international and domestic advanced contemporary women’s brands and products, with products available updated on an ongoing basis and assortments tailored to users’ personalized interests.

Mimicking the B2C shopping experience, COTERIE’s digital platform, coupled with COTERIE’s return of live events brings the best of innovation and tradition together for the advanced contemporary and contemporary women’s community.

“As part of our purposeful evolution alongside the industry as an invaluable resource and tool, our combination of live and digital offerings in 2022 will emphasize product-first digital discovery that translates into in-person meetings, where the community can interact face-to-face and ultimately build new trusted relationships,” says Courtney Bradarich, VP of Contemporary Women’s Events – COTERIE, at Informa Markets Fashion. “The vision for our community is that both live and digital formats are used in concert with one another, with the benefits of both driving forward an entirely new way to conduct business – growing their business more efficiently and more effectively than ever before.”

COTERIE will also return to Miami in July 2022 during Swim Week with destination: miami by COTERIE, the women’s resortwear and swimwear market event.

The hybrid event will showcase a global collection of resortwear and swimwear brands alongside vacation-inspired apparel, accessories, and footwear labels spanning contemporary and advanced contemporary price points, drawing an influential audience of international and domestic retailers, buyers, influencers, and media.

Intimate and curated, July’s event will emphasize elite shared experiences and event- exclusive onsite activations to further foster connectivity and interactions during a key fashion moment when the industry convenes in one of North America’s most dynamic hubs for design, culture, and entertainment.

Continuing Informa Markets Fashion’s focus on sustainability, which was showcased this year via a Mock Shoppe which highlighted sustainable brands and in-store solutions, as well as topical content sessions, there will be a number of onsite activations and educational themes to promote more sustainable business practices.

With the increase in awareness and shifts in both consumer and brand interests in cultivating a greener and healthier Earth within the fashion industry, COTERIE will continue to be a place of education and growth for those who are starting their journey as well as established companies looking to do more, and will continue to highlight the technologies, innovations, and current global topics in sustainability.

Further details on sustainability- focused activations and educational topics will be released in the coming months.

“As part of our ongoing efforts to not only positively affect change within our own operations and practices, as an industry connector for the advanced contemporary market, our mission is to create more meaningful dialogue around broader industry topics, such as sustainability, in addition to being a larger business resource to educate, empower, and spark creativity within the communities we serve,” Bradarich adds.

For more information, including upcoming announcements of future 2022 COTERIE event dates, timely business resources, and information relevant to the women’s advanced contemporary and contemporary market, please visit: https://www.coteriefashionevents.com/en/home.html.

To visit COTERIE’s digital discovery platform, please visit: https://www.coteriefashionevents.com/en/shop-
online.html.

For more information about additional 2022 Informa Markets Fashion events, please visit: https://www.findfashionevents.com.

Daniel Quintanilla

The Lights Are Still On!!!!

Informa Markets took an in-depth look today in a live webinar that’s all about “Tapping Into The Future Of Retail”, which Informa happily says there is no expiration date on in-person shopping, in spite of the alarming closure of physical spaces during the COVID19 pandemic, as well as the sharp decline physical retail was tormented by in the last decade thanks the online shopping.

COVID19 was devastating at best to retailers on all levels as the virus forced consumers globally to lockdown and put their buying power on e-commerce of all types, whether it’s native digital retailers or retailers whose origins are physical have launched online outlets as a ways to a means to stay alive.

Despite online business being the lifeline that keeps the lights on with major brands, native digital brands have quickly learned that an in-person store presence greatly helps their brand stand out, leaving a major impression on consumers to keep coming back, nobody truly knows this better than retailers like Macy’s, Nordstrom’s, Neiman Marcus, and Nike who’ve transformed their physical space beyond a buying destination, but into a place where a given Neiman Marcus in one city or town is a media center, a brand billboard, an entertainment venue, an interactive space with a brand’s products, and a community center that connects to consumers in the locations they’re in.

Cities where there use to be high-dense traffic before the pandemic have had physical stores close up shop now that they’re staying closer to home thanks to stay-at-home orders and even now post-COVID19, so retailers are opening up new stores closer to their consumer’s residences to keep their physical footprint alive in the market, implementing the new experience of an in-person store as a whole.

Another option for retailers, designers, and brands like Uncommon James have already done to consider is take the niche approach of pop-up stores and make it into a long-term strategy since it’s more cost-effective for new and existing retailers to increase their awareness in the marketplace, plus a countless number of towns and cities have more than their fair share of empty storefronts that need new occupancy to draw consumers back to their shopping districts hard hit by the pandemic.

Retailers and brands have had to strengthen their relationships during COVID19 because no consumer sales were happening due to lockdown, negotiating financial terms to survive those very lean times, the same should continue especially now that the climate’s changed with or without COVID19, with retailers and brands still being able to co-exist despite a brand having its own store nearby retailer, with products available exclusively at retail, and vice versa for brand store.

Each and every brand, designer, and retailer as the future of retail is now in the present are strongly advised not to rely on the future of just e-commerce alone, or even relying on the fact that your designs are interesting, physical retail in a reimagined way must be in your portfolio of growth, but execute physical retail in the way that’s best for your business to grow, and resonates strongly on your consumer base.

Daniel Quintanilla

SYDNEY, 5 October 2021

IMG today announced the finalists of the 2021Australian Fashion Laureate, honouring the outstanding achievements of Australian fashion’s leaders and innovators. Winners will be announced on 30 November 2021 at a celebratory event in Sydney.

The Australian Fashion Laureate awards recognise accomplishments across categories including Designer of the Year, Emerging Designer of the Year, Sustainable Innovation and People’s Choice. New award categories in 2021 include Indigenous Designer of the Year, to celebrate Australia’s First Nations designers, and the Carla Zampatti Award for Excellence in Leadership, to recognise leaders who have made outstanding contributions to advancing the position of women in the Australian fashion industry; the former was created in close consultation with leading First Nations fashion figures, whereas the latter will debut in tribute to the late fashion icon Carla Zampatti AC. The industry’s pinnacle honour, the Australian Fashion Laureate Lifetime Achievement Award, celebrates a longstanding and meaningful impact on the Australian fashion industry.

IMG is pleased to share the complete list of finalists across 2021 award categories:

Designer of the Year

• Anna Plunket and Luke Sales, Romance Was Born
• Christopher Esber
• Edwina Forest and Adrian Norris, Aje
• Sophie Holt, Oroton

Emerging Designer of the Year, presented by Shopify Plus

• Jordan Dalah
• Jordan Gogos, Iordanes Spyridon Gogos
• Julie Shaw, MAARA Collective
• Richard Jarman, COMMAS

Sustainable Innovation of the Year, presented by GlamCorner

• Emma Jarman and Richard Jarman, COMMAS
• James Bartle, Outland Denim
• Kit Willow, KITX
• Mary-Lou Ryan and Deborah Sams, bassike

Indigenous Designer of the Year

• Denni Francisco, Ngali
• Grace Lillian Lee
• Julie Shaw, MAARA Collective
• Lillardia Briggs-Houston, Ngarru Miimi

“The Australian Fashion Laureate celebrates the ingenuity of Australian fashion’s top designers and creators,” said Natalie Xenita, Vice President-Managing Director of IMG’s fashion events and properties, Asia-Pacific. “This year’s nominees reflect the creative excellence and diverse voices shaping our industry and its future.”

Australian Fashion Laureate recipients are chosen by Australian Fashion Industry Alumni, a panel of industry leaders, including media, buyers, communications professionals, creatives and designers.

The People’s Choice Award gives the public the opportunity to vote for their favourite Australian fashion designers among finalists selected by IMG and Afterpay. Voting is now open and will continue through 7 November 2021; please visit: https://www.afterpay.com/en-AU/fashion-laureate-peoples-choice-award/  

The Australian Fashion Laureate is an IMG event supported by the NSW Government through Destination New South Wales (DNSW). The event will adhere to all government and official NSW health guidelines.

Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney, Stuart Ayres, said: “The NSW Government is proud to support the development, innovation and excellence of Australia’s fashion designers, many of whom found their start here in Sydney by showcasing at Afterpay Australian Fashion Week. Sydney is the hub of creative industries in the Asia-Pacific and events like the Australian Fashion Laureate bring together the very best in the business, in the Harbour City, to celebrate joint success and forge exciting new opportunities.”

In addition to DNSW, the Australian Fashion Laureate is made possible through the support of Afterpay, Shopify Plus and GlamCorner.

The digital home for the Australian Fashion Laureate is www.australianfashionlaureate.com and @ausfashionweek across Instagram and Facebook and @ausfw on Twitter, where fans may follow along through official hashtag, #AustralianFashionLaureate.

Daniel Quintanilla

Written By Patricia Ann Parenti

After 18 months of not being at the Javits because of Covid this tradeshow has come back to its NYC home. It took place September 19 – 21, 2021. This season saw a change in the format of the women’s tradeshows put on by Informa. What use to be Accessories The Show, Children’s Club and Fame Shows are now under the Magic name. Magic consisted of brands that cater towards children, young contemporary (which is not an age but a look)and trendy teens. Footwear that was trendy but well-known labels, and accessories that were trendy but retail at more moderate price points. https://www.magicfashionevents.com/ny/en/home.html

Coterie had basically the same brands that it always does (I’ve been going to this show for many years)but caters to a designer customer with higher quality fabrics and more classic styles. This show also has accessories, footwear, contemporary clothing but at higher price points than Magic. Many of the brands were from Europe or South America this season. https://www.coteriefashionevents.com/ny/en/home.html

TRENDS

After walking the show for 3 days I’m going to give you my reader the fashion trends for Spring/Summer 2022 for the women’s market. The peasant look continues to be the major trend for the next season. What was new were big bell bottom jeans with prints on them (think 1970’s hippie era). Because Beyonce made western wear popular again the western hat has become the major trend in headwear. Jewlery seems to have gotten a bit bigger and the millennial chain now has charms on them. Glitter earrings are an up-and-coming fashion. Since everyone wants to feel cheerful now that we can go out and enjoy life again designers used lots of bright colors in their collections. I have a love of shoes and boots with over 200 pair myself and I use to be a shoe store buyer so I interviewed three designers on their brands. Big attention was really paid by me on the trends in footwear. 😀

New fashions of footwear are the short cowboy boot to wear with jeans or the peasant look. Ballerina flats continue for when you need to dress casual but sneakers are too sporty. Sneakers have been acceptable for everyday wear nowadays so I’m only going to bring you the new trends: fur calf mixed with metallic leather, glitter and metallic mesh. Chocked up pumps or T strap shoes with block heels to go with all those new 1980’s power suits that are the latest style in tailored clothing. Slides in suede or leather with block heels. Loafers in two tone leather. Snakeskin either real or in a print in shoes and sandals big time for the warm weather. Please see the photos with the mannequins that were so beautifully dressed by the Coterie – Magic staff on how to put together an outfit with all the trends for both the Fall/Winter 2021 and Spring/Summer 2022 seasons.

MANIFIESTO

A company based out of Miami that represents emerging designers from South America. What attracted me to this collection beside the beautiful young ladies working in the booth was the unusual prints and the hand crochet fashions that I wouldn’t see from the American designers. I only interviewed Ivana Matos the Founder and Ceo of the company on the designer/brand Zunilda Gutiorre which is all made in Columbia. She carries other brands so please see her website for more pretty, feminine and ladylike collections. The designer was inspired by childhood memories such as children playing in fields of wildflowers which she translated into prints that she created herself for her collection.

Fabrics used were linen, organic cotton, silk and recycled polyester. The lovely collection features puffy sleeves meant for women’s empowerment, mini and midi skirts, bustier and crop tops. The hand crochet skirt and top (in the photo) took three weeks to make by indigenous people in Columbia and they did beautiful work if I may say so. Other pieces of clothing were in linen and cotton with hand embroidery also from the indigenous people in Columbia. Sizes XS – L, Prices retail $130.00 – $850.00. You can order off their website and they will ship to you but please realize this is all handmade to order so it may take a month or two to receive your items. www.manifiestoshop.com

MOACONCEPT AND PEANUTS

This company represents many foreign brands in America. The brands they brought to the show was Moa Concept and Peanuts. Don’t we all love Disney? Since we all do this company did a collaboration with Disney so we can now wear Disney motifs on sneakers. Sweatshirts, hoodies and tee shirts which are all unisex fashions licensed with Peanuts. The sweatshirt, hoodies and sweatpants are in 100% cotton fabric. These styles are good for the teen all the way to the teen’s parents and grandparents. In the photo is the pretty daughter of the owners modeling the sweatshirt and sweatpants with a motif of the Peanuts character Snoopy on the front of the sweatshirt.

Sizes are unisex and range from XXS – XL, Prices $155.00 – $185.00.

The core of the line is their range of unisex sneakers made in Italy made from recycled car seats, recycled plastic bottles and recycled polyester back. The fit is European which usually means wider in the toe box area, with a size range of 35 – 47 translating to women’s size 5 in USA sizes and size 14 in men’s USA size.

Price range $319.00 -$380.00.

Sneakers have Micky Mouse logs on the toes, sides and innersoles of the sneakers. They basically come in white but some in silver or black so you can see the logs clearly. Shoelaces are basically white or black and white mixed.

To order sneakers www.moaconcept.com.

For information on the Peanuts Collection email ih@fashioning-group.com

SOLAMA

Espadrilles made in Spain. The styles were mules, loafers and slides. These are so pretty with the peasant look or even paired with skinny jeans. Some of the uppers are velvets with embroidery using recycled thread and since these are casual, they are appropriate for summer even though velvet is thought of a winter fabric. The use of metallic embroidery in a star pattern was used on jewel tone velvet and these can be worn indoors for the cold weather season too. Another fabric that is used is recycled raffia on the upper in a mule style. Soles are made with plastic from the ocean bottom that have been recycled. Jute is the material in the mid sole between sole bottom and upper shoe. Inner sole is recycled microfiber.

Everything is vegan and sustainable which is the growing trend in fashion. Every pair is handmade by women and the business is woman owned. The collection is inspired by different cultures in Indonesia and Venice, Italy. The owner of the business Yasmine did a beautiful job with the show display which made the espadrilles stand on pedestals so you can see them better coming up the aisle of the show. These are truly gorgeous espadrilles and are very different from anything I’ve ever seen in the American brands.

Sizes range from 36 – 42 European sizes.

Prices $260.00 – $290.00.

These are shipped from USA so you will get them quick.

To order www.wearesolana.com

LOLA RELOLA

I had the pleasure of interviewing the designer Anna Maria and the factory owner Sergio both from Columbia. Cowboy boots are now the hottest footwear trend this season. These are works of art and I want a pair. I’ve been looking for cowboy boots so naturally when I saw this collection, I just had to interview the people in the booth for my blog. The designer told me the cowboy boots make her feel empowered, and are an expression of her femininity/personality. The cowboy boots are made with leather uppers and linings along with neolite soles and which won’t wear down as leather soles do and wood heels. Each boot is made 100% by hand and is cut and crafted by highly experienced craftsmen to insure comfort and fit. Sergio made it a point to tell me that his workers are fairly paid and work in ideal conditions. This factory concentrates on making high quality boots in limited editions and not mass production. What this means for the consumer is that they are getting a product that will last for decades if taken care of and ethical conditions for its workers.

The factory also makes some pretty metallic sneakers with a slight wedge sole. The boot collection features short western boots in metallics, with details such as studs, heart shape cutouts in snakeskin; mid-calf cowboy boots in suede and solid color leather with snakeskin trim and leather cutouts in the shape of wings. The Purpose of Lola – Relola is to encourage women to connect with their feminine power and to be inspired through color, creativity and textures.

Ladies if you are looking for unique western style boots to buy than take a look at the website www.lolarelola.com.

Sized 35 (size 5 in USA) to 40 (size 10 in USA), and Medium width only but I did tell Sergio to expand to Narrow and Wide for the Americans.

Prices: sneakers $159.00 – $168.00, booties $239.00, cowboy boots $350.00.

Patricia Ann Parenti

Lunar Adventure

Florentina Leitner opened the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week (MBFW) at Berlin’s Kraftwerk with her show with around 200 live guests attending.

The young designer showed her spring/summer 2022 collection from her London label of the same name as part of the Mercedes-Benz Young Talent Promotion Programme.

The inspiration for Leitner’s spring/summer 2022 collection “Vacation on the Moon” is the Mondsee lake in Austria and her vision of designing the collection for a holiday on the moon.

The silhouettes are inspired by dirndls, sailor jackets and spacesuits.

The colour palette is defined by metallic silver tones and a mix of summery colours like pink and various shades of blue.

Florentina Leitner is a Master’s graduate of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp.

The Austrian was on Dries van Noten’s design team before setting up her own label in London.

Stars like Kylie Jenner, Lady Gaga and Charli XCX have worn her creations.

In February 2021 she presented her autumn/winter 2021 collection “The Royal Leitners” at the digital New York Fashion Week.

Daniel Quintanilla

Beautifully Confused

WATARU TOMINAGA Spring/Summer 2022 Collection was inspired by mixtures of various styles of printed textiles such as mascot prints for children’s clothing, vintage photo print textiles, and plaid patterns, all of which are drawn and photographed by the designer.

Juxtaposing images of various styles and backgrounds, Tominaga aims to create both dissonance and harmony at the same time in the Collection.

WATARU TOMINAGA is an eponymous Japanese fashion brand founded in 2019.

With a large emphasis on experimental prints, which incorporate hand drawn elements coupled with the visual manipulations of printed textiles through hand-pleating, the designer longs to create garments that are both transportive and referential of times past.

Born in 1988 in Kumamoto, Japan, Tominaga currently lives and works in Tokyo.

With an international outlook, Tominaga pursued his education in Japan, the UK, and Finland.

He attended the Musashino Art University and Bunka Fashion College, the University of Art and Design in Helsinki, and Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, receiving a BA for Fashion Print.

His global education has enhanced the vastness of his design aesthetic.

He has since worked with illustrious design houses such as John Galliano, Eddie Peake, and BLESS.

Additionally, he has earned a MFA at the Chelsea College of Arts at the University of the Arts in London.

In 2016 Tominaga won the Grand Jury Première Vision Prize at the 31st International Festival of Fashion and Photography in Hyères.

He was the artist in residency at Le Pavillon Neuflize OBC at Palais de Tokyo in Paris (2016-2017) while continuing to showcase his collections at Berlin Fashion Week, and NY Premiere Vision.

The year following, Tominaga again competed in Hyères Fashion Competition and landed prestigious collaborations with mega-brands Chanel and Petit Bateau.

In 2018, Tominaga was included in Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia – The Arts 2018 list.

In 2019, he held a solo exhibition at Nonaka-Hill gallery in California.

He has since launched his own commercial line for the SS20 season, presenting his first RTW collection, which merged both fashion and art, during Tokyo Fashion Week and Lagos Fashion Week in the Fall of 2019.

Tominaga made his Paris Fashion Week debut with his FW21 Collection, following the SS21 digital show at New York Fashion Week.

Daniel Quintanilla

Setting The Course

Last weekend on the first day of Informa Markets “Coterie” trade show at the Javits Center in New York City’s Hudson Yards, the first in 19 months after the COVID19 pandemic, “Coterie” held a conversation with Fern Mallis, an industry Godmother who’s spearheaded New York Fashion Week in what the industry knows it as even to this day.

Fern’s beginnings stemmed from the old Mademoiselle magazine where Fern planted her fashion footprint as a guest Editor before becoming a staff Editor, then moving onto the selling side of fashion at numerous businesses before starting her own Public Relations firm, which led Fern to head the CFDA where Fern was truly the one who shaped New York Fashion Week to new heights.

Fern came up with the idea of having as many designers as possible gather in one big place, turning to Bryant Park to achieve this vision, seeking out sponsorship from all key places to achieve for the first-time ever that New York Fashion Week had corporate sponsors, opening up more opportunities for NYFW to show off to the press what was trending in fashion for one given season, New York Fashion Week would eventually be bought out by IMG and Fern stayed on after NYFW changed hands.

One important day that Fern truly led the charge of NYFW at Bryant Park was September 11, 2001, knowing instantly when the second plane hit World Trade Center that we were under a terrorist attack, and stopped models from walking the runway on that day and in the days to come, also telling press to take off their stilettos, and go out on some sneakers instead to cover another story, and many stories and tragedies played out on the day of 9/11/2001.

Once New York Fashion Week wrapped up its time at Bryant Park before moving to Lincoln Center in 2010, Fern thought it was a perfect time to move on and take a year off, which led Fern to her next adventure in interviewing notable designers with 92Y, which will resume in-person events soon following a hiatus thanks to COVID19, and will also be live-streamed.

And in a brief moment after the the conversation with Fern Mallis, Daniel plus Lauren asked how we can move forward in the fashion industry, it all comes down to fashion being more sustainable, putting in the work to achieving sustainability.

Daniel Quintanilla

High Fashion From The Beginning

Last Weekend, Informa Markets held its first MAGIC/ COTERIE trade show at the Javits Center in New York City’s Hudson Yards in 19 months following the COVID19 pandemic where no in-person trade shows were taking place, the MAGIC component Daniel plus Lauren experienced was the Princess Daliana baby and children’s collection at a with higher quality and designs than most children’s collections.

Princess Daliana got its roots from the designer’s mother, who’s from Dalian City, China, where their mother was already a designer of children’s clothes for over 30 years in China, the designer came to America to attend college, but stayed after college because they loved the United States so much.

Princess Daliana was created in 2017 as an extension of their mother’s children’s designs that specialize in high-end children’s fashion mainly for girls that make pieces for moments like being a flower girl for weddings, communions gowns, and soon will produce boys high-end pieces since the designer’s expecting to have a baby boy real soon.

Princess Daliana’s top selling line of high end pieces are girl’s christening gowns for that all important first event of a child being their Baptism, Princess Daliana is mainly sold in the Northeast Corridor of the United States, Princess Daliana also has business relationships with Urban Outfitters and Sophia’s Styles which is one the largest online clothing retailer in America.

Fabrics used to make Princess Daliana’s one of a kind high end children’s collection come from polyester and satin on the outside, but it’s Princess Daliana’s 100 percent cotton produced for the inner lining of Princess Daliana’s pieces that makes for a comfortable baby and children’s clothing collection.

What also sets Princess Daliana apart from others are that both the manufacture and the designs are owned by the same people, eliminating the middleman, and keeping price points down of their high-end collection; and Fashion Consultant, Patricia Ann Parenti, also contributed to putting together this piece at the MAGIC trade show.

Daniel Quintanilla

By Patricia Ann Parenti

Chuks Collins showed his collection on Sunday, September 12, 2021 as a presentation at The Sunken Living Room at Spring Studios during New York Fashion Week. As you can see in the photos everyone sat on the top rows of the area while the models cascaded in the Sunken area of the red carpeted room. After the models walked and twirled for the cameras, they all lined up against the wall so you could still see the clothes.

Chuks Collines is a fashion designer and a multi-disciplinary visual artist who uses creativity to tell his story. He was raised in England and Nigeria. In one of the photos, you can see references to African prints being used in shorts and a shirt for a man; and a short straight skirt over a red asymmetrical skirt for a woman. As a child in Nigeria, his grandmother taught him tailoring. This shows in this collection because every garment was custom made in the Bronx, NY just to fit the model. Expand the photos and you can see true craftmanship in every piece of clothing. American Made Couture is what this collection is all about.

The inspiration for his Couture Collection was from him taking photos of cocoons and studying the resurrection process of the butterfly. His other inspiration came from muscular bodies of people. After taking all these photos he pinned them to what we call a mood board in the fashion industry where he was able to look at the board daily for inspiration on designing.

I love his use of jewel and bright colors ranging from tones of yellows, royal blues, wine reds, browns. His fabrics were soft and flowing and African inspired prints with cocoons. He does lots of fabric manipulation that includes pleating, boning, corset style tops, tailoring and structured shoulders (which make women feel strong and powerful) and beading. Since it was a presentation, I was able to get up close to the models after it was over to view the garments. What I noticed is many of the gown’s fabrics had a sheen to them which will make them stand out at a gala or black-tie affair. Some of the other dresses had pleated fabric made into ruffles at the skirt that would be perfect for dancing because they moved when the wearer of the dress danced.

He creates flattering gowns and dresses for both regular sizes and plus sizes. His fashions are very feminine and lady like and will make any woman stand out in the room. His collection definitely empowers women and makes them feel and look like a Queen! This is the perfect collection to wear to make women feel good again after 18 months of wearing casual clothes due to the Pandemic. To find out more about Chuks Collins, his clothing collection or to have something custom made for you then go to WWW.CHUKSCOLLINS.COM

Patricia Ann Parenti