Designers to Watch Now and in Spring: MBFW New York

New York’s Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2011 finished up mid-September. At this point, some collections are still out front in my mind and others are like tall people standing in the back of a group photo – they still show up but are less noticeable. Come this spring, many of these garments will be in stores and boutiques. Below is a list of designers and labels from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York to check out now and next year. To find out more about each designer/label, follow the "Browse Our Designers" link on this page: http://www.mbfashionweek.com/

Argentine Designers: Think castanets clicking and flamenco dancing.

Bensoni: Designer’s handout aptly described this collection as the marriage of bourgeois bohemian to cyber-goth! (Shown above).

Betsey Johnson: More than a month after MBFW and people are still remarking about this energetic, colorful and fashionable designer and collection!

Binetti: During the show, I wrote in my notes: “glitter,” “sparkle details,” “Chinese would like.” Women’s garments in China and Mexico often are very embellished with sequins and rhinestones, a form of detailing now popular in the United States.

Concept Korea: Another of my favorite shows featured three amazing designers: Hyun Joo Kwak, Juyoung Lee, and Lee Jean Youn, who each had a distinctive, yet Oriental style, with Kwak showing silk-screened images of the Korean anime character Pucca on some garments. The show received good marks from “America’s Next Top Model” stylist Jay Alexander, Korean media, and local and international fashion photographers.

Cynthia Rowley: The MBFW Web site noted that Rowley was 7 when she created her first dress. This designer has won numerous awards and wows audiences each time she shows a collection. I especially liked her “Black hole dress,” a sheath with round cut-outs, and her duo: “Iris silk Henley with pollen-colored perforated skirt” (which also had round holes), part of her Spring/Summer 2011 collection.

David Elfin: I like that you can see the red soles of his models’ Christian Louboutin shoes as they walk the runway.

Narciso Rodriguez: Yes. Yes. Yes.

Isaac Mizrahi: The “IM Xerox” collection featured garments in graphic black and white prints inspired by photocopies. The swag bag included a swatch of the photocopy-print fabric made into a pinback button. Mine is my favorite swag freebie.

Ivana Helsinki: This was the first time the sister designer duo showed their label in the United States. Back home in Finland (of which Helsinki is the capital and largest city) the brand is a top seller.

J. Mendel: Must see clothes and Web site.

Lacoste: This label, inspired by French tennis great Rene Lacoste and called by his nickname, the Crocodile, created one of the U.S. Open’s “it” tennis dresses this season. The Open ran concurrently with MBFW, enticing Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour to cut out on some runway shows to see tennis matches instead.

L.A.M.B.: Enlivened audience members sat forward in their seats to view designer Gwen Stefani’s hip and chic casual wear.

Malandrino: This outdoor presentation with models standing on the ledge of the reflection pool next to Lincoln, the new restaurant at Lincoln Center, drew hundreds of fashionistas and onlookers, as well.

Max Azria: This French designer based in Los Angeles stays busy by presenting three major runway shows at Fashion Week: Max Azria, BCBGMAXAZRIA, and Hervé Léger by Max Azria.

Perry Ellis: Major retailers and department store buyers will testify that this sportswear label is a sure thing: it sells!

Prabal Gurung: A favorite of American Vogue and U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama, this designer didn’t fail to impress.

Rebecca Minkoff

Rebecca Moses: Imagine a collection of giant-sized books, larger and taller than an average model. That was the setting for Moses’ presentation of colorful and feminine garments. Models stood near or in front of the books (props) and one reclined in the middle of the room on a platform, made to resemble an open book. Showing in New York for the first time 20 years after moving to Italy, the designer’s presentation coincided with the release of her first book, “A Life of Style.”

Richard Chai: His customers, plus bloggers and editors give his feminine clothes good reviews.

Ruffian: See Web site.

Timo Weiland: Two young designers who know how to dress both men and women, this time around in primary colors and feminine and masculine body-flattering silhouettes.

Tommy Hilfiger: It’s been 25 years and Hilfiger’s not getting older, he’s getting better. His collection has a fresh take on wardrobe staples such as polos, khakis, tennis whites and pullover sweater.
Toni Francesc: Sculptural, wearable neutrals.

Venexiana: Each season designer Kati Stern presents a glamorous collection of mostly evening wear and then at the end of the show walks the whole runway taking in the audience’s applause.

Vivienne Tam: Her creativity and passion coat her collections like the new long-wearing nail enamel: they have gloss, vibrant colors and staying power.
Zang Toi: Numerous fashion photographers and fashion insiders told me afterwards that this was their favorite MBFW show.

Z Spoke by Zac Posen: I liked it. I’d buy it. I’d wear it.