Phoenix Fashion Week: Emerging Designer Challengers Revealed

By Monica Avila

 On a summer Friday night in the Valley of the Sun, 12 emerging designers scorched the runway at Toni and Guy Academy Scottsdale for their debut for Phoenix Fashion Week’s Emerging Designer Challenge! 

 The drama was real as each new hopeful showcased one signature, fall look for the fashion media and blogosphere.  Of course you know I was there taking it all in and looking for some fresh new fashion trends to chat up for you all. Let me tell you some of these new designers are going to give the tried and true labels a run for their money.  Seriously, if I had my Amex instead of my notebook with me, I’d have rushed up after the show and bought a couple of the dresses right then and there.  I’ll talk about those later; let me first give a little background about the competition, which will result in a Designer of the Year awardee in October 2013.

 In 2005, the Phoenix fashion industry started showcasing new designers looking to bust onto the scene.  From this was born the Emerging Designer Challenge. The folks over at PFW put these newbies through what Executive Director Brian Hill calls “Fashion Boot camp.” This intense four months of training for young design hopefuls is part of the three pillars that Phoenix Fashion Week stands for; Fashion, Education, Humanity.   The idea that fashion can care and is not about cut-throat sharks waiting to devour new emerging designers but rather an environment where people are given the support they need to grow, develop and succeed is what sets Phoenix Fashion Week and its Designer of the Year challenge apart.

 It is also what draws this Latina into the fold of fashion love.  Latinas and Latinos alike love to look awesome and stylish but our community mindset keeps us conscious of how an industry or a brand is treating the gente.  Well from what I can see, Phoenix Fashion Week is all about teaching and giving that hand up to deserving new talent.  So, who is this new talent?  Let me introduce you.

 Designer of the Year contestants

d.p.c By Dora Yim, Tagline,  “Clothes should be like a friend and last a lifetime.”  This Texan designer makes comfortable and beautiful clothes that have very simple, wearable lines.

 Loin Cloth, “A penny and a plan.”  This pair of designers from Los Angeles have created a line of ready-to wear-urban men’s wear that any dude would love to sport.  Easy to wear, with a little bit of attitude, very cool!

 Doux Belle: “Vintage Elegance for the Modern Woman.”  Love that tag line, and this local Phoenix designer has an eye for sophistication.  This was one look I was ready to purchase on sight!

 Tran Nguyen, “Modern and Luxurious design in an everyday lifestyle.” Oh, yes luxurious is the best description, and these hand-made custom designs by this St. Louis designer were a standout favorite in my eyes.

 Herbert Victoria, “Unique and sensible women’s apparel.”  This San Francisco native really brought his A game; his African inspired textiles really make a statement.

 Gentry, “Retro modern, Urban Chic Romantic Women’s wear.”  This designing duo from New York, New York has beautifully textured designs that look super-wearable and very chic.

 Proverbs by Efua, “Fabulously making a difference.” Very sweet styling with simple elegant lines out of this designer coming to this competition all the way from Dubai.

Jaire, “Dare to be seen.”  Oh, you will definitely get noticed in a design by this Los Angeles pair of designers. Elegant and sexy, these gowns say a lot.

 Dolcessa, “The sweeter side of swimwear.” Gorgeous lines, pretty details and some popping colors define this line of swimwear.  You know it gets hot poolside here in Arizona, and you might as well look just as hot in your suit, am I right?

 Linden, “Embracing the modern Bombshell.”  Very simple form fitting lines with some really unique detailing. 

 Michele Hebert, “Designs for those who stand out.”  A line that is very, very sexy and unique.  This is a line for the daring and confident…hmmm know anyone?

 Medium Apparel, “Life is art. We are the Medium.” Love that tag line, and liked the cool skater vibe this local designer out of Glendale brought to the table. 

 Over all the night was a super huge success.  I loved so many aspects of each design; truly I think the judges are going to have a difficult time choosing.  Either way, much luck to each contestant, I’ll be following your progress each step of the way…I can’t wait!