New York Fashion Week is here. Through Feb. 19, top designers will send their latest wares down the runway, and we cannot wait to see what they have in store for Autumn/Winter 2015. While the tried and true—i.e. Ralph Lauren, Nicole Miller and Calvin Klein—will undoubtedly roll out the big guns, a handful of up and coming designers are making a stand for their place in the lineup.
While NYFW is a whirlwind for those trying to see it all, we have collected our top ten designers to watch: a few household names, a couple newbies up for the challenge, but each and every designer with an innovative story to tell. Check out below who Paste thinks will reign supreme this blustery fashion week and walk away with FW2015 Ready-to-Wear in the bag.
10. FRAME Denim
Up first is cult favorite FRAME Denim, who most definitely should not be overlooked. Hailing from opposite ends of the pond—Venice Beach, Los Angeles to Shoredith, London—FRAME captures the quality and tradition of California cotton with chic euro-inspired lines. FRAME’s ready-to-wear spring and summer line captured sensual androgyny with their Le Boyfriend button-downs and straight leg Le Grand Garçon jeans. Needless to say, denim is having a major renaissance and FRAME Denim is sure to play a role in both mens and womenswear denim.
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9. Rodarte
Perennial favorite, Rodarte, always brings a couture-based, ethereal, Cali-girl layered style to the runway. For SS15, Rodarte took us to a world of ’70s rocker mermaids in mesh overlays and seaweed tangles. Expectations are high for the new collection, especially with the boho chic look running strong. As always, sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy are sure to deliver a stunning and unique show.
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8. Baja East
While only a few seasons old, Baja East, founded by Scott Studenberg and John Targon, tout their brand as “loose luxury” and their casual, vacay-driven style brings the beach to the city. Baggy silhouettes, ikat patterns and beach tones are the perfect getaway essential, but still retain a structure and attitude made for the urban environment. Playful and androgynous, Baja East takes athleisure wear to a whole new level and FW15 should be no exception.
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7. ZAC Zac Posen
Although Zac Posen has released his looks for FW15 to Women’s Wear Daily and Style.com, as we scan the images from his upcoming contemporary line, ZAC Zac Posen, we absolutely cannot wait to see these garments in motion. With a structured, mod vibe throughout, Posen’s attention to detail and choice of sturdy, heavy fabrics has a more utilitarian look than we are used to, but his color choices and pop of a dahlia flower are perfectly Posen. The olive hombre color scheme is a lovely new take on a classic fall palette and utterly feminine as we expect from all things from the designer.
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6. Wes Gordon
Wes Gordon as a brand, designer, as well as his muse, has taken shape over the past 5 years since his debut. Last season, we saw a ’40s boxy silhouette with straight-leg pants, oversized blazers and rich, fine fabrics á la Katherine Hepburn with a mix of Chantilly lace for a touch of whimsy. His detailed eye for all-American womenswear showcases not only his raw talent, but hearkens back to his days as an intern for Oscar de la Renta and Tom Ford. Still, it seems Gordon has found a voice all his own.
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5. The Row
From our two favorite twins, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, The Row’s signature style is luxe, rich hues and a slightly oversized fit while remaining demure. For their spring ready-to-wear collection, the sisters had midi to maxi length dresses and skirts, a kimono-style cinched waist and a muted yet elegant color scheme. As with their expanding empire of handbags and sunglasses, these two know how to work statement pieces into quite the runways show.
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4. Marc by Marc Jacobs
Marc Jacobs needs no explanation. This designer has his finger on the pulse of youthful, streetwise style and his last ready-to-wear collection was no exception. Overseeing the designs, he entrusted Luella Bartley and Katie Hillier with the Marc by Marc label, and, needless to say, these two women have mighty big shoes to fill for this upcoming season—their own. With all the hype and longstanding history of unique, punky yet sophisticated, girly yet tough styling, Jacobs is sure to show something new for fall as he always does.
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3. Timo Weiland
With his eclectic background, creative director and co-founder of the same-named brand, Timo Weiland’s signature style draws from the rural to the urban—his time spent in Jacksonville, Fla. as a child to his latest collection based on time in Silverlake, Los Angeles with fellow designers Alan Eckstein and Donna Kang. His designs for both men and women hinge on the playful and youthful, and feature crop tops for the ladies and bold striped blazers for the gents. Weiland’s SS15 show was light and bubbly with pom-pom earrings and kitschy details, making Weiland one of our new favorite faces. Get interested fast because this brand is about to skyrocket.
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2. Alexander Wang
One could say this is the year of Alexander Wang. Not only is the designer still creative director for Balenciaga and his own umbrella label Alexander Wang, but he has added X Denim AW to his repertoire, as well as a collaboration with H&M just last November. The man has been busy and shows no sign of stopping. While his garments tend toward the sci-fi city slicker in mostly black with girlish accents, Wang always throws a touch of the unexpected—i.e. SS15’s choice of sneakers for footwear—and with all the work he has been doing, we can only imagine what he is up to next.
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1. Adam Selman
Adam Selman is, in a word, trouble. But, like all things trouble, he is pure fun and well worth the risk. Known for his breakout sheer number Rihanna sported at the 2014 CFDA Fashion Awards, Selman has ridden those mesh sparkles to the top while honing his brand and voice along the way. His SS15 show was all bubblegum pop and wide leg denim, a mix of old-school Betsey Johnson and sporty trouser edge. All the while, it was youthful, exuberant and just this side of dangerous. Selman knows these boundaries well, and the anticipation for what he does next is palpable.
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