Designer to Watch: Georgia Hardinge

You may not have heard of London born, Parson's (Paris) trained designer Georgia Hardinge yet, but I think it's only a matter of time.

As a student, Hardinge, won ‘the Golden Thimble’ for best designer for her graduate collection. Since she made her debut at London Fashion Week in September 2009, Hardinge has developed a following that includes Sugar Rock Catwalk fave, Little Boots and model, Erin O'Connor. Her architectural and sculptural approach to fashion is evident in her designs while always remaining fully aware of the female form. The lines are ultra flattering and accentuate the body.

Check out some of her designs from her AW2010 collection below!

Hail Mary - Designer to Watch: Mary Katrantzou

Former RISD and Central St Martin's alum Mary Katrantzou is a name you should remember. The print specialist uses digital printing, bold interpretation of color and symmetry to bring life to her designs. Her previous effort in Spring 2009 led her to win the Best Graduate award at the London Fashion Awards. Now for Fall 2009, she continues to prove her ingenuity in a collection inspired by “Vintage perfume bottles, 18th century portraits and Victor Skrebneski.”

Not only is Mary Katrantzou creative, she is also resourceful. She told Style.com "I found a printer called the Silk Bureau here in London. They do it in their garage....My mother has a furniture-making factory. She's retired, but I forced her to get back in there and make me some pieces." Katrantzou loves the interplay of combining hyper real prints with real jewelry.

As for the collection it mainly consisted of dresses in predominantly simple shift shapes with some slightly more fuller skirted options. The perfume bottles almost become abstract graphics that are both beautiful and intriguing. Surprisingly wearable and utterly unforgettable. I'm torn on which dress is my favorite , but I think the first one pictured as well as the black and white one in the second row are AMAZING!

Trends: Cold Shoulder, Hot Look

Alexander Wang Fall 2009, Behnaz Sarafpour Fall 2009, Mark Fast Fall 2009

Marc Jacobs Fall 2009, Mario Schwab Fall 2009, Phillip Lim 3.1 Fall 2009

One trend I noticed so far on the runways of Fall 2009 is the exposed shoulder. From New York to London the exposed shoulder is hot on the runways. This is different from the regular one shoulder effect of the past because it is more covered. The opposite side shoulder is either covered up, or the arms are covered. The strategically placed cut out can be either rounded or angular. Although the angular shapes at Mario Schwab and Phillip Lim 3.1 are still kind of sassy, I think I prefer the rounded shapes at Alexander Wang and Behnaz Sarafpour best as they look organic and futuristic.

Mark My Words, Designer to Watch: Mark Fast

Canadian born Mark Fast was one to watch at London Fashion Week! The knitwear designer was one of 2 that passed the New Generation selection committee this season.

And boy did he knit up a storm. Thuderstorms to be exact! He tells Style.com that his collection is about "that moment of fear and negativity, mixed with something that also feels beautiful."

If you're a fan of sexy, edgy body con in the vein of Azzedine Alaïa or Hervé Leger with and edgy kick, he's one to be on your radar.

Also, to note he hand knits each piece on a knitting machine, so no mass produced stuff here...which is kinda beautiful...but DARN! Not coming to my closet any time soon!

Return of the King

King Karl returns to New York this weekend in time for the opening of Chanel’s Mobil Art Exhibit in Central Park to the public.

Chanel commissioned British architect Zaha Hadid to create a travelling structure that will house art by contemporary artists. The art is to all be inspired by Chanel’s ubiquitous 2.55 quilted handbag. (In case you are wondering the name if the handbag comes from the issue date of February 1955). There will be 20 international artists showcased including: Daniel Buren, Blue Noses, David Levinthal, Fabrice Hyber, Lee Bul, Nobuyoshi Araki, Soju Tao, Sophie Calle and more.

Admission to the exhibition in Central Park will be free, although visitors should be aware that you must visit the on-site ticket booth for limited same day ticketing from October 22- November 9, 2008. For more info visit chanel-mobileart.com

Location in Central Park
P.S. The Chanel Mobil Art Exhibit has already made stops in Hong Kong and Tokyo, but will soon be headed to London (May 2009), Moscow (Oct 2009) and finally Paris (Feb 2010).

*Mobil Exhibit Photos and Map via NY Times

Christopher Kane - Runway Review

Christopher Kane has been a young designer to watch the past few seasons. Ever since Donatella Versace used him as a consulant, I have wondered what tricks this boy has up his sleeve, if he would be one to rise or like a bright firecracker fame that would soon die out.

To be truthful, I was not a fan of his last collection but still curious as to where Kane would grow and develop his identity doing. Citing unlikely inspiration from Planet of the Apes, The Flintstones, Raquel Welch in One Million Years B.C., and Dian Fossey and her gorillas it's hard to imagine what this collection would be.

This time around though, he built on the use of Pailettes (Giant Sequins) from the previous collections, but now in leather and organza building layers of cartoon like scales with great effect, delighting my eyes with texture, movement and layers. I loved loved loved this look. Kane stuck to a mostly safe color palatte of nudes, silver, black and ivory but injected acid green, lemon yellow, red and oranges to keep things lively. I could live without the bright leopard prints and the marabou came off looking trashy. While the ape motiffs are almost comical fortunately the insiration wasn't always so literal and limited to only a few pieces.

Overall I could see some of these frothy frocks looking great on fashion forward gamine-like young celebs but not for everyone, as the layers add bulk. But the offerings seem more commercialy viable than ever before. I can't wait to see what the future holds for this young designer.