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Emerging Designers

In September magazines go all out, creating textbook sized odes to the latest and greatest designer fashion for the style-starved masses. But sometimes it's a bit much. Sure fall is a great time for clothes, and there are so many options out there. But do you really need to shell out $4 to be told that knee high boots are uber-hot this season? I think not. Plus Kris already did an excellent job of covering the themes in March, putting you a full 6 months ahead of the curve.

All the hoopla has left me feeling a bit introspective, specifically about how the internet has revolutionized fashion. Pre-Al Gore and his "invention," fashion worked in a very specific (and limited) way. Trends were dictated by designers (even if their inspiration came from the street), and then trickled down to the masses. Those of us who couldn't afford the latest Gucci piece had to wait months (even years) for the trend to finally trickle down to affordable price points. And if you didn't live in a major city, forget about it.

But in many ways the internet has "leveled" the fashion playing field. You don't have to be Anna Wintour to gain complete access to each season's runway shows. A regular girl like me can browse the shows at my convenience (roughly translated into when I'm at work), and pick and choose the trends I want to follow, as opposed to having them dictated by a magazine. Even better you can completely bypass the shows altogether -- and hunt out designers that mesh with your own unique sense of style. You can be "trendy" by creating your own trend. Ingenious!

So in honor of September, and in celebration of the freedom that the internet has brought us, I present to you a selection of new and/or emerging designers. Some of these designers you may have heard of, and some of them are still relatively unknown but all have created beautiful clothes and accessories that are destined to influence fashion in the months (years?) to come.

~~~ Charlly

read Charlly's bio

CLOTHING

Desanka

Desanka epitomizes LA chic, offering just the right combination of California "cool" and Hollywood glamour. Designer Desanka Fasiska studied at the Academy of Art College in San Francisco and seeks to fuse contemporary styling with vintage sensibility. Selected items are available www.satineboutique.com and www.lisyb.com, and the complete Fall 2005 collection can be found at www.desanka.com.

Prudence

This name might sound familiar to the more fashion-savvy among you. While Prudence is not a new label per se, it is a collection that has come into its own in the past few seasons, offering classically feminine clothing that is still stylish and modern. Designers Starrett Zenko and Saara Traister create clothes for the new modern woman, elegant, refined, and always impeccably turned out. Prudence can be found at Barney's, Fred Segal, and TG170 (www.tg170.com). For more information contact their sales representatives at lynn@stevenalan.com or amy@stevenalan.com. To see their entire Fall 2005 collection go to www.prudenceclothing.com.

Bell by Alicia Bell

Ever yearned for a more glamorous age, where going out actually meant getting dressed -- not just throwing on jeans and a cami? Alicia Bell is the designer for you. These are seriously gorgeous clothes that evoke an era where femininity reigned supreme. Bell's impressive pedigree includes a stint with legendary designer Vivienne Westwood. And it shows in her clothing, which is both romantic and effortlessly pretty. Bell by Alicia Bell can be found at numerous brick & mortar stores (her website www.aliciabell.com offers an extensive list by state), at www.kellyscloset.net, and at www.selmaandsyd.com.

Borne Clothing

The great thing about fashion is that there are so many options out there. Some girls like pretty, girly clothes, while others find little use for the word "frilly" when it comes to clothing. If you fall into the later category Borne Clothing is the line for you. In a season full of romantic ruffles and lace, Borne offers a refreshing collection full of sleek, functional clothing sure to be a hit with women for whom grass and trees are a foreign concept. The founder and chief designer, Brett Lolly's, background includes work as a men's streetwear designer, evident in a collection comprised of well tailored and superbly constructed pieces. Borne Clothing can be found at www.stevenalan.com. To view the complete Fall 2005 collection go to www.borneclothing.com.

TEES:

Given the ubiquity of the tee shirt is it any wonder that they are a plethora of emerging designers working with the medium. So the next time you're looking for a new tee skip the mall, and head to these sites instead.

Old School NYC

Looking for a cool way to memoralize Kurt Cobain forever? Or is the Notorious B.I.G. more your style? Regardless of your musical inclinations, Old School NYC (www.oldschoolnyc.com) has a tee for you, featuring a range of airbrushed products that can be customized to your specific tastes. Stencils include everyone from Dylan to Madonna, and the $25 price tag can’t be beat. Don't like the featured color -- no worries. Just shoot them an email to pick your tee color, and even the color of the airbrushing.

ACCESSORIES

Due Farina

Shoe fetish? Remember this name, "Due Farina" because these shoes are drop dead gorgeous. The brainchild of Marina Rosina and Fabiana Rigamonti, these shoes are sexy, elegant, and most importantly comfortable. According to their bio, Rigamonti studied physics, so she should know a thing or two about creating a structurally sound shoe. Though the prices aren't cheap, these shoes are clearly worth every penny. www.duefarina.com

BAGS

Alyssa Graves

Sometimes searching for a new bag can feel akin to searching for the Holy Grail. You want something fabulous, but don't want to end up stuck with "last year's bag" next fall. Enter Alyssa Graves. Graves creates amazing bags that are the perfect combination of utility and whimsy. To view her most recent collection go to www.alyssagraves.com, Graves' bags can also be found at www.adonia.com.

Aaneta

Don't be surprised be if you see one of these bags swinging from the arms of a Hollywood starlet, or at the immediate feeding frenzy that ensues. Aaneta bags are poised to become the next big thing. Launched in the United States in 2002 by the mother-daughter team Ana Igielka-Markowicz and Valeria Markowicz-Strauss, Aaneta bags are available at www.hotterthanhollywood.com and www.activeendeavors.com; to view the complete collection go to www.aaneta.com.

JEWELRY

Bijules NYC

Stopped waiting for your knight in shining armor to rescue you and instead saved yourself? Embrace your independence with a distinctive piece from Bijules. Bijules offers an eclectic collection of pieces that takes incorporates various elements including handguns, turntables, and hearts. These attention grabbing pieces will definitely set you apart from the crowd. For ordering information, and to view the entire collection visit www.bijulesnyc.com.

More Resources:

Finding emerging designers is a lot harder than it looks, but it can be done. Gen Art (www.genart.org) is an excellent resource for hunting down the trendsetters of the future. Fashion is only a small part of Gen Art's scope which includes Film, Art, and Music. They regularly hold events in various cities including New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, and San Francisco. For more information on Gen Art visit www.genart.org.