Emerging Designer: Kris Jane International

After completing her studies at Istituto Marangoni a private school for fashion and design in Milan, Kris Jane knew that she had found her calling as a designer. She then traveled to Hong Kon and created her line in May 2012. Her focus is creating pieces that fully compliment  a woman’s silhouette accented with A- line shapes and peplum drawn from a variety of cultures. This collection entitled “Lance and Lilies”  combines medieval armor and florals  and creates a “futuristic nostalgia” and a definite play on hard and soft contrasts.  Check out our interview with Kris below….

1) Who is the Kris Jane woman?

She is someone who is independent, confident and makes an effort to stand out from the crowd. She would also have a refined taste in contemporary arts culture .

2) How are you setting yourself apart in a very crowded world of fashion design?

This is probably the most challenging part, because you really have to first understand who you are as a designer and as a brand. For me, it’s a constant learning progress.  As a new brand, it is very important that your products make commercial sense to your buyers, but always be true to your vision. 

 

3) Your mother is also a fashion designer. How has she influenced your style and design aesthetic?

We’ve always had very different aesthetics. However, she is very daring and is never afraid to experiment with new ideas. I am very lucky to have grown up with this kind of influence. And that’s a very big part of what my label is about, it’s about being creative, being experimental with new elements and pushing boundaries.

4) You launched your collection just a few years ago. What financial advice can you give novice designers looking to start a brand?

-Be very realistic with your expectations. You can definitely start a brand with limited budget and resources. The key is to know how to leverage them. 

-Don’t be afraid to collaborate with other people, collective effort is always more effective, particularly at the beginning. 

-Be very cautious when bringing new investors, it could be a blessing or a curse working with investors too early on.

 

5) What values has served you well as a designer and business owner?

Passion and Persistence .

6) Where can interested buyers purchase your designs?

shop.krisjane.com

Or simply just email info@krisjane.com to ask for our wholesale linesheet.

Thank you Kris for sharing your creative and business gems with our audience!

Emerging Shoe Designer: Aminah Abdul Jillil

When it comes to shoes big fashion names come to mind like Jimmy Choo, Christian Louboutin and so forth… Little do some know,  there are upcoming brands like Aminah Abdul Jillil that are changing the game as well  in the shoe category with incredible and over the top shoes.

ABOUT AMINAH ABDUL JILLIL

Born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska Aminah began as a professional dancer in Los Angeles, performing with some of the biggest names in music including Britney Spears and Janet Jackson. In 2012 Aminah launched her first collection of women’s shoes selling mostly online and a few L.A based boutiques including the iconic Fred Segal.

See some of her work below.

Interested in getting your hands on some of her pieces,  get in touch with her here.  As always follow Sereine Magazine via social media on Twitter, Facebook , Pinterest and Instagram.

Photos: Aminah Abdul Jillil

Emerging Brand at LA Fashion Week Emerging Designer Showcase To Watch: Tokio Fever

Last but not least is fashion designer and founder of the LA Emerging Designer Showcase Kenya Jametta, the face behind the Tokio Fever fashion label. Expectations will be high on Jametta,  and honestly, I cannot wait to see what she has under her sleeves for spring 15.  We recently featured her on our blog. For more info  on her and how you can send her your designs to be a part of  the 2015 LA Fashion Week Emerging Designers’ showcase edtion,  click here.

ABOUT TOKIO FEVER

For her spring 15 collection, the inspiration was complex simplicity. Expect clothes that are comfortable,  easy to wear, whimsical, bold as well as very   structured.

Runway show: October 24, 2014, 8:30 pm.

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Photo courtesy of Kenya Jametta

Emerging Brand at LA Fashion Week Emerging Designer Showcase To Watch: JChan’s Design

West coast based fashion label J-Chan’s Designs is on our radar as the brand preps to debut its spring 15 collection during the LA Fashion Week Emerging Designers’ showcase.

ABOUT JCHAN’S

Founded by Jessica Rowell,  this budding fashion designer will be showing a range of aquatic and forest-like colors. Coupled with a mixture of detailed texture, subtle prints, and fluid fabrics. Take a look at some of her past work below.

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Photo:JChan’s Designs

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Emerging Brand at LA Fashion Week Emerging Designer Showcase To Watch: DYG

Next up in the LA Fashion Week Emerging Designer Showcase is DYG, short for Dapper Young Gentlemen,  a LA based fashion brand.

ABOUT DYG

“Our Designs  range from very bright and playful accessories to more industrious looks that cater to an upscale audience” is how  H.S Reid, one of the founders of this menswear line  would describe his work.  Founded in 2009 by Reid and Jamar Canty to provide a line of distinctive ties, bow ties, and pocket squares hand crafted and manufactured in LA’s fashion district. Their mission is to inspire gentlemen to upgrade their wardrobe, along with their lifestyle.

Runway Show: Friday, October 24, 2014 at 8pm.

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Photo:DYG

Emerging Brand at LA Fashion Week Emerging Designer Showcase To Watch: Luvgen

As I mentioned yesterday, the LA Fashion Week Emerging Fashion Designers will be held this Friday, October 25. One of the four emerging fashion brands that has been selected to showcase its collection is LUVGEN.

ABOUT LUVGEN

Founded by costume designer/stylist, Malcolm Joris M. Bacani, this LA, California-based menswear fashion brand is hoping to re-launch its brand with a collection that targets teens and provide ready to wear pieces. With a minimalism approach and graphic prints, Bacani’s spring 15 collection may put him onto the right track to touch a new fan base.

Runway Show: Friday, October 24, 2014 at 7:30 pm.

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Photo source: LA Emerging Designers

LA Fashion Week Emerging Designers Showcase S/S 15 Presentations

If New York is the fashion capital of the US, LA  Fashion Week is also one of the biggest stages/event  for many established fashion brands as well as upcoming fashion designers interested in taking their brand to the next level and/or making a name for themselves.  LA Fashion Week is currently in full swing and will continue until this Friday, October 25.  The final day of the event is all about turning the spotlight on emerging brands with the LA Emerging Designers Showcase that brings designers into the forefront of the LA fashion scene. This year four designers will take center stage at the event: Tokio Fever (that we recently featured on the blog), DYG, JChans’s Designs and  Luvgen.

We will be bringing you more info on these designers and their fashion aesthetics.  As always follow Sereine Magazine via social media on Twitter, Facebook , Pinterest and Instagram.

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Photo link

Emerging Brand: IIkonee S/S15 Collection

We are starting off the week with IIKNOEE, an eco-friendly fashion brand that does not use animal skins or by products such as wool and silk in their garments.

ABOUT IIKNOEE

Started by fashion designers Benita and Tatjana, the two women are all about simplicity and starkness when it comes to telling the story about the celebration of space and timelessness in an overcrowded and fast paced world. It is minimalism infused with thoughtful and intentional monochromatic protection.

I really like this collection because sometimes, less is more.  The cuts, shapes and the silhouettes are simple but yet elegant and feminine. Many women will definitely fall in love with some of their pieces because after all, not everyone is into intricate details and over the top fashion.

At any rate,  tell us what you think of IIKONEE Spring 15 offerings. As always follow Sereine Magazine via social media on Twitter, Facebook , Pinterest and Instagram.

Happy Sunday everyone!!!!

Photos: IIkonee

KÖKLER’s S/S15 Art and Fashion Exhibit in Milan, Italy

We know that  the world of fashion and art have an intertwined  history as many  fashion designers find their inspiration from many great artists and vice versa. Fashion week has officially ended in Milan and with that say, I would like to introduce you to KÖKLER,  a fashion brand that takes the world of fashion  to a whole new level when it comes to turning some of the world’s best art pieces into show stopping garments.

ABOUT KÖKLER

A fashion brand that adopts the same creative process applied in the fine arts: research aesthetics, look for inspiration, new shapes and forms with unique pieces  that are  manufactured manually.  It is about transforming artworks and metamorphosing them into wearable fashion items with audacious cuts accentuated by accomplished craftsmen.

While many designers chose the runway to showcase their s/s 15 collection,  KÖKLER chose  to show theirs as an exhibit that tells the story behind each piece. Fans and interested buyers get a  more personal and unique experience by getting a closer look at the collection from concept, design and production.

If you plan to be in Milan in the next few days, stop at the Spazio OBERDAN, Viale Vittorio Veneto 2,  to get a closer look of the exhibit.  It will be open to the public until September 28, 2014. Interested buyers can find the high-end Prêt-à-Porter collection, entirely made in Italy  at the Showroom Pizzini in Milan.

Take a look at some looks from th

Special thanks to Denise.

Photo credit: KÖKLER

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Video: Stella Maze Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Debut Collection

 

As I mentioned a few days ago, Stella Maze debuted the Stella Hues shoe line during the Michael Costello s/s 15 collection during Mercedes-Benz fashion week in New York.

With her signature blue soles, her shoes were the perfect accessory to set off Project runway season 8 candidate and  Project Runway All-Star  season 1 finalist, Micheal Costello’s collection of edgy and  feminine dresses. If you  are interested in purchasing any items from her debut collection, visit her webpage here.  Just in case you want a closer look at her runway debut collection, watch the action below.

Photo credit: Stella Hues

Special thanks to Jade

Max Tan S/S 15 Collection

Always on the look out for emerging talents, today our discovery takes us to Singapore where tailored Women’s RTW fashion brand Max Tan is based.

ABOUT MAX TAN

Serious but never severe, minimal but never simple, fragile but never weak.  It is how Max Tan defines his work as a designer. Maximizing on minimalistic ideas, much of the label’s attention is paid to tailoring and draping. Playing with volume, modifying shapes, oversized, undersized, deconstruction and reconstruction while blurring the line between  masculine and feminine silhouettes to  provide women with an alternative and quiet fashion lifestyle.

ABOUT MAX TAN SPRING/SUMMER 15

For his spring/summer 15 collection, Tan introduces the abstract concept of everything probable and impossible. The limitless, the unbounded, and the unconventional. The idea of creating hybrid garments with no hems but lengthened and flipped up, transforming into another garment as seen on the shirtdress below extended into a jacket bodice, morphing a two-piece garment into one.

Sleeves are conjoined together with fabrics flowing one side to another, leaving a drape behind the wearer.

 

 

 

Inspired by the curves of the Infinity symbol, curved seams are tactically used to create the main silhouette of the collection; Volumes. Pieces are hung onto the wearer’s body lightly; yet creating big shapes and forms.

 

 

Tan’s pieces are definitely for women that are not afraid to take their fashion taste to a new level.  Fashionistas that are eager to experiment with androgynous pieces and make bold statements.  At any rate, please let us know what you think of Tan’s latest collection. Follow the brand on Facebook and Instagram.

Photos courtesy of Max Tan

Emerging Designer To Watch During New York Fashion Week: Stella Maze to Debut Footwear Collection with Michael Costello

Her name may not tell you anything but soon people will be talking about Stella Maze.  At 5 pm Eastern time, she is set to debut her footwear collection “Stella Hues”  in collaboration with celebrity fashion designer Michael Costello during his spring/summer 15 runway show at Lincoln Center.

ABOUT STELLA MAZE

An accessory visionary and luxury footwear designer from the British Virgin Islands and the face behind Stella Hues.  After launching her brand a less than a year ago, the budding designer’s shoes are uniquely crafted utilizing the finest materials from Italy. Fashionably known as the “Blue Bottoms”, the collection guarantees high-end design, exceptional quality and extraordinary comfort. For more info on Maze’s work check out her signature blue soles at www.stellahues.com.

As always, follow Sereine Magazine via social media on Twitter, Facebook , Pinterest and Instagram.

Special thanks to Jade for bringing our attention onto Stella Maze’s work.

Photo credit: Stella Hues

Introducing Luevo: A Platform for Emerging Designers and Fashionistas

Are you an emerging designer/brand in search of new ways to get your collection to the masses? In celebration of Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week, I would like to introduce you to Luevo, the place where emerging designers can sell their collection and consumers pre-order unique fashion straight off the runway.

ABOUT LUEVO:

A pre-ordering online platform that showcases pieces from designers including emerging ones. Founded by Ana Caracaleanu and Mihnea Stoian,  this Canadian Start up  is about helping fashion brands as soon as they get market recognition through fashion week events to start manufacturing their collection.

For the first time, Luevo has partnered with fashion weeks across the U.S so that fashion fanatics get the exclusive privilege to reserve their favorite looks from the Spring/Summer 2015 collections fresh off the runway.  All you have to do is to sign-up to be the first to access exclusive collections, capsules and showroom looks to get  your favorite pieces before anyone else.

If you are an emerging designer interested in how Luevo can help you take your brand to the next level, contact them here.

Follow them via social media

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram , Pinterest and Tumblr.

Photo: Luevo Pinterest

Show Review: Diarra Bousso Spring Summer 2015

From Diarra Bousso’s MINT line Source: Sereine Magazine

I had the pleasure of attending the viewing of Diarra Bousso’s “two shows in one” collection over the weekend and was visually transported to places such as Istanbul, France, Saudia Arabia and Thailand. Her MINT Spring Summer 2015 entitled “Abstract Cubism” bought with it the architecture of Istanbul and artwork from Balat and Galata with a mixture of color oranges, greens and Turquoise blues. She says ” I wanted to translate all my abstract and beautiful dreams into wearable art” who has been painting since age 5.

Source : Sereine Magazine

Source: Sereine Magazine

A photographer, artist and one time bond trader on Wall Street, Diarra quit her day job after two years to succumb to her passion for art and design to launch her line in 2013. She launched her Dakar Boutique  platform alongside her two brands MINT (contemporary ready to wear) and db (couture dresses and premium leather goods) . She has been published in Vogue, Glamour , the New York Times and the HuffPost. Her creations have been worn by celebrities and first ladies around the world . I spoke to Diarra after the show and she could not have been more gracious and enthusiastic about her show.

Source: Sereine Magazine

 For her db collection, she was inspired by “Golden Dreams” which focuses on wedding dresses and “African Voyages”. Diarra uses Calais Lace and delicate silks from Thailand.

Source: Sereine Magazine

Source: Sereine Magazine

Source: Sereine: Magazine

Source: Sereine Magazine

Source: Sereine Magazine

It was a fun night in NYC! What say you SM fam? If you want to check out more of Diarra’s pieces (which I know you do!), here’s where you can find her…

dbLine : http://www.diarrabousso.com

MINT Line: http://www.mintbydiarrabousso.com

Company Website: http://www.dakarboutique.com

 

Emerging Designer to Watch During New York Fashion Week:Diarra Bousso

New York Fashion Week kicks off tomorrow. While Leah will be attending a few shows for the blog, one collection that  we are eagerly waiting to see is from stylist turned fashion designer, Diarra Bousso of Senegal.  We will be reviewing her collection so in the meantime, you can get familiar with her work by checking some her past collections on her website here.

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