Gen Art: Fresh Faces

Guest Writer: Stacy Ellen
Genart is known for discovering new and up and coming fashion designers. I was a little perplexed by the fact that 2 out of the 4 designers presented at their SS14 LAFW event

were designers that I consider to already be established not only in Los Angeles, but nationally? Despite this conversion the overall trend that was shown in ALL collections was the sporty high fashion look. Traditional sports uniform cuts made with traditionally high fashion fabrics. A trend that I feel is very prevalent not only in fashion but the way that we live our daily lives. With most of us rushing from our child's soccer game (or other daytime activities) to a colleagues dinner party, this style melds well with our busy lifestyles. 

 

Joseph Singh:
Joseph Singh's collection was inspired by his Grandfather's passing. The very intricate and thoughtfully placed pleats inside his grandfathers coffin inspired what is his amazing thesis design project from Parson School of Design, NY, NY. Singh was deeply inspired by this family event and came into his own during the designing of this collection. The pleats in his SS14 collection begin with a very tailored black laser cut pleated skirt and evolve into loose fitting flowing silk chiffon dress with undefined pleats.  Singh states that this was his interpretation of the wounds of feeling the lose of a loved one to the spirit leaving the body and returning to heaven.  The collection has elements of the high fashion sporty trend with both execution and form. This is an amazing first collection and a designer to watch! 

AGAIN:
Sporty and flirty is how I would describe the SS14 AGAIN collection. Designer baseball hats, short circle skirts mixed with their signature graphic prints. Perfectly tailored cropped jackets as well as long lace dresses give silhouettes  for everyone's personal style. The designer Amber Kekich was inspired by Palm Springs in the 60's and her muse Brigitte Bardot. 

Mila Hermanovski: 
I could spot Mila's collection from her signature high end lambskin and mesh paneled leggings. Mila is a former "Project Runway" Alumi and in true Mila form; the structure and tailoring of her garments is impeccable. Mila's inspiration for her SS14 collection came from the organic ariel view of the plains. The straight graphic patterns of the crops are both structured shapes and organic at the same time, much like the simplistic sophistication of  William Garnet's art work. Once  described, you clearly see the geometric patterns Mila was inspired by. This collection has a very high end sporty feel both in style but also in the silk, lambskin and linen fabric used to create the garments.

Mansoor Scott:
A female design duo uses amalgamation of traditional crafts and old world artisan techniques with modern silhouettes. A feminine and also sporty collection uses laser cut leather in a minimalistic way. The bomber baseball jacket made from metallic silver stripe fabric is sporty but also high fashion at the same time. The SS14 collection has knit pieces as well as lace appliqué pieces that go well with the more sporty elements.