The Up & Coming

When it comes to new kids on the block, fashion has its share. And even if some have been designing for several seasons, their first formal runway shows and presentations for spring are a debut of sorts. From embellished cocktail dresses to organic cotton separates with multiple uses in mind, the new offerings cover the range.



Rolando Santana

Basing his collection on the architecture of Luis Barragan, Mexico City native and FIT alum Santana shows easy silk jersey color-blocked shirtdresses, rompers and a great ruffled, tailored trench in khaki with an orange and red color scheme.

Althea Harper

Harper is no stranger to the industry, having interned at Alexander McQueen and competed as a finalist during the sixth season of “Project Runway.” The Central Saint Martins grad designed for Tory Burch while building her eponymous line, a collection of simple contoured pieces such as a dress and miniskirt accented with custom prints based on sound-wave patterns and finished with subtle trimmings such as perforated leather.

Jonathan Cohen

Cohen was hooked on fashion the moment he saw Madonna in Jean Paul Gaultier’s cone bra. The California native attended Parsons and has interned with Oscar de la Renta, Doo-Ri Chung and Ashleigh Verrier, and freelanced for Patricia Field. His first collection shows an equally strong hand with sportswear and evening gowns, and was inspired by painted brushstrokes. Even the bright silk prints evolved from photos Cohen took of paintbrushes.

Adrienne Zernich

Zernich has a solid background in fashion; she attended Parsons in both New York and Paris and interned at Donna Karan and Michael Kors. As an intern at Jill Stuart, she worked on flat drawings and honed her expertise in sportswear and dresses. Her experience comes through in her first namesake collection: a charming 20-piece lineup of mainly dresses with lots of ruffles and lace, as well as a smattering of sportswear.

D. Lasprogata

Having volunteered as a personal shopper for the blind and patented a clothing label in braille, it’s no surprise that Denise Lasporgata stresses a tactile experience in her lineup. To wit, embellishment such as sequin paillettes, and pleated tulle in her collection of mainly cocktail dresses. For day, she focuses on graphic prints for dresses, tops and pants.

Joann Berman

Berman, a Bronx native and Central Saint Martins-trained designer, draws inspiration from Julie Christie and Jane Fonda as well as India. She uses vintage and recycled fabrics plus printed silk screens for smocks, African-print cargo pants and dresses.

Auralis Herrero Lugo

Puerto Rico native Auralis Herrero Lugo studied fashion design at Philadelphia’s Moore College of Art and Design, after which she headed to New York, where she worked for Susana Monaco as well as Maridade, a Brazilian yoga and loungewear company. Herrero Lugo offers sustainable materials such as organic cotton, soy and hemp fashioned into flirty day dresses with asymmetric hemlines, loose short shorts and easy crop tops.

Suzanne Rae

Taking inspiration from the American west and Kerouac’s “On the Road,” Brooklyn-based Rae, a Parsons the New School for Design alum whose résumé includes stints at Costume National and Morgane Le Fay, relies heavily on romantic styles with touches of chiffon ruffles and lace trim on flowing dresses, as well as utilitarian styles such as a chambray shirtdress and a loose hemp tank dress.

Dress Reform

Brooklyn-based Krystal Hoffacker draws on an array of inspirations: nature, textiles, quilting and shibori, to name a few. The Philadelphia University alum’s lineup consists of organic unisex separates featuring silk-screen prints on oversize T-shirts, loose pants, shorts and vests.

Elene Cassis

Born and raised on Long Island, Cassis was a competitive gymnast for 10 years before venturing into fashion and attending Parsons. Her lineup is characterized by classical dress shapes, à la Jackie O (think fitted sheaths) with bold colors and mod designs.

Bright Young Things

Eliza Starbuck, a Parsons grad with stints at Rod Keenan and J. Crew, believes in sustainability and functionality. To that end, all of her garments, in linen and Tencel fabrics in a neutral palette, have multipurpose designs, such as a romper that converts to a dress and a jacket that can be worn two ways.

Photographer: Robert Mitra

(WWD)

What wonderful pieces! I'm partial to Suzanne Rae, Joann Berman, Jonathan Cohen & Althea Harper.... all appear a little more beautiful worn by the stunning Jing Ma.