SAPPHIRE WHISPER

September 18 - 19, The Brooklyn Fashion Festival presented the up and coming collections of notable independent artists. Designers were invited to display their garments in any format. And so the presentations were truly unique and innovative as designers not only offered their interpretations of spring fashion through their collections but also how they were presented to the audience. Brooklyn Fashion Festival has featured contemporary choreographers, live music and dance. For spring 2010, the many of the models were dancing rather than just walking down the runway, leaving the confines of the stage and some giving mini dance performances, making the it a refreshing lighthearted experience perfect for the feeling of spring.
Each season The Brooklyn Fashion Festival hand-picks the most innovative and exciting designers who will remain at the forefront of New York independent fashion scene and flourish in the post-recession economy. This new wave of exciting designers work with a fresh perspective on fashion often using hand-sewn, hand-dyed garments, with recycled and vintage materials. Brooklyn Fashion Festival encourages environmental awareness and is a 100% fur-free show.

This year's line up of designers included +AA, Lindsey Warren, James Yoest, Maira Houck, Jade Chiu, Tar and Feather, Andoha and Kelly Fashion and taking place in Williamsburg Knitting Factory.

See below for some of our favorites!

Lindsey Warren presents her debut collection of dresses which are feminine and elaborate with special attention to details. The current collection is both floral and sculptural

Lindsey Warren is a 22 year old fashion designer, artist, and Aesthetics Enthusiast. A product of the California Bay Area, she grew up with dreams of world peace and sunflowers in her backyard. Then  deciding adamantly in the 7th grade that fashion was her callin,  she would dedicate myself whole heartedly to it from there on out. The ocean breeze blew her away to Colorado for college, where she got my degree in Apparel Designn ad Production from Colorado State University. She spent the spring of her junior year studying abroad in London, during which she had the opportunity to work backstage at London Fashion Week, attend Premiere Vision in Paris, and perform a marketing internship with British Designer Amanda Wakeley. She also traveled to nine other countries to experience European fashion first-hand. Back in America, she then  bought a one-way ticket to New York City to pursue a career in the fashion industry; interned at Diane von Furstenberg and Marc Jacobs for a total of six months and came out of the experiences enlightened, informed, and inspired.

Her most recent milestone is that she was selected to be featured as a designer for The Brooklyn Fashion Festival to show her original collection and is currently working on a collaboration with a costume designer.   

www.lindseywarren.carbonmade.com

Tar and Feather presents their edgy spring line influenced with a downtown sensibility and easy to mix separates

Bred in Phoenix, Arizona, Tar and Feather became childhood friends. What started as a sewing hobby evolved into fashion and art shows in the downtown Phoenix arts community with an abundance of thrift stores and raw materials. DIY sensibility with deconstructionism.

Leaving Phoenix,  they parted ways for New York and San Francisco to study fashion. Each further developed their style. Obtaining influence from art and unusual themes they kept the insight that they had established as a pair.

Meeting in NYC, they brought bicoastal influence and southwestern roots together. Renting a studio in Brooklyn, they got back to stitching- Tar and Feather meshed inspirations balance : Unitarian & Soft, Ornate & Minimal, Rugged & Feminine, Casual & Classy.

www.tarandfeatherdesign.com   

Kelly Fashion plays with color and texture, presenting her colorful party dresses for spring in vibrant colors with dynamic trimmings.  

Kelly Dempsey has been a freelance fashion designer creating unique looks for the last 6 years. Originally from a small town outside of Boston, Massachusetts,  Kelly is a young, self taught designer, who uses fashion as a creative outlet through statement wearing pieces. At the age of 25, she has already made a name for herself in the fashion industry showing at this year's New York Fashion Week. Her vision comes from her constant desire to stand out, and show people getting dressed up can be fun. She is known for her funky and colorful cocktail dresses, but also loves creating one of a kind pieces with vintage fabrics and pushing the limits of convential fashion.

"People should look at clothing as a way of expression, considering how you have to get dressed everyday! "
www.kellyfashion.net

Williamsbueg Fashion Weekend opened its sixth season at Secret Project Robot with its selection of independent designers with their fingers on the pulse of the fashiona neighborhood. This year's line up included Alisha Timble,Total Crap Unit, NinkyBink with Angel Lust, Treehouse and Sodafine, SDN, Racecar, King Gurvy, Yard, and No Name Collective.

Spring Highlights:

 King Gurvy unveiled his avant garde, sculpture-meets-fashion line. Music composed and performed specificaly for this show by up and coming superstars, Pink Stallone.

 The King Gurvy Collection is designed by Arthur Arbit, the founder, curator and MC of Williamsburg Fashion Weekend.

 Markus Hicks of SDN, continues his innovative take on the "classics" with impeccable workmanship, eco-friendly fabrics and socially responsible production ethics. Markus presented the collection as a choreographed-theatrical preformance and debuted his eco friendly mens shoes.

 Adrianne Lee, of Ninkybink, with her modern take on the girly-girl aesthetic of the 50's.
Her adorable line was acompanied by  the musicial performance of  Shira Goldberg

Putting love into every piece, Adrianne Lee often uses details and fabrics that are irreplaceable so therefore the clothing is special, unique, and the only one in the world of its kind! Clothing that should enhance, not mask, your personal charm and charisma. She tries to find something artsy to add to each garment to make them a bit quirky and cheerful.
www.ninkybink.com

See also our video from the Sodafine and Treehouse Brooklyn Fall 09 Collection.