5 new NYC designers the cool kids are actually wearing
It can be hard to cut through the noise at New York Fashion Week and figure out which new designers are worth paying attention to, and which ones are flashes in the pan.
The following five designers, though, already have a stamp of approval from New York City’s tastemakers. Get to know these indie brands and enjoy pics below.
READ ALSO: These recent NYFW trends are dead
Jacket & Pant: Kidsuper | Earrings: We Who Prey | Jumpsuit: ØBLANC | Bra: Whatever 21 | Earrings: We Who Prey
1. Whatever 21
Whatever 21 is a New York City based fashion house and lifestyle brand founded by Brian Whatever in 2012. Whatever 21 encompasses a fashion line, an interactive cultural event MULTITASK, and a prominent feature of New York nightlife. Whatever 21, as a fashion line, explores street wear that incorporates utilitarian design elements and keen observations of modern lifestyles into a unique vision for future-forward urban wear. Brian Michael, the designer, started Whatever 21 by screen printing t-shirts in his Bushwick apartment and selling his designs on the street. Since then the brand has grown into a full cut and sew production showing seasonally during NYFW.
2. Kidsuper
Kidsuper Studios is a creative factory located in Brooklyn, NY and headed by Colm Dillane. In 2012, Kidsuper started as a t-shirt brand and served mainly as a creative outlet for the Colm. Now the brand has vastly grown and is a staple in today’s youth culture. This fall Colm came out with his Couture line that features textiles printed with Colm’s own artwork.
3. Wewhoprey
We Who Prey is a jewelry company created by Linda Smyth and made in NYC. Each design is inspired by abstractions from art, biology and the human form. Her passion started as a child but evolved in her 20’s when she ditched photography and found her love for adorning the body with Jewelry and wearable fine art.
4. ØBLANC
ØBLANC is a newly surfacing brand by the recent Parsons grad, Olivia Leblanc. She pulls influence from workwear, features oversized proportions, and is focused in sustainability. She repurposes most of her garments and primarily designs unisex fashion to help eliminate overproduction. You can find her designs at V-files or on her brand new web shop.
5. Bryce Barnes
Originally from D.C., Bryce Barnes is a fast growing Brooklyn based designer. In the beginning, his namesake label aimed to communicate his love for streetwear & hip-hop culture that existed within the DMV in the 90s. Bryce says, “as our nations political climate exposes the injustices against Black folk, my awareness of course expands and therefore, the inspiration evolves – the intention has become more focused”. Coalition (a newer extension of BB) for example, aims to transcend the violence Black people are subjected to, addressing the harm Black endure while celebrating Black identity unapologetically. With his original right hand, Andrew Duruji, Brand Manager / Co-Creative Director, Indigo Brunton as well as Art Director, Jiyoon Cha, Bryce is preparing for a 2018 rebrand. “We’ve evolved tremendously in the past year and it’s time for the brand to reflect that in full” – Bryce Barnes.
Top & Pant: Bryce Barnes | Bracelets: We Who Prey | Top & pant: Bryce Barnes | Necklace: We Who Prey
Jacket & Pant: ØBLANC | Bra: Whatever 21 | Earring & necklace: We Who Prey | Top: Vintage | Pant: Kidsuper
Photographer: Sarah Glenn
Assistant photographer: Sinead Gilsmith
Stylist: Sofia Amaral
Makeup: Andi Metro
Models: Chavi Hill and Kemi Oluanni
