The Internet has proven to be a rewarding medium for young fashion labels and independent designers. In proving that, MyItThings, online magazine of user-generated content, announced the launch of the "It" Designer Contest, the ultimate opportunity for aspiring designers.
I checked the 25 semifinalists and these three young designers got my attention with their innovative ideas. First one, I mean my favorite and hopeful the final winner, is mysterious Kimba from New York, only 23 years old.
Kimba designs
She handles fabrics with the skill and artistry of an experienced maestro. First dress on the left (Cocoon dress) is made of white/grey spandex by patchwork method; the one in the right (Circus dress) is a cotton twill with plastic boning for hem. This lovely one below(Circle dress) is made of baby blue Charmeuse with disk appliqué.
Kimba circle dress
Next there are some wonderful designs by Nophar, a fashion graduate from Shenkar College in Israel who came to New York to pursue her dream of becoming a fashion designer. She's focused on timeless and unique looks and handmade design (embroidery, knitting, coloring) using both precious and practical materials.
Nophar designs
Up: cool white felt pants, hand colored, with a fake fur cape also hand embroidered with beads and crystals; below: an embroidered velvet and silk dress with sporty suspenders.
Nophar dress
My third choice would be Wanamaker, an independent fashion designer who worked for Tsumori Chisato as a textile designer for five years in Tokyo. She moved to New York to learn fashion design and history.
Wanamaker dress She designed the print and hand printed the fabric. The colorful dresses are made of silk, chiffon, satin and georgette.
Wanamaker designs The jury is formed by a team of fashion industry experts including "Project Runway" alumni Malan Breton, the former editor-in-chief of Life & Style Sheryl Berk, C Magazine executive editor Nathan Cooper, designer Keith Lissner, and MyItThings editor-in-chief and co-founder Yuli Ziv. The final winner will be chosen by a combined vote, summing 50% by the judges and 50% by the MyItThings community and awarded with the Grand Prize of $5,000 as well as exclusive collection sale on MyItThings. Check the rest of semifinalist here .
