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Designers Coming Out of Dallas

Designers Coming Out of Dallas

Every major city now tries to put on their own NYFW and unlike the Real Housewives of Dallas, Fashion X Dallas does not disappoint. Without the pressures of making an extensive collection for New York, Dallas designers hone their talents and create unique, personal collections that correspond with their backgrounds as well as their own personal experiences. Well-trained Project Runway veterans definitely took the stage by storm and created some of the most refined and chic looks of the evenings. However, Dallas’s own designers kept up with their unbridled creativity and passion.

Pre-show events included a  gallery that featured purchasable designer wear from presenting designers as well as local jewelry, bag, and shoe designers. While perusing the fine designer good, you could enjoy a tall glass of champagne from Chloe Wine Collection or go get your nails done with CND’s Vinyl Lux nail polish. And if you posted to social media, you  could grab a whole bag of free nail polish courtesy of CND.

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Photo Credit Darcy Elmore

While all eyes were on NYFW, we made sure not to miss these Project Runway veterans and upcoming designers. Our top five looks and designers to watch (in no particular order) from this style showcase are as follows:

Korto Momolu

Inspired by her African roots, Liberian-born fashion designer Korto Momolu is stamping her global brand on women’s wear and accessories. Her work celebrates the essence of her heritage through the use of traditional and luxury fabrics, skins, and mixed prints. Momolu appeared on the 5th season of Project Runway, and earned the prize of “Fan Favorite.” Her latest collection utilizes striking prints and beading. The intricate design of her pieces and perfect fit turned heads.

 

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Photo Credit Shana Anderson

COLT COLLECTION

Daniel C. Fuller, an Oklahoma native, moved to Dallas with a scholarship in Dashion Design from the Art Institute. He’s interned at several high profile design companies in Texas, New York, and California. His debut- collection is called “Fever Ascent”, a woman’s ready-to-wear line with a men’s ready-to-wear to follow. Fuller took inspiration from the harsh terrain of the arctic glaciers and the climbers that scaled them. The juxtaposition between harsh monochromatic colors and shapes of the glaciers plays beautifully with the clean lines inspired by climber’s harnesses. Fuller designed the print himself by manipulating images of glaciers to create his own clean look.

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Photo Credit Shana Anderson

LIZNA

Lizna, by Lizna Kabani,  is a women’s premier contemporary apparel brand based in Dallas, Texas. Her approach to trendy yet timeless wardrobe classics showcase not only her eye for a quality garment but her vision to create fashion that speak’s to today’s women. Her sneak Spring/Summer 2017 collection fully embraced the athleisure trend and moved it forward with the inclusion of timeless pieces and day-to-night flexibility.

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Photo Credit Shana Anderson

Michelle Lesniak

Michelle Lesniak appeared on Season 11 of Project Runway. Her lack of formal training gave her an edge. There were no rules, and as a professional rule breaker Lesniak won the season and was able to design full-time. This rule-breaker continues to live in Portland, her hometown, and focuses on small production and emotive clothing- Fashion with a purpose.

Fun Facts:  Favorite color- Dirty Chartreuse. Chihuahua lover. Former trombonist. 5’5″ in flats- wicked tall in heels.

 

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Photo Credit Shana Anderson

Sean Kelly

New Zealand born designer Sean Kelly got his start in the fashion industry as an intern at Henrik Vibskov and Alexander McQueen. He was chosen to appear on Lifetime’s Project Runway Season 13, which he won. Now, he creates progressive men’s and women’s fashion, infusing his collections with artistic minimalism and unexpected silhouettes.

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Photo Credit Shana Anderson

Honorable Mention: Steve Kemble

Steve Kemble is no fashion designer. He’s a mastermind behind countless corporate events and is known as “America’s Sassiest Lifestyle Guru.” He’s been seen dishing out fashion disses for more than three years as a Top Cop for US Weekly’s Fashion Police. This year,  Steve Kemble’s contribution to Fashion X Dallas was a showcase of his collected (and altered) Elton John blazers, ties, and trouser pants. The eye-catching patterns on some unforgettable male models certainly stole some of the show and gave us a glimpse of some creative, lively options for men sick of wearing the same boring, black blazers.

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Photo Credit Shana Anderson

Featured image from Chloe Dao’s collection.

Photo Credit Darcy Elmore