NYFW - CAAFD Collective Showcases for New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 19 Season

CAAFD Stages Two Highly Lauded Collective Showcases for New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 19 Season

New York Fashion week always surprises me every season. This September was not different. I attended CAAFD Collective Showcases Spring/Summer 19 Season and was surprised by so many talented designers. 

CAAFD, The Council of Aspiring American Fashion Designers, brought some of the best rising and emerging designers from around the globe to the fashion capital of the world for a spectacularly received set of Spring/Summer 19 Collective Showcases. CAAFD, in collaboration with iFashion Network, presented this Collective Showcase at both the renowned Pier 59 venue as well as the world famous Industria venue on September 10th, 2018. The Pier59 collective showcase’s lineup proved a thunderous occasion with designers and brands MOUTON BLANC, Zabetta Couture, Ayni and Thunyatorn, and the Industria collective showcase featured designers and brands Helena Bajaj-Larsen, Yufash, Sania Studio and Patricia Wijaya, both of which mark yet another successful and couldn’t be missed continuation of CAAFD’s long running series of NYFW showcases. Those in attendance were thrilled with the offerings, including several well-known models such as Madeline Stuart and actors including Mario Van Peebles.

I attended four designers shows at the Industria, which kicked off with an impressive introduction performance by musician Yoav Shemmesh, featuring the musician on a keytar and launchpad device which provided the rhythm sections for his playing. Following the performance was the first designer for this showcase, Helena Bajaj-Larsen. Featuring striking colors that remained consistent with through each design. Each piece featured unique designs, with no one inspiration, there were bits and pieces from various different countries and regions represented. 

Following that came Estonian born designer Kadri Klampe with her Yufash brand. This collection featured extremely unique cuts and sheer materials, creating an entirely unique look. Yufash played with colors and designs throughout each piece, featuring almost glitch-like patterns. 

Next came an intermission played by Yoav Shemmesh once again who played a custom CAAFDinspired piece which thrilled the audience goers, which led into Sania Studio and designer Sania Maskatiya with her Pakistani influences clear in her collection. The cuts in this collection remained modern, but the designs and colors were clearly inspired by Pakistan influences. 

Finishing this showcase came Patricia Wijaya, a graduate of the Academy of Arts, who closed NYFW with a bang. This showcase left New York City awed with an extraordinarily unique collection featuring fantastical inspired cuts and eye catching headwear. This collection had an underlying dark color palette, with dark blue and golds represented heavily to great effect. The shoes for this collection were provided by Cava Prive and jewelry was done by Dale Beevers. 

About the designers 

Hakuyo Miya is a Japanese designer who has studied at the Atelier Chardon Savard in Paris. His work with MOUTON BLANC is known for its fantasy style elements, as he does a beautiful job combining real world with fairy tales. Miya’s fiery designs combine color, texture and culture into beautiful and elegant pieces, and has previously made an appearance on CAAFD sponsored showcases. His designs are known for the innovative lines and cuts as well as having an aspect of modernism throughout the collections.

Designer Ruth Zabetta was raised in both Spain and the Dominican Republic giving her a unique cultural background for her beautiful collection. Zabetta Couture is known for modern lines and cuts showcased throughout the collections, and this year is no different. Her modern but feminine collection does an exquisite job of creating beautiful silhouettes consistently though all the pieces. Zabetta’s collection is created for the modern but feminine woman and inspired by years of culture and design.

Ayni’s name, which is derived from a Peruvian turn of phrase meaning “today for you, tomorrow for me,” gives a look into the design process for the design duo, composed of Danish Laerke, and Adriana from Peru. Through Ayni, the duo make good on their name by making the brand focused on honoring ancient traditions, utilizing local materials and altering the production model to promote environmental sustainability. One of Ayni’s main goals is to combine ethics and aesthetics in a way that benefits the environment, but still remaining fashionable by using high quality elements such as luxurious baby alpaca fur and Pima cotton.

Thunyatorn is the brainchild of Thunyatorn Ng, a designer originally hailing from Thailand. Starting in bridal makeup and hairstyling in 2009 when she moved to New York City, she later became the first Thai fashion designer to present during New York Fashion Week. After noticing a demand for traditional authentic Thai styled clothing, Thunyatorn took things into her own hands and spent years researching Thai styles and influences, which she has incorporated into her collections. Through her work, Thunyatorn seeks to popularize authentic Thai clothing across the U.S. by combining its traditional beauty with modern stylings.

Designer Helena Bajaj-Larsen is Half-Indian, Half-Norwegian yet Parisian born and bred, 23-year old designer Helena-Bajaj Larsen is a recent graduate of Parsons School of Design and launched her label just six months ago. She specializes in hand-painted textiles which she creates herself - works of abstract art on fabric, blending her love of textile craftsmanship with her training in fashion design. She draws inspiration from her nomadic lifestyle across various countries and cultures to form breathtaking collections using her one-of-a-kind fabrics as well as stunning sculptural jewelry pieces.

“A Yufash woman doesn’t follow trends; she sets them.” The brand has been worn by members of Little Mix and Billie Lourd in the hit tv series Scream Queens, and Yufash was also featured in an international edition of Marie Claire. Yufash is a unique and forward-thinking brand made for the confident and powerful women of the world, with all garments fabricated in England. The brand was founded in 2015 and since has skyrocketed in popularity. “We as a brand are so excited and honored to have been selected to work the CAAFD, and we look forward to our presentation,” - Kadri Klampe, the Estonian-born founder and designer of Yufash.

Designer Sania Maskatiya and Sania Studio’s designs are marked by their ornate and regal inspirations, which masterfully highlight feminine silhouettes. The designs are inspired by the beauty of nature and the environment while still being modern and classic. The collection will include only high luxe fabrics cut and draped in a luxurious design. The design house engages in some of the best craftsmanship in Pakistan, coming from generations of artisans who have specialized and perfected their craft. The brand is known for including rich textiles, fabric design and embroidery within their pieces. Sania Maskatiya has quickly become Pakistan's most lauded designer and most prized fashion export.

Patricia Wijaya started her label in 2016 after graduating Academy of Art University in San Francisco. The label first released a Prêt-A-Couture line in Jakarta, which focused on telling a story and showcasing innovation throughout. This years collection is inspired by both fairytales and technology, and showcases a Cinderella like aesthetic in the future. For this collection, Wijaya created what has been described by early viewers as an exquisite collection of a modern day fairytale for the equally modern woman.

About CAAFD:
Council of Aspiring American Fashion Designers, [CAAFD] is a non-profit organization founded through a collaborative effort by a few key pioneers in the fashion industry with the ambitious goal of promoting designers who aspire to expand their brand awareness and do business in the United States. CAAFD educates, promotes and empowers aspiring designers and fashion professionals in gaining a foothold in the fashion business, giving them every opportunity to become the renowned designer they yearn to be. More information can be found at: http://www.caafd.org