Dear Shaded Viewers,
I’ve been to the annual event of Vogue dedicated to young talents in collaboration with thecorner.com, the e-commerce website where you can buy the collections of the selected designers. Here is the short list of the ones I liked the most during this Milan Fashion Week Edition.
Some reason to buy and discover new names:
A.W.A.K.E., an acronym for All Wonderful Adventures Kindle Enthusiasm, was founded in 2012 by Natalia Alaverdian. Born in Russia, she now lives between London, where the brand is based, and Moscow. She has been Fashion Director for Russian Harper’s BAZAAR for five years. Her goal with A.W.A.K.E. is to propose a personal and distinct voice through collections that balance conceptual storytelling aspirations with commercial viability. Geometries, textures and extensive use of thick satin, are just some of the recognizable trademarks of the brand.
Cecilia Ma founded her women’s ready-to-wear collection in 2011 before launching her jewellery line in 2012. Inspired by pop art and slogans, her collections combine an unconventional mix of materials and colours with crochet techniques as well as plexi clutches very 50’s it has something that is really parisian-chic. Baby-like, kidult and bon-ton. The ideal accessories of a fashionista.
KEN SAMUDIO
After training as a biologist specialising in marine biodiversity, Filipino-born Ken Samudio became an accessory designer in 2011. His technique explores the natural and organic forms found in nature, mimicking its tactile features and distinct textures using indigenous and recycled materials. Inspired by the diversity of the coastal and reef system of the islands of the Philippines, he creates pieces from upcycled beads made from plastic water bottles, recycled glass alongside sustainable materials like bamboo and abaca indigenous to his home country. Ken Samudio employs mostly single mothers and disadvantaged women within the area where his small production house is based. His jewelry is perceived as organic, the imagery is vivid and ispired by marine creatures. Fluorescent colors and color block effect for a pop-animal instinct collection.
KITTIMA
Kittima Kwangnok is a Milan-based designer, born in Bangkok; her brand was founded in 2013 for modern women and is inspired by an innovative concept of “New Made in Italy”, characterised by a mix of high-end Italian craftsmanship and more international values of trend, style, innovation, visibility and personal branding. She has worked in different creative environments such as Diane Von Furstenberg, Giambattista Valli and for several projects with brands such as Versace, Valentino and Montblanc. The style is latin, with floral prints and a vivid oriental’s inspirations. Colorful and 50’s in their attitude, the dresses appear to be cut with art.
LES PETITS JOUEURS
Maria Sole Cecchi founded her brand in 2010. Designed and produced in Tuscany, her bags are made using a multitude of techniques including leather cropping, acrylic embellishing and graphic printing. Paired with unusual details such as Lego bricks, they give her collections their distinctive mixed media feel. She is not even in her 30’s but she is really mature, she has decided to live and create in Brazil, inspired by nature, colors and atmospheres.
MIUNIKU
MIUNIKU is a luxury clothing and accessories brand for modern women, founded in 2012 by two sisters Tina and Nikita who were born and brought up in Mumbai, India. The brand name comes from the nicknames given to the designers by their parents. In May last year, they were awarded the Special Jury Prize at the LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers 2014. It’s sport couture, color blocks effects, Mondrian’s paintings and modern art, sharp cuts and no heels. The contemporary street look is served.
UNCOMMON MATTERS
German-born Am
