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Fab Flash: 2009 Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation Winners Announced

FabSugar — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 11:00:08 -0800

The recipients of Ecco Domani's 2009 Fashion Foundation awards have been announced. The womenswear category winners are Lyn Devon, Matthew Ames, Cushnie et Ochs by Carly Cushnie and Michelle Ochs, and Ohne Titel by Alexa Adams and Flora Gill. Corpus, by Jerrod Cornish and Keith Richardson, took the honor in menswear, and jeweler Monique Péan received the prize in the accessories group.

In addition, Bodkin Brooklyn designers Eviana Hartman and Samantha Pleet were granted an inaugural award for sustainable design. Each emerging label will receive a $25,000 grant towards their show at NY Fashion Week in February. They join the list of past beneficiaries, which includes Alexander Wang, Zac Posen, and Rodarte. Congratulations to all - we can't wait to see more from these talented designers!

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On Our Radar: Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation Goes Green

FabSugar — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:00:22 -0700

Ecco Domani has just added some green power to their Fashion Foundation by adding a sustainable design award to its existing program.

“The fashion industry as a whole is taking an important step towards eco-conscious design and production. Through this new award we are proud to acknowledge those emerging designers who are using their talent to make a difference in the world in which we live” , said David Bowman, senior director of marketing at Ecco Domani Wines.

The award will be open to a women's or menswear designer who exemplifies their commitment to sustainability based on three criteria: environment, social equity, and economic viability.

The 2009 winners, one in sustainable design, four womenswear, one menswear, and one accessories designer will each receive $25,000 towards their showing at NY Fall Fashion Week in February. This year's winners had a lot to say and we hope next year's will be just as exciting.

FYI, this contest is open to designers from all levels so if you're blessed with a sewing thumb, you can enter, too. For more information on how to apply, check out Eccodomani.com.

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A Few Fab Words With Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation Winner Wayne D. Lee of WAYNE

FabSugar — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 07:00:22 -0800

You will find clothes that encompass her personal background in Wayne D. Lee of WAYNE's clothes. The Vietnamese-born designer and Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation winner comes from a long line of tailors and believes that fashion is in her blood. I'm with you sister. Well, the fashion in the blood part. I do not come from a lineage of tailors, but I do want to hear what Wayne has to say. If you do too, a few Fab words . . .

What kind of girl do you design for?

I design for girls who have their own independent style and personality, someone who's also adventurous and not afraid to take risks.

What are your favorite fabrics to work with? The toughest fabrics to work with?

Fave Fabrics: wools and cottons. Toughest: silks.

What's your next trip destination?

Vietnam.

To learn more about Wayne and to see more of her clothes, read more

What's the biggest lesson you've learned in the last year?

Endurance and patience.

What's in store for Fall '08?

'40s menswear and aviator uniform inspired clothing with a modern edge: chic blazer suits, stylish herringbone coats with leather, elegant somewhat loose-fitting dresses with unique details, boyfriend sweaters.

What's the best part of being an Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation winner?

The best part is the recognition which comes with the prize. Being a winner has tremendously made the WAYNE label stand out among the fashion crowd and potential buyers.

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A Few Fab Words With Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation Winner Emma Fletcher of Lyell

FabSugar — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 06:00:22 -0800

One glimpse at Emma Fletcher's designs for Lyell and you get the sense that she takes her job very seriously. Her Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation win proves that she does outstanding work. The Australia native also owns a small boutique in NYC's Nolita neighborhood called Lyell, which stocks rare vintage finds from European designers, as well as her own vintage-inspired merchandise. We recently caught up with Emma to pick her brain. A few Fab words, if you will . . .

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in the last year?

Up until recently, which I don't know if it's out of fear or a innate wanting to be out on my own, I always aimed at only wanting to make clothes for myself and for the store. Keeping everything nice and simple. But as more interest and demand is coming my way, I understand the value of having a show, and expanding Lyell's reach. The award has really forced me into a whole new realm of exposure that is as equally scary as it is exciting. The big lesson is it pays to be involved and talk to people and get help.

To read more of Emma's interview and to see more of her creations, read more

Where do you get your inspiration for every season from?

I usually tend to react against the season before, but in the end it always comes back to being in the tight Lyell framework. In general I draw inspiration from movies, photos, vintage clothing; usually something catches my eye and I build from there. This season, the starting point was the Julie Christie movie Don't Look Now. On top of that, I get these fantasy notions of different lifestyles that I'd be living if I wasn't in New York, whether that is a shaker lifestyle, living in the 20's/30's, Parisian life, etc.

What are your favorite fabrics to work with? The toughest fabrics to work with?

I always use lots of silk, silk chiffons, silk velvets, laces, which are not easy. All the factories tell me the pieces are hard to execute but I know because I don't have these kinds of skills. I think the toughest part is the finishings that I want done - pleatings, embroideries, stitchings, etc.

Do you have any plans for product expansion?

I am always looking to do the next thing. I've designed a bra and undies set for the first time which I would really like to expand. Also, the first Lyell men's shirt will be ready soon. And then there are accessories; I did shoes once, and would love to do those again. But I feel like I really need to have the women's sorted out before I spread myself too thin.

What’s in store for Fall ‘08?

This collection is art deco, complete with lots of cream and black, angular lines, and graphic elements.

What’s the best part of being an Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation winner?

Being forced to do my first show. I would've never have done it without it.

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A Few Fab Words With Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation Winner Elise Øverland

FabSugar — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 09:00:11 -0800

She started out designing stagewear for rockers like Steven Tyler and then started her own proper line in 2006. In a very short time, the rockin' appeal of Elise Øverland's chiffon dresses, cropped leather jackets, and fitted leather leggings have earned her some die-hard fans and serious accolades. I was lucky enough to snag the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation winner for a few Fab words . . .

Do you have a muse?

Hope Atherton. She started out as my friend with the same stream of creative conciseness, but now she's more my Siamese twin, grown out of my left hip.

What do you consider your forte? Your biggest design challenges?

The creative part of me drips out of my fingertips all day, but the biggest challenge is to balance that with the business side. The financial side is linear and mathematical following time and space, whereas the creative side is vertical and taps into a world not existing of these rules. This dilemma always stresses me out.

To read who her favorite designer is and to see more of her work, read more

Who are your favorite designers?

I don't have a favorite designer, it all changes every season, but if was going to mention one over the decades I think it would be Gaultier. He manages to stay modern, creative, and capture a wide variety of customers.

Describe the Elise Øverland girl?

She is strong, independent, and a bit carefree and rock 'n' roll at heart. I like the clothes and the customer to have a sense of effortless glamour.

What’s in store for Fall ‘08?

Three key things: Small shrunken leather jackets with silver hardware almost like a little accessory piece that you have over a little dress; I have a lot of silk dresses in watercolor tie dye print with rustic small coins; and last, the super thin stretch leather pants that you pull on like tights without a zipper and all the fabric in the crotch.

What’s the best part of being an Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation winner?

The best part of being an Ecco Domani winner is it puts an extra spotlight on the brand, and it generates more interest from people that don't know the brand yet. Not to mention the drunk driving my employees have been doing on the sewing machines with all the great wine we were sent.

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A Few Fab Words With Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation Winner José Ramón Réyes of Réyes

FabSugar — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 05:00:22 -0800

The crisp and youthful designs of José Ramón Réyes of Réyes may be familiar to some of you. We have featured them on Fab a few times. Edging his way as a designer of tomorrow, this Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation winner will be showing for the third time in New York's upcoming Fashion Week. While I hope to bring you his newest creations he is putting the finishing touches on very soon, he has shared some insights with us as well as a sketch from his upcoming Fall collection. Cool, huh? A few Fab words . . .

What's been the biggest challenge for you?

Every season there's a new challenge......I feel that the more the business grows the more challenging it gets. At the same time I also grow as an individual and therefore learn to deal with the stress and the challenges in a different manner.

Who do you design clothes for? Describe the Réyes girl?

She’s a girl who loves clothes and enjoy getting dressed up but never in a pretentious way!

A word of advice to other young aspiring designers?

Stick to your vision and what you believe in. Moving forward and learning from your mistakes and very important. Pick yourself up as soon as you fall.

To read more about Réyes and to see some faves from his Spring collection, read more

Goals for the next year?

My personal goal is to continue with my French lessons - I want to be fluent by years end and on the business side of things we just moved into a new office space and are bringing sales in house. We are expanding our distribution in both in Europe and Asia and signing with a distributor in Japan.

What's in store for Fall '08?

It’s a surprise! Please come to see the show!

What’s the best part of being an Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation winner?

Most importantly is the association with Ecco Domani and what the award represents. I’m honored to be part of such a wonderful group of past and present winners. There’s a certain prestige associated with winning this award that has help launched the careers of so many incredible designers. Also the monetary aspect helps a lot too!

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A Few Fab Words With Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation Winner Justin Giunta of Subversive Jewelry

FabSugar — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 06:00:22 -0800

You may recall we announced the winners of this year's Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation. And wait, it gets better. We were able to pick the brain of one winner, Justin Giunta of Subversive Jewelry. You may recognize his name and off-kilter designs from the pages of Vogue, W and NYLON, to name a few. This Pittsburgh native has dabbled in painting, fashion, industrial design, but has (sort of) settled on jewelry design. He now lives and works in New York City. I'm sure we'll only see more of Justin and Subversive, in the meantime, a few Fab words . . .

Where do you get your inspiration from?

Everywhere. I am perpetually inspired by Art History and Contemporary Design.

What's been the biggest challenge for you?

Balancing all the girls who want to be my dates for the Balls! Of course.

To read the rest and to see more of his baubles, read more

Any upcoming collaborations we can look forward to?

Must wait and see. "The best is yet to come"

What's in store for 2008?

A divergence from the norm, lots of embroidered chains and jewels.

What's best the best part of being an Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation winner?

It is truly an honor to be recognized by the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation in the Accessories category. My professional platform has always been to site that accessories are as influential in the industry as clothing. The introduction of this award category is a testament to this, and I am thrilled to have received it.

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Fab Flash: 2008 Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation Winners Announced

FabSugar — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 11:00:22 -0800

Six women's designers have been named Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation winners, joining an illustrious group of past honorees which includes Zac Posen, Proenza Schouler, and Derek Lam. The new recipients, who are each given a $25,000 grant to help showcase their Fall 2008 collections at New York Fashion Week in February, are Alexander Wang, Elise Overland, Lyell by Emma Fletcher, Reyes by José Ramón Reyes, and Wayne by Wayne D. Lee in the women's design category, as well as Subversive Jewelry by Justin Giunta in the accessories design category. Congratulations to all, and I look forward to seeing what the grant helps produce!

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Absolutely Fabulous

FabSugar — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 03:00:22 -0800

It's New York Fashion Week! See what's coming your way this Fall.
Who is your fashion icon?
Join Fab reader syako's new group, Looks Inspired by Celebrity.
Enjoy a few Fab words with the winners of the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation.
See who's wearing what with our fabulous Celebrity Styles.
Talk about what happened on this week's Project Runway.
Read my Trend Alerts to find out what's haute right now.
See what fashion insiders and celebs are gabbing about with our Fab Blabs.
Get Spring fashion advice from Gap's Patrick Robinson.
So tell me . . . who wore it better?
Love Lauren Conrad's LC tote? Get it now!
See actresses fight it out in Battle of the Gucci.

Absolutely Fabulous

FabSugar — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 01:22:22 -0800

It's Couture Week! View all the exquisite one-of-a-kind creations.
Who is your fashion icon?
I'm getting excited for Spring; check out my Spring Peeks!
Enjoy a few Fab words with the winners of the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation.
See who's wearing what with our fabulous Celebrity Styles.
Talk about what happened on this week's Project Runway.
Read my Trend Alerts to find out what's haute right now.
So tell me . . . who wore it better?
Get Mia Mason's flirty look from this week's Cashmere Mafia.
Check out my January Most Wanted.
Learn all about Fabcon: Kelly Wearstler.