We Are The Market had the chance to check out Yoko Devereaux’s fashion show. The lucky PR firm had the chance to check out his fall/winter 08 debut on Monday. “It was the first show for Yoko Devereaux in several seasons and the venue was packed with the usual gang of scenesters, editors, buyers and celebrity friends like Alan Cumming, Sophia Lamar and Ana Matronic.

The collection, designed under the guidance of creative director Andy Salzer, featured graphics by artist Charles Lutz, as well as cardigans, skinny ties, super skinny pants and chic hoodies in a palette of basic black, white, slate blue and gray for the guy who wants to toe the line between cutting edge and just plain cool.

We’ve got pics after the jump.”
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There are many pre-parties for Fashion Week, and last night we had the honor of attending one of them. Personally invited by the honoree, Matt Levine of Steelo, the party was buzzing with industry folk, local celebs, models, and a slew of very well dressed fashionites and trendsetters. The brand encompasses en entire lifestyle which was evident throughout the crowded lounge, most of whom were wearing pieces from Steelo’s (which means ’style’) latest collection. Matt, wearing, of course, one his own creations greeted all guests and happily posed for press photos.

He started the collection back in 2004 with the idea of fusing together nightlife, entertainment, and fashion. ”My first collection was comprised of just t-shirts and customized blazers. I wanted to start off slow where the mistake and setbacks would be minimal. The first piece I created was a shirt entitled ‘I Love Paparazzi’ which was featured on the NBC Today Show—worn by Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan. It was actually a men’s sweater, but women loved the oversized look of it. I was sold out of it immediately.”

With this kind of celebrity endorsing your threads, Steelo was sure to be a huge hit throughout the industry.

“In creating Steelo I wanted to create a sophisticated collection with style, fresh with elegance, the Lower East Side fused with Wall Street, the confidence of New York, the influence of Los Angeles, and the creativity of Japan.”

A true visionary, Matt believes that “if you sell to the right store, the right people will buy it.” Whatever his strategy, the boy is doing something right and we definitely respect his passion for the industry. His collection is available locally and online at Caravan.

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SlamxHype has really impressed us with a new feature called The Best of Brands 2007. The editors intereviewed 19 of the most influential people in the neo-streetwear scene, like Fraser Cooke, Chris Gibbs and Jared Reynolds about what their favorite brands are and why. Not surprisingly, Visvim got plenty of shout outs, with brands like WTaps, Phenomenon, Undercover and Junya Watanabe getting plenty of attention as well. It’s a great read. Get on it and see who the style leaders of the evolution of streetwear will be for 2008.

(Photo: phenomenon on SlamxHype)

(Source: WeAreTheMarket.com

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More Capsule Countdown from our friends at WeAreTheMarket.com.

Clean silhouettes, in a palette of basics and colorful pops characterizes Yoko Devereaux’s Fall/Winter 2008 collection titled ‘Holding Up the Heiress,’ inspired by the darker side of America’s fascination with high society and celebrity. Yoko Devereaux continues to reinterpret traditional men’s tailoring through the use of fleece and jersey and is expanding the collection with new fabrications like tweed and a full wovens program as well as outerwear and trousers for fall. All graphics in this collection incorporate direct imagery from the works of artist Charles Lutz. The Yoko Devereaux Fall / Winter 2008 collection will debut at the (capsule) show Jan 22 & 23. And, the brand will be staging its first runway show in several seasons d at Pier 92 on January 21 at 6pm.

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Happy New Year Indies. I thought I’d get the year off to a good start with and interview. Enjoysies.

2007 was a great year for the boys of Wrath Arcane. They’re label has expanded from a tee shirt heavy line to a full collection of mens jeans, jackets, dress shirts and hoodies. In six months they’re distribution jumped leaps and bounds with Wrath gear now available in 34 stores in cities across the world. And in October the label received some love from Ian and the Gen Art crew when they were featured in their Chicago show. All an all it’s been a fast journey for the two year old company (they enter their terrible two’s on January 3rd) and designer team Brian O’neill and Sean Bilovecky.

We had a quick second to pick Brian’s brain on why big labels are fucked and what’s next for Wrath Arcane.
FI: So Brian, how long have you been designing?

Brian: I have only been involved in designing seriously for about two years, but I have been in the retail business with my own stores for about eight years. Sean Bilovecky is the primary designer with all the skills to bring Wrath arcane to life, he has been designing for about ten years.

FI: Becoming a success designer takes a lot of cojones and a serious dedication to the craft. What made you start designing?

Brian: I believe that it was just our time to try and make some sort of impact in the industry. Instead of trying to do it through other people’s voices (other collection) we want to be able to speak for ourselves through our own collection.

FI: Your label is sick (yes I occasionally use sick as ad adjective). I’m addicted to it and often say that if I was to create a line (aka if I could ever pull myself away from a computer) I’d want a collection with a similar aesthetic to yours. Who are you making this clothing for?

Brian: Our customer is anyone that conscious of what they are wearing. This is because we are conscious of where our products are made (USA) and how the products we make and sell will effect our (America, Ohio, Cleveland) economic growth and sustainability.

FI: What are your goals of 2008?

Brian: Our goals are the same as anyone else. We want to grow our business and try to formulate a solid structure so we can last in this crazy industry.

FI: One final question. Target has Go! International. Unqlo has Guest Designers. H&M has the big hitters. If you could choose any big retailer or brand to collabo with who would it be. Are “Big Labels” really fucked or are you just waiting for the right offer. (yes, I’m asking if your gonna be a sellout)

Brian: I think I would choose going into another career before I collaborated with a corporate giant (Big Label) that is destroying our economy. Sorry. Does that sort of explain Big Labels are Fucked as well.

For more from the indie radicals of Wrath Arcane visit them at WrathArcane.com

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This year has seen a bevy of new designers, break-out talents and designers with collections that push the preconcieved notions of fashion. Okay so maybe it hasn’t been that kind of year but 2007 proved that new talent is just as marketable and sellable as the Golden Oldies.

Here’s our picks for the ten best indie designers of 2007.

#1. Proenza Schouler - Selling Out Never Felt So Good

The big news of 2007 was when the chosen boys of 2006, Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough, packed Soho’s Opening Ceremony with their capsule collection for Target’s Go! International line. The collection quickly found fans amongst New York’s “be hip or die” crowd with $34.99 pieces from the collection showing up at the Misshapes party at Don Hills. What came as a real surprise was when the indie kings went corporate and sold 45% of their company to Valentino. We’d normally turn our backs (or just make fun while no one was listening) but the boys won back our praise by becoming bloggers for the day and interviewing Chloe Sevengy for the New York Times. All in all the Schouler boys win top spot on the list for their Safari-inspired Spring collection and for making moves in all the right circles.

#2. Rogan - The Eco Hero

Rogan Gregory’s eco-friendly, trade-free and dolphin safe collections, Loomstate, Rogan, and Edun, have shown the fashion world that it pays to go granola. His quick rise in celebrity popularity and dedication to his craft garnered Gregory acclaim and notice from major players like Vogue and the Council of Fashion Designers of America. The most shocking (but not surprising) moment in fashion in 2007 was when Rogan beat favorite to win, designer Philip Lim, for the top prize ($200,000!!!) of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund awards. Apparently having Bono and a Carbon Footprint measuring tape in your back pocket will win you a vote from Winnie and The Von Furstenburger.

#3. Thom Browne - His Genius Doesn’t Come Up Short

As a child, one day I woke up and discovered I had grown two feet overnight. Of course it was a Sunday and I realized that my normally perfect fitted suit was better prepared for a flood than Noah . I threw out the suit, but thinking back I wish I kept it. The petal pushing Browne challenged menswear a few years back with a collection of finely tailored suits that cut it’s sleeves at a 3/4 length and pants at a length just above the ankle. Initially smirked at by those in the know, Thom has blossomed as a designer and took on 2007 with a collection for the stodgy Brooks Brothers called Black Fleece. The collection featured a womens touch with a full line of suits made for lovely lady lumps. The woman who rocked it, evoked an Annie Hallish image, and a new trend for fall emerged. This dude knows what he’s doing fellas, it might be time to hem up.

#4. Victoria Bartlett - Underoos Are Panties for BoysDevastatingly poised for massive amounts of success, Victoria Bartlett has produced a truly original, wearable fashion collection. VPL (Visible Panty Line) questions the structure of underpinnings by bringing them out above your clothes. The result is a line which makes every woman look like Wonder Woman, a look most memorably perfected by Posh Spice and David Beckham for W magazine. This year also marked Victoria’s joining the CFDA and being nominated for it’s coveted fashion fund.

#5. Philip Lim - The Next Jacobs, The Next Posen, The Now Lim
This year marked a number of milestones for the young Mr.Lim. A collaboration with Uniqlo, a new store on Mercer, a second CFDA nom and a win, and mucho admiration from the fashionably elite. Next year sees possible colabos with Coach (a brand desperately in need of an overhaul) and a slew of other jollies which will undoubtedly put the Limster in a whole new league. He’s on the cusp of greatness and it’s fun to be along for the ride.

#6 Louise Goldin - The Colors of Fun

Far from boring Louise Goldin’s signature line is a heavy dose of color mixed with a sense of knitting which would make Missoni blush. A fun array of bright energy, the collection of spring dresses from this young designer offers the kind of look which would make Willy Wonka and OZ look like Technicolor stones is a HDTV world. Next year we can look forward to a Louise Goldin / Topshop connection which will hopefully wash over to our shores when Topshop NY opens.

#7. Love Brigade - I’m Ready for My Close Up, Mrs.Wintour.

Our love for Love Brigade is well documented. We party with them, we host their events, we have Alyssa Key’s name tattooed on our ass (okay that may just be a me thing), but 2007 was the year that the Brigaders went primetime. TheNewPop.com made the souldiers the subject of a series of fashion videos all focussed around their adventures. We got to see their jam packed fashion week shows, behind the scenes peek at the opening of their new boutique and some fun drama starring yours truly. With a new Nirvana inspired collection on the horizon, an awesome collective in the heart of Williamsburg and a possible (hush hush) collabo with a major retailer, this was the year that the Brigaders found their groove.

#8. Black Sheep & Prodigal Sons - Death Becomes He

The morbid, dreary pieces in Derick R. Cruz’s Black Sheep & Prodigal Sons should not be worn lightly. Using elements like ram heads, Victorian reliefs, and prayer hands, the collection evokes a level of mystery and malice that few jewelry designers can replicate. This year marked his Gen Art Styles Award win as Accessory Designer of the Year and an exclusive collection with personal favorite, BBlessings.

#9. Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony - Why Didn’t This Happen Sooner?

One of the only collections on the list that I haven’t seen in person, Chloe Sevigny’s capsule collection for Opening Ceremony looks to be the start of a very successful celebrity line. Not normally a fan of the Hollywood set closets, Chloe is one indie icon that deserves a little respect. Her impeccable style and dedication to the scenesters makes her collection so much more desirable. What I’m basically saying is, “Chloe get back on that sewing machine a make me a mens collection!!!”

#10. Rebecca Turbow - Got My Thing Down Flip It and Reverse It

For the Polartec/Fashion Indie Designer Challenge, Rebecca Turbow crafted a complex geographically layered dress that looked like the mix between a typography dress and a disco dress. The look stunned all in attendance for it’s complexity, reversibility (yeah it was reversible), and it’s unquestionable style. Turbow one top prize and continues to push the limits of wearable fashion with a collection made for the not so common girl.

Till next year indies.

- Daniel Saynt

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Guess what guys, I’m in Kitten Magazine this month. Liza Montoya former apprentice to Patricia Field on “Sex in the City” styled the shoot photographed by Brian Keith entitled “Last Night”. If you love the handmade headbands with feathers and flowers you can purchase them at StarsandInfiniteDarkness.com!!!

Stay tuned to more of my work and others at Angel Lust PR!!!

-Kristen May Anastasia

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