The fashion industry has long grappled with issues of diversity and abuse, and a recent investigation by the Sunday Times delved into the potential exploitation of models by agencies and talent scouts who dangle the promise of a brighter future. Through interviews with numerous models and a comprehensive exploration of the tactics used by modeling agencies to attract young individuals from economically challenged African nations, the investigation exposed a troubling reality.

At the heart of this investigation are several aspiring models hailing from the Kakuma refugee camp in northwestern Turkana County, Kenya. Established by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 1992, the camp primarily serves displaced individuals from countries like Sudan and Ethiopia. It operates under the governance of the Department of Refugee Affairs, following the adoption of the Kenya Refugee Act in 2006.

Models who successfully pass the initial recruitment phase receive government-approved work permits to leave the refugee camp, allowing them to proceed to Nairobi. In the capital city, they are equipped with passports and visas, which pave the way for their journey to Europe. There, they are provided with accommodations and receive a weekly allowance ranging from €70 to €100 to cover their expenses.

However, the path is far from guaranteed success. Those who fail to secure sufficient paid work or are judged as unfit for the industry find themselves returning to Kenya. This journey back to the refugee camp can be fraught with challenges, as many models are considered too malnourished or inexperienced for the demanding world of modeling. To make matters worse, they often return with substantial debts owed to the agencies who had initially lured them with promises of prosperity.

South Sudanese model Alcol Malaul Jau, 23, shared her own disheartening experience with the Sunday Times: 

“I worked hard but came back with no money. A lot of people think I have money because I went to Europe — I say I have nothing.” 

Sudanese model Alcol Malaul Jau

Jau had practiced walking in heels at her refugee camp before making her runway debut in February, an experience she described as “amazing.” However, within six months, she found herself back in her shared hut with her family, holding a balance sheet that revealed a debt of approximately €3,000.

Top South Sudanese model Achenrin Madit walks the runway for JW Anderson.

The agency responsible for recruiting Jau, Select Model Management, claimed that client feedback on her had been less favorable. The agency’s CEO, Matteo Puglisi, expressed his regrets, stating, “We lost thousands of euros on her. We have never asked for reimbursement. I am truly sorry she didn’t succeed. It wasn’t for the want of trying on our behalf.” Puglisi also clarified that issuing debt statements to models is a “fiscal obligation.” While the agency requests reimbursement twice, they refrain from pursuing legal action to recover the money.

The investigation uncovered that Nigerian businesswoman Joan Okorodudu, known as Mama or Auntie Joan, signed models to her agency, Isis Models, and subsequently promoted them to larger agencies like Select Model Management. It was also reported that after one model, Biliny Manyang, sought to leave Isis Models, she alleged that Okorodudu warned industry contacts not to work with her or risk having other models withdrawn.

In response to these claims, Okorodudu defended herself, stating, “I am the only person in the industry who takes care of these models financially and assists their families. Modeling and helping the youth is my passion.”

Amidst the controversy, some models took to social media to support Mama Joan, with captions like, “Joan has been doing everything for love.”

While stories of disappointment and debt are prevalent, there are success stories too. Individuals like Rejoice Chuol, an 18-year-old native of Kakuma who now resides in London, and Sudanese model Mari Malek, who was once a refugee, are making their mark in the fashion industry. Chuol recently graced the runway for Dolce & Gabbana at Milan Fashion Week and appeared in a magazine ad for H&M. She expressed her desire to be an ambassador for her country. Malek is establishing Runways to Freedom, a group that supports refugees working in the industry. According to Malek, “South Sudanese refugee models are the ‘it girls’, and I believe it is due to the fact the diversity and inclusion movement in the fashion industry has skyrocketed demand from people asking for more representation.” She emphasized the importance of African, dark-skinned, and black models, particularly those from South Sudan, renowned for their striking beauty and powerful presence.

Rejoice Chuol walking at the Miu Miu S/S 24 Show.

Puglisi of Select Model Management highlighted the agency’s commitment to making a difference by supporting models like Rejoice: “Bringing a model like Rejoice to the top level is really gratifying for us all at Select because we felt we did more to improve a world by improving the life of Rejoice… than if we brought a multimillionaire like Kendall Jenner to the same level. For the most, their families are no longer hungry.” Puglisi pointed out that using models from the African refugee camp enhances the diversity of fashion shows, asking, “Do you want to go back to all-white fashion shows?”

American model Carré Otis, who has worked alongside supermodels like Linda Evangelista, Carla Bruni, and Naomi Campbell, responded to the Times investigation.

“The investigation into refugee models shows we have reached a tipping point and a new low which is affecting some of the most vulnerable people on the planet. Sadly, the deafening silence now is indicative of what we have experienced for decades.”

Carré Otis

American supermodel Carré Otis.

Otis serves on the board of Model Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to championing labor rights for individuals employed within the fashion industry. The organization is actively engaged in the fight for the Fashion Workers Act, a proposed legislation designed to oversee modeling agencies and address pervasive issues like debt bondage, one-sided contracts presented in languages models may not comprehend, and unsafe working conditions, among various other provisions.

“In most other professions, there are regulations and protections. In the modeling industry, there are few. I have spoken to models for years now, who are still forced to tolerate inappropriate conditions. The reason many do so is quite simple: if they were to speak out or protest, they could lose their job,” Otis wrote in the Times article. 

The post How Modeling Agencies Recruit Refugees from One of the World’s Largest Camps appeared first on The Urban Watch Magazine.

During the last show, international designers Hengki Kawilarang, Lisa Ju, Taússy Daniel, and Victorian Maiden showcased their work. There was one look that particularly stood out – Taússy Daniel’s black haute couture dress in a shape of a rose– it received an ovation from the audience.

Launched in October 2017, Global Fashion Collective (GFC) is a platform led by a group of individuals who share the goal of cultivating an inclusive and diverse fashion industry. Global Fashion Collective’s mission is to accelerate designer development by producing innovative runway showcases in fashion capitals globally, increasing international media visibility, and expanding new market opportunities for their show’s participating designers. After showcasing in Paris, New York, and Tokyo, the Collective plans to expand its reach with upcoming shows in London and Milan for 2023.

Here are the GFC designers who closed the night at New York Fashion Week.

TAÚSSY DANIEL

Taússy Daniel‘s stunning collection of formal evening wear was a mix of wearable art. All statement pieces came in shades of seafoam, chartreuse, and black and gold.

Taússy Daniel was born in 1991, in Maputo, the capital of Moçambique. With her unique designs, Daniel focuses her energy on women who identify with eclectic style where the silhouette plays a central role. The brand emphasizes the feminine body using only selected cutting techniques and the highest grade of materials.

HENGKI KAWILARANG

Hengki Kawilarang is a fashion designer who started his career in 2001 in Jakarta, Indonesia, with a line of feminine, glamorous designs with the intention to make every woman feel like a diva. The designs are full of glamorous elements such as crystals, feathers, and sparkles.

LISA JU

Lisa Ju’s collection embraces and highlights female curves. The latest collection is titled “Renceum Réjouissances. Renceum means sparkling in Sundanese, and Réjouissances means festivities in French.

Ju combined her Indonesian background with her immense passion for French couture designs.

“I’m blessed to be influenced by a lot of different points of view growing up in Indonesia, which has so many different cultures, so many diverse textiles, crafts, arts, and yet a combination of original indigenous tradition and multiple modern foreign influences — that shaped me as a designer,” Ju said.

Ju reinvented Indonesia’s traditional fabric, Batik Priangan, and was inspired by its patterns. Her designs are enriched with the complexities of handmade fabric manipulation techniques, beads and crystal detailing applications, and structural line design. They also incorporate hand-painted fabric and heritage accessories from Indonesia to make it more avant-garde and to support local artists.

VICTORIAN MAIDEN

Victorian Maiden could easily dress the cast of Bridgerton. The collection took us back to the Victorian era.

The brand started in Japan in 1999 and is known for being not only “Kawaii” but also for adding elegant and coquettish elements to complete the fashion aesthetic. Victorian Maiden will soon celebrate its 25th anniversary.

The post Global Fashion Collective Brings Diversity & Stunning Designs to New York Fashion Week appeared first on The Urban Watch Magazine.

Gone are the voluminous puffer jackets and aprés-ski wool sweaters we saw last season; in their place, sheer fabrics, slinky dresses and skirt suits. There were nods to wintry weather, like shearling and quintessential fall hues of brown and red, but all styled in a less-is-more credo that dominated the runways. Case in point: turtlenecks slashed and wrapped around the torso like a bandage in Marc Jacobs’s off-runway, digitally-released collection.  

Frostbite concerns aside, there was so much to love this season. Grand, glitzy dresses and billowy maxi skirts were made so luxe at Altuzarra, Oscar de la Renta and Carolina Herrera. Hemlines went up and oodles of sequins trickled down the runways, in what can only be interpreted as life, post the worst parts of COVID, getting better. As we ooze out of the cozy, lounge-y, bundled-up feeling of 2021, things are definitely looking up. 

Here, our round-up of the hottest fall/winter trends from New York Fashion Week, a premonition of what we will be wearing come fall. 

Party Like It’s 2019

The parade of sequin paillettes on dresses at Oscar de la Renta, Christian Cowan and Altuzarra sent one clear message: we are so ready to get into clubs again. More after-dark dressing took the form of slinky off-shoulder dresses; standouts were a ruched Victor Glemaud dress in a warm latte hue and a white one-shoulder piece from Khaite. 

Sheer Thing

And the party vibe just kept going. Sheer pieces screamed show ‘em what you’ve got, from a dress with a sheer skirt and arms at Christian Siriano, to a completely see-thru top dress at LaQuan Smith. A sheer black striped dress at Jonathan Simkhai took the spotlight, declaring in one gorgeous gown that the time for the re-emergence of glamor is nigh.

Hole-y Julia Fox 

Cutouts have become a fashion week staple, and this season, “It” girl Julia Fox started the trend off with a bang at LaQuan Smith. Fox stormed the runway, fierce gaze in tow, in a black floor-length turtleneck dress with slashes above and below her chest. The crowd went wild. Other shows—like Prabal Gurung and Elena Velez—had dresses with cut-outs in the same spots. 

Up and Away

As much as maxi skirts had their moment this season (that pleated leather black maxi skirt at Altuzarra, paired with a striped sweater and fur-collared jacket—so much ooh), hemlines were on the rise. There were miniskirts in bold, saturated colors and prints at Sergio Hudson and Adam Lippes, and feather-trimmed short dresses at Lisa Von Tang and Bronx and Banco– all clear signs of a collective movement away from the loungewear year that was 2021. 

Cold Shoulders 

Bustiers and corsets, renewed for yet another season, were a dominant go-to party look on the runways. Our faves: a Madonna-esque corset at Carolina Herrera mellowed down with a pair of tailored trousers, leather moto and furry, winter-appropriate bustiers at Dion Lee, and another made sheer and accented with beads and glittery bands at No Sesso.

Edited by Demi Vitkute.

The post 5 Trends Spotted at New York Fashion Week appeared first on The Urban Watch Magazine.

Fashinnovation, a global platform that connects the fashion industry via entrepreneurship, sustainability, technology and innovation, diversity, and inclusion, hosted their 6th Worldwide Talks live from Spring Studios in New York City on Feb. 3. 

The speakers included designer Nicole Miller, Deputy Editor of both Harper’s Bazaar Arabia and Saudi Jessica Michault, and many CEOs, journalists, models, and other industry experts. 

The Urban Watch sat in on the discussion, which spotlighted luxury-womenswear designer Bibhu Mohapatra. Bibhu Mohapatra signed his first licensing deal in 2014, and his collection is currently sold at Saks Fifth Avenue.

The conversation was led by Global Editor-In-Chief of Refinery 29 Simone Oliver. Oliver is mostly known for her work in identifying and leading underrepresented groups and building media partnerships through the lens of culture, identity, and lifestyle.

The discussion focused on how Mohapatra finds his greatest influence from his deep-rooted Indian cultural heritage. 

“All my life I was surrounded by incredible crafts, and I think of it as an advantage,” the designer said.  “My mom had beautiful panels she made when she was young, and those mixed colors are still in my mind as a language. I learned about motorcycles from my dad, I learned from him how things work and I’m very grateful for that,” he explained.

He continued, “I was born into it: colors, garments, fabrics, and my roots were always very close to me, as a support system. So, when I’m creating something, my head is shaped by culture: colors, linens, the mixes.” 

When asked what traits he thinks a good leader must possess, he said, “To be a good leader, you have to be adaptable to situations, you have to be respectful to your team, and also reduce the distance with them, but at the same time, inspire them and be inspired by them, and don’t be afraid to express gratitude.”

The designer used his leadership skills when the pandemic forced the entire fashion industry to pivot and find new ways to be successful. 

Mohapatra said that the pandemic shifted the industry for many but what kept him grounded was his community of friends, fellow business owners, and the younger generation of innovators. 

In his final words, Mohapatra talked about his lasting impact on the industry. “If I can inspire one person to be on this framework: I’m happy,” he said.

6th Worldwide Talks relied on the support of brands and institutions, including Spring Studios, Bluesign, LIM College, Parsons School of Fashion, FIT New York, and many more.

Since 2018, Fashinnovation hosted over 500 of fashion’s leading innovators to audiences representing 120 countries. Respected voices like Diane Von Furstenberg, Susan Rockefeller, Kenneth Cole, Julie Gilhart, Fern Mallis, Steve Aoki, Steve Madden, Rachel Zoe, Donna Karan, Tonne Goodman, Coco Rocha, Oskar Metsavaht, Mara Hoffman, Miroslava Duma, and many more have shared knowledge through the platform.

Through these global conversations, Fashinnovation aims to ignite revolutionary actions and change across the fashion industry. The platform crosses boundaries and amplifies topics including sustainable development goals, social impact, diversity and inclusion, entrepreneurship, connectivity, and new technologies all seen through the lens of innovation.

Watch the complete Worldwide Talks broadcast here. 

Edited by Demi Vitkute.

The post Designer Bibhu Mohapatra Shares The Influence His Culture Has On His Work appeared first on The Urban Watch Magazine.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted Fashion Weeks worldwide, but this past Saturday, Feb. 13,  fashion fans got a treat from Flying Solo that hosted an in-person runway show on a SoHo rooftop. Even though it was 30 degrees Fahrenheit outside, the models and guests braced the cold, hungry for beauty and a sense of normalcy.

There were six one-hour outdoor shows, and by the beginning of the sixth show, it started snowing a little bit and the runway became icy, making it almost impossible for models to walk in heels. A staff member tried to wipe down the runway without pausing the show, cleaning with the cloth in front of walking models. They slipped many times, but were able to close the show strong, encouraged by the supportive guests who cheered. One of the models was seen crying from the frustration and the disturbing scene raised a question — is it worth suffering for fashion? 

“We tried our best to wipe the runway down but it was still very slippery for models in heels. They were really the heroes of the show and did an amazing job despite the cold conditions,” said Katie Lares, one of the original designers who helped build Flying Solo.

Flying Solo is an innovative company that gives brands that are ready to expand into new markets a platform to succeed through membership-based retail stores, leading-edge PR-showroom, and Fashion Weeks in New York, Paris, and Milan.

During a time when a lot of retail stores have closed down due to the pandemic, Flying Solo not only stayed afloat but has also expanded in size, moving the old flagship location to a bigger venue on 420 W Broadway, formerly a Karl Lagerfeld and a DKNY Store.

Managing Director and Co-founder of Flying Solo Elizabeth Solomeina said they always knew that their innovative membership-based retail model was the only way forward, and this year has proved that correct. “Small brands have no resources to afford standalone stores in areas like Soho, NYC. They also can no longer afford to do quality large-scale shows on their own,” she said. 

“We chose to do a live NYFW show even though it meant significantly more work for us at Flying Solo. It was also extremely challenging to execute in order to comply with all the safety regulations. It would’ve been much easier to organize and host a virtual show but we believed that this was a big moment for independent brands. It was their chance to get significantly more attention so we could not let them down and let the opportunity slip through their fingers,” Solomeina said. 

One of the Australian designers, Vijay Naidoo of Tattva/Truth Desi Streetwear, said she received the invite to NYFW last minute and questioned if she would be able to pull off the show. “Of course with the pandemic at hand, I wasn’t able to fly to New York. Not being able to go meant I had to design a new collection in 10 days! Being under that pressure was both challenging and enlightening. But we successfully managed to get everything to New York on time.”

Planning the fashion show during the pandemic presented unique challenges. In the past years, Flying Solo presented their fashion shows indoors, but for the past two seasons, they showed outside. “Safety was definitely our number one priority, and we wanted to make sure that we kept our guests and staff safe during the event. Everyone was required to wear a mask and temperature checks for staff were mandatory,” Solomeina said. 

Flying Solo showcased 83 brands from 18 countries including clothing, jewelry, shoes, bags, and other accessories. The clothing in the collections ranged from everyday streetwear and athleisure to more extravagant pieces and even swimsuits. Some of the looks that stood out to us the most were the dramatic and provocative designs by Prey Public, vibrant and colorful by Alexandra Popescu-York and Amari Monee, and stunning, dreamy pastel pieces by Hala Al Mamari. 

Romanian-born designer Alexandra Popescu-York, established in New York for more than a decade, said the message behind her collection “HOT mess” was a feeling of hope and vitality– hence, the bright colors. “I think we all came out from a year of pandemic a little shaken up, a little afraid, a little bored, a little messed up but that doesn’t mean we cannot be A HOT Mess. I am very emotional and emphatic with the situation that the whole world is in, and the situation is not a “pink” one. 2020 was a terrible year for all humanity. I chose to rise up and fight in my own way, as an artist and designer, to fight fear, to try to inspire myself and others for a better and beautiful future,” she said.  

Popescu-York gave credit to Flying Solo for putting up a show during these challenging conditions.  “Personally I didn’t feel the cold because my adrenaline was very high and all I felt was happiness and excitement!”

Multiple models that we spoke to also said that the adrenaline rush helped them endure the cold. 

As for the question of whether fashion is worth suffering for, opinions vary. 

“I absolutely love fashion and the creativity that goes into it. People work hard for their vision, designers dream of seeing their work on display and I enjoy seeing and hearing about their success. As long as I am treated respectfully and they know my worth and believe their vision would not be harmful to their model then yes, it’s worth it. It makes you want to try harder to do your best if you feel valued,” model Janine Tondu said. 

“Would I do it again? Yes,” she said. “The runway was slippery but the team was backstage trying to attach rubber soles to our shoes to aid us.”

Model Aleka Ward had a different opinion. “People say beauty is pain, but that’s a different type of pain. Personally, I wouldn’t do it again in those conditions but it was definitely worth the experience,” she said. 

After all, everyone’s testing out a new normal during these unprecedented times, and learning as they go. Perhaps in the future, Flying Solo can install a carpet on the runway or fake grass so the runway has better grip. Only time will tell. 

The post Flying Solo Fashion Show: Cold Weather & Icy Runway appeared first on The Urban Watch Magazine.

On February 6th, New Orleans Saints football star Marcus Williams opened Grungy Gentleman’s 12th runway show at M1-5 Lounge in Tribeca.

The 28-look collection defined athletic tailoring by combining luxury fabrications with sportswear silhouettes. The outfits featured hints of leopard, southwest inspired wool, and custom-created static fabric.

While many designers are trying to blur gender lines in fashion, Jace Lipstein of Grungy Gentleman stays true to the brand ethos—its masculinity. He defines masculinity in his brand as “confidence.”

“We always experiment with color, but we do it with accents to give that little flair, that little extra swagger. I’m not that type of guy who would wear something that’s like ‘woah, that’s a lot,’” the designer told The Urban Watch after the show.

Kody Onyiuke, host, TV reporter and model, who walked the runway for Grungy Gentleman for the second time, said that he loves the way the brand “blends textured artforms, sports attire, high fashion, and the entertainment world into a fantastic menswear brand.”

He said that masculinity should not have a single definition and that men are multifaceted. “The core of Grungy Gentleman is in its powerful name,” Onyiuke said. “All men, whether they show it or not, have an edgy, “grungy” side, and also a focused, refined side of a “gentleman.”

Onyiuke shared that he perceives Jace Lipstein more like a big brother rather than just a designer he works with. “Jace, his team, and the entire brand makes you feel like part of the brotherhood,” he said.

And it will remain a brotherhood. It would take changing the core of the brand to make it more gender-fluid and inclusive, as the name in itself—Grungy Gentleman—is inherently gendered.

Click to view slideshow.

The post Jace Lipstein of Grungy Gentleman stays true to the brand ethos—its masculinity appeared first on The Urban Watch Magazine.

Was it a 1970’s “Glam Rock” concert or the Hakan Akkaya Fall 2019 collection? That was the question on everyone’s mind as they sat along the U-shaped runway at Spring Studios on Sunday, February 10.  The Istanbul based designer presented his third collection as part of NYFW in the cavernous Gallery I. The massive space was filled to the brim with an audience dressed to impress, perfectly complementing the show-stopping looks that walked.

Black, White & Metallic Silver, with a small dash of Metallic Pinks thrown in as an accent, made up every look of the collection of a Women’s & Men’s full designer range. The cameras & phones went a-flutter when the key looks appeared. The various looks in Black with Silver studs & spikes for Women proved to be audience favorites as did the range of inventive, body-con dresses, some with incredible sleeve and super strong shoulder details. A range of Black & White, bold-striped faux furs for both Men & Women had every person in the room taking notice.

As the finale walk-around commenced, the entire audience shrieked their approval, only to ramp it up even more when designer himself, Hakan Akkaya, walked the entire runway, nearly floating with pride as he blew kisses to his legions of fans, new & old alike.

Photos: Vedant Gupta for the Urban Watch Magazine.

Click to view slideshow.

The post Hakan Akkaya’s Glam Rock Collection – NYFW Fall/Winter 2019 appeared first on The Urban Watch Magazine.

Suitsupply

We all love a good suit! Suitsupply is known for its Italian fabrics and precise tailoring. They held their presentation this year at Cadillac House and we were there to flirt with the male models (swoon).

Suitsupply was started by Fokke de Jong in 2000, and in 18 years has grown to over 90 stores across Europe, North America and Asia. South African designer Murray Coetzee uses his distinct fashion sense from all around the world to contribute toward the patterns and colors of the suits. Coetzee believes solely in the importance of the fabric, fit and finish of all garments. He has grown with Suitsupply for almost 11 years now and continues to put his all into each piece that he creates. This year for NYFW Men’s Autum/Winter 2018, Suitsupply’s collection consisted of many colors: from soft cashmere pinks to strong army greens, inspired by the timeless vintage collections of generations-old Biellesi mills—all punctuated by vibrant array of dynamic textures and bold patterns.

Palmiers du Mal

New York is where the heart is…

Palmiers du Mal, a modern luxury resort collection, was founded in New York City, conceptualized around the world, and fully made in NYC. It is inspired by philosophy, travel, design, sex, literature, lives of artists, writers, gypsies—all that makes NYC unique.

Having recently launched in 2015, Palmiers du Mal shows the modern-day style of a luxury flaneur—a fancy word for a blissful lounger. With both the Creative Director/ CEO Shane Fonner and the COO Brandon Capps merging together to create bold yet comfortable pieces, this is a collection that we hope you didn’t miss this season. The collection promotes a need for freedom. Freedom from everything that holds any one of us back, freedom to indulge in life’s pleasures and so on. Palmiers du Mal was here to tell you to live unapologetically.

 Bristol

We all receive inspiration through different walks of life and for Luke it was through basketball. Tadashi thought of designs that correlated with sports and that’s how he created Bristol Studio. Clothing to him is all about expression, identity and other ways to express yourself. This season was inspired by Tadashi’s Japanese heritage and his grandmother. He notes that ultimately the collection is a love letter to his grandma, “a woman who shaped him much as his own mother, and an homage to his grandparents’ life which began in Japan in the 1920s through WWII and ends in America.” The collection points to WWII and evokes a worn and lived-in feel, while staying true to the brand’s athletic identity. Notable pieces include misaligned shirting, reversible down jackets with side snap closures, and sweatpants with pockets sewn inside-out. The label also collaborated with Adidas on the Crazy BYW sneaker. The shoe represents Tadashi’s first love, basketball.

Nick Graham

Graham’s new collection, Metropolis, gave us some French Riviera vibes: it featured lots of patterns including graphic plaids, windowpanes, and exploded with some bright colors, like yellow and purple. Nick Graham lives by his famous phrase: “The brand is the Amusement Park; the product is the souvenir.” He also added his very own underwear collection to the new season. Graham actually began his career selling unique boxers. When at the age of 27 he moved from Canada to San Francisco, he started a small business making ties and then began producing a line of boxer shorts in a range of unexpected designs. His official title at the time was Chief Underpants Officer (CUO).

Project Life Creation

The brand was formerly known as Private Life Creation and now has rebranded. Richard Chun, the creative director of PLC has 12 years of rich and diverse experience in New York’s Fashion Industry and has curated PLC with a new strong identity.

The new collection was about sophistication and simplicity. The line showcased such men’s wear staples as embroidered knits, bomber jackets, and double-faced cashmere topcoat. There were plays on colorblocking as well, inspired by a print from artist Anthony Gerace. The collection was wearable and retail friendly.

New York Fashion Week is over and we are already looking forward to September!

Demi Vitkute contributed to this article 

The post 5 Notable Designers at New York Fashion Week: Men’s appeared first on The Urban Watch Magazine.

The post Street Style Photos from New York Fashion Week Spring ’18 appeared first on The Urban Watch Magazine.

The designers showing at the Esabitchin’ event, Study NY, Zero Waste Daniel, and Lindy Fox, have all taken a stance to create clothing with a conscience.  The event was an intimate affair filled with live performances, model presentations, and an eclectic collection of artwork.

The Urban Watch had an opportunity to be able to see the clothes up close and to engage with the designers and esa founders about their take on sustainable fashion.

The post An Eco-Friendly Fashion Affair: Esabitchin’ Event appeared first on The Urban Watch Magazine.