Taking place between New York Fashion Week and Market Week, the Novus Forum presented their international trade show, Novus Chiffonier. Gathering designers from Dubai, Vietnam, and the United States, influencers, stylists, buyers, and private clientele can gather in one space and shop for the highest quality ready-to-wear fashion. Here’s what every designer’s collection looked like at Novus Chiffonier.
21Six, Tracy Studio, and I.H.F.
Based in Vietnam, these brands were founded by a group of friends, yet all aim to serve a special demographic. 21Six fits the style of that of a 21-year-old girl. “It’s really feminine and really fun,” said Steven Doan, the stylist for all three brands. “You see a lot of tulle, a lot of silk dresses, so it’s very sexy, feminine, sophisticated.”
21Six’s racks were filled with gorgeous gowns, perfect for a young woman in her 20s. The light color palette and detailed hand-beaded design emulated a youthfulness and desire for finding your place in the world. The dresses would be perfect for any occasion from weddings, to evening parties, to formal events.
Tracy Studio transitions 21Six’s style to the older woman, somebody between their mid-twenties to mid-thirties. “Clientele is a little bit older than 21Six,” Doan said. “It’s a bit more mature design.”
The clothes on Tracy Studio’s rack are covered in rhinestones, all glued by hand onto the fabrics. High quality blends added to the chic and classic feel with dresses weighing heavily, but making the wearer feel powerful. Instead of light and playful colors, Tracy Studio’s clothes were more jewel-toned or black and white, with some gold and dark pink pieces.
Similar to Tracy Studio, I.H.F. also leaned on the more mature side, again with handcrafted beading and rhinestones. While the color palette strayed away from the youthful pastels and light colors, I.H.F. used more bright colors in addition to Tracy Studio’s black and white and darker color scheme.
Maryam Omaira
Based in Dubai, Maryam Omaira‘s presence at Novus Chiffonier was headed by salesperson Giovanna Grandez. The gowns presented on the racks had a range of all different colors, cuts, and styles. “This is for a woman who wants to make her presence,” Grandez said. “It’s voluminous, it’s very intricate, and it’s very luxurious.”
Maryam Omaira’s dresses were absolutely stunning and featured intricate beading and many different fabrics from silk taffeta to tulle. The many different styles and colors allowed for clientele to browse through everything and experience each piece’s unique features. The gowns also fit for a variety of occasions, from black-tie balls to charity events.
Weilu Fresolone
Weilu Fresolone is based in Greenwich, Connecticut. Named after the founder and designer, Fresolone usually works in bridal. This is her first ready-to-wear collection. “I’m always a color girl, but after I graduated, for some reason I just got out into the bridal world and that’s where I’ve stayed,” Fresolone said. “But in my heart I always loved colors, loved prints, floral prints particularly.”
While working with brides, Fresolone has experienced demand for second, third, fourth, and even fifth looks during wedding celebrations. This collection is a step towards that. Her first ever ready-to-wear collection heavily featured floral prints and bright colors with dresses ranging from all different kinds of lengths and styles.
Geisha Designs
Geisha Designs is based in India. The brand specializes in hand crafted work and intricate details. Designer and founder Shalini Jaikaria created the brand to mix both the traditional and modern Indian wear together. “We believe in techniques and embroideries and handcraft,” she said. “There is this technique that we do, which is really nice, too. It’s more like basket weaving.”
This season’s collection from Geisha Designs is a mix of all different kinds of styles using all different kinds of techniques. Jaikaria’s favorite dress is one sequined with several small fish embedded into the fabric. Inspired by the sea, the dress was one of many that took three whole months to build, along with the rest of the collection.
Kevan Hall
Based in Los Angeles, CA, Kevan Hall‘s collection is actually highlights from their holiday collection. Founder and designer Hall explained that the dresses were a buy-now, wear-now type of collection, inspired by the British singer Shirley Bassey. Dame Shirley Bassey was known for her powerful voice, which she used to do the soundtracks for several James Bond films. “I was inspired by her style from her youth up until her superstardom,” Hall said. “We use a lot of crystals, we use beautiful shades of ruby, and teal, and magenta, and all these wonderful rich dark tones for holiday.”
After the collection was released, Bassey actually called Hall to tell him how grateful she was that she was the inspiration for the new looks. “I was really happy to have developed this collection that [was] in her honor,” Hall said. The collection featured deep colors with rich fabrics, perfect for any occasion.
Ameera
Founder and designer Ameera created her brand to create stylish and modest clothing. The Boston native makes her clothes by hand in the garment district. “We try to create silhouettes that are more modest, but still elegant and stylish,” she said. “Anyone can wear these pieces, but we designed with modesty in mind.”
Ameera’s collection is filled with long, flowy dresses, all with different colors. Different textures, patterns, and cuts are featured throughout the entire rack. Ameera has created a unique style that is perfect for anyone who may not necessarily want to show a lot of skin in their outfits. “I think there’s always a stigma around modesty that it’s oppressive or that it’s only for older women, or that it can’t be made beautifully, but I think that’s where designers come in,” Ameera said.
XOXO,
Your Fashion Bestie
