A-Z DESIGNERS: To learn more about the great wealth of local fashion design talent read through the profiles and designer statements below and visit their websites.
4march by Amy Ozay
4march is a Cambridge-based luxury women's wear design firm. Fusing style with
global consciousness, 4march is a high-purpose clothing line dedicated to social
responsibility. It is the designer's hope to challenge mainstream fashion
design, seeking to create timeless clothing that abandons trend and finds its
inspiration in various natural, cultural and artistic forms.
Inspired by her mother and grandmother, owner Amy Özay began sewing for the
sheer joy of it at a very young age. After receiving a Bachelor's Degree in Fine
Arts and Psychology, she followed her tactile nature and creative mind to the
School of Fashion Design in Boston. With a love of design and the process of
making clothing, but a wariness of the fashion industry, the line she has
created represents an attempt to redefine fashion in her own terms.
4march believes strongly that being environmentally and socially responsible in
all aspects of their work is a necessity. This is most evident in their
commitment to using only organic and sustainable fabrics for her collections.
Some of the fabrics she currently uses are: Organic Cotton, Hemp, Tencel,
Bamboo, Soy, Tussah Silk ("Peace Silk"), Banana Silk, Yak, Alpaca.
BOSTON DESIGN LAB
Boston Design Laboratory founder Shirley Willett has developed a new production pattern system called Stylometrics, which makes possible the efficient production of couture designs. Her research and development reaches back a lifetime to when she worked as a stitcher in the very first apparel factories where European Jews and other skilled old-world tailors of Boston were using the world's first production patterns. Their elegant innovation would soon be discovered the world over and develop into the apparel industry as we have come to know it.
The mentor-apprentice relationship that was so crucial to the transference of these very specialized skills, has been lost to fashion design education. BDL is dedicated to the mentoring of Boston's young designers, empowering them with the simplicity Stylometrics affords them to profitably produce their own couture designs on any scale.
| HILARY EMMONS
is the proprietor of Crafty Robot, where she showcases her one-of-a-kind
home goods and accessories with a sense of fun and a focus on the use of vintage and recycled materials. Her work has appeared in the Boston Globe Sidekick and in BUST Magazine. Through her work with Boston Design Laboratory, she is developing a line of 40s and 50s-inspired clothing designs for women. CraftyRobot.com |
|
| CAROLE INFERRERA is the owner and operator of Pasticcio, Inc., a small manufacturing site in Framingham, MA where she designs clothing, accessories, and home goods. Her textile passion dates back to her childhood, when she first learned to sew. Her extensive professional background includes textiles, fashion merchandising, manufacturing and business. Boston Design Laboratory has brought a new dimension to Carole's work and inspired her to create designs based on clothing from the 1920s, a strong area of interest for many years. Collaborating with the other designers at BDL has been a refreshing and productive change for her. “Although solitude is necessary, contact with other creative people fosters endless opportunities for all. BDL has brought this to my professional life.” | |
| JESSICA KNIGHT is a recent college grad committed to developing and managing her own fashion business. Through networking with members of Boston Fashion Meetup and working collaboratively with other designers in Boston Design Laboratory, she has gained invaluable knowledge, in addition to encouragement to pursue this goal. Jessica's designs target young women interested in chic and feminine day dresses. Her hand-sewn couture pieces are a refreshing departure from the current mass-produced "jeans and t-shirt" fashion aesthetic. Her current design work will be shown at the Boston Design Laboratory fashion show as a part of Boston Fashion Week. | |
| DENISE TING has always been a do-it-yourselfer when it comes to style and design. In her first pieces constructed from scratch she hopes to convey her flair for the original and the overlooked alike as expressions of her personality and wit. A member of Boston Design Laboratory, she will show her first pieces during Boston Fashion Week. | |
| ANITA WILCOX is the proprietor of Violette Enterprises, a company which is devoted to fashion from the past two centuries. She comes to the fashion world from the high-tech industry and is looking to apply engineering vision to the art of fashion design and patternmaking. Her designs are influenced by the elegant and artful elements of vintage fashion and her particular favorites are the sleek silhouettes of the 1920's and 1930's. Through her collaboration with Boston Design Laboratory, her company will soon be producing a line of fashion patterns that reproduce many vintage designs from the past, as well as some original designs of her own. |
Sara Campbell
Vivacious color combinations, flirtatious flair, unique sense of style... whatever it may be, Sara Campbell is eager to create designs that allow her customers to feel special every day.
Sara Campbell LTD embodies the personal grace and spirit of its founder and creative director, Sara Campbell. A fashion designer, artist, and entrepreneur Sara is the constant force of energy behind all creations and ideas that come out of her Boston studio.
A Massachusetts resident with California roots, Sara earned her degree in design from the University of California, Davis. She later moved to Boston for graduate school at Lesley College for a Masters in Art Education. It was in Boston where she met and was soon mentored by the late Corita Kent, an artist and educator whom she set up a private tutorial with, at Mass College of Art.
Sara began her career in 1982 as a featured artist in a wearable art gallery and museum shows. This lead to the birth of a women artist mail order catalog, where Corita was an initiator, contributor, and partner on the project. Sara's one-of-a-kind garments became a numbered, limited edition series.
Today, Sara creates, designs, and produces two lines, Sara Campbell and Sara Jane. Each represents timeless and classic design elements with modern fashion sensibilities, creating lifestyle collections of dresses, formal suiting, and sportswear for women with an ageless attitude and tireless spirit.
A fashion designer, entrepreneurial business owner, wife, and mother of two young daughters, she is the constant supporter and advocate of working for the common good. It is this spirit that is at the heart of events held at the retail store of Sara Campbell. It is the core mission of the company to give back to the community.
Teresa Crowninshield Coburn
Teresa Crowninshield Coburn began designing clothing while living as an English teacher in China. Two years of concerted self-study and exploration of the local fabric markets enabled her to produce several unique designs which ultimately became her first collection.
The remarkable success of the debut line enabled Ms. Coburn to expand her China operations while refining her style and further exploring the exotic offerings of the Chinese silk markets. She produced her 2nd and 3rd lines independently and to rave reviews, growing the company 50% each year. She again expanded her sourcing network and production techniques and refined her design skills with the help of master pattern maker, Shirley Willett. Armed with new draping and pattern making skills, Ms. Coburn returned to China to produce her 4th line.
Ms. Coburn's clear and progressive vision, along with her insistence upon unique fabrics, superior craftsmanship and quality control, has won her placement in a steadily increasing number of New England boutiques and trunk shows.
Daniela Corte
Daniela Corte founded Daniela Corte Fashion in 2000. Her mantra is "timeless
elegance in your everyday life"™. This motto describes Daniela's dedication to
providing women with an elegant and beautiful solution to their daily
challenges; whether it is a board meeting or taking the kids to soccer practice
or attending that exclusive red carpet event. Her clothes are the perfect
combination of fashion and function allowing her customers to be instantly
prepared in any situation for a paparazzi photo. The line is available not only
on-line, but in many boutiques and by appointment only for a select few private
customers.
The
designs are created in the center of Boston's high end retail district at
Daniela's Newbury Street studio where Daniela combines the latest fabrics from
all over the world with her signature clean simple designs and cutting edge
manufacturing processes.
Daniela
was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the fashion capital of South America. Her
father, a local men's fashion designer, introduced her to her first bolt of silk
at the age of six hooking her for life into the roller coaster world of fashion.
Daniela trained in the family business, the renowned School of Fashion Design in
Boston, and with several local Boston designers before founding her own fashion
studio, Daniela Corte Fashion. Since founding DCF, she has been honored with
many prestigious awards including The Best Local Fashion Designer by Boston
Magazine and The distinguished Alumni Award from the School of Fashion Design in
Boston.
Michael De Paulo
Michael De Paulo, a Boston native, officially began his career in the fashion industry three years ago after graduating from Northeastern University with a master’s degree in architecture. From a very early age De Paulo had a passion for design, specifically fashion design and decided to fulfill his life long dream by founding his own company. As a result, The Boston Globe featured De Paulo as one of the “Fab 5” designers in Boston. After showing some of his sketches to influential members of the fashion community, he was encouraged to produce samples of these designs and based upon that advice he created a capsule collection of 9 pieces for Spring 2006, “Tropical Endeavor” which received positive feedback from both retailers and editors.
De Paulo’s signature style incorporates a variety of color and rich fabrics such as satin, lace and taffeta. DePaulo’s architecturally-inspired creations place emphasis on structure while exuding femininity. “I grew up with a lot of strong females in my life, and saw how fine clothes truly delighted women. I like the idea of producing quality goods that are as beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside”. During New York Fashion Week in February 2006, De Paulo officially presented his Fall 2006 collection, “Opulent Sensibility”. The collection was composed of 16 gowns and was well received by the press and buyers which garnered him meetings with major retailers such as Saks and Neiman Marcus.
For spring 2007, De Paulo’s collection, “Enchanting Surrealist”, consisted of 16 evening gowns and was inspired by the landscapes of van Gogh. Caterina Murino, star of “Casino Royale”, the latest James Bond movie, adorned the cover of “21 Magazine” in one of De Paulo’s gowns along with an inside spread of his creations. Additionally, The Boston Globe featured a member of the Boston Ballet in one of De Paulo’s gowns in “The Luxe Life”. “Sculptural Appeal”, his Fall 2007 collection, places emphasis on structure. For Spring 2008, De Paulo will present, “A Linear Approach”, which is composed of gowns that concentrate on architectural lines with delicate details.
De Paulo will show his creations during Boston Fashion Week at Boston’s renowned Taj Hotel on September 10th. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Mass General Hospital for Children. In addition, De Paulo will be showing his collection to buyers and press at the Designers at the Essex House Show mid-September in New York. Most recently, De Paulo’s gowns will be featured in the upcoming September/October 2007 issue of WATCH!, The CBS Magazine, adorned by Guiding Light cast member Michelle Ray Smith.
His gowns are available at a number of specialty stores nationwide.
Daniel F. Faucher Couture Design
As one of the few practitioners of time-honored haute couture techniques in New
England, Daniel Faucher has built his fine reputation with the design and
creation of exquisite one-of-a-kind evening – and bridal-wear ensembles. In
reviewing a fashion show in which his designs were featured, John Robinson of
The Boston Globe wrote that Daniel’s gowns are “peerless confections of silk and
lace.” The business he founded in 1983, Daniel Faucher Couture Design, attracts
clients who are seeking the talents of a couturier and master draper who is
willing to work directly with his customers.
Designing under his own label since 1987, Daniel has been recognized as one of
the finest designers in Boston through the many fashion shows and magazine
layouts which have featured his work. His collections are seen routinely at the
Ritz-Carlton, Boston Harbor, Four Seasons and Colonnade hotels in Boston, and
have graced the pages of such publications as Women’s Wear Daily, Boston
Magazine, The Boston Globe, The Boston Herald and New England Bride.
Daniel’s work is one-of-a-kind; the design of a garment is never recreated.
Daniel offers selected retail establishments the opportunity to carry a limited
line of evening, cocktail and/or bridal wear, maintaining the unique qualities
that have caught the attention of his clients. Each line varies from store to
store so as not to lose the custom feeling of his business.
An award-winning graduate of the School of Fashion Design (SFD), Boston,
Daniel’s honors and prizes include the Boston Design Collaborative’s “Best
Collection 1993” award and the SFD Distinguished Alumni award. His is one of six
originators of the annual “Moxie” fashion show honoring New England’s best young
design talent. He is a senior instructor at his alma mater.
Daniel’s designs can be seen by appointment at his studio in Boston’s South End
at 46 Waltham Street; (617) 338-6895.
Alfred Fiandaca
From the time Alfred Fiandaca was 9 years old, he was cutting patterns and
eventually drafting patterns on his own at his father's side in East Boston. He
moved to New York City when he was 17. There, he studied at the Fashion
Institute of Technology and the now former Traphagen School of Design. His
career, as a third generation fashion designer, started when he moved back to
East Boston and opened a shop on Maverick Street. One of his biggest breaks
happened when the wife of then newly elected Massachusetts Governor, John Volpe,
asked him to design a new suit and gown for the inauguration.
Alfred
Fiandaca quickly moved to the most fashionable streets such as Newbury Street,
Worth Avenue, and Madison Avenue. The top stores across the United States have
sold his glamorous designs including Berdorf Goodman, Henri Bendel, and Saks
Fifth Avenue.
Fiandaca has dressed many stylish women like Audrey Hepburn, Lady Bird Johnson,
Julie Andrews, Louise Fletcher for the 1975 Academy Awards (winner best actress
for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest), Gail Ryan for the 2000 Academy Awards
(winner makeup Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas), Anita Baker, Nancy
Reagan, Jean Kennedy, Pia Lindstrom, Pauline Boardman Pitt, Jane Dudley, Sarah
Farrish, Barbara Wainscott Berger, and HRH. Princess Maria Pia de Savoie.
His honors include:
2004 - Awarded the Isobel S. Sinesi Lifetime Achievement in Fashion Award from
the School of Fashion Design in Boston
2003 - The Palm Beach chapter of the Jewish Guild for the Blind honored Alfred
Fiandaca for the hard work, friendship and support he has given the Guild over
the years.
2000 - Exhibit: Fiandaca: Four Decades of Design and a Scholarship named for
Alfred Fiandaca, both at the Massachusetts College of Art.
Marie Galvin
Marie Galvin is an Award winning Irish Milliner based in Boston. Five years ago, with limited access to schools offering millinery courses in the States, Galvin resorted to teaching herself the Art of Millinery and set out to become a milliner. In June 1998, she moved into an artist loft in Boston’s Fort Point Channel, New England’s largest Artist Community. She began daily intensive studies with the aid of old edition Millinery instructional books and by deconstructing vintage hats. “I felt that if I learned the old techniques of Millinery, the rest would follow”. With that, Galvin finally found her true calling!
Five months later in October 1998, Galvin exhibited her first Collection of Couture Hats during Fort Point Channels Annual Open Studios. It was a great success and Galvin sold most of her first Collection to some very excited customers. In the Fall of 1999, Galvin had produced and completed her first fashion show, “Something Wicked This Way Comes”. It was a huge success and the orders were piling in.
May 2001 following in the steps of Martha Stewart, Marie was invited the be a Guest Speaker and to exhibit hats at The Cincinnati Flower Show. That same month Galvin was invited to co-produce and exhibit at Boston’s leading cutting edge Gallery, Gallery Soto. Titled “Reversed, An Artistic View of Fashion”. In August 2001, she won 1st runner up in the Hat Designer of the Year competition held in London. That Fall marked the debut of Galvin’s first of many Trunk Shows at Henri Benders in New York City. October 2001 her hats were featured during a Fall Fashion Segment with Diane Sawyer on the Good Morning America show.
In February 2002, Patti Wilson, New York’s leading fashion stylist, invited Galvin to have her hats top off the Fall 2002 Heatherettes Collection during New York’s world famous Fashion Week. In May 2002, The British Hat Magazine invited Galvin along with 5 other international hat designers to create an alternative version of the panama straw hat. Galvin’s Avant Guarde design won 1st Place in the panama Challenge. In April 2003, Galvin exhibited hats in the Cultural Art Centre, Columbus, Ohio from April 18th - May 17th. It was celebrating “100 Years of Hats”. In July 2003, School of Fashion Design, on Newbury Street in Boston exhibited 30 of Galvin’s creations from July 1st - July 30th in celebration of Hat Month.
Five years later, she continues honing her craft as a Milliner in her fully operational workshop in Fort Point, Boston. Galvin is fast earning a reputation for her collection of eclectically styled hats and headpieces. Over the past 4 years, she has enjoyed great exposure from both the international and domestic press. GALVIN–sized Hats have been seen on celebrities such as Cher, Alicia Keys, Vivica A Fox, Claire Daines, Taye Diggs to name a few.
After receiving many requests, Galvin produced her first Wholesale Collection and is very excited about the debut of her much sought after Bridal Collection, “Heavenly Creatures”. The collection features unique, fashion forward headpieces, purses and accessories for the modern bride. "My mission is to create unique handcrafted headwear, providing multiple expressions for the women who wear them", says Galvin. The Collections are original and hand constructed, employing the use of wool, felts, opulent fabrics and exotic trims.
“It’s about making a statement with one dramatic piece," said Galvin, "Top off a unique outfit with an eye catching headpiece and voilà!"
Denise Hajjar
Every season I try to create a collection that is always fresh, current, a
little edgy in approach, with a sharp twist. I am always dazzled by colors &
shades, by touch & details, by design & shapes, by romance & attitude. Using
only beautiful and unusual mix of fabrics, I provide unsurpassed attention to
detail, combined with the cut of the garment and the perfect fit, making sure
that each piece will have a long lasting appeal. My designing is a reflection of
the world around me. A combination of strength, sensitivity, and imagination,
all the while, staying pure to whom I am as a designer. Having you look
fabulous, is what I try to achieve each time. Over twenty years as a designer,
has given me the expertise and confidence to provide each of my clients just
that. I design a line of clothing that reflects a total look of what they would
like to wear, not what they are told to wear. It's about tuning in to the
individual's lifestyle and personality to create just the right look. I bring my
clients to the edge of fashion and style, but never over. That edge is the place
where inspiration and creativity meet. What I find truly exciting in moving
forward as a designer, is that as I continue to learn and grow, my clients
continue to benefit. Denise Hajjar - A Classic Modern Look.
DeniseHajjar.com
Daniel Hernandez
When Daniel Hernandez began designing his distinctively cut outfits some years ago, he was widely recognized by the Boston fashion community for his talent and sheer exuberance for the art. Danny began his career in the fashion industry as a hair stylist. From there he followed his calling to the world of clothing design, creating his first designs on his own and eventually ending up studying in the world’s fashion capital, Paris.
Before Paris, however Hernandez came up with his own line of shampoos and conditioners and created DH Studios as a vehicle for his growing line of fashion wear and beauty products. He showed a business sense that few talented designers possessed. Upon his return from Paris, the budding designer grew weary of working in other’s salons and began searching for a space of his own, all the while continuing work on his clothing line.
A few months later, with the closing of Sal Sannizzaro Salon, Hernandez premiered DH Studios Hair Salon on ultra-chic Newbury Street. Business at the salon continues to grow, with raves and word-of-mouth recommendations from longtime clients, and Danny was recently awarded a Vision Award from the Boston Fashion Week organizers.
Rumor has it that Hernandez will soon be expanding the salon to incorporate retail space where he’ll offer his designs and salon products for sale to the public.
Kristina Kozak
While always a shoe lover with an eye for fashion, it was her time at Louis Boston that truly influenced and increased her love for distinctive pieces, especially shoes. “I wanted fabulous, fun shoes that stood out in a crowd but didn’t sacrifice quality or sophistication. With that in mind I created my own line that is original and intelligent but still reflects a lighthearted approach to fashion.”
Her shoes are individually handcrafted. Every design is mulled over until it expresses a whimsical, quirky style yet remains classically beautiful. Each shoe is meticulously made with the closest attention to detail... from the stitching to the soles to the detailing, efforts are undertaken to ensure quality and individuality.
All of her designs reflect fun and happiness and my shoes are meant to add a bit of both to your life. So when you put them on, you can’t help but smile and feel happy.
Myre
Myre designer Jess Meyer has been creating things for as long as she can
remember. Having worked in various disciplines, from metal sculpture to film
sets to apparel, she is perpetually fascinated by engineering captivating
objects. After moving from Los Angeles to Boston, Jess enrolled at the School of
Fashion Design, where she studied women's wear through pattern drafting,
draping, tailoring, and couture construction techniques. Myre, incorporated in
2005, offers her limited edition pieces in an elegantly tailored collection.
Nirva
Living her lifelong dream since she was ten years old, Nirva Derbekyan has been designing fashion for women since 1998. She’s come a long way from her first design of a patchwork boot at the age of three. Today, from her Lexington Massachusetts based studio, Nirva channels her years of experience and unparalleled taste from USA and UK to bring her designs to life.
Nirva’s fashions exude femininity, and are made for a woman to look and feel beautiful. Each season, rich fabrics, color and unique detail are at the heart of her collection. Each garment is made to extremely high standard and embellished pieces are constructed by employing elaborate techniques. Nirva is particularly known for attention to detail, right down to the trim or bead which are sourced across the world.
Taking inspiration from her travels, each garment is a masterpiece full of character and elegance.
Since officially launching her brand in 2005, Nirva has been dressing many women including local celebrities. She has been featured in several newspapers in Boston and London, and has also received coverage in national publications such as Lucky Magazine. The Nirva label can be found in boutiques in and around Boston and also through her studio by appointment.
okw
okw (o-koo) began 20 years ago by three alumni of the School of Fashion Design. Only Henry Wong remains as business director and finisher, after deciding that designing wasn’t for him, but retailing and crafting were. Waheeda Ali-Salaam joined the firm in 1989 as a stitcher while attending architecture school and decided to stay at (o-koo). She now is designer and partner.
okw produces well-crafted, wearable ready-to-wear and couture day and evening wear using mostly European textiles, sometimes creating their own textiles. They create classical and sometimes edgy clothing for women using both traditional and modern textiles.
One can find the looks of the season, be it sporty day looks, modern elegance in suits or dresses, wearable cutting edge fashion, and glamorous evening and cocktail wear. They offer comprehensive and unparalleled service. Clothing is produced on site. Special orders to suit their clients’ needs are never a problem.
They offer accessories and have recently started a small art gallery, featuring local artists.
Shaunt Sarian
I still feel the excitement upon the completion of every handbag, in fact, handbags are my passion! Perfecting my craft for over 40 years, I began designing in my family workshop in Lebanon, then after moving to the U.S., I have continued the same tradition of a superior balance of fine workmanship and innovative design.
Traveling abroad, I am in constant pursuit of unique and exotic materials such as ostrich, alligator, or stingray. Often my handbags use differing textures from suede, to polished python, to patent leather. Each handbag is a modern work of art and design, complimented with a distinctive flair.
The Sarian collection is a limited edition. No more than twenty-five pieces of any one design are made. There are no boundaries to the creativity and charm of a customized bag designed exclusively for the self-assured woman.
My clients know who they are; they want more than a designer label -- they want a handbag that is not just a trend but also a fashion statement.
Whether you’re looking for an eye-catching clutch in red patent leather, an elegant backpack in pearlized alligator, or an evening bag that is playfully flirtatious, Sarian handbags are sure to start a conversation all on their own. Women know the importance of a fantastic handbag particularly when the creativity and opportunities are endless.
Samuel Vartan
Samuel Vartan was born in Athens, Greece on August 3, 1960, By 1966, Vartan’s family moved to Beirut, Lebanon and then by late 1968 finally settled in Montreal, Canada. Vartan finished high school in 1978 and entered Dawson College in Film and Communication Studies. While attending college Vartan got a job at a popular fashion boutique and gained his first real experience in the fashion industry.
After several years of working in different odd jobs, Vartan came across an old friend who has started his own leather wear company. After hours of conversations about the fashion business, the two friends realized that they could use each other’s skills in producing a complete line of leather garments. Vartan decided that he would illustrate and design the collection and his friend would handle the manufacturing. The venture proved to be a small success as well as a pivotal one for Vartan. It was at this point that the young Vartan decided this is what he wanted to do with his life.
After several years of trying various projects with different people, Vartan was approached by a friend and owner of a local popular café. He suggested to vartan that he design a uniform for the girls working in his establishment. This would also be a pivotal point in Vartan’s young career. At this stage Vartan realized he would have to start working with other fabrics besides leather.
After successfully making garments for his friends and getting a very positive reaction from locals, Vartan officially launched his career by founding his own line in 1998. Since then Vartan has successfully released two collections a year, as well as completely organizing well attended fashion shows.
Today, Vartan lives with his wife in the city of Boston, yet maintains his office in Montreal where the line is produced and manufactured.