Models for the Hernan Lander collection
The consensus is Latino designers made the biggest impact at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week 2013 held in New York with their explosive designs that cut through the numerous runway shows.
Of the 130 designers presenting at New York Fashion Week, nine of them were Latino – one of the largest numbers in the history of the event. While many Latinos present their shows off-site, away from Lincoln Center, where up-and-coming designers can show their wares, but only the best are included and sponsored by Mercedez-Benz and IMG, according to FoxNewsLatino.
Some of the designers who stood out were:
Ricardo Seco: A self-taught designer born in Mexico, Seco worked as the creative director with Converse, bringing his unique designs to the iconic Chuck Taylor sneakers. Seco says he used layers of fabric, incorporating leathers, cashmere, cotton, and cool menswear bags—a mix of sportswear with suiting.
Relative unknown Dominican and Parson’s grad, Hernan Lander, presented a beautiful collection of women’s clothing. Edgy leathers and vibrant silk prints, Lander brought his unique perspective to Lincoln Center for the first time. Watch a video of his presentation.
Venezuelan icon Carolina Herrera brought distinguished elegance and sophistication to the runway this year as she has for more than 30 years. Watch a video of her lineup.
New York born, but of Italian and Spanish heritage, designer Carmen Marc Valvo has dressed everyone from Katie Couric to Beyonce to the HRH Princess Madeleine of Sweden. His fall 2013 collection this year showed a rock ‘n’ roll, dark, gothic line inspired by Edgar Allen Poe. Watch a video of his presentation.