Can’t wait till the shows begin? To get your fashion fix check out these sketches from a few of New York fashion’s favorite names and stay tuned for more:

Don’t recognize this last one? No, you’re not behind on your WWD readings: This sketch comes from Ludmilla, a Romanian designer who entered our Be Discovered: Design a Dress competition. Unfortunately, since she’s not in the US Ludmilla isn’t eligible to enter, but if you’re over age 18, a U.S. citizen living in these stellar 50 states of ours, and fancy yourself a frock star, YOU ARE. To find out more (including the all-important winnings) go here.

Love This Story? Buzz It Up Here!

Stumble It! Save to del.icio.us Digg Email Facebook

Paul Wilmot of Paul Wilmot Communications

Much of New York is currently in the throes of pre-fashion week planning—which means designers, production houses, and PR firms are all hunkered down trying to pull off a series of logistical feats (and oh yeah, create inspiring collections too).

Fortunately, we managed to snag PR guru Paul Wilmot—one of our Be Discovered Design a Dress contest judges—to pick his brain about what goes on behind the scenes and why one’s gut reaction trumps a Project Runway win:

What was your first big break?
I have been in PR for over 25 years and my biggest break was when I was named global senior vice president for public relations and communications at Calvin Klein in 1984. I held that position until 1990 when I left to join Conde Nast Publications.

What’s the best part of your current gig?
Undoubtedly the best part of my job now is working with our diverse client base. One minute we are strategizing on the launch of a new fashion line, the next opening a hotel in Europe and the next planning the opening night of a Whitney Museum Art Gala. The divergence and the new challenges are what get me going every day of the week.

Describe on of the most unexpected aspects of your job:
The most unexpected part of the job is that people have come to recognize the agency as sort of a go to place to do press relations for luxury goods, fashion and accessories. I am still amazed at the calls we get from all over the world seeking our counsel. Truly when we opened the company 11 years ago I thought we would attract some loyal clients but never did I think we would develop a base of over 55 clients headquartered all over the world. I am very grateful and slightly astonished.

With new labels constantly popping up in the industry, how can you spot a successful designer or brand?
You know, with all of the market research, focus groups and consumer polls that live in the world of marketing there is still no substitution for “gut reaction” and the good feeling when one is exposed to a stylish new fashion line or being introduced to a new designer. It is, after all a “taste” business and you cannot legislate good taste and beautiful fashion offerings. It is to me, a little like the film business. It’s either a good movie or it isn’t and you can’t make the public go to a bad movie or buy fashions that aren’t well crafted and thoughtfully designed.

*Enter your dress sketch in this year’s Be Discovered design contest

*Read the inspiring story of last year’s winner 

*Get inspired by checking out the best party dresses 

Love This Story? Buzz It Up Here!

Stumble It! Save to del.icio.us Digg Email Facebook

Hang in there new designers, hang in there. Today WWD printed a piece which focused on the plight of emerging designers, specifically fledgling handbag maestros. The story spoke to the trials of rising materials cost and the ongoing battle to compete in a market flooded with established (and popular) luxury brands.

So how does a hopeful designer get the game? Well, that’s where we come in.

We’ve recently kicked off our annual Be Discovered: Design a Dress competition, where unknown designers submit their original dress sketch to be eligible to win an apprenticeship with ADAM’s Adam Lippes, a nice jaunt to NYC, and more. Helming the contestants’ fate are our seasoned judges, one of whom is none other than Miss Tina Knowles. We caught up with her recently (and no, we didn’t ask her about Beyonce’s new coif) and queried her about her own fashion industry experiences with her House of Dereon and Miss Tina labels:

Tina Knowles

Hardest thing about launching a clothing line: Finding the right manufactures and partners.

Favorite thing about your job: Seeing my sketches and designs come to life.

Most intense part of your job: Meeting deadlines.

Favorite labels in your closet: Donna Karan and Miss Tina.

Favorite dress you’ve ever owned & why: A Donna Karan black wool jersey knit dress because even if I gain a few pounds, it still looks great.

Advice for emerging designers: To find a way to get exposure, whether it be by lending clothes to celebrities and or someone affluent or influential within your community.

Love This Story? Buzz It Up Here!

Stumble It! Save to del.icio.us Digg Email Facebook

Enter now! 

Love This Story? Buzz It Up Here!

Stumble It! Save to del.icio.us Digg Email Facebook

Be Discovered’s 2007 contest winner Orean Collier is proof that when it comes to fashion design, positive thinking can be as powerful a tool as creativity. After a friend ripped out an announcement about Glam’s handbag design contest from Marie Claire and urged Collier to enter, the Chattanooga resident pinned the magazine page to her calendar and wrote “YES!!” along side the entry. “I just decided that if I was going to enter, I was going to put my whole heart into it,” Collier recalls, “I even wrote I’m the Be Discovered Winner on the date when the contest winnings were to be announced!”

Collier, who had previously made patterned satchels for herself and for friends before starting selling her one-of-a-kind styles in local boutiques, submitted a sketch of her leather “Lillian bag” which was inspired by her grandmother. The endearing and versatile style earned her semi-finalist standing and later wooed our judges who awarded her first place.

Part of her winnings included a whirlwind visit to New York, where she spent a day at Marie Claire gleaning insight from editor-in-chief Joanna Coles, visiting downtown designer boutiques including Cynthia Rowley, sitting in on a photo shoot, and relaxing in the cushy Hudson Hotel. “I couldn’t believe I was there,” Collier says about her first trip to Manhattan, “I was just trying to take everything in at once—it was all so inspiring.” Immediately upon returning to the city—charged by the pace and vibrancy of the fashion capital—Collier set to work on opening her own handbag boutique in Chattanooga. “After I won, I came home and found the most amazing store space,” she says of her new venture, “It’s as if the stars were aligned.” And clearly, Collier’s star is one to watch.

To see more of Collier’s collection, check out DalonOriginals.com

Love This Story? Buzz It Up Here!

Stumble It! Save to del.icio.us Digg Email Facebook