Watching the Indies: Part 1

One part of fashion week this year I deeply enjoyed was meeting so many remarkable independent designers. It seemed everywhere I turned, I encountered magnificently talented people whose specialties ranged from jewelry, to handbags, to hats, and everything in between. For instance, I met Nofar Haimovitz at the Gottex show. She was sitting beside me, and had the most remarkably beautiful hat atop her head. When I inquired about it, I learned it was her own design! (I would love to see more of Nofar's work, but sadly the internet has not yielded anything up. Nofar, if you read this, send me a line!)

Another designer I met was Charmaine Ho, whose specialty lies in handbags. Charmaine was displaying her work at Nolcha Fashion Week. I simply loved her collection of handbags, clutches and small purses made from fine, buttery leathers in warm, potent hues and simple embellishments.



Not only are Charmaine's bags beautiful, but they are also extremely affordable, coming in no higher than $200. Her bags are available for online purchase, here.







I think my favorite part about independent designers is how accessible they are, and how much you can clearly see it means to them when others appreciate their work. Now more than ever before, I think the atmosphere is most conducive for creators to really break out into the public market, with the aid of the internet. The result is brilliant people being able to do the things they thrive at, while the consumers are able to reap the rewards of the best, most unique products available.