The Blue Jacket Fashion Show Hosted by Frederick Anderson

 

This coming Wednesday designer Frederick Anderson will be hosting the Blue Jacket Fashion Show with Janssen Oncology & Benefitting Zero – The End of Prostate Cancer. The designer gave me an exclusive preview for the evening and you can find my red carpet coverage of the event here on Wednesday evening to see it all happen!

Anderson founded the event with Laura Miller and together they have grown the event to a successful staple on the New York City social calendar that raises awareness for Prostate cancer and screening. 

Frederick shared his excitement for the event as well as the inspiring story of how he came up with the idea in an exclusive interview with me before the big day. He also gave me a sneak peak at what he will be wearing and his plans for the upcoming NYFW! He is celebrating his 5th year with his namesake collection and will be showing his Renaissance collection on February 15th. 

1. What inspired you to found this In my forties and getting the speech from my doctor about prostate and colon cancer and getting my first colonoscopy and PSA.  I had no idea. I had never had a conversation about any of it.  Frightening and concerning… as I am part of the fashion industry and we promote the fashion fights breast cancer I wondered “what about the men”? Well I took it upon myself to start the conversation and based on the reaction its a conversation that was needed.

 

2. Do you know what you'll be wearing to the big night? 

I'll be wearing a couture velvet suit by Sartoria Studio which is opening in NYC on Feb 6th with a Blue jacket fundraiser.

3. How do you think fashion and designers can have an impact on important causes? 

We have a platform and are respected.  I think its my responsibility to use that power for change and awareness. 

4. How has being one of FGI's rising stars affected you? 

Its really amazing to be honored by your peers. The boost is amazing.

6. Any plans for Fashion week in February you can share? The collection is called renaissance.  I feel is fitting for my life and where I am at 5years of my own signature collection.

Trends from Press Day in NYC: Sustainable fashion, Italian design, and more!

 I headed over to a Press Day at an NYC showroom today to discover the latest from a few up and coming designers in NYC in addition to some Italian brands. I loved finding new and unique products as well as getting a sneak peak at the upcoming trends for this season. Press day is great because unlike a fashion show you can take your time to see the items up close and browse the collection. 

At the showroom in downtown I entered and immediately saw the collection from one of my favorite brands Deity New York. Designer Renee Bishop creates sleek feminine silhouettes in fun flirty colors. You can read more about her last NYFW show that I attended here. I loved seeing the collection up close and got to see some of the couture pieces she had created like a beaded coat that weighed over 40 pounds! The spring collection was full of delicate patterns and neon accents which will definitely be a big trend for spring. 

Next, I discovered a new brand that specializes in genderless clothing. Rinat Brodach was featured on Amazon's Making the Cut and designs clothing in her Brooklyn New York studio. Her latest collection which I got to view was also focused on sustainability and she worked with hand dyed fabrics from a scrap house in Brooklyn to create unique one of a kind pieces. The upcycled clothes had a worn in feel to them and tons of interesting pattern combinations. Genderless clothing is also a growing trend in fashion and is something more and more designers are experimenting with as the need for inclusivity in the fashion industry grows. 

Frederick Anderson was another one of my favorite collections that I saw during NYFW this past season. I loved getting to learn more about his "garden party" collection he presented this season. The spring collection was full of elegant crochets, floral appliques, and pops of color. The designer also collaborated with artists from Peru to create unique fabrics and weaves while supporting local craftsmanship. 

For accessories I fell in love with Italian brand Il Bisonte which uses scraps of leather from animals used for food purposes instead of creating any new waste. The brand is focused on simplicity and sustainability highlighting the artisanal work in their Tuscan based studio. The leather bags are made with extremely high quality and come in unique shapes and colors. I loved this fuchsia bag that matched my outfit! These bags are made to last and also make a statement with their artistic shapes and designs. 

Finally for footwear I discovered this amazing brand, Respoke handcrafted footwear. They create original one of a kind pieces from re-used Hermes scarves. Each pair of shoes or sandals is unique and colorful and I believe it is the ultimate statement piece for anybody who enjoys luxury and vintage items. 

This press day was definitely a success and I am loving my new pair of pink sunglasses from Marchon which are the perfect accessory for BarbieCore another trend I predict will continue in 2023. 

NYFW Ones to Watch: Frederick Anderson

Designer Frederick Anderson presented his SS23 runway collection at Moonlight studios during NYFW. The "garden party" collection which was inspired by a poem from Maya Angelou was a fun and sophisticated take on the trends we've been seeing on the runway this season. Whimsical floral designs, expert drapery, relaxed and breathable suits, and oversized accessories all came together to create the colorful and elegant collection. The show attracted several influencers, philanthropists, and celebrities and the star-studded front row brought together influencers from all industries keeping with the theme of this NYFW which has brought together traditional fashion outsiders. 

The show was definitely a success and the designer came out to celebrate with everyone after the event. The designer has recently garnered a lot of attention as a designer that isn't afraid to play with color, sequins and more even during the pandemic. The designer has also received a lot of buzz from the fashion industry recently and is set to host the annual FGI Night of Stars Awards next month. 

Some of my favorite pieces included a candy pink ruffle two-piece set, brightly colored dresses with 3d floral appliques, and more. The collection did remind one of a garden party as we look towards spring with trends for bright colors and whimsical design elements continuing. However, there was definitely a modern edge to the collection that appealed to the 2023 consumer. 

I can't wait to see more from this designer!