With just two more days to go until the Wallpaper* Design Awards, things are hotting up. Every day during the run-up to the awards ceremony, we are presenting the shortlist for the ten International Judges' Awards, exclusively on Wallpaper.com. Day 8 sees the contenders for best new fashion collection. All winners will be announced on the 11th of January.
Adam Kimmel
Adam Kimmel is the hot new menswear designer from New York.
He manages to be both fashionable and wearable. Some of his
influences are obvious, like Helmut Lang, but what’s refreshing is
his modern take on fashion using beautiful fabrics, classic tailoring
and unexpected details. Not only are his clothes covetable and
flattering, cool yet unostentatious, we’ve heard rumours that
a certain big conglomerate is showing more than a little interest.
www.adamkimmel.com
Clare Waight Keller for Pringle
A number of British labels want to do a Burberry and reinvent
themselves as luxury international brands. Some, in the process,
lose sight of what they represent. Waight Keller has trodden a
delicate line and, over the last couple of seasons, created beautiful
British designs with an international flair. The collections for this
winter and next summer, debuted in Milan, received critical acclaim
and turned an old abused brand into a modern one on the make.
www.pringle-of-scotland.com
Prada
While Miuccia Prada might seem an obvious choice, being a
fashionista favourite and having an interest in art and architecture,
her collections for this autumn/winter were especially strong.
Shown against a backdrop by Rem Koolhaas, the theme was urban
guerrilla. These were tough, sensible yet flattering clothes, perfect
for the full-time traveller, boardroom dweller and streetwise
reveller. A tempting mix of glamorous sophistication and urban grit.
www.prada.com
Raf Simons
Raf Simons has always been a Wallpaper* favourite. His sculptural
yet refined aesthetic and strict menswear tailoring make his clothes
eminently wearable yet subtly fashionable. His debut at Jil Sander —
not an easy pair of shoes to step into — was extraordinarily
self-assured. He managed to stay true to both his approach and the
Sander brand. The collections he has produced so far for Sander,
and his own line, are going to be firm Wallpaper* staples.
www.rafsimons.com, www.jilsander.com
Versace
Versace has had a tough time over the last few years. The label
lost its direction and elements of it became a little tacky. However,
with a reinvigorated Donatella at the helm and a new management
structure, things have been heading in the right direction. When
Donatella unveiled her collection for next spring/summer there was
a loud cheer from the crowd. This was vintage Versace: polished,
sexy, sophisticated. The perfect wardrobe for a powerful woman.
www.versace.com
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