Stitch by stitch, these up-and-coming designers are breathing new life into the world of fashion. Take a moment to admire their Spring 2015 collections and get to know the men behind these dynamic brands.
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Charles Harbison hails from Lincolnton, North Carolina. After graduating from college, he made his way to New York City to enroll in the fashion program at Parsons School of Design. Harbison later went on to work and design for brands such as Michael Kors, Luca Luca and Billy Reid before launching his eponymous line.
“My earliest influence was my mom and her love of clothes and beauty,” Charles says of his fashion sense. “Watching her transform into a more confident, elegant woman after dressing up made a strong impression on me”
“I love those who embrace their contradictions: their strength and frailty, wisdom and curiosity,” Charles says. “My client is the woman who wants to navigate her life in refined luxury sportswear, where she not only communicates her vulnerability but also her power and intelligence.”
Jerome Lamaar got his start in the business at the age of 15 as an intern for Baby Phat by Kimora Lee Simmons. By 18 he was appointed the company’s senior designer/creative brand coordinator. Lamaar was also an apprentice for couture house Chado Ralph Rucci and a consultant for Armani before branching off to create his own line, 5:31 Jérôme.
“My brand is playful, intellectual and sexy,” Jerome says of his brand’s aesthetic. “Who says you can’t be spiritual, funny, sexy, smart and polished? We are all multifaceted.”
“I love the idea of celebrities, but honestly I don’t really care if they wear my clothes. I’ve met so many along the way and discovered they are just like you and me,” Jerome says. “I’d be more flattered to see real women wearing my things walking down the street.”
Romeo Hunte says eclectic city vibes and street chic play a huge role in his brand. The Brooklyn-bred designer studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology and freelanced as a stylist and personal shopper for Barneys New York and Saks Fifth Avenue clientele before establishing his clothing line.
“I’d like for my brand to be known for its aesthetic and key silhouettes,” Romeo Hunte says of his future goals. “I want to be one of the biggest Black designers, who caters to a diverse market. I also want to be a big role model for young, up-and-coming talents.”
