Phoenix Fashion Week is in full swing, and attendees are gearing up to see the latest and hottest fashions hit the runway for the Fall 2017 season.
And some of those fashions will be part of the Emerging Designer Contest.
Every year Phoenix Fashion Week crowns one lucky designer the title of best new emerging designer.
It’s their chance to have their original designs walk the runway and gain exposure.
This year one of the designers featured is Ricci JvR from Capetown, South Africa.
Scouted by Phoenix Fashion Week, Ricci JvR was showing pieces in Brooklyn, New York, with Nineteenth Amendment, a site that it solely geared towards allowing new designers to showcase their brand and gain exposure.
“My brand is about dressing the ‘it’ girl for all spheres of life,” Ricci said.
After catching the right person’s eye, Ricci JvR was invited to show her fashions on the runway here in Phoenix and compete in the Emerging Designer Contest.
The competition started with 300 applicants and was narrowed down to only 15 competitors. Out of the 15 selected, only three are international designers, one of them being Ricci JvR.
“I was a little hesitant at first because I had to do everything via webinars,” Ricci said.
Not able to get a Visa for the entirety of the four month long bootcamp, Ricci had to virtually attend all the meetings, and that way tricky given South Africa is nine hours ahead of Arizona.
Comprised of various challenges, the contest helps teach the designers how to strengthen their business skills, marketing plans, retail math and design vision.
So, what can we expect to walk the runway?
“I love researching different cultures and pulling from that research,” Ricci said. “I tend to put a lot of focus on the little details.”
Inspiration came from various cultures but some of the elements to watch out for include light fabrics with a romantic feel, keeping the garment feminine and elegant.
And every piece Ricci JvR creates has one a unique goal in mind.
“I want people to feel good when they put on my clothes,” Ricci said. “If I can empower women through my clothes, that’s what I want.”
Look out for Ricci JvR on the runway. The winner of the Emerging Designer Contest will also be announced during Fashion Week.
For more information on Ricci JvR and her designs head to RicciJvR.com
