Seam Collective Presents The Forté Fashion Show

Seam Collective, whose main objective is to produce fashion shows to promote female designers at affordable costs, presented an amazing multi-designer fashion show, the Forté Fashion Show, to benefit the Gilda’s Club NYC at the Metropolitan Pavilion.

The Founders of Seam Collective

The show featured the debut of a never-before-seen collection by Project Runway finalist and Forté’s headlining designer Kenley Collins, as well as the Spring/Summer 2010 collections of Marissa Erskine, Elizabeth Rynish, and Sheila Frank.

First up was Kenley Collins, although many will remember her as from Project Runway, she will most likely be remembered for throwing a cat at her former fiance’s head during an argument. Anyway, her collection was pretty much what you saw from Project Runway – cutesy with a 1940’s influence

Following Kenley’s collection was Sheila Frank, “a lover of design from eras past fused with modern aesthetics, Sheila believes that all women deserve to look and feel stylish, no matter what shape or size”. I loved her playful and casual collection, the soft greys and creams with pops of navy blue; her collection can easily go from day to night

The next designer was Elizabeth Rynish, a Textile Print Artist and Women’s Designer who also happens to be the Co-Founder/Executive Creative Director of Seam Collective

Elizabeth, who grew up in Wisconsin and spent a semester in London says fashion has been her first love since age 12, even though she ended up doing consumer research as her first job. As a textile print artist, she is known for her prints and one day hopes to be the Pucci of her generation which is why she moved to New Yorkt o speed things along and started silk printing. I love her mix of bold and subtle prints, especially the more tonal colors, not too overwhelming but chic and simple.

Last but certainly not at all least (and my favorite designer of the night) was Marissa Erskine whose whimsy took my breath away. Marissa was inspired by nature – you see butterfly, cocoon and tulip shapes all through her collection. She also wants to celebrate the new girly girl with details such as boning, volume and pleating