As Mercedes Benz Fashion Week gets underway, some up and coming New York-based designers are prepping for their first appearances at Lincoln Center. NY1's Samantha Liebman filed the following report.
Among the 16 newcomers to the Fashion Week tents this season is Porter Grey, designed by sisters, 24-year-old Alexandra and 27-year-old Kristen O'Neill. Born on Long Island and raised in Colorado, they say their clean cut, tailored style developed over many years and Alexandra lead the way.
"I thought that I would do something law, and Ali always wanted to do something in fashion. She's been designing ever since she was eight or nine. She used to knit these beautiful cashmere clutches," said Designer Kristen O'Neill.
Designing is in the girls' blood. Their grandfather was a furrier and their line is named after their great-grandmother. However, their inspiration for this season comes from two actresses.
"We've always loved Ali MacGraw's style: It's kind of really classic and American and 70s, slightly preppy and all kinds of amazingness. We also bizarrely enough loved Shelly Duval's style in 'The Shining,'" said Designer Alexandra O'Neill.
Porter Grey's love story meets "The Shining" collection debuts Thursday morning. Another designer making their debut in the tents this season is Irina Shabayeva, who does have some runway experience under her belt, having won the sixth season of "Project Runway."Shabayeva actually showed in the tents at Bryant Park as part of the "Project Runway" group show, but the designers were kept anonymous at the time.
"It's exciting. But it's funny how you wait for all these milestones in your life and then when they're right there, then your numb to it," Shabayeva said. Although she was born in the Republic of Georgia, Shabayeva grew up in Sheepshead Bay. While the city has been an inspiration in the past, she's now moved onto other elements.
"So the collection is inspired by fire and ice. I did a lot of laser cutting. So the collection has a lot of body-conscious dresses," Shabayeva said. The collection, which is filled with looks for any occasion as well as a new bridal line, shows at Lincoln Center at 9 p.m. Thursday.