“Just be themselves,” offered Andrew Rosen to the 10 finalists at last night’s CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Design Challenge cocktail at New York’s buzziest boîte, Augustine. “They won already by getting into the final ten. Whatever happens here is just a bonus.” That sentiment was shared by 2013’s winning duo from Public School. “Once you’re in the top ten, it’s a win already,” said Maxwell Osborne, with Dao-Yi Chow adding that at this point in the competition, “your fate is sealed. Just have fun and enjoy.” And it appeared that this year’s finalists, which include Adam Selman; Beckett Fogg and Piotrek Panszczyk of Area; Laura Vassar and Kris Brock; Ji Oh; Marjan and Maryam Malakpour of Newbark; Chris Stamp of Stampd; Chloe Gosselin; Morgan Curtis of Morgan Lane; Joshua Cooper and Laurence Chandler of Rochambeau; and Stirling Barrett of Krewe du Optic have already built bonds demonstrated by the convivial attitude last night over cocktails after presenting their designs integrating the Intel Curie technology.
“The pressure is off now, enjoy it, and what happens from this point on, they start to bond in a way that is significant,” said Steven Kolb, who also advised this year’s class to build a deeper connection with Intel, a partner of last night’s design challenge. But one of the hits of last night was rapper Desiigner, who made major waves this summer at the MTV Video Music Awards in a pale pink Maison Margiela suit. “He has a style that’s genuine to him,” said Chris Stamp, who dressed the star for the occasion. “It comes across very elevated yet relaxed. If you’re looking at him on the street, there’s something different going on there.” And what did Desiigner think of his olive suit, which he sported sans shirt but accessorized with a diamond encrusted Jesus pendant and gold “Rolly,” in his words. “Good color, good fabric, nice technology, new style. Just running together.” And that new style will continue next week when the competition heads west to Los Angeles for a runway show featuring the finalists’ pieces.
