DESIGNERS

Held at the decadent 195 Broadway, the building’s Grecian architecture became home to Nolcha Fashion Week this season, where a series of over 30 independent designers were selected to showcase their Spring Summer 2011 collections throughout the week.

Day 1 at a glance: Monday started out with a collective show featuring: ELIZABETH KOSICH NEW YORK, NKWON, KATRIN LIRANZO, and OLA STYLE and a solo runway show by bridal designer LIZ FIELDS. The evening rounded up with another collective show, featuring runway designers:  NARCISS, SEGRETO LONDON, AFANADOR and accessories designers: ANA GUTIERREZ, ELLY CLAY, MARLA CIELO.

Day 2 at a glance: Tuesday kicked off with a solo show by LUXXE, followed up by two more collective shows featuring: ALICE YIM, MARK PATITO; VIVIENNE PASH, and SEMPRELEI at 4pm and: DORA ABODI, PAUL AARRINGTON, STELLA SIMONA, and KABUKIU at 7pm.

Nolcha’s Ethical Fashion Preview and Accessory Exhibition ran in conjunction with the day’s shows. The Ethical Fashion Preview in association with Bel Esprit Showroom presented 10 designers who brands are all eco-sustainable and socially-conscious, including: ELENA GARCIA | GUNAS | SEMPRELEI | MIKSANI | NICOLE BRIDGER | TAMMAM | VELLA MODE | VICERRA | YALERRI | ZELE. These brands took to the runway as Bel Esprit presented the Ethical Fashion Collective. The Accessory Exhibition showcased collections by ADHA ZELMA | BESSI & COMPANY | EVOLVE45 | M BRULEE INC and MALEKU JEWELRY.

Real Housewives of New Jersey star, Teresa Giudice, made an appearance with her daughter Gia just in time for the 4pm show, in support of Designer for a Day initiative in association with New York Presbyterian Children’s Hospital.   Teresa and Gia came to meet the winners from the hospital’s own Fashion’s Night Out event where three children from the cancer unit won the chance to attend Nolcha Fashion Week and sit front row with their favorite ‘housewives’ alum!

Day 3 at a glance: Wednesday night was a big night for all of the designers involved in Nolcha Fashion Week, as each had the chance to win a game-changing award.  Held amidst the luxurious Landrover Manhattan Showroom on the West Side, the “Beyond The Runway Award” was up for grabs.  Throughout the week a series of industry judges attended the presentations in order to choose one deserving designer to win a business support package valued at $50,000 which included: accounting by Ernst & Young, legal by Orrick, branding consultation by MSLK, brand placement on GlobalFashionBrands.com, Website design consultation by Studio Light and retail placement with LooseButton.  After all designers had the opportunity to make their mark, the winner was announced, an accessory collection:  MALEKU JEWELRY.

Day 4 at a glance: The week came to a close on Thursday night with a Press and Buyers Cocktail Reception held at the Nexus Showroom in midtown where Narciss, Gunas and Stella Simona had another opportunity to present their collections.

Official Car sponsor Landrover Manhattan was joined by Paul Mitchell, Lypsyl, Gibellieri shoes, DonQ Rum, Riazul Tequila, NY Post, Global Fashion Brands and Fashion Entrepreneur Report.