The leaves are just starting to fall outside, but Yoana Baraschi is already charging through spring. We showed her gorgeous spring collection in New York and Paris to rave reviews–check out a few photos below for a peek at what’s to come!
New York
Paris
(NEW YORK) With more and more of the garments sold in the States assembled overseas, Yoana Baraschi wants to bring some attention back locally. The designer, who recently met with Anna Sui’s “Save the Garment District” initiative, took matters into her own hands by promoting the positive: most of her collection is made very close to home. “I was prepping our fall collection and I realized 60% of it is made in New York City, a couple of blocks from the studio,” she said. “We decided it was time to let the world know that we actually do this, that things are made here.” Baraschi and her team created special labels and hangtags for their garments with iconic NYC symbols, declaring her pieces are made locally. “We took them to Coterie, and the response was overwhelming,” she said. “Our customer thought it was a great selling point for them. We want to show that there are things made in the USA, that we have craftsmanship and resources and all. And in addition to that, New York has a very special cachet; it’s cool to have things made in New York.”
Baraschi’s team is sending a letter to Mayor Michael Bloomberg next week, and plans to reach out to Michelle Obama about her initiative in the hopes that it will reach more designers. “Imagine that all the designers come up with their own hangtags. That can start an artistic initiative, a grassroots movement that can have huge appeal to press and retailers,” she said. “It would be amazing if what I think will happen, will happen and people pick it up. It’s so simple.”
EMILY GYBEN
Check out the article on Fashion Week Daily Dispatch.
Tori Spelling looks great in Spring’s Heiress Boho Kurta! Chelsea Handler, Taylor Swift, and Rumor Willis look fun and flirty in the Heiress Boho Silk Party Dress!
An inspiration tear for the Spring 2009 photo shoot
One of the most exciting days of the year for our design team is the day we shoot the look book. These photo shoots happen twice a year and they give us the opportunity to see the collection completed, styled as per Yoana’s vision and modeled by our favorite girls of the moment. Not only do we get a chance to communicate the design vision of the season to the retailers who buy the collection but it allows all of us to see the final result of our work. Almost like seeing and appreciating a painting after you are completely done working on it, and have framed and hung it on a gallery’s walls.
Yoana is very involved in the process- everything from casting the models to deciding the hair and makeup direction and ultimately styling the clothing on the girls. Seeing her vision come to life on film is always a thrill for us. And the shoot days are always so much fun! Our crew really has a good time producing these shoots. Click through for more inspirational tears and a glimpse behind-the-scenes of our most-recent photo shoot. - Stephanie, associate designer and night hand extraordinaire