Creativity is found everywhere at New York Fashion Week. On Thursday morning, it was concentrated at Pier 59 Studios, where CFDA and LIFEWTR presented the collections of Ji Won Choi, Daniel Cloke and Jamall Osterholm.
As part of CFDA’s partnership with the premium water brand and our shared values of supporting emerging designers, the trio of Fashion Future Graduate Showcase alums unveiled their work to a room of editors, buyers, influencers, and VIPS, including Whitney Port and Nicky Hilton.
“It’s nice that so many people came out to support us,” said Jamall Osterholm, standing in front of a tableau vivant featuring models wearing that nodded at his ancestry and an alien-like futurism at once.
Meanwhile, Ji Won Choi’s Korean heritage was central to her creative process.
“The collection is inspired by my identity and me taking control of it,” the Korea-born, Oklahoma-raised designer said. “I always felt so foreign and different. I just wanted to be American.”
Among the highlights were pieces digitally-printed with “memorabilia” such as airplane boarding passes. “I have visited a least 30 countries, and seeing how beautiful everything is made me appreciate my own culture,” she noted. “This is my memorabilia from the journey.”
Daniel Cloke charmed with his collection of fuzzy and furry textures, some featuring endearing deer motifs.
“I am glad people are receiving the knitwear well because that’s really my focus,” he said, holding onto a LIFEWTR bottle. “I am keeping hydrated!”
Cloke, Choi and Osterholm are behind the inspiring visuals on the latest LIFEWTR bottle series, which is themed Diversity in Design and celebrates how diverse perspectives enhance our collective cultural experience.
The strength of the clothes was underscored by the theatrical choreography which incorporated various dance moves and poses that added to the allure of the presentation.
By the end of the show, the designers had their first fan in Nicky Hilton.
“I loved all three designers,” she said. “They are all so different and so unique. I am obsessed with all the deer pieces,” she said. “I’d love one of those jumpers for fall.”
