Carly Cushnie & Michelle Ochs were two of the opening night stars of the recent Heart of Fashion extravaganza, produced by Vivian Wise at the Millionaire last week.
Cushnie et Ochs with one of my stand-ins for night #1 when I could not attend that did a great job of capturing the evening for me……Gray Bertuccio (pictured here) and her Mom, Jill Faucetta represented My Red Glasses at Heart of Fashion.
About the Designers….Carly Cushnie and Michelle Ochs…
Cushnie & Ochs, two of the brightest up and coming new designer duos from NYC were in town with their Spring/Summer 2016 Collections for the Runway Show at Wednesday night’s opener for Heart of Fashion and then at Neiman Marcus the following day for a small luncheon and showing of the collection. I was unable to make Wednesday night but caught up with the gals at Neiman’s the next day and chatted with them prior to and during lunch. I personally love their collection…..it’s my kind of clothes; sleek, simple architectural lines, modern and sophisticated. These two gals who met while studying at Parsons School of Design, graduated in 2007 and started their business in 2008. They each had had great experience at such NY design studios as DKNY, Proenza Schouler, Oscar de la Renta, Marc Jacobs and Chada Ralph Rucci, so when graduation came they were ready to go and do their own thing, together!
Their history is short, quick and all good…..company was formed in 2008, their first runway show in NYFW was Sept. 2008 for Spring/Summer 2009, their first account was Bergdorf Goodman, sold some small stylish boutiques around the country and then were soon to be picked up by both Neiman Marcus and Saks.
They developed a signature look that was modern and sexy, with cut-outs and hints of skin as a part of their style. However, they knew quality, fit and sophistication were key and never came across as anything less than that, actually quite the opposite. When I asked them who they targeted their close-to-the-body looks to as a customer, they said that they carry sizes 0-12 and feel that they cater to all women. Even curvy celebs like Mary J. Blige and Jennifer Hudson wear their garments well.
Now with so much of fashion doing just what they have been doing, with celebrities in sexy dressing battling their way up the red carpet, these ladies know they were ahead of their time, (it’s in their DNA, as they see it and not a trend for them!) and are a natural for this look…..they can own it!
Day 2….Cushnie et Ochs Luncheon, Fashion Show at Neiman Marcus
Click on link below for a quick finale and look at the fabulously modern, edgy styles that were in the Cushnie et Och Spring/Summer 2016 Collection
photos courtesy of Faucetta/Bertuccio/Pactor