January 16, 2012
Diane Von Furstenberg to Honor Vogue's Andre Leon Talley During NYC Fashion Week
Robert Doyle READ TIME: 2 MIN.
New York, NY - One of the top emerging designer collective showcases during fashion week, EMERGE! A Fashion Runway Show announced that this year's esteemed Fashion Innovator Award (FIA) will be presented to Vogue's Contributing Editor Andre Leon Talley.
To add to the excitement of the evening, the award will be handed off to Andre by legendary designer and President of the CFDA Diane Von Furstenberg. EMERGE! A Fashion Runway Show is produced by D. Williams Public Relations Group and debuted on the fashion elite social scene in February 2011 and since then has been consistent in providing a platform for emerging designers to showcase their work twice a year for New York City Fashion Week.
The 2012 New York City event will be hosted at the historic Broad Street Ballroom (41 Broad Street, NYC) on February 14th, 2012 with doors promptly opening at 6:00pm for reception and 7:00pm for awards program and Fashion Show.
The evening is by invite only and provides up-and-coming designers the opportunity to propel themselves into the spotlight with guests ranging from retail buyers, fashion influencers, top fashion editors, tastemakers, socialites and more.
Previous Fashion Innovator award recipients have included Constance C.R. White, Editor-in-Chief of ESSENCE Magazine who was presented her award by known designer Tracy Reese, as well as Audrey Smaltz, owner of Ground Crew who was presented her award by fashion executive Harriette Cole.
"The EMERGE! Fashion Show and brand has grown faster than ever anticipated, and the show strives to solely present The Fashion Innovator Award to true legends within the industry, who have made a large impact in the fashion industry worldwide and paved the way for designers. Andre Leon Talley was a no contest choice for the entire planning team," states Emerge! creator and producer Dionne Williams of D. Williams PR Group.
"Andre's contribution to the Fashion Industry as a whole is undeniable. He uses his influence to promote young fashion designers and mentors young talent in other fields."
Andr� Leon Talley is one of the fashion industry's most influential style setters. Talley is undoubtedly the most prominent African-American in the high-stakes world of designer fashion. Talley has championed a number of young African-American designers over the course of his long career. He is known for his elaborate outfits and amazing personality. Andre has been paired with famous designers like Rachel Roy, Kimora Lee Simmons and Tracy Reese, to name a few.
Emerge! A Fashion Runway Show will announce the featured designer line up in January of 2012. The show will feature some of the top emerging designers from around the country and has previously debuted stunning designs from Terri Stevens of Project Runway, blossoming names such as Dominique Auxilly, Sheila Rashid, Borris J Powell, Adriana Osorio Lugo and more.
Long-term New Yorkers, Mark and Robert have also lived in San Francisco, Boston, Provincetown, D.C., Miami Beach and the south of France. The recipient of fellowships at MacDowell, Yaddo, and Blue Mountain Center, Mark is a PhD in American history and literature, as well as the author of the novels Wolfchild and My Hawaiian Penthouse. Robert is the producer of the documentary We Are All Children of God. Their work has appeared in numerous publications, as well as at : www.mrny.com.
