Seven Designers To Watch at NYFW F/W 2014

Boasting a series of high profile venue changes, speculations of coming celebrity citings and underage model labor laws, this New York Fashion Week is already abuzz with hot topics fighting for your attention. But through this season's crop of hard-to-navigate insanity, we've made it a bit easier by handpicking seven young designers from as near as downtown NYC to as far as Korea that will be making their mark on NYFW. And check back all Fashion Week long for more FADER NYFW coverage including backstage photo journals, trend reports and banging runway jams.

We’ve been watching Telfar build a fashion business that appeals to the artsier customer since at least 2007, but things finally seem to be kicking into overdrive for him. Last season was his biggest runway show yet, and this year, he’s taking over the New Museum for a total Telfar extravaganza. AF

Founded by Maria Lemus and Victor Alonso, two friends that met during at a random Madrid afterparty, Maria ke Fisherman is a Spain-based label that's building its name upon raver-friendly knits, infamously worn by Miley Cyrus, and cyber wave inspired separates. Currently stocked at Opening Ceremony, a much-coveted cosign young international designers, Maria ke Fisherman will make its NYFW debut this week. DD

Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osbourne of Public School are something like the Cinderellas of the menswear world.The designers quietly churned out expertly tailored menswear with a streetwear savvy slant flying under the radar and almost shuttering their label, until they entered the CFDA incubator program and became industry darling snapping up both the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund and the CFDA Swarovski Award for Menswear. This NYFW will find Chow and Osbourne presenting the first ever runway show and their making their first foray into womenswear. DD

Dion Lee is on the path to becoming one of the biggest designers in the world—he's collaborated with Kanye, brought his Aussie brand of intricately designed fashion over to New York for an American debut last NYFW and opened a stand-alone boutique in Sydney. Expect big things from his sophomore NYFW show. AF

With their 13-year old menswear label, Duckie Brown has always flirted with the lady’s side of the aisle and pushed guys to incorporate softer fabrics and feminine touches into their wardrobe. But now that they’re launching a full-fledged women’s line, there’s all kinds of gender-crossing possibilities. Men wearing womenswear inspired by menswear is so 2014, and if the women’s clothes are as perfect as their men’s plaids and coats, the Duckie customer will be able to shop on both the men’s and women’s sides of the store. AF

At just 26 years old Central Saint Martins alum, Kathleen Kye has been commanding the style spotlight simultaneously in NYC and her native Seoul, Korea with KYE, her mens and womenswear line that showcases kooky fabrications and playful embellishments. Currently stocked at VFiles and Oak, KYE has become a go-to brand for high-end street wear enthusiasts and K-Pop stars in the know. Getting an early jump on the overflowing NYFW calendar, Kye presented her fall collection last night. It was full of fuzzy overcoats, luxe leather track pants and color-blocked separates that will certainly continue to shine throughout the rest of the week. DD

Orley’s been quietly building one of the best young knitwear brands in New York for the past few years, offering the kinds of beautifully-done sweaters and cardigans designed here in NY but with the look and feel of OG Italian knitwear companys like Missoni. Last year saw them branch out into full-on ready-to-wear, all made in America, so expect their very first NYFW presentation to be a one-stop shop for an entire Mediterranean lifestyle. AF