New York Fashion Now London’s Victoria and Albert Museum April 17 – September 23 2007 Sponsored by ECCO Shoes Photographs Courtesy of the Victoria and Albert Museum Opposite Photo Mary Ping 'Bette' dress Spring/Summer 2007 Charcoal grey silk with circular side cutouts lined in double layered black satin faced-chiffon Photograph by Isabel Asha Penzlien

Some of New York's hottest designers are also showing in London, but this time instead of having models walk the cat walk, there working is displayed in one of the world's most famous museums.

Here are some quotes from the press release of the Victoria and Albert Museum for the exhibit: "This year the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) is displaying the work of the latest generation of New York fashion designers. New York Fashion Now brings together designs by twenty of the most talented and innovative designers from the numerous independent fashion labels launched between 1999 and 2004.

'In New York, where a handful of branded empires have dominated the fashion scene, it has often been difficult for younger talents to flourish. In recent years, with focused support from fashion press, retailers, manufacturers and funded design competitions, dozens of young designers have started their own fashion businesses and have earned considerable commercial and critical success. This explosion of design productivity has reinvigorated fashion in New York and made an impact on the city itself as new designers have established their businesses away from Fifth Avenue and the traditional ‘garment district’, forming new areas of creativity.

Crimson jersey evening dress, Mary Ping, Autumn/Winter 2005-6
Photographed in Lincoln Center, New York
Photographed by Isabel Asha Penlizien

'The display features around sixty outfits displayed with accessories. The designs range from sporty daywear to glamorous evening wear and are arranged in five themes: Sportswear Chic – showing practicality combined with ornament and luxury; Atelier – couture designs that reveal highly accomplished craftsmanship and techniques; Avant-Garde – the more radical side of New York fashion; Menswear; and Celebrity – looking at the role celebrity has played in the success of some of the labels.

'Sonnet Stanfill, the curator, said: “New York Fashion Now attempts to capture a significant moment of design productivity and innovation. These emerging fashion designers have revitalized fashion in New York and this display will demonstrate the talent and diversity of the New York fashion scene now.” "

For more on the exhibit and for biographies of the designers, log onto:
vam.ac.uk/collections/fashion/new_york/index.html.

The Victoria and Albert Museum press release for the exhibit is the source for this article.

Maggie Norris, ‘Astaire’ duchesse satin tailcoat, ‘Ambroisine' satin corset,‘Long’ skirt made from 19th century satin	Miguel Adrover, Wool suit Spring/Summer 2003
Costello Tagliapietra, Silk crepe evening dress, Spring/Summer 2007	Craig Robinson
Behnaz Sarafpour, pleated silk skirt and cardigan, Autumn/Winter 2004-5	Three As Four, ‘Fractal’ dress, printed cotton, Spring/Summer 2007
Jeam Yu, Chiffon dress, Spring/Summer 2006, photograph by Kenny Jossick	Duckie Brown Ribbed cotton jacket and trousers with cut-outs, cotton sweatshirt with cut-outs, cotton drawstring trousers, Spring/Summer 2007
Duckie Brown Underpants with attached gloves, Autumn/Winter 2002-3 Photograph by PLATON	Derek Lam Cotton jacket, cashmere tank and Seersucker Trousers Spring/Summer 2007 Photograph courtesy Derek Lam
Lost Art by Jordan Betten, Cheetah trimmed trousers with snakeskin shawl, 2004-5, photograph by Marco Guerra	Christina Joy, 'Day of the Dead' bodysuit worn by Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Brixton Academy, London, England, November 2004