Designer of the Week: Bensoni

A collaboration on a senior thesis project at Parsons and a shared aesthetic led designers Benjamin Channing Clyburn and Sonia Voon to launch Bensoni in Spring 2007. Like a 1950s screen siren, Bensoni is decidedly and assuredly feminine, with serious substance beneath the frills.

Eye It: Fall 2010

Buy It: Bensoni Online

Ruffle Shoulder Blouse $89 (orig. $321)

Pleated Sheath Dress$173.75 (orig. $695)

Houndstooth T-Shirt $215 (orig. $308)

Feather Paillete Skirt $103.50 (orig. $414)

Hatch Painted Calvary Twill Skirt $73.50 (orig. $294)

Crinkled Linen Dress $159 (orig. $550)

Confetti Flutter Blouse $215 (orig. $308)

Gingham Voile Ruched Top $99 (orig. $330)

Designer of the Week: Pour La Victoire

It comes as no surprise that Pour La Victoire cites Marie Antoinette as its main inspiration: the shoe line infuses ultra feminine details with a certain devil-may-care fatalism. Launched in 2007, Pour La Victoire is produced in Brazil but creatively based in New York.

Eye It: Fall/Winter 2009

Buy It: Pour La Victoire Online

Rene Peep Toe Platform $299.95 (orig. $313.95)

Alberta Pumps $150 (orig. $250)

Blanche Platform Sandals $150 (orig. $250)

Ynes Peep Toe Mary Jane $209.95

Stud Peep Toe Ankle Boot $228

Bijan Knotted Flat Sandals $124.60 (orig. $178)

Ella Zip Ruffle Flat Sandals $157.50 (orig. $225)

Lea Booties $145 (orig. $253.95)

Designer of the Week: Soia & Kyo

Montreal-based outerwear designer Ilan Elfassy’s Soia & Kyo line re-imagines the classic British trench with trademark oversized buttons, asymmetrical collars, and contrast trim.

Eye It: Summer 2009

Buy It: Soia & Kyo Online

Trench in Off White $113 (orig. $225)

Houndstooth Nicole Coat $146 (orig. $365)

Sienna Double Breasted Trenchcoat $169 (orig. $245)

Joyce Leather Coat $243 (orig. $485)

Maelie Jacket $166 (orig. $415)

Ines Coat $360

Alanis Shawl Collar Zip Jacket $273 (orig. $390)

Designer of the Week: Gryphon

Aimee Cho, a former fashion writer for Vogue, launched her line Gryphon with a very particular item serving as the impetus: the classic trench coat. While trench coats remain a cornerstone of each collection, Gryphon produces many other wardrobe staples, designed with a clear editor’s eye for mixing and matching across the line.

Eye It: Fall 2009

Buy It: Gryphon Online

The Timeless Jacket $465.50 (orig. $665)

Sequin Tee $193.20 (orig. $276)

The Boyfriend Blazer $498

The Beaded Top $325

The Feather Dress $780 (orig. $1288)

Nailhead Trim Coat $625

Flower Cap Sleeve Dress $273.70 (orig. $391)

Designer of the Week: Haider Ackermann

Adopted in his native Columbia by a traveling French couple, Haider Ackermann eventually trained at the Royal Academy in Antwerp, Belgium. Having presented his first collection in 2002 in Paris, Ackermann has remained true to his original high/low vision of street meets sophistication.

Eye It: Fall 2009 RTW

Buy It: Haider Ackermann Online

Draped Knit Top €803.70/$1085

Frill Top $224

Kimono Sleeve Cardigan Sweater €503.70/$680

Asymmetric Blazer $302 (orig. $605)

Dress Pants $157 (orig. $344)

Designer of the Week: Thread Social

Thread Social was launched in 2006, on the heels of designers Beth Blake and Melissa Akey’s successful bridal line Thread. Making bridesmaid dresses palatable is no easy feat, and with Thread Social Akey and Blake have redirected their considerable talents into producing a line that is as quirky as it is classic.

Eye It: Fall & Holiday 2009

Buy It: Thread Social Online

In addition to being carried at various online retailers, Thread Social also has its own web store, allowing customers to pre-order their must-haves from upcoming collections.

Striped Cotton Tunic $95 (orig. $190)

One Shoulder Dress with Bow $616

Sleeveless Dress with Bow Detail $385 (orig. $550)

Chevron Blanket Wool Top $195.50 (orig. $391)

Sliced Charmeuse Dolman Dress $257.60 (orig. $644)

Silk Tulip Mini Skirt $290

Designer of the Week: Jason Wu

At the ripe age of 26 designer Jason Wu skyrocketed to national prominence when first lady Michelle Obama chose his one-shouldered creation as her Inaugural gown. More recently a CFDA womenswear finalist, Wu first debuted his collection in February of 2006.

Eye It: Resort 2010

Buy It: Jason Wu Online

Silk Embroidered Shift Dress $883.20 (orig. $1840)

Pleated Shell $945

Micropleated Dress $1,651.20 (orig. $3440)

Cropped Tweed Jacket $1,116 (orig. $2325)

Draped Side Dress $2350

Isadora Dress $1,435.20 (orig. $2990)

Designer of the Week: Brian Reyes

Self-taught Colombian-American designer Brian Reyes debuted his first collection in the spring of 2006. Having worked at UES favorite Oscar de la Renta’s atelier, Reyes creates uptown-friendly pieces that maintain a sense of individuality.

Eye It: Fall 2009

Buy It: Brian Reyes Online

Box Pleated Dress $605.50 (orig. $865)

Ruffled Dress $416.90 (orig. $695)

High Waist Drape Skirt $469 (orig. $670)

One Shoulder Silk Top $623.90 (orig. $1040)

Scoop Neck Blouse $441.60 (orig. $552)

Designer of the Week: Plastic Island

Designer Anna Son launched Plastic Island in the spring of 2007, with the intention of creating a label that made high fashion attainable. Since then the aesthetic of the line has grown by leaps and bounds, now displaying a sense of mature sophistication while still remaining true to its original lightheartedness.

Buy It: Plastic Island Online

U Neck Double Breasted Dress $120 (orig. $172)

Lace-Trim Keyhole Tunic $119

Knit Cardigan with Chiffon Slip $176

Tiered Skirt $128

Satin Glossy Dress $80 (orig. $160)

Working Girl Dress $142

Hamptons Cardigan $147

Designer of the Week: Ishii

In addition to working with designers like Jean Paul Gaultier and Zac Posen, Parsons graduate Tamae Ishii had the distinct privilege of apprenticing under Valentino Garavini. A consummate world traveler who was born in Japan but raised in California, she draws inspiration for her eponymous line from a variety of international sources.

Eye It: Fall 2009

Buy It: Ishii Online

Currently Ishii is only carried at a single online retailer, but lovers of the line can also try one of their brick and mortar stockists.

Ruffled Strapless Dress $396

Ruffle Shorts $145

Coat Moderne $615

Basket Weave Dress $415

Metallic Dress $398