The Breakthrough Designer of New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2019
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer
February brings with it the promise of only a couple more months of chilly winter weather. However, the month is also full of warm vibes with a glimpse into new fashion trends for the following Fall/Winter season, always one step ahead of the next season. New York Fashion Week once again left us in total awe as designers unleashed their creativity and imagination on a starving public, craving new styles screaming with originality. A large portion of the fashion shows and events took place at Spring Studios on Varick Street beginning on February 6th, 2019 and running through February 13th, 2019. Even more attention-driving than the shows themselves was the street fashion, inventive styles that almost made onlookers stop in their tracks. Trendsetters of all ages enjoyed posing dramatically for the paparazzi, anxious to see which fashion blogger would post an A+ on their website for an outfit put together perfectly.
For just over a week, fashion ruled the East side, the West side and all the areas in between. While the ‘Who’s Who of the Fashion World’ made their way to view the newest collections from visionary masters such as Son Jung Wan, Michael Kors, Tory Burch, Jeremy Scott, Calvin Klein and Anna Sui, there was the anticipation of fresh and exciting talent making their mark on those searching to establish a unique sense of style. The answer for these fashionistas was Tomo Koizumi, being labeled as the breakout designer of New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2019. This was Tomo’s time to shine, a collection debut that most certainly left a lasting impression upon the New York Fashion scene.
Call it luck, call it talent, this thrilled designer was discovered by celebrity stylist and LOVE Magazine editor, Katie Grand. She reached out to him via Instagram to ask if he would like to show at New York Fashion Week. Who could resist an invitation that tempting? Grand cordially enlisted Marc Jacobs to lend Tomo his Madison Avenue Boutique for the showing and Pat McGrath worked her makeup magic on the models. Guido Palau transformed the hair to compliment the outfits.
Funny how you never know where life might take you. Tomo Koizumi was a hard-working costume designer in Tokyo just a few months ago. He designed for Japanese pop stars and even Lady Gaga asked Tomo to dress her once while she was in his home country many years ago. He didn’t have a large social media presence but instead had the right followers longing to put his name in lights. The designer was simply thrilled to have such famous models as Joan Smalls, Bella Hadid, Karen Elson and Emily Ratajkowski walk a makeshift runway for his very first New York Fashion Week showing. Although the pieces may not be what we know as everyday fashion, each model’s outfit made a strong fashion statement in magnificent colors of the rainbow and extravagant shapes, sometimes large enough to swallow up the wearer. Each of the pieces was made from Japanese polyester organza in over 400 colors. Ruffles upon ruffles were carefully sewn to create the perfect garment. Koizumi takes inspiration from one of the most powerfully imaginative designers of our era, John Galliano.
This debut New York Fashion Week presentation was a dream come true for this rising young star. The venue on Madison Avenue was standing room only, an audience witnessing a fairy tale becoming a reality, models beaming with femininity. “Game of Thrones†star, Gwendolina Christie, closed the show, dressed in an enormous rainbow gown.
The fashion show turned out to be a monumental success with Koizumi’s social media following going from around 2,000 pre-New York Fashion Week to leaping to over 18,000 post New York Fashion Week. What’s not to love about these results. Tomo Koizumi is a rising star in the world of fashion design. See you at the next New York Fashion Week.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
