JCKstyle - September 7, 2007

This week's annual Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York brings to mind lavish fetes, VIPs, and illustrious designer names like Gucci. So why did an exhibition of fashion amateurs—Gen Art's NY Fresh Faces in Fashion—kick off the festivities on Wednesday night? Some may think it's because the fashion industry lives on the cutting edge of design, exposing new talent to stay ahead of the curve. But, more accurately (given the insular nature of the fashion industry), Gen Art deserves the kudos, as it exists to keep fashion from stagnating by helping new fashion designers, filmmakers, musicians, and visual artists get established in somewhat intimidating fields.

Annual Fresh Faces in Fashion events by Gen Art are held around the country, including New York, and serve as showcases of rising stars of women's and menswear, and accessories. New fashion talent can exhibit free of charge in runway shows, has access to press, and has a chance to compete for prizes, including a $20,000 grant sponsored by Bioré via the Bioré Skincare & Gen Art Uncover/Discover program.

NY Fresh Faces in Fashion took place in the Grand Ballroom of Manhattan Center Studios after a frenzied opening day of Fashion Week shows. Big names like Betsey Johnson and Kate Spade are involved with the affair, adding to the event's prestige. Perhaps the biggest testament to Gen Art's power: previous Fresh Faces include Shoshanna and Zac Posen.

For more information, check out Gen Art's Web site at genart.org, or bioregenart.com.

Weekly Gem
Celine Dion has an enviable life: beauty, fans, a 4,000-seat coliseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, and finally, a fine jewelry line. Dion and Chinese personality Yang Lan teamed up to create diamond jewelry for a growing market of luxury-loving Chinese women. "I believe my heart will go on," from Titanic's theme song, serves as a tagline for the jewels, and should be interpreted to mean "I will have employment next year when my Caesars gig is up."