NYFW Newcomer: Ann Yee
Light, floaty fabrics are all the rage for Spring/Summer 2011, and one of the designers who showed them best during New York’s Fashion Week is Ann Yee. The new young and talented designer decided to start humbly, showing her clothes more informally, at an art gallery in New York’s Soho with models lined up against the walls, the clothes appeared like works of art in and of themselves. A cool downtown crowd gathered to take in the view, ogling yet another killer collection from someone may soon be called the next big thing.
Whether she is ahead of the trends or not remains to be seen, but one thing is sure: Yee knows what’s she’s doing.
Model after model in many designer’s shows this season came down the runway clad in billowing fabric, the kind of less-structured pieces that remind one of the days of Eighties dolman sleeves and harem pants. It is fashion that more women than less can wear, a trend for designers who want to make a profit and make a statement, in still-challenging economic times.
Yee is cognizant of both of these facts, and has crafted her work accordingly: a sheer-but-not-too-sheer top over loose shorts; easy, boat neck knit tops, and a deep v-neck knit dress—these are the pieces that are quickly deemed “must-haves” for one’s wardrobe.
Her 16 looks for Spring/Summer 2011-roughly 30 pieces in all-include androgynous elements that Yee is known to incorporate: While in college, she designed a menswear collection in her first semester (and says it’s something she might continue in the future). The pieces here possess more detailing, as well as fabrics with different surfaces.
“I sourced these amazing Japanese fabrics,” Yee said, “that rounded out the whole vibe of the pieces. The overall feel was graceful and lovely.”
Yee, who hails from the Detroit suburb of South Lyon, Michigan, graduated in May 2004 from Philadelphia University (formerly Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science). Her first internship the summer after her junior year in college was with Jill Stuart, followed by one in London (Yee studied there during her sophomore year) with Ebru Ercon, a Turkish designer whose work is more avant-garde. Yee even got to work with Ercon during London Fashion Week, prepping the samples, sewing last-minute details, and helping dress the models.
“I always loved clothes,” Yee said of the development of her design passion.
“I remember making dresses for my Barbie out of tissues. I would cut the Kleenex into different garments and drape it onto her,” she said. “But I really started taking it more seriously when I was a sophomore in high school.”
After settling in Soho and designing four collections to date, Yee said her favorite part of the process is the initial research and putting together the concept and the color palette.
“It’s so fun,” Yee said. “I just wish I had more time for that part.”
What does Yee think of all the press she’s getting already?
“It doesn’t seem real!”
What makes her happiest, though, is to see a stranger walking down the street in one of her creations. Yee describes her clothing as a nice balance of femininity and restraint, with select masculine touches.
“There are lovely and ladylike pieces alongside jackets and outwear pieces that round out the line,” the designer said. “It’s also really important to me to use high quality fabrics that stay in a wardrobe for years to come. I want my pieces to be timeless.”
She’s now being noticed by retailers and the media: the boutiques Albertine, EVA New York, TG-170, and krisTEES in New York have already added her pieces to their rack and both Daily Candy and Time Out New York have lauded her as one of the new bright young things.
Future plans aside from a menswear collection include an accessories line, as in the knit sweater necklaces Yee did for this season.
“My foundation is in knitwear. It’s something I’ll expand on. Consumers can look out for scarves, gloves, and arm warmers for fall 2011!”
Tagged in: lux exclusives, new york, new york, designer, fabric, dressed up, young and talented designer,
Purple Neon/LadyLUX
