[tps_header]PHOENIX — When we set our eyes on the glamorous gowns and fabulous fashions that hit the red carpet, we can’t help but wonder which designer created the look. We recently spotted talented up and coming designers during the Phoenix Fashion Week emerging designer announcement, where designers showed one look from their upcoming collection, which will be presented during Phoenix Fashion Week’s October fashion show. We were excited to see all the looks, but three caught our attention as red carpet ready designers: Hues of Ego, Rayan, and Lillienne Lang Attire. We recently interviewed the promising designers behind the brands to get more intel on their lines.[/tps_header]
[tps_title]Hues of Ego by Natasha Duran Lynch[/tps_title]
What challenges have you had growing your brand?
Some of the major challenges I have personally encountered while creating and growing my brand is “me.” I am my worst critic. I have gotten in my own way at times, during the past few years; and what I mean by that is, I feel that at times I have stopped or halted my own growth due to my own insecurities.
Why design in a city not known for fashion?
Well, in all honesty the first reason why I chose to design in Phoenix was because I reside here and I’m raising my child here. But beyond that, I feel that Phoenix is on the rise to becoming known for fashion. If you look at what Phoenix has to offer, it has a ton of things and has great potential to build a solid foundation behind a known fashion city. The reason why I chose Phoenix Fashion Week is because I have seen them grow and the opportunity that they provide to emerging designers such as myself, is priceless.
What was the first fashion garment you designed?
My first piece of clothing that I designed is from one of my first sewing projects in fashion school and it was a wearable art piece. We were encouraged, but not limited to use unconventional materials. The only parameter for this school project was that it could be sewn or glued as long as it was wearable. So, I had the idea to make an entire dress out of beer bottle caps … I liked the sound when they hit each other. Somehow, I figured out how to sew a strapless, pleated muslin dress together without having a dress form, pattern or anything like that – I truly believe it was pure luck.
Who is your fashion icon and why?
Stephane Rolland, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Coco Chanel, Elie Saab, Zac Posen – just to name a few. Some of my architectural influences are Frank Lloyd Wright and Le Corbusier.
If you could dress anyone past or present, who would it be?
Marilyn Monroe would be an amazing woman to dress. She seemed to be a classy woman who liked to push the envelope with fashion. Marilyn Monroe embraced her curvy body, which I appreciate. One of Hues of Egos goals is to design clothing that will enable women to be able to embrace, love, and unveil who they really are, inside and out.
If you were a Chic Spy Agent, what would be your code name?
The Silent Observer Assassin, because I am one to stand back and observe the situation and surroundings and take note of what I need to do to step up, then I attack.
Photo source: Courtesy of Hues of Ego/Photographed by Jacqueline Hanna/Modeled by Ubani Ukuku
