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Designers to Watch: Joanne Cordero Reyes

Vicente Villarin’s designer, Joanne Cordero ReyesPhoto: Courtesy of Joanne Cordero Reyes

It’s no secret that fashion editors long to find the next hot “It” thing, the designer that they can’t live without each Fashion Week. And so with high hopes we trudge off to no-name shows, often only to be disappointed by bad eighties remixes. But all hope is not lost! Here’s the first in a series of five newbies (well, more like four and the return of a prodigal son) who are revving us up for the tents. Not only are their designs jaw-dropping, but their presentations should be pretty darn eye-catching as well. You won’t be let down, we promise.

Joanne Cordero Reyes
This may be Joanne Cordero’s first time at Fashion Week under her own label, Vicente Villarin, but the designer is no novice. She cut her teeth at Reem Acra and J. Mendel, making eveningwear for celebs. And this season she’s showing at Bumble and bumble, home of the next big thing (Alexander Wang, Sari Gueron, and Bruce all showed there a year ago). Reyes’s training with red-carpet designers is readily apparent in the clean, long lines of her gowns. But Reyes adds her own edge to the usual feminine piece. Her pencil skirt is done up in faux-alligator for a tougher, sexier look. Her take on the little white dress involves tulle and a shorter-than-short hemline. And her outerwear borders on architectural, rivaling Jil Sander. She may have learned to dress celebs, but only the truly style savvy (read: not governed by a stylist) will slip into these clothes.

See a slideshow.

Related: Our Other Designers to Watch
Jen Kao
Miguel Adrover
Frank Tell
Abigail Lorick

Designers to Watch: Joanne Cordero Reyes