Skyscrapers at Times Square
Skyscrapers at Times Square

NEW YORK, Oct 12, 2009 — In an effort to give fashion fanatics one last seasonal fix after fashion week concludes in Paris, SEAM COLLECTIVE, Inc. proudly presents “Forté,” Wednesday, October 21st at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan.

A highly esteemed fashion show which will help raise money for Gilda’s Club NYC, “Forté” will showcase collections by innovative female designers including Project Runway’s Kenley Collins, Elizabeth Rynish, Marissa Erskine, and Sheila Frank.

Headlining designer, Kenley Collins, will treat the audience to her never-before-seen Spring/Summer 2010 collection from her private label. Famed for her vintage dresses and quirky feather headpieces, Collins will spice up the runway with unique must-have pieces inspired by American heroine Amelia Earhart.

Elizabeth Rynish, creative director for SEAM COLLECTIVE, will charm the audience with her ‘60s-inspired dress collection. Flavored with a few hints of sci-fi elements, Rynish’s edgy collection will incorporate simple silhouettes, paired with creative collars and necklines. Utilizing a vibrant color palette, Rynish’s designs make a woman feel sexy, confident, and most importantly, fashion-forward.

For RisSa’s Spring/Summer 2010 collection nature plays an important role pulling from butterflies, cocoon and tulip silhouettes that exude natural shapes in a whimsical way, that signature the RisSA label. Thus, the exploration through nature and movement embodies the natural femininity of a woman’s physique, creating the quintessential RisSA customer.

Fusing Elizabethan-inspired clothing with modern aesthetics, Sheila Frank will present a Spring/Summer collection mixed with striking patterns and floral prints. Paired with delicate materials are intricate details such as pleats and billowy fabrics to add to the historical, yet chic, theme. Frank uses nature as her muse, creating fashion with shades of blue, cream, slate, and beige, guaranteed to make women of all shapes and sizes look beautiful.

SEAM COLLECTIVE, formed in New York City in 2005, is an organization dedicated to aiding female designers break into the fashion industry. SEAM COLLECTIVE strives to help each and every designer by producing seasonal fashion shows and supplying the necessary resources to advance their careers.

“I get a thrill cultivating raw talent and want them to succeed,” says George Simonton, CFDA member and FIT faculty and designer. “I am so happy that this event allows emerging designers to be seen in the industry.”

The Forte fashion show will also host a silent auction to raise funds for Gilda’s Club New York City. Gilda’s Club creates welcoming communities of free support for everyone living with cancer – men, women, teens and children – along with their families and friends. This innovative program is an essential complement to medical care, providing networking groups, workshops, lectures and social activities, all free of charge. For more information about Gilda’s Club New York City, please go to www.gildasclubnyc.org.

Tickets for “Forté” can be purchased in advance at www.seamcollective.com.