User:Kruppgroup2010/CHRIS BENZ

Chris Benz
Chris Benz is an American fashion designer whose bold, exuberant collections convey a sense of history as well as progress, and a keen understanding of the emotional, vibrant aspects of how women want to dress. With the best of American sportswear, craftsmanship and the ever-evolving concept of modernity as his guides, Benz brings new life to the canon of women's wear essentials. The CHRIS BENZ headquarters are based in the Garment District.



History/Education

 * Born 1982 - Seattle, WA
 * Parsons School of Design in New York
 * Graduated in 2004
 * Launched his collection with Fall/Winter 2007 season
 * 2009 Inducted into the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA)

Philosophy and Design Style

 * Fall/Winter 2007 season premiere collection inspiration
 * From the designer's love of popular culture, art and architecture, as well as his work at Marc Jacobs and J.Crew
 * Signatures include unabashed use of color and texture, and deft use of prints
 * The designer is also acclaimed for his inventive subversion of traditional dressmaking codes and techniques, like the t-shirt expertly cut and rendered in an elegant fabric, or the resort gown with the simplicity of a pareo
 * His witty, distinct point-of-view has been described as "perfect imperfection," and the result is meant to feel accessible without sacrificing personality, and to reflect the dialogue between the wearer's style and her real life
 * "I started my line to address the principles I felt the fashion industry had started to abandon. At one extreme, the market seemed to be full of basics that, however beautifully made, were uninspired - and yet still managed to be priced beyond the reach of many of the women who love and follow fashion. The other end of the market was totally trend-driven: a hit one season and irrelevant the next. Unfortunately, neither really reflects how people shop anymore - people are tired of mandates, or making sacrifices to be fashionable. So every season begins for me with the pieces that always work, the things that we return to again and again: versatile tailored pieces, great knits, go-anywhere dresses. Then, I look at those fundamentals through the lens of a particular mood or theme, and add unexpected elements to make them feel charming, unique. Above all, I want women to be able to inhabit my clothes, love them regardless of the season, and to express their own imaginations."
 * The collection is available in stores throughout United States, Canada, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East
 * Nearly the entire CHRIS BENZ collection is produced in New York City
 * Counts Mickey Drexler as industry mentor
 * Fashion advice columnist for fashion blog Fashionista.com

Fashion and/or Celebrity

 * Eva Amurri
 * Nikki Reid
 * Sebastian Stan
 * January Jones
 * Eva Mendes
 * Rachel Hunter
 * Susan Sarandon
 * Debbie Harry
 * Katie Lee Joel
 * Alison Pill
 * Johnny Weir
 * Cuba Gooding Jr
 * Leighton Meester
 * Katy Perry
 * Diana Agron
 * Chace Crawford
 * Mamie Gummer
 * Isabella Rossellini
 * Elettra Weidemann
 * Lola Schnabel
 * Mickey Summer
 * Fabiola Beracasa
 * Kelly Wearstler
 * Paula Pattan
 * Kerry Washington
 * Sophia Bush
 * Virginia Madsen
 * Rachel Zoe
 * Joy Bryant
 * Adam Lambert
 * Taylor Momsen
 * Veronica Webb
 * Kelly Osbourne

Featured In

 * New York Times
 * Vogue
 * Women's Wear Daily
 * InStyle
 * W
 * Elle
 * Glamour
 * Marie Claire
 * Paper
 * New York Observer
 * Vanity Fair
 * Harper's Bazaar
 * Spur
 * International editions of Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, Glamour, and InStyle

Television and/or Film

 * "How to Make it in America" - HBO, himself
 * "First Look" - LXTV, himself

Awards/Noteworthy Mentions

 * 2004: "Emerging Designer Award" from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA)
 * New York Times dubbed premier collection "the best example of heightened level of sophistication that is expected of new designers today."
 * 2008: "Emerging Fur Designer of the Year" from the Fur Information Council of America (FICA)