Best New Fashion Designers for 2009

Alexander Wang is just out of college and is quickly becoming a fashion mogul. After just a year of studying design at Parsons in NYC and interning at Teen Vogue, Wang launched his ready-to-wear collection winning the attention of buyers and editors alike. He was a 2008 CFDA Fashion Awards nominee and is working on expanding his fashion line.

For Wang's fall 2009 collection, he strayed far from his previous collection done almost entirely in black and conversely showcased strong, bright colors. After a recent trip to Miami, he was influenced by the city's bold colors in its Art Deco designs, transcending his inspiration into his new "Miami Vice" influenced collection. As a young designer, Wang has a fresh and edgy vision for fashion. Due to his success in his ready-to-wear designs, he's recently launched a new shoe line and a great collection of T-shirts called T by Alexander Wang.

Charlotte Ronson

Daughter to a socialite and twin sister to a famous turntablist, Charlotte Ronson, has made a name for herself as a young rising fashion designer. An NYU graduate, who majored in Studio Art, Ronson began designing after constant requests from friends to create outfits for them. After interning with influential media circuits, like Harper's Bazaar and Rolling Stone Magazine, her designs were quickly noticed and publicized. In 2002, Ronson opened her first flagship store in New York and since has opened 14 Charlotte Ronson boutiques.
Charlotte Ronson, also caught the Miami buzz using Art Deco as reference point in her fall collection. Her eighties influence showed throughout with leather and studded pieces as well as edgy mini-dresses. This year, Ronson debuted a contemporary and very affordable line for JC Penny, I Heart Ronson, which has received rave reviews since its launch.

Jason Wu

Jason Wu's first full ready-to-wear collection launched in 2006. He won the Fashion Group International's Rising Star award in 2008. That same year he was nominated for the Vouge Fashion Fund award. It's hard to believe that his fashion career began at age 16, designing clothing for dolls. His clients now are full grown real women, with real influences on fashion, like Ivana Trump and Michelle Obama.

We can thank Michelle Obama for the quickly growing success of Jason Wu. And although he launched his label three years ago, it is because of that now famous white chiffon dress worn by the first lady that his collection focuses now more than ever on dresses. His designs are elegant and whimsical with a reminiscent style of designer legends such as Oscar de la Renta and Carolina Herrera.