Picture courtesy of Paloma Barceló.

Paloma Barceló, sakayori, J & M Davidson, Rebecca Taylor, Sand River Junko Koshino, Jonathan Simkhai and AALTO — discover the third and last part of MODEM's new fashion brand partners report for the Spring/Summer 2016 season.

Paloma Barceló
Founded in 1960 by Manolo Barceló Martinez, Paloma Barceló’s manufacturing facilities are located in Elche, one of the most important Spanish manufacturing centers, in close proximity to Alicante, Spain. The Barceló Family’s story began in 1960, when Manolo’s started working on his one-of-a-kind espadrilles shoes, which stood out for their quality craftsmanship that included handmade rope making and weaving. After lending his creativity to many other designers, Manolo Barceló Martinez decided 10 years ago to set up his own brand, and so Paloma Barceló was born. The brand’s muse is a classy and cultured woman, who loves to travel and desires sophisticated simplicity.

sakayori
sakayori is a Japanese fashion brand dedicated to real clothing — clothes that lift
your spirits when you wear them. According to Junko Sakayori, the brand’s founder and head-designer, sakayori features collections that are intended to be genderless, sizeless, and ageless — ‘beautiful items are not characterized by gender, but rather, by how people who wear them can show off their best features’.

J & M Davidson
J & M Davidson is the brainchild of John and Monique Davidson, a designer couple who founded their brand in 1984, as a tribute to both their strong love and their passion for premium leather goods, such as shoes, bags and belts. In fact, J&M Davidson was born after Monique picked up a studded dog collar and remarked that it would look good as a belt. They tracked down the factory and started making belts in bridle leather. Handbags and wallets followed, with ready-to-wear launched in 1994. The couple has now been married for over 40 years, have stores in Japan and London, two daughters, and regularly hit the road in search of inspiration.


Picture courtesy of AALTO.

AALTO
AALTO is a Finnish designer brand, created in Paris by Tuomas Merikoski. Merikoski has a new approach to the feminine wardrobe playing with masculine details, proportions, comfort and elegance with a strong fashion aesthetic. His inspiration comes from exploring the diversity of the modern Finnish culture by reinterpreting its traditional DNA, and its blend of harmonious contrasts. AALTO connects fashion, design and art, by actively collaborating with leading Scandinavian artists. As of today, the brand is sold at Le Bon Marché and Tom Greyhound (Paris), Opening Ceremony (New York and Los Angeles), Boutique N°7 (Moscow) and 10.Corso Como (Shanghai), among many other boutiques.

Doychinoff
The Vienna based label Doychinoff is the brainchild of fashion designer Maria Doychinova, who graduated from the University of Applied Arts in Vienna and worked with Roland Mouret and Hussein Chalayan in London, prior to establishing her own brand in Vienna. Doychinoff’s conceptual collections are inspired by contemporary avant-garde and traditional craftsmanship, and offer personality, individuality and high quality to its customers. Since its launch, Doychinoff has been showcasing her collections during Paris Fashion week.

Sand River Junko Koshino
Sand River Junko Koshino is the brainchild of Osaka-born Junko Koshino, a womenswear fashion designer who graduated from the Bunka Fashion College before showcasing her first collection in Paris in 1978. Koshino launched her fine cashmere collection with Sand River in 2012, and presented her latest collection of stoles at Première Classe in 2015. The Japanese designer has showcased her works at numerous places including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, among others. In addition, Junko Koshino has been designing costumes for internationally acclaimed operas and musicals, and has created creating sport uniforms as well.


Picture courtesy of Jonathan Simkhai.

Jonathan Simkhai
Jonathan Simkhai is a New York-based fashion designer who graduated from Parsons and the Fashion Institute of Technology. His love affair with fashion began at the early age of 14 when he was offered the unique opportunity to work an assistant buyer. His buying and merchandising background, as well as his experience in fabric sourcing, production, merchandising and marketing, has truly shaped Jonathan Simkhai into the designer he is today. Jonathan launched his eponymous brand in 2010, presenting his take on sophisticated dressing for the modern, cosmopolitan woman. His collections indulge in ambiguity, blurring the gender lines within fashion and sexuality. Charged by men’s fashion mores and drawing inspiration from beautiful fabrics like cashmere, wool, cotton, and silk, Simkhai’s collection brings forth classic codes translated into sexy and feminine silhouettes.

Rebecca Taylor
Born and raised in Wellington, New Zealand, Rebecca Taylor is the mastermind behind her eponymous brand — a sophisticated, artistically driven lifestyle brand designed for and inspired by creative, dynamic women. Through its signature use of prints, playful color combinations, and supreme attention to detail, the womenswear brand revisits its foundation of artistry and craftsmanship season after season, constantly refining its focus on everyday luxury. Known for its feminine finish and polished point of view, Rebecca Taylor creates modern pieces with a subtly romantic edge. The brand is available in major retail and high-end specialty stores worldwide, as well as in eight standalone Rebecca Taylor boutiques and website.

Ezio Barbaro © Modemonline