Diddy Finalist Jesli Banks Debuts New Collection For New York Fashion Week
Submitted by: Streetwise
2008-09-08 23:09:03
New York, NY (OPENPRESS) September 9, 2008 -- Designer and winner Jesli Banks from MTV's Sean John: Internship by Design competition, will partner with fellow winning finalists Jason Santiago and Graehme Field to debut "Menage A Trois", an edgy, nostalgic and flora fauna show during New York's Fashion Week. The fashion show takes place Thursday, September 11, 2008 at HK Lounge at 8pm.
"Winning the Internship by Design Competition and working with Diddy has been a dream come true," says Banks. "I absolutely love Diddy, his creativity and dedication to Sean John. I've learned how to create a fierce collection while staying true to my vision. Now I want to make history!"
Jesli Banks' new Berkli Collection Spring/Summer 2009 Nos·tal·gia line will be the show-stopping finale. Banks' fresh collection is tie-dye inspired with flowing silk chiffons, satin charmeuse, body conscious metallic leathers and boasts vibrant colors. The clothes are feminine and nostalgic, with retro appeal.
Joining Jesli to create the "Menage a Trois" are collections by Jason Santiago and Graehme Field, who were also winning finalists in the MTV/Sean John Intern By Design competition. Jason's Spring/ Summer 2009: edgy collection symbolizes a reflection of his personality, charm and edge. It combines femininity with a twist of street, with earth tones and a bit of urban, infused with glam.
Graehme Field's Fall/Winter 2009: Flora Fauna For Fall collection is based on the idea of mixing elements from summer into a fall/ winter collection. The collection's theme is echoed in the hundreds of hand cut flowers, each artfully arranged on certain pieces. Fabrications are thick felts and woolens along with some very feminine fabrics. "Femininity and adornment is the key!", says Graehme.
The show begins promptly at 8pm, Thursday, September 11th at H.K. Lounge, 523 Ninth Avenue, New York City.
About The Designers
Jesli Banks is a Detroit native and a graduate of Michigan State University. She studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology and landed an internship with New York designers Joanna Mastrioanni and Olga Kapustina. In 2006 she joined the Ebony Fashion Fair tour as a wardrobe stylist from 2006-2007. Jesli is the winner of the MTV/Sean John: Intern By Design competition and is currently interning at Sean John. The collection can be seen at www.myberkli.com.
Jason Santiago was born and raised in the streets of the Bronx. His mother and grandmother supported his natural design talent and instilled him with sensitivity and charm. Jason graduated from the New York Art Institute.
Graehme Field, a Rhode Island native, grew up in a flannel shirt town with dreams of the big city and the prestigious fashion industry. After a scholarship and a year at The Art Institute of New York City he was chosen for The Sean John Internship By Design, an MTV reality show. He currently works with private customers and sells some of his clothing at Karma, a boutique in Boston, Mass.
ABOUT H.K. LOUNGE
H.K. Lounge located on 39th and 9th Avenue. It has transformed the local area of Hell's Kitchen from a place of culinary oblivion to a hot spot demanding everyone's attention.
H.K. is a multi-faceted venue that features a setting for every event; from its ultramodern, minimalist restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining; to its adjacent private lounge, sultry and sophisticated; to zen inspired windowless rooftop bar overlooking all of Manhattan. For more information visit www.hellskitchen.com.
Contact: Kim Jackson at Streetwise
Office: 212.431.9467
Email: kim@streetwiseproduction.com
