Fashion

10 Things to Know About the 10 2013 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Finalists

This crew of talented couture, menswear, and accessory designers will be creating unique pieces for Uniqlo, and putting on runway shows at L.A.'s starlet-approved Chateau Marmont. One of these faces may be the next Alexander Wang or Proenza Schouler, so pay close attention: They're the future of your closet.

by Tori Telfer

Over the next four months, these 10 finalists will have to bring it more than ever before

This crew of talented couture, menswear, and accessory designers will be creating unique pieces for Uniqlo, and putting on runway shows at L.A.'s starlet-approved Chateau Marmont. One of these faces may be the next Alexander Wang or Proenza Schouler, so pay close attention: They're the future of your closet.

Larry Busacca/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne, Public School

These guys wear black leather jackets, but they're not too cool for, um, school. Public School originates in the NYC Garment District, and prides itself on combining luxurious fabrics (think lamb skin and melton wool) and clean-cut-meets-hip sensibility. They're the darlings of GQ, and it's easy to see why when you check out the designers' own personal style. Cheer for them if you want your boyfriend looking this hot every day.

Jason Jones and Mike Feldman, Parabellum

This ain't your countrified uncle's leather belt. The duo behind Parabellum makes high-end men's and women's accessories out of free-range bison leather. It would be tempting to mock them for being sooo hip if the end result wasn't sooo gorgeous. Cheer for them if you're a purse fiend who can't be stopped.

Juan Carlos Obando, Juan Carlos Obando

This L.A.-dweller learned to sew by deconstructing vintage garments, which has given him an eye for forms that flatter the female body: Silhouettes that are somehow hot and coy at the same time. His tropical-hues make us want to go dancing after midnight. Cheer for him if you're a social lady who likes a dramatic entrance.

Marc Alary, Marc Alary

He's French and he makes exquisite, nature-inspired jewelry. Did somebody say dream man? You'll want everything in Marc Alary's "menagerie" collection, from leaf rings to "mini monkey" earrings clocking in at a pretty $7,000. Don't let the playfulness dissuade you — this man's jewels are full-on glamorous. Cheer for him if you love a good necklace-turned-conversation-piece.

Misha Nonoo, Nonoo

Bahrain-born, London-raised, New York-made, and characterized by a "wanderlust heritage" — both Misha Nonoo and her eponymous brand are born for international travel and the truly beautiful. Her clothing has been worn by Sarah Jessica Parker, Gwenyth Paltrow, and Pippa Middleton, which isn't surprising, because it's crazily wearable and equally chic. Cheer for her if you want to look like your best, most effortlessly cool self.

Ryan Lobo and Ramon Martin, TOME

These dudes are all about making it easy for the ladies. TOME clothing is something you'll wear every day, like a classic black tank dress or a sheer button-down with a yellow collar. And, as enduring as their designs are the quality of the fabrics, which guarantees that wearing these pieces every day isn't a big mistake. Cheer for them if you like to get dressed fast and still look like you walked out of a hipster editorial.

Shimon Ovadia and Ariel Ovadia, Ovadia & Sons

These 20-something brothers are twins (aww), and combine a love of American sportswear with a classy Italian twist (ooh). They love a good double-breasted jacket and are insistent on staying away from the trendy or kitschy; for them, it's all about classic menswear style. Cheer for them if you look at old photos of your dad and sigh, "Why don't men dress up anymore?"

Tim Coppens, Tim Coppens

As you may have noticed, this year's finalists are very menswear heavy — does this mean guys will start looking sharp again? Yes, if Tim Coppens has anything to do with it. He's worked with Adidas and Ralph Lauren, and his namesake line seeks to pair athleticism with sophistication. Cheer for him if you like your men boyish with a side of couture.

Todd Snyder, Todd Snyder

Todd Snyder, whose Dutch surname means "one who makes outer garments," has worked for Polo Ralph Lauren, Gap, and J. Crew. His menswear is high-end (a t-shirt runs for $95) but accessible enough to appeal to the most conservative of guys. Classic clothes make the man, as they say. Cheer for him if you have trouble getting your man to shop for anything other than records.

Veronica Swanson Beard and Veronica Miele Beard, Veronica Beard

Who says in-laws have to hate each other? These lady designers aren't just business partners, they're sisters-in-law who happen to share the same first name. They are inspired by the idea of a woman's "uniform," and their clothes are inspired by gals who do it all — like the designers themselves, who have a total of eight children between them. Cheer for them if you like to look sharp while taking over the world.

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