Boston Fashion Week: The Launch

One of the brightest spots of Boston Fashion Week is The Launch, a Sunday afternoon show dedicated to the next generation of designers. This year, five up-and-coming designers who recently graduated from area fashion programs sent their 12-piece debut collections down the runway. Check out a sampling of pieces from the five designers—Achk Kombana, Jennifer Miller, Danielle Fernandes, Rei Hyun Lee, and Tatiana Cuevo:

Achk Kombana, born in Kinshasa, a city in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and a graduate of the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, is inspired by her African heritage. It shines through her collection in the bold geometric patterns, organic colors, and thick, native mud cloth.

Jennifer Miller, a native of Cupertino, Calif., and a graduate of the School of Fashion Design in Boston, showed a variety of mix-and-match separates in hues like burgundy, black, royal blue, and cream.

Rei Hyun Lee, a native of Seoul, Korea, and a graduate of MassArt, featured mostly feminine skirts and dresses with asymmetrical hemlines and unique details. The back of this dress (above) highlights colors found in nature while looking like an origami masterpiece.

Danielle Fernandes, born in Yonkers, New York, and a graduate of Mount Ida College, sent dark, edgy looks featuring unexpected details down the runway—details like this patchwork dress made of sheer fabrics and a belted thigh (above left).

Tatiana Cuevo, a native of Guadalajara, Mexico, and a graduate of the School of Fashion Design in Boston, received quite a few oohs and aahs for her intricately detailed designs, which featured weaving, beading, and a playful use of pattern and texture.

Miss the show? Two pieces from each designer will be on display at center court in Copley Place from Friday, October 5 to Friday, October 12.

All photos by Bryanna Cappadona. Editor’s note: Boston magazine was one of the Tent sponsors.