Taking a Risk with Gareth Pugh

Beyonce wearing Gareth Pugh in Elle Magazine.

Photographed by Alexei Hay.

Now, in a time of large corporations dominating the fashion industry, it is refreshing and almost surprising to see any boundary-pushing, avant-garde designers emerge. When a designer has to appease a corporation, along with the daunting sales plans that follow, it is extremely difficult to take an avant-garde stance in design. Taking such stance puts a designer at risk of not being considered commercially viable in these trying times. But, how else can a young designer stand out today with out a suit in the background financing the dream? At the same time, would any designer want to take the risk of creating an avant-garde line, which is typically more costly and possible less profitable? And then how can such a designer under a corporate umbrella do something extremely creative and risk-taking that still appeases the sales figures that need to meet? This will be the challenge of designers now and in the future as we have more conglomerates dominating the fashion industry than ever before.

With this in mind, it is refreshing to see the avant-garde designer Gareth Pugh take the risk to do his first line in Paris, without a corporate backer, that was focused more on creativity and less on the commercial aspect, and receive such great press. Check out some of his designs from his Spring 2009 show. One cool aspect of his designs was that they were two-toned; white on the front and black on the back. I am looking forward to seeing more from this original and unique designer.

Looks from Gareth Pugh's Spring 2009 RTW line on Style.com