10.03.10 The Way of the Future - Althea Harper

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10.03.10 The Way of the Future - Althea Harper - AW10

Ok – there are a few things you should already know about Althea Harper:

· She lives and works like-the-rent-is-due in New York City;

· She has 4 collections of white-hot women’s RTW under her belt;

· She’s blonde. But don’t call her that;

· She consistently kicked some serious fashion-ass on season 6 of Project Runway, and consequently Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn are in love with her (and her designs – of course;)

· She made like Beyonce last year and got her boyfriend to put a ring on it;

· Tommy Hilfiger thinks she’s a genius;

· She has 7,000-odd Facebook fans and another 2,600 followers on Twitter;

· And she’s only 25 years young.

With so many new names, faces and collections being shown every season at fashion week, it’s hard for a young designer to establish themselves in amongst the good the bad and the down-right ugly. But Althea Harper has had no problem what-so-ever in getting her fair share of the attention with her stunning designs: “I am so sick of seeing beautiful girls trying so hard to dress themselves in these unflattering ‘down town cool’ looks. With my designs I’m giving them something that they are crying out for – strong, sexy, unique clothes, but without the down town pretence and discomfort. My clothes can be worn and exist in the real world. Not just on the runway!”

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Althea Harper – AW10

Her line is priced in a refreshingly non-BS, realistic way as well – starting at the $100 mark, and peaking at $600 for the more intricate pieces. If only all of the other young-gun designers could sit up and pay attention to a woman’s needs and wants as fastidiously as she does. “A lot of the Project Runway alumni, for example, wanted to produce these super luxury O.T.T. collections, but for me it felt right to take the minimalist, contemporary sportswear approach. That’s what women need – Glamour and Function! - I wanted to cater to that very real desire.”

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Althea Harper – AW10

For her AW10 Collection Althea was inspired by the Futurist Movement: “The futurists wanted no part of the past and they didn't know what was going to happen next. That’s sort of how I feel as a young designer today. To take some control of their situation, the Futurists created these bold pieces – paintings, sculptures, buildings, monuments - and moved forward with an immense power. I took a cue from these bold shapes to frame and enhance the female form. In addition, I wanted to push this look so that it was femme fatale-like. This winter, my women are Femme Fatale Robots of the Future!”

For more details of where to buy and worship, and to purchase the latest collections via her online store, visit: www.altheaharper.com

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Website: www.altheaharper.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/althea.harper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/altheaharper

Miss Nash is a fashion insider who will each week share her opinions on what's on her mind. Miss Nash splits her time between New York and London, working as a freelance womenswear designer and fashion journalist. She aims to please, but most often succeeds in offending people. Her blog postings will alert your attention to what to avoid like the plague, what to indulge in, and maybe even educate - but always in a lighthearted manner. Miss Nash doesn't take herself too seriously - so neither should you. Follow Miss Nash on Twitter @missjnash