Friday, March 23

Label: CHRIS BENZ
Experience: Recently featured by Forbes Magazine '30 Under 30' for Art & Design, graduated from Parsons The New School for Design, interned with Marc Jacobs, worked with J.Crew as designer of dresses and special occasion, recipient of the CFDA 2004 Emerging Designer Award recipient
Awards: CFDA 2004 Emerging Designer Award recipient
Website:www.chris-benz.com
Facebook:CHRIS BENZ
Twitter: cmbenz, CHRISBENZgirl

Anyone who sports hot pink hair and describes his newest line as “inspired by Andy Warhol’s superstars go to Coney Island, with a nod to candy kids” must be a colorful character. And Chris Benz’s Spring 2012 show promises to be just as compelling.

The New York-based creative, who also enjoys interior design in his spare time, has become known for easy and elegant sportswear pieces that mesh patterns, textures, and vivid hues with refined tailoring and innovative proportions. Marked by lime green, neon pink, and sherbet orange punching up ’60s-inspired prints and color-blocked designs, this runway presentation will surely be deemed “pop” art.
 
Meet Chris:

Believe it or not, I get inspiration from hotels and restaurants.
 
My proudest and craziest moment in the fashion business was when I started my own collection.
 
My inspiration wall is filled with vintage photography.
 
When I work, I listen to NPR in the morning and jazz in the afternoon. I prefer to work to music without lyrics.