Ecco Domani® Wines of Italy Announces Winners of 2014 Fashion Week Grant

MODESTO, Calif., Jan. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Ecco Domani^® Wines of Italy announces today the three recipients of the 2014 Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation awards: DEGEN, NOVIS and Timo Weiland. Each winner, selected from a pool of up-and-coming designers, receives a $25,000 grant to help showcase their style on the most sought-after runway: New York's Fall 2014 Fashion Week.

Now in its 13^th season, the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation has awarded $1.8 million in support of emerging designers, and helped to launch the careers of many of today's best and brightest fashion stars, including Zac Posen, Derek Lam, Proenza Schouler, Rodarte, Alexander Wang, Joseph Altuzarra and Prabal Gurung.

Embodying the idea that good taste is always in style, Ecco Domani wines are crafted to add a special touch to the everyday. With bright fruit flavors and fresh, approachable wines, Ecco Domani is an effortless complement to any occasion. To celebrate this fusion of good taste in wine and style, Ecco Domani created the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation. The Foundation celebrates this notion of style where little things—just as much as grand gestures—make all the difference. This year's winners each reflect that unique attention to detail from hand-knitwear to hidden seams and re-interpreted vintage prints.

"Through the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation, we are able to support talented fashion designers who are committed to celebrating style every day," said Courtney O'Brien, Director of Marketing for Ecco Domani Wines of Italy. "Today, we are proud to raise a glass to this year's award recipients and welcome them into the exclusive group of Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation alumni."

"The Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation is one of the first and one of the most coveted emerging designer awards programs in the fashion industry," said Marylou Luther, Editor of The International Fashion Syndicate and a judge for the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation. "This year's winners represent an exciting blend of backgrounds, influences and approaches that highlight the promise of today's young designers and complement an already impressive list of winners. The words Ecco Domani are the perfect metaphor for what these awards represent to the American fashion industry literally and figuratively—here's tomorrow!"

ABOUT THE 2014 DESIGNERS

DEGEN – Women's Design
Designer Lindsay Degen began creating her quirky knits at the age of three when her grandmother gave her a set of knitting needles and taught her how to stitch. In pursuit of mastering her skill set, Lindsay attended the Rhode Island School of Design, where she studied under knit master Liz Collins. After graduating Degen moved to New York City to create her crafty, concept-based collections under the namesake DEGEN.

In February 2012, Lindsay launched her first full Ready-to-Wear collection that included sweaters, dresses, leggings, and even shoes. The collection, titled ASK TELL, garnered rave reviews and solidified DEGEN as an up-and-coming designer in the New York scene.

For her Spring 2013 collection, DEGEN was tapped by iconic American sneaker brand Converse to create custom platform shoes inspired by children's roller-skates. The collaboration received critical acclaim and marked the beginning of a series of successful collaborations for the brand including partnerships with VPL, Suzanne Rae, Todd Selby, GERLAN and Victoria's Secret.

After establishing herself as a top designer in the contemporary knitwear scene DEGEN set out to conquer another key market – baby apparel. In the summer of 2013 babyDEGEN made its debut and was both a critical and commercial success. The line features separates, onesies and accessories made from the softest and most durable fabrics incorporating the same cheeky aesthetic the designer has become known for.

DEGEN's innovative and crafty approach to design has marked her as a designer to watch – one who is constantly cultivating excitement through her quirky and unique creations. DEGEN currently resides in Brooklyn where all of her pieces are conceptualized and brought to life.

NOVIS – Women's Design
Jordana Warmflash is an old soul who embraced fashion at a young age – her unique blend of uptown and downtown sensibilities reflects her upbringing amidst the cultural vibrancy of New York City.

When Jordana was 14, her mother sparked her love of craftsmanship by teaching her to sew on her family's old sewing machine. Jordana's passion for the design and architecture of clothing matured during her time at Washington University in St. Louis, and her early career at Zac Posen, Peter Som, and Alice + Olivia.

In 2012, Jordana launched NOVIS, which celebrates her whimsical and irreverent approach to elegance. The name NOVIS is an homage to Jordana's grandmother, Gwen Novis Warmflash. Jordana is inspired by a refined and courageous woman who, like her grandmother, is confident in her own eccentricities.

Jordana has long been devoted to constructing the perfect dress. Her garments are timeless, impeccably detailed and untouched by trend. NOVIS is defined by precisely tailored silhouettes and luxurious textures that call out to be touched, and worn with a wink.

Timo Weiland – Men's Design
Born in rural Nebraska and raised between Jacksonville, Florida and New York City, Timo Weiland expressed an early interest in fashion from his upbringing in urban and pastoral environments. Training from his mother at an early age in sewing coupled with an understanding of fabric, led to his eventual design pursuits.

Alan Eckstein was born and raised in Great Neck, New York, where he was immersed in music and art and supported by a close relationship with his grandmother who is a successful interior designer in Manhattan.

Donna Kang was born and raised in Vancouver, BC Canada. She was a mover-and-shaker in the nightlife, music, and fashion scene in central Vancouver before moving to New York City to study at Fashion Institute of Technology.  

Timo graduated from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee and then worked in corporate investment banking for Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc. in New York. Alan attended Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and interned for ADAM by Adam Lippes for two years where he met Donna. After internships and freelance positions in the fashion industry, Alan and Timo met and quickly developed a compelling dialogue, which ultimately led to a design partnership. Donna worked at Carolina Herrera for two years before joining the team full-time.

Timo and Alan's mutual interest in European history, travel, and underground music as well as a shared flair for dapper dressing promoted an engaging creative exchange. Debuting their first men's and women's ready-to-wear collection for Spring-Summer 2010, the collection firmly established their romantic, yet modern edge to dandy downtown dressing. Based in and inspired by New York City, the Timo Weiland collection reflects Timo, Alan, and Donna's personal aesthetic sensibilities and a broader desire to spur a return to the art of dressing.

Visit www.eccodomani.com for more information and to see a complete list of Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation alumni.

ABOUT ECCO DOMANI
Ecco Domani wines embody the stylish, contemporary side of Northern Italy. A perfect partner to a wide range of foods, Ecco Domani wines offer bright fruit flavors and a fresh, approachable style. These wines are a go-to choice for savvy hosts who want to celebrate the everyday. Beyond the wine glass, Ecco Domani supports up-and-coming designers through the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation. To learn more about Ecco Domani Wines, visit our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/eccodomani.

SOURCE Ecco Domani