NYFW: Angel Sanchez Ready to Step in Fashion Fray

After 25 years, designer Angel Sanchez says he’s ready to step into the center of the fashion fray. Re-invigorated after his two-season stint as judge on the LatAm Project Runway, Sanchez will present his Spring/Summer 2013 collection at  Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week--the Venezuelan born designer says this moment is the evolution of his brand.

The collection is called Flowers and Satellites. He describes his concept as managing the ever-present balance between delicate and angular. The architect in Sanchez emerges strongly, after many years working in residential design before his fashion career took center stage, Sanchez says he plans to use graphic patterns and clean lines, mixed with soft and sensual fabrics, working together to represent the feminine complexity of women.

I’m known for my evening wear and my bridal, but I want people to see my work in a different way. I want to be seen simply as a designer.

— Angel Sanchez

Sanchez will also be collaborating with Venezuelan sculpture artist Rafael Barrios. The artist will be designing and building many of the accessories, as well as a centerpiece for Sanchez’s show—translating the experience of his famed 1,200 pound stainless steel sculptures, recently erected along Park Avenue in New York, and originally exhibited at the ArtMiami fair in 1994.

Sanchez says he feels that in the last eight to ten years there’s been an increased acceptance of the artist and fashion designer collaboration. An example he refers to is the Metropolitan’s Spring 2012 Costume Institute exhibition, Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations, exploring the striking affinities between Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada.

Sanchez says of the television show Project Runway Latin America, which rumor has it will next season be filming in Mexico City: “It has helped the fashion industry a lot. If I were a young designer I would want to be apart of this show. It’s a wonderful platform. There was nothing like this when I started out.”

Sold in luxury stores like Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, and Saks Fifth Avenue in the United States, Sanchez’s clothing can also be found in Frattina in Mexico City, Al Ostoura in Kuwait, Bellisima & Novarese in Japan, and Novia in Korea.    

A celeb favorite for many years, he’s dressed Salma Hayek, Taylor Swift, Giselle Bundchen, Beyonce, Iman, Eva Longoria, Sandra Bullock, Brooke Shields, and Elizabeth Hurley.

Sanchez will be showing his S/S 2013 collection at Lincoln Center in the Box Theater via a presentation style versus a runway show. He says that showing during NYFW is a completely different energy compared to showing your clothing in a showroom.

“You feel you have to be more modern, more in line with trends presenting at this time.”

And he said he known for more than just high glamour.

“I’m known for my eveningwear and my bridal, but I want people to see my work in a different way,” he said. “I want to be seen simply as a designer.”