Introducing: Isaiah Garza

As I was waiting somewhat impatiently for the Tadashi Shoji show to start back at NYFW, pretending to check my non-email on my non-iPhone as wielding the O2-serviced device transatlantic is about as reasonable as a pair of Balmain jeans, a plucky young designer from L.A. plunked down into the vacant front row seat beside me, leaned over in that candid California way and said, "that's Ron Jeremy over there in the second row." "How do you know?" I asked, craning my neck to see beyond the small cloud of snapping paps. "Because I was at a swingers party in L.A. the other week and he was there. I'm Isaiah." Well, hello, nice to meet you.

As one does, on the subject of legendary porn stars making second row cameos at fashion weeks, we were soon chatting away like old friends and I made him promise to send me through some of his designs. So today I would like to introduce you to Isaih Garza, FIDM (i.e. the Parson's of L.A.) alumnus and young American accessories designer to watch.

Isaiah's road to FIDM was not an easy one. Born and raised in the small town of Yakima, Isaiah had a complicated family life, suffered a near fatal car accident and was even homeless at one point. Something of a microcosm of the American dream, Isaiah, determined to pursue his dream of sending elegant looks traipsing down long, white runways, moved to L.A. with $100 in his pocket at the age of 19 only to land a sponsorship from Cotton Inc. He also was recently awarded a healthy sum of $10,000 from said sponsors upon winning a design competition with his wedding collection inspired by 18th century Yupiks, a Native American tribe from Alaska. Miss Alaska USA 2008 herself modeled the collection.

Isaiah's range of feathered hair accessories have just been shot for a three page feature in this month's Belle Amoire Magainze and have earned him a spot on the runway at L.A.'s Accessories Fashion Week.

Isaiah Garza (right)

"One of the key aspects behind everything I design either it be a gown or an accessory piece is my thought process behind it all. I've never just designed something to design something. Everything I ever put together is thought out in many ways especially from a marketing perspective.

The first time I designed a mini collection I didnt sketch anything for about a month into the process. I used the first month doing nothing but research behind the line, researching colors, their history, culture, economy, and costume history. I think thats what makes my work unique. I feel like Ive been held back from expressing myself creatively in the past few years but now I finally have the opportunity to show what I can do.

I've been waiting for this moment my whole life, its very exiting! My designs are always inspired by something that makes me smile. I have an obsession with beautiful things."

Isaiah's designs at L.A. Accessories Fashion Week

One of Isaiah's designs (left); Miss Alaska models Isaiah's bridal (right)

Spreads from Isaiah's Belle Armoire editorial