NEW YORK, Aug 28, 2014/ — A quintessential New Yorker, it’s not surprising that Carmen Marc Valvo’s favorite place in the city is Central Park, which he sees as the heart of the city. “What foresight to have built such an amazing public space before the city was built around it”, Carmen said.
But, you will seldom see Carmen Marc Valvo at Central Park. You have a better chance of catching him at his atelier at Seventh Avenue where he designs his collections and also run his fashion business empire.
With the Carmen Marc Valvo label now comprised of Couture, Black Label, White Label, Carmen, Swim, Eyewear and Footwear, it is hard to imagine that it all began in 1989 with a small collection Carmen designed and personally presented to department and specialty stores during the Fall New York Market Week. (There was no New York Fashion Week during that time.)
Even in his debut collection, fashion’s high street took notice. Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus immediately bought Carmen’s gown and thus, the Carmen Marc Valvo label was born!
A graduate of Parsons School of Design, Carmen Marc Valvo honed his design skills at Bill Atkinson, Nina Ricci and Christian Dior before launching his own label. With his total immersion in haute couture while working his Paris, Carmen developed a keen eye for subtle detail.
Add that to his penchant for beautiful fabrication and always aiming for a perfect cut and fit for everything he creates, Carmen Marc Valvo’s success as a designer was never in doubt.
Yet, on a personal level, it was not until one of his gowns made the cover of Women’s Wear Daily that Carmen felt he had arrived. That same feeling came back when one of his gowns was worn on the red carpet at the Academy Awards.
Of course, to his fans, Carmen Marc Valvo is a bona fide Seventh Avenue success story from day one. Still, it is good to be validated by the fashion industry bible. The glitterati did that too in their own glamorous way by just wearing his gowns.
Speaking of the glitterati, one of their all time favorites is the shutter pleated gown, which by the way, is considered one of Carmen Marc Valvo’s iconic looks. As already mentioned, evening gowns have always been Carmen’s pièce de résistance.
Hence, it’s not surprising that Carmen’s beaded gowns and those created in sumptuous satin are also favorites of the social sets from coast to coast, be it Fifth Avenue, Highland Park or Malibu. Carmen continues to create magic with a bias cut in yards of chiffon, making these gowns highly covetable.
Still, for career girls and young urban professionals, the sheath dress in double face wool, Carmen’s interpretation of the Little Black Dress is just to die for. But, truth be known, the sheath dress in any color is a fashionista must-have!
This year – 2014 and the Spring 2015 season, Carmen Marc Valvo celebrates his biggest accomplishment to date – the 25th anniversary of his brand.
When asked how he feels about this milestone, he immediately answered, “It’s exhilarating! I can’t believe it’s been 25 years. It feels like it was just yesterday that I started but I’m filled with a sense of rejuvenation and I can’t wait to see what the next 25 years holds.”
Carmen Marc Valvo will present his 25th Anniversary Collection on Friday, September 5, 2014 at the Lincoln Center during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.
Congratulations on your 25th Anniversary Carmen Marc Valvo!
[MARI DAVIS]
Photos courtesy of Carmen Marc Valvo
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