New York Fashion Week 2014: 7 Designers to Watch

These designers are known for their knack for innovation.

David Tlale (February 15) - With an undeniable gift for showmanship and elaborate designs, David Tlale became the first South African designer to premiere a solo showcase at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in September 2012. His unpredictable use and understanding of color, fabric and texture has earned his brand a wave of exposure and awards, including the 2009 Africa Fashion Awards’ Fashion Designer of the Year. Our guess is that his Spring 2015 collection will live at the intersection of daring and elegant. (Photo: Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz)

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David Tlale (February 15) - With an undeniable gift for showmanship and elaborate designs, David Tlale became the first South African designer to premiere a solo showcase at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in September 2012. His unpredictable use and understanding of color, fabric and texture has earned his brand a wave of exposure and awards, including the 2009 Africa Fashion Awards’ Fashion Designer of the Year. Our guess is that his Spring 2015 collection will live at the intersection of daring and elegant. (Photo: Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz)

B Michael (February 18) - Not many fashion designers can call high-profile celebrities like Beyoncé and Cicely Tyson fans, but former Wall Street executive B. Michael is not your average designer. His b Michael AMERICA couture and ready-to-wear collections are known around the globe. We can’t wait to see the new yet timeless looks that the African-American designer has prepared for the upcoming season. (Photo: Fernanda Calfat/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz)

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B Michael

Michael Costello (February 17) - Celebrity clientele, soft draping and sex appeal have made Michael Costello’s brand a red carpet staple. Whether you're drooling over your favorite actress’s Oscar dress or ogling a top songstress’s Grammy frock, there’s a good chance that this Project Runway alum designed it. (Photo: Brian Ach/Getty Images)

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Michael Costello

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Tracy Reese

LaQuan Smith (February 18) - When you’ve got bad gal Rihanna and envelope-pusher Nicki Minaj rocking your designs, you know you’ve done something very right. Meet LaQuan Smith. Known for featuring anything from pony fur to PVC, this young designer’s garments exude eccentricity, boldness and sexuality, which explains why famous fashion rebels have taken to wearing them. (Photo: Desiree Navarro/Getty Images)

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LaQuan Smith

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David Tlale

Dom Streeter (February 13) - Don’t be fooled by her petite stature. Project Runway season 12 winner Dom Streeter packs quite the punch with her use of vivid colors, graphic prints and contemporary tailoring. Shortly after making history as the show’s first African-American winner, the young designer successfully showed her first collection at New York Fashion Week last February. We’re betting that Streeter’s penchant for '50s and '60s silhouettes will play a role in her upcoming collection. (Photo: Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images)

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Dom Streeter