The new fashion season is upon us, and we’re eager to see what Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York will reveal for Fall/Winter 2013-4. With SS13 dominated by prints, we expect the trend to trickle into this next season with designers including menswear favourite, Andrea Pompilio, flaunting playful whimsy on the runway at January’s Pitti Immagine Uomo by way of lively printed pants, and labels such as HUGO by Hugo Boss showing off psychedelic designs from their womenswear collection at Berlin Fashion Week. Be it tartans, stripes, paisley, quilting or tweeds, it seems a patterned effect is destined to markup the runway this NYFW.

While of course we have big love for the quintessential NYFW designers like Zac Posen, Calvin Klein and Marchesa, we’re curious to see what this year’s fresh crop of designers have envisioned for the Fall/Winter fashion season. Below, the scoop on both our top pick for up and coming menswear and womenswear designer, along with a peek at their SS13 collections. From what we’ve seen of these two talents so far, we recommend keeping an eye out for them this NYFW.

If her history as the former Head of Womenswear and Apparel Design at J. Crew doesn’t give you a sense of the easy sophistication designer Marissa Webb is capable of creating, then the official launch of her eponymous label this NYFW is sure to convince you of it.

Having honed her skill for hip takes on classic womenswear while at J.Crew, Webb is now pouring her talents into her own label, and announcing her status as a designer who understands the beauty of pairing the soft with the structured. Feminine graces infuses her SS13 line, which we can only hope carries on through her Fall/Winter 2013-4 vision. Similarly, the designer’s insert of masculine touches found in tailored pant suits paired with slim debonair ties, is a variety of detail we’d like to see more of.

Predicting she will continue beautifully bridging the gap between contrasting materials and aesthetics, we look forward to seeing the Fall/Winter incarnation of Webb’s ultra feminine looks defined by tomboy twists here and there.

If we’re to trust the good taste of Barney’s, it would seem menswear designer Tim Coppens’ is one worth keeping tabs on. Launched in the Fall of 2011, Coppens’ line was instantly scooped up by the luxury department store, and shortly after impressively hopped over into international markets. A must-watch new talent, we’re far from the first to dub Coppens’ star on the rise, the designer is the 2013 recipient of the Fashion Group International Menswear Rising Star Award.

The casual modernity of the designer’s pieces speak for themselves; simple with geometric color blocking, each piece also wears the subtly of detail found in the juxtaposition of materials that add rich texture. See the designer’s bomber jacket for example, a signature piece that is sure to be back this Fall/Winter season.

Coppens is menswear label for the man’s man: a man as comfortable in the great outdoors, as he is in the city amongst trendsetters. With the designer’s NYFW runway date fast approaching, our anticipation peaks.

Published February 6, 2013