For the third edition of the Annual OUT Fashion Vanguard Awards, OUT Magazine threw a party New York style. Held on Wednesday, July 25 at Stir 37, the event presented by Lexus was hosted by OUT Magazine Fashion and Market Editor., Michael Cook.

The competition objective is to find talented designers on the cutting edge of fashion. Oh boy, and did we see innovation! From the avant-garde street style pieces from Kevin Jaedon (former Nasty Pig designer) to the playful way of using sheer fabrics by Kris Harring, not to mention the astonishing designs of Grayling Purnell.

The diverse list of LGBTQ designer contestants were to incorporated Lexus’ design pillars: imagination, craftsmanship, human-minded into their mini-collections. And they showed those to New York finest and a panel of judges including Parke Lutter and Ronen Jehezkel of Parke & Ronen, OUT Editor in Chief Aaron Hicklin and journalist Cynthia Tenhouse of Lexus

At the end of the evening, designer Kris Harring was announced the winner. She will go now under a six-week mentorship to design a capsule collection for Parke & Ronen, to will be featured in an upcoming issue of OUT.

When asked why she should be OUT next Fashion Vanguard, she said, “The future of fashion is fluent, just like me. I’m just glad to be part of the conversation.”



Besides the runway show from the contestants, guests – including actor Nik Dodani, artist Pissy Pussy, OUT Managing Editor R. Kurt Osenlund, drag queen Marti Cummings, blogger Everett Williams and yours truly, were able to admire Lexus’ most chic vehicles on display and the dance to the beat of the music of DJ Soda Pop.
Without a doubt, the 2018 Fashion Vanguard Awards was one of those New York parties that reminded me of how much I miss the city. Therefore, I was thrilled to be there.
Photos Wilsonmodels
What do you think of the winner designs? Sound off in the comments!
Jorge Gallegos
Not just a pretty face
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