Lee Suckling: Five young guns killing it in fashion

These Gen Y designers, bloggers, and influencers are killing it in fashion in their own way right now. Photos / Instagram, Getty Images, Twitter

Though the famous Anna Wintour documentary would have us believe otherwise, September isn't actually the single most important month in international fashion. Yes, it's when every world fashion capital holds its Spring/Summer showings for the following year, but these collections are sometimes seen as less important and lucrative than the Autumn/Winter collections presented in January/February.

Nevertheless, what is on the runways this month will pave the way for the warm-weather trends that will walk the streets in the coming year, before being turned into cerulean numbers in bargain bins (thanks Miranda Priestly for that analogy).

However, in 2014, not everything in fashion comes from the old hats. It's not necessarily the Ralphs and the Donatellas who have all the power and prowess anymore: Gen Y designers, bloggers, and influencers are killing it in fashion in their own way right now. You might have never heard of them, but it won't be long before their efforts are making an impression on you, too.

Sean Kelly

Season 13 of Project Runway hasn't yet reached our screens, but formerly Wellington-based Sean Kelly, originally from Hawera, is dominating in New York City as a contestant on the show. Sean stands out on Project Runway in an unconventional way: he's not a loud or ratings-hungry personality, but shines only at the end of every episode with his spectacularly-cut designs.

Kiwi designer Sean Kelly.

Recently, his blue-and-black fringe dress was worn by Heidi Klum to the Creative Arts Emmy Awards; a coup for any Project Runway contestant, let alone a boy from The Naki. Sean has already interned with Alexander McQueen and may well be a Karen Walker/Kate Sylvester-esque international name in a matter of years.

Heidi Klum wears a Sean Kelly-designed dress to the Creative Arts Emmy Awards. Photo / Getty Images

Kiel James Patrick

Kiel James Patrick and his fiancee Sarah. Photo / Instagram.com/kjp

Huddled up in a small town in uber-preppy Rhode Island, USA, is accessories designer Kiel James Patrick and his fiancee Sarah Vickers. Importantly, Kiel and Sarah have taken a page out of the books of their high fashion predecessors: in order to sell your product, you need to create a lifestyle, not just a retail experience. A classy couple to watch, the pair have cultivated the Kiel James Patrick brand wholly by Instagrammable social media activity, heralded by their Gatsby-like blogs Azimuth Circle and Classy Girls Wear Pearls. Kiel's range of nautical styled bracelets (for men and women) have been picked up by Brooks Brothers, and he has expanded his brand into neckties, belts, shirts, and most recently, pearls.

Ashley Madekwe

You may be likely to recognise Ashley Madekwe as an actress on TV's Revenge, but she also moonlights as a personal stylist. LA-based Londoner Ashley is big on combining high fashion items with low-cost gems (à la Duchess of Cambridge), and her blog Ring My Bell shows budding young fashionistas how to combine Jimmy Choo with Topshop for ultimate sartorial success. Like many blogger-cum-stylists out there, Ashley is probably paid oodles to endorse the "right" products, but that doesn't stop her from putting together a damn good show.

One of Ashley Madekwe's looks featured on her Instagram and blog:

Alexander Liang

Editor-in-chief of the magazine KENTON, Canadian Alexander Liang is a driving force in international "holiday style", making him a perfect Gen Y-er to watch as the New Zealand weather warms up. Alexander has worked in fashion styling both for The New York Times and men's mag Details, and is now killing it on his own as a fashion marketer. He's also a vocal advocate for bloggers and the sea change they have encouraged in the commercial fashion industry. This year alone, Alexander has also been photographed for street style sections of over 40 magazines and websites.

Meeting the Danish Royals, Prince Frederik and Princess Mary today!
Wearing @madeclothingco... http://t.co/8UTeI8VO5L pic.twitter.com/Fau62ZNOoz

— Alexander Liang (@alexanderkenton) September 18, 2014

Becca McCharen

Designer Becca McCharen. Photo / Getty Images

Beyonce and her dancers wear Chromat lingerie during the MTV Video Music Awards. Photo / Getty Images

Becca McCharen is revolutionising fashion in multiple ways. Firstly, the young designer's aesthetic makes lingerie styling acceptable as outerwear, which is no mean feat for those who don't want to end up looking like Kim K on the dry-cleaning run. Secondly, she has been backed by the likes of Beyonce, Nicki Minaj and Jessica Chastain, with her complexly-constructed garments worn on stages and red carpets the world over. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, her designs are not only made in plus sizes, but walked down the runway by super curvy women - who look just as, if not more sexy, than their slim counterparts.

Be the first. Pre-order your #3DPrinted Bra straight from the #CHROMAT SS15 Runway at http://t.co/UTOv2hUran pic.twitter.com/ZmRT8bqF6Q

— chromat_party (@CHROMAT_PARTY) September 22, 2014