JOSÉ DURÁN

Fashion designer José Durán is one of New York’s most distinctive young artists. The designs from Durán’s collections are inspired by a church massacre in the designer’s hometown during the Haitian Revolution. Durán’s creations combine artificial structures with vibrantly coloured satins and wool crepes to create a powerful ready-to-wear collection. Durán has designed clothes for Amanda Lepore’s appearances at Radio City Music Hall and this summer’s gay pride parade, and he is especially eager to have the fashion icon model this collection. Calling Lepore a “work of art,” he sees her as the perfect model for styles designed for audacious, no-holds-barred women. Durán tells NJAL: “Born and raised in the Dominican Republic, I moved to the Bronx, NY, at the age of 15. After finishing high school, I went out to school to study international relations. After three years I decided to change my path and go to fashion school. I attended the Katherine Gibbs School in NYC for my fashion and merchandise degree. I always considered fashion as a way of expressing myself, a way to tell a story and let people know of important events in the past. I always believe in finding the beautiful side of non-appealing objects, stories and personalities.”