On Wednesday, Dec. 12, the Council for Fashion Designers of America strutted into Atlanta. Better known as the CFDA {Fashion Incubator}, this elite group of up-and-coming fashion designers presented a showcase for Southern style-makers.

W Atlanta – Buckhead was proud to host the runway and a gracious team of hosts – Laura Walker Baird, Patti Dickey, Morgan Henzlik, Tian Justman, Jada Loveless, Ginger Lum, Jason Moattar, Nikole Morrow Pettus and Robby Vann – provided a day filled with style. The morning began with an exclusive meet-and-mentor breakfast with CFDA representatives, designers and Savannah College of Art & Design students. In the great spirit of mentorship, the CFDA designers provided advice to SCAD artists before attending a private luncheon and fashion show at the W. That night, the designers joined media and local taste-makers on the rooftop at Whiskey Blue to celebrate and showcase their latest collections.

The CFDA {Fashion Incubator} group & their Atlanta hosts

The CFDA Business Mentor Roopal Patel (an executive for exclusive brands such as Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman) wasn’t the only fashion coach in attendance. Mycheal Knight from Project Runway fame and a true Southern gentleman was there to support the emerging artists, especially Project Runway Season 2 finalist and All-Star Champion Daniel Vosovic

Vosovic is one of four of CFDA’s newest rising designers also including Burkman Brothers, Emanuela Duca, and Whitney Pozgay of WHIT. This event was the first in the country and was the official launch of the national partnership between W Hotels Worldwide and the CFDA.

Models Javis Williams, Caleb Callahan, Aj Dunbar, Frankie C & Fred Townsend outfitted by Burkman Brothers

Kudos must be given to Allied Public Relations and the W-Hotels marketing team who flew in from New York to aid in the stylish event. They even thought to source local up-and-coming young talent to model the designs from Factor-Atlanta.

The next stop for the CFDA {Fashion Incubator} will be heading to Los Angeles for another showcase. W-Hotels is a proud new supporter of the program and even providing the Incubator designers an all-expenses-paid stay to one of the W Hotels’ 42 worldwide locations to serve as inspiration for their upcoming collection. And for your own inspiration, dear readers, here are more photos from the fabulous Atlanta event.

The gorgeous Jamila Heard Lisbon showcasing a design.

Handsome, hunky, Southern gents from Factor Atlanta: Fred Townsend & Caleb Callahan.

The beautiful Anna Salzillo in a Daniel Vosovic design.

Whitney Pozgay with her Atlanta Factor Women: Kursten Berry, Catherine Hawkins, Anna Salzillo, Hannah Johnson, Kristen Curry & Jamila Heard Lisbon.

The CFDA {Fashion Incubator} party at Whiskey Blue

For more information, check out the Fashion Incubator website and follow Whiskey Blue on Twitter and the W Atlanta – Buckhead on Facebook for upcoming events.