Savannah Wyatt: Headgear's Warrior Princess

By Nicole FINK

New York Editor

As fashion newbies begin to emerge on the scene, it appears that they usher in either a resurgence of energy and new blood, or sometimes, they simply follow suit and learn the tricks of the trade from the so-called, big boys, in the elite circle pool. Many delve straight into the world of clothing design and bypass a little tidbit called the accessory.

As for money matters, Hermes has shown that the house can defy recession odds and increase sales 8.5%, while McQueen's armadillo heels and wing - embroidered platforms have all the press buzzing. It seems that a petite, soft-spoken, Southern belle named Savannah Wyatt may just be defying the stereotypical odds.

The epic begins with being raised in a rural town in North Carolina, sculpting her craft at SCAD in down-home Georgia, to now handcrafting her one-of-a-kind, limited head-pieces in her apartment in the gritty surroundings of Bushwick, Brooklyn.

Her designs scream ancient Egypt and Mayan tribes set on the backdrop of a Federico Fellini film to the soul sounds of Nina Simone clashing with daft punk.

At 24 years of age, Savannah Wyatt has produced a staggered theme of contrasts that parallels her own persona. She takes on the world of accessories. Yes, it is true, that it is more cost effective for a designer to begin his or her journey with accessories, but this is also an innate vision that is within Savannah's constantly, ticking brain.

Now it is not simply the consumer's accessory norm of bags, shoes, or throw in a belt or bracelet for good measure; she takes a leap and creates a 13-piece headpiece collection (WARNING: do not call hats) to which she entitles, Black as Black.

She has the mind of an artist and humanitarian with the creativity and design elements that draws the fashion conscious to Mugler, Margiela, and Gaultier with the new-wave, Savannah Wyatt aesthetic. She creates a story that is a fusion of the Dark Ages with heavenly light and beauty that evokes a religious iconography linked to a bold, animalistic sexual liaison. Each piece sets the stage for the on-going trends that are featured in editorial print in Vogue and WWD, while she gets her point of view exposed to the world. The pieces are not only masterly crafted by Savannah's hands, but convey a statement of world meltdown that showcases mankind and societal standards, such as is depicted in her spiked crown of thorns or warrior flapper with fringe detail work.

Savannah Wyatt is fashion's new warrior princess. Lady Gaga and her Bad Romance video have taken notice of her sculptural elements and Rihanna also seems to be smitten with her untamed, classism. Notjustalabel.com cannot seem to get enough of Ms. Wyatt, but I say go direct to her website - www.savannahwyatt.com - to be engulfed in this new fashion titan's ingenuity.

Do not simply enter the site . . . allow the video to lure you into this uncharted title wave.