One to Watch: The Next Big Thing

Knowing what is next before it has happened is the key to being on the cutting edge of fashion.
It is what up-and-comer Christoper John Rogers has done and been influenced by, but more
importantly, where he is going that makes him such a historical attribute to the fashion industry.
His classical training coupled with his so very current visions and intentional off the wall-ness
surely makes Rogers unique beyond comparison.
Born and raised in Louisiana, graduating from Savannah College of Art and Design, and now
working out of a studio in New York City, Rogers’ designs are more immediate, more present,
and more whacky than anything a runway has seen previously. Rogers was, and continues to
be an artist to watch, and following his win of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund in 2019 and the
$400,000 that came with it, he and his designs really pushed their way onto the “ones to watch”
lists. Rogers consistently creates styles that are so true and quick and seem to lack traditional
thought, per se, but have so much life and passion and color and personality in them that they
are simply irresistible and impossible to miss or ignore, for that matter.
Currently only technically producing womenswear, Rogers’ lines are not and have not been for
women only; they promote androgyny and are popular in the world of drag. Simply put, Rogers
is putting his own current spin on classics. And while the term “millennial” is really annoying and
stale at times, he does bring that awareness and tenacity of the millennial era to his work.
Despite being known enough in the niche world of fashion, when he dressed Lil Nas at the 2019
American Music Awards in an electric green, two piece suit worn atop of a zebra bodysuit, he
turned down a new street of fame. It seemed that contrary to the way many designers create
for celebrities, that is, to find a celebrity that fits their design elements and inspiration, Rogers
molds his talent and energy and inspiration to fit the style and the personality of the client; we
saw this with Lil Nas’ immediately iconic red carpet look.
As Rogers continues to change the faces and looks of current fashion, he also has goals of
producing menswear, but, in typical Rogers fashion, it will be anything but. We can imagine that
Rogers’ menswear will mirror the womenswear collections he has come to be known for,
complete with vibrant colors, fierce angles, and an almost complete lack of gender identities
assigned to collections, despite them having the names menswear and womenswear.
As of late, Rogers is a recent addition of Net-A-Porter’s Vanguard Initiative, a program that
looks to champion the “next wave of emerging designers,” according to the e-fashion mogul.
This opportunity is important for Rogers and the legacy he is creating in many ways: not only
will his pieces be more accessible, but also they will reach a wider audience simply through the
power of search and the Internet as a whole.

Despite being a newer addition to the world of fashion and couture, there is something
immensely special about Christopher John Rogers. In an age where statement pieces seem to
be shrouded by street style and comfort pieces, Rogers is reinventing how and why statement
pieces are worn and consumed, and if the world of fashion is not now, they will surely be
thankful for his contributions in the future.

By: Emily Goldberg