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Best Boston-Based Fashion Designers

When it comes to fashion, you don't have to go to New York City or Paris to find the next big designer. Boston is home to a strong fashion community filled with innovative and creative designers of its own. The city features its own annual fashion event, Boston Fashion Week, and a steady stream of local designers make the short trip down to Providence to show their latest collections at Styleweek each January and August. Whether you're looking for a well-established designer or the next big thing, Boston is a great city for fashion.

Daniela Corte
211 Newbury St., Garden Level
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 608-4778
www.danielacorte.com

Daniela Corte has taken Boston fashion by storm since she founded her self-named line in 2000. Boston Magazine has named her Best Local Designer and her work has been featured in everything from local publications like The Boston Globe to national media outlets like Sports Illustrated and Women's Wear Daily. Part of what makes her so popular is her focus on designing for every woman. Whether you need a sporty swimsuit or a red carpet gown, or everything in between, you'll find a full selection among Corte's latest collections.

Related: Boston's Best Personal Stylists And Shoppers

Marie Galvin
450 Harrison Ave., Suite 67
Boston, MA 02118
(617) 834-2910
www.galvinized-hats.com

If you thought milliners were a thing of the past, think again. Marie Galvin will make you rethink everything you think you know about hats. Her shop Galvin-ized Headwear is a fantasyland of hats, headbands and fascinators that will have you dreaming up events to wear them to. Feathers, felt, studs and sparkle take second stage to the flat-out uber-imaginative designs of Marie Galvin. The shop is located at South End Studios and is a great stop on your way to the SoWa Sunday Market.

David Chum
www.Selahdor.com

After earning his degree from the Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University, David Chum struck out on his own and created his fashion line Selahdor. The designer appeared briefly on "Project Runway" before returning to show collections at both Styleweek and Boston Fashion Week. In 2011, Chum would be the first recipient of Boston's Emerging Designer Fund, an innovative grant that helps New England fashion designers grow their business. Chum's work is clean, tailored and usually gives a nod to the designer's interest in architecture. His work can be found both online and at Suneri in Somerville, MA.

Jenne Rayburn
(617) 293-5033
www.JenneRayburn.com

Jenne Rayburn is another Boston Fashion Week participant who is one to watch. Her hand-crafted jewelry features everything from natural motifs and materials to heavily textured abstract designs. The designer's love of myth and travel is easily seen in each and every lovingly made piece. Her work can be found in galleries and boutiques in and around Boston. She also takes part in the SoWa Sunday market as well as being featured in trunk shows across the city as part of Boston Fashion Week.

Related: Boston's Best Beauty Tips From a Local Beauty Guru

Nirva Derbekyan
1628 Massachusetts Ave., Suite 5
Lexington, MA 02420
(781) 888-0515
www.nirva.com

Born in Istanbul, of Armenian descent and a former resident of Canada and London, Nirva Derbkyan's designs pull from all of her diverse travels. She graduated from Mass College of Art with a degree in fashion design and has won the fashion award for excellence twice in her career. Her designs are beautifully tailored, very wearable and oh so fashionable. You can find her latest designs at her Lexington Atelier or at Gretta Luxe in Wellesley, MA or Stil Studio in Dedham, MA

Renee Mallett is the author of several books about art, culture, and New England. She was the owner and director of an art gallery and has written about arts and entertainment on a national level for several print and online journals. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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