10 Designers Who Should Be on the Fashion Week Schedule

Donna...Calvin...Ralph...Carolina...we all know - and know what to expect from - the single-named New York fashion mafia, but how inspiring is that? Instead, why not forgo the Usual Fashion Week Suspects in favor of some indie adventure off the beaten path. Here are The L Magazine's picks for the 10 designers you really should know about:

BODKIN Founded by designer Samantha Pleet & fashion writer Eviana Hartman (Nylon; Teen Vogue), they received the first Ecco Domani sustainability award for their sexy take on stylish eco chic. "It's about what I think would be a good thing to throw on and live in," Hartman recently told The L Magazine," working within the array of sustainable fabrics I'm able to find." Must-haves include mesh dresses, skirts crafted from recycled plastic bottles, and silk thread loomed by hand in a silk mill which not only doesn't kill the worms, but was blessed by the Dalai Lama. BodkinBrooklyn.com

SUNDAY'S BEST Based in Brooklyn, Sophia Keleta and Samira Chung troll a variety of cultures for inspiration - including Sophia's roots in Eritrea and Pakistan Samira's childhood in Equitorial Guinea - as well as influences such as eastern patterns, heirlooms, vintage textiles, and Persian tapestries, crafting delicate (but not precious) pieces featuring intricate shapes, patterns and cut-out details in gold, oxidized silver, bronze and vermeil, along with wood, rope and silk ribbon. SundaysBestJewelry.com

JEFFREY MONTEIRO Inspired by the contrasts of masculine and feminine, the Australian-born former costume designer - who worked at both Derek Lam and Tod's - modernizes nostalgic references into draped and tailored pieces with distinctive details. JeffreyMonteiro.com

ETTEN ELLER Taking the innards of watches, designer Christina Bloom incorporates delicate gold chains for an effect that is elegant, but still thought-provoking. EttenEller.com (photo: hejfina.com)

EDELWEISS BY SARAH A touch Old Hollywood Glamour but still wearably modern, Sarah Seilbach's vision of retro'ish jumpsuits and dresses was honed during internships and stints at Vena Cava, Maggie Norris Couture, and Elise Overland. And the teutonic name? A nod to her own German heritage. EdelweissBySarah.com

MCS DESIGN Combine a stylish Argentinian childhood, eye for vintage, and globetrotting background as a NYC stylist. The result: Mara Carrizo Scalise's handcrafted line of timeless gold jewelry. "In the tradition of the amulet, which is an object that is intended to bring good luck and protection to the owner," Mara hopes her pieces, and the energy they possess, will be passed from individual to individual and even generation to generation. "They are the embodiment of her creativity and positivity and are made to be worn at all times as simple, beautiful adornment." MCSJewelryNY.com

PAMELA LOVE As seen on runways including Zac Posen, Yigal Azrouel, and Marchesa, Love's darkly cool designs - bird skulls, talons, and even teeth - are a good way to let bystanders know you're just edgy enough to possibly bite. PamelaLoveNYC.com.

YUNHI This graduate of Parson's - as well as Michael Kors under Derek Lam, Martin + Osa, and design director of Club Monaco - knows how to walk that elusive line where sweet meets slouchy chic. YunhiNewYork.com

LANA CHUN Who doesn't envy precocious artist-types who know what they wanted to do with themselves at an early age? "The moment I laid eyes on my aunt's fashion illustrations when I was 10," she recently explained to The Fashion Informer about when she knew she wanted to design fashion. "Illustration will always remain my first true love. It actually plays a big part in my own designs. I'm always inspired by what I can come up with on paper, rather than what I see in magazines or on television."

MAX STEINER A typically busy, multi-tasking New Yorker, Steiner is an architectural modelmaker, sculptor, product designer, 3-D modeler, and web developer in addition to his jewelry design gig. From his East Williamsburg surroundings, to his vast assortment of hobbies and interests, Steiner's pendants, cuff bracelets, and charming handmade wooden boxes reflect his quality-over-flash aesthetic. MaxSteinerDesign.com