‘Project Runway’ alums Korto Momolu and Kimberly Goldson return with New York Fashion Week shows

Sep 11, 2012

It was a Project Runway reunion of sorts at Korto Momolu’s show in Manhattan’s Helen Mills Center on Friday. Season 4 alum Carmen Webber joined Season 9’s Kimberly Goldson in the seats among the throngs of fans who came to witness Momolu’s runway presentation. Korto’s model while she competed on Project Runway during Season 5, Katarina Muniz, was among the catwalk parade that showed off Momolu’s Spring 2013 collection.

(See photos of the Korto Momolu’s Spring 2013 collection.)

The collection exemplified Momolu’s keen understanding of a woman’s body. Not one curve was left unattended, even as legs were lengthened with the designer’s selection of hourglass-bestowing peplum jackets, sharply tailored trousers, and crisp cocktail and evening dresses. Hints of skin were subtly displayed with racerbacks, while colorful graphic prints, slashes of color, and bold accessories — oversized animal skin bags, and chainmail — added snap, crackle, and pop to each look.

Three days later, it was Goldson’s turn to celebrate her return to the runway. Presenting her Spring 2013 collection as part of a group show, Kimberly Goldson’s section was the finale of the night. Perfectly located on the Empire Hotel rooftop (which towers above neighboring Lincoln Center, the hub of New York Fashion Week), Goldson’s line of tailored metallic jackets, body-conscious cocktail frocks in bronze and gold, and sleek trophy-colored separates sparked under the night lamps and camera flashes.

(Watch a video of Kimberly Goldson’s Spring 2013 collection.)

The crowd of supporters that packed the roof cheered like they were watching a game — or a Project Runway finale — as the models channeled the drama of Goldson’s garments. When Goldson made her appearance on the walkway, the cheers reached a crescendo.

Years after their finalist finishes on the popular fashion reality show, Momolu and Goldson are steadily building their brands, landing celebrity fans and sponsors in the process. NYC Invitations sponsored Goldson’s show; while Momolu’s show was attended by actress Kimberly Elise and singers Vivian Green and Shontelle. Her production was made possible by big name brands including Courvoisier, Arik Air, and General Mills, which donated a monster box of Cheerios to raise awareness about world hunger in each goodie bag.

Thanks to the financing and support, Momolu told theGrio after the show that she felt like it was her first real fashion show. “This is the first season I didn’t have to [physically] make the clothes [all by myself],” Momolu related.

Yet, Momolu is fine with paying her dues. As hard as it has been to independently produce her past fashion lines Momolu stresses, “It’s been so important to me to show every season… to show that we’re here and we won’t back down.”

It’s inspiring that both she and Goldson have creatively remained in the game since bringing their careers to another level on the iconic reality show.

Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond is a fashion blogger and the author of ‘Powder Necklace.’ Follow Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond on Twitter at @nanaekua.