Bites from the Big Apple: fashion's innovators take New York by storm

From switching on the sunshine to growing a real diamond – nothing is impossible for today s fashion-forward New Yorker

Vogue trader

Many a hot NY fashion begins online.Making the most noise right now is high fashion consignment expert therealreal.com, the worlds most elite fashion dumping ground (Grace Coddington became one of its famous clients when her assistant was charged with raiding her account to the tune of $9,000).

Simply register online to buy and sell, then get paid each month as the sales roll in. Now it has opened a store on Wooster Street."Our goal is an omnichannel luxury retail experience,"a spokesperson says.Next stop, LA .

Creative type

Jennifer Fishers jewellery regularly pops up on starry Instagram accounts."Ive built my brand on relationships,"says the LA-born New York designer, who counts Rihanna and J-Lo among fans of her legendary hoops.

Jennifer Fisher bespoke charm necklace, priced to order; jenniferfisherjewelry.com

But her signature is cuffs, rings and fine jewellery, with online personalisation tools such as a slider to match skin tone, and – new this month – next-level stamping technology:"You can change the lettering, add diamond placements and so on, and see the piece before its done,"she says.

Costume party

Chromat is a New York athletic / swimwear brand using the latest tech to make the super-sporty stretchy pieces that obsessed the fashion crowd this summer.Scuba-style one-pieces were a thing at the citys coolest roof-top pools, and Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Laverne Cox and Kendall Jenner are keen.

Founder Becca McCharen-Tran, who comes from an architectural background, uses high-spec fabrics and bold shapes that enhance every human form, and Chromats Pool Rules campaign has become an Instagram hit. chromat.co

Lighten up

The latest version of the Verilux Happy Light is the fashion and entertainment industrys desk accessory of choice.This iPad-sized device radiates just the right shade of white light to boost energy levels and engender happy feelings.

Designed to be positioned just in view of the user, it may seem distracting at first, but the effects definitely grow.Word of warning:Verilux suggests switching the light off if you start to feel edgy: the effects have been likened to caffeine.You can have too much of a good thing … verilux.com

Absolute gems

Diamonds are a New York Girls Best Friend, and fresh pink and blue beauties hit this month.Lab-grown Lightbox diamonds sparkle as brightly as any from a South African mine according to Sally Morrison, the brains behind the brand.

"Its a diamond with the same chemical structure, the difference is in the manufacture, she says.It involves taking a slice of diamond and growing it at great heat and great pressure."

New Yorkers will also love the prices – from $200 for a quarter-carat.Sounds like a deal. lightboxjewelry.com