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If I had to compare the fashion world to a typical American high school, I would peg Ralph Lauren the all-American prepster, Jean Paul Gaultier the quintessential art freak and Dejan Despotovic the mysterious goth kid with long black hair and a pale face who paces the hallways wearing nothing but black.

In reality, Serbian-born Dejan Despotovic is the up-and-coming designer currently making waves on the indie fashion scene. While most design students were finishing up capstone projects and applying for entry-level design jobs, Despotovic was already garnering international attention; his FW09 collection, which debuted at Belgrade Fashion Week, was one of the event’s highlights–and quite the feat for the 23-year-old designer.

Goth romanticism, simple shapes and somber hues were key elements of his collection–though dramatic details, including over-sized fur sleeves, drastically-long military shoulder tassels and huge, neck-engulfing capes, were peperred throughout. Despotovic’s juxtaposition of modern goth elements with classic details sets him apart from his peers. It won’t be long before we see him on the catwalks of London and Paris, and–hopefully–the racks of Barneys and Neiman!

Images via blogcatalog.com/blog/larapixie