The Baltimore region's young creatives are making a splash on the Forbes list of 30 Under 30 for Art and Style in 2015.
"Project Runway" alum and Annapolis native Christian Siriano, 29; handbag designer and Ellicott City native Danielle DiFerdinando, 27; and New York- and Baltimore-based street artist, Gaia, 26, are all notables on the magazine's fourth annual look at "the greatest gathering of young game changers, movers and makers," highlighting 600 millenials in 20 categories.
DiFerdinando's Danielle Nicole bags have been carried by celebrity stylists like Rachel Zoe and stocked in stores like Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom and Macy's. The line, which made $11.5 million in 2014, even has a Blake bag named for Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.
Siriano, who has a number of designer collaborations with companies such as Payless, Starbucks and Puma, made $6.5 million from his clothing line alone, according to the magazine. He's also been a red carpet success story. At the 2014 Emmy Awards, he dressed five actresses, including Sarah Hyland of "Modern Family" and Uzo Aduba of "Orange Is the New Black."
Gaia's work, which ranges from street art to commissioned pieces to gallery installations, has appeared all over the world including Open Walls Baltimore, a project he has curated since 2012. The Maryland Institute College of Art graduate, whose real name is Andrew Pisacane, has had murals in Vienna and Australia and his solo shows have stretched from London to San Francisco.