Darwin traveled to the Galapagos Islands to watch natural selection at work. Too bad he’s not around for New York Fashion Week, where only the strong survive. Still, the latest crop of fashion week debutantes isn’t letting anything stand in their way — from Chapter 11 to Friday the 13th. Here, a salute to New York’s newest upstarts. Take that, recession!

JILLIAN LEWIS: Thursday, Feb. 12, 1 to 3 p.m., Tela Design  Studio, 31 Little West 12th Street.
Jillian Lewis has already met Victoria Beckham and Heidi Klum. Cathy Horyn is next on her list. The former “Project Runway” contestant says her dream is for the editor to attend her presentation. Though she became a Bravo household name and netted a sponsor (Brother sewing machines), she laments that the show “hurt me in other ways. I don’t want to be known as a cartoon character.” Also on her mind? “I’m thinking
about the economy, and what’s going on around the world, and comfort dressing. Covering up a little.” To wit, the Parsons The New School for Design grad and Ralph Lauren alum will show 20 looks, including hand-knit sweaters and dresses, some with graffiti prints inspired by her Long Island City neighborhood.
Wholesale prices: $120 to $650.
Sells at: Beyond 7 in Manhattan; Georgina in Hewlett, N.Y.; Hampden Clothing in Charleston, S.C.

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