April 2010 - LAFashionsnob.com

LAS Trunk Show at EM&Co.

Apr 29 2010

My creative friend, Lisa Soltis and her hubby, Dan- who are the master-minds behind the hip jewelry line, LAS Jewelry, held a trunk show and cocktail reception for their latest collection, “Genus and the Species” at Em & Co.

The collection, comprised of hand sewn leather pieces, bronze or sterling silver metal and re-purposed chains; is centered around the theme of the desert, forest and field environments, along with the animal and flower life you would probably find in these areas. “We are continually inspired by old scientific textbooks and illustrations, animal anatomy and creating our own antiquity,” states Lisa.

LAS has taken LA by storm and has started creating a celebrity following, like: Russell Brand; Hayley Williams of the band, Paramore and Melissa Etheridge. Lisa explained that Kristen Stewart had recently chosen a LAS ‘Sabertooth’ necklace and to keep our eyes peeled to see if she wears it out. LAS has also been shot on Nina Dobrev of “Vampire Diaries” in NYLON magazine, as well as “A Fine Frenzy” in Style Section LA and has been seen on American Idol 2010 contestants.

LAS can be found in boutiques in LA, such as: TENOVERSIX, E.P.I.C., Em&Co. and Dialect. In NYC: Oak on Bond St. and online (which should be back up soon) and Sucre in West Village. Coming soon to San Francisco: Five and Diamond.

The price to own a piece of highly in-demand wearable art ranges from $85- 380. For more information or to make a purchase, go to http://www.lasjewelry.com or http://lasjewelry.bigcartel.com/ or contact Lisa directly at lisasoltis@gmail.com.

SPECIAL THANKS: Lisa and Dan Soltis, J, Em&Co., Eveline Morel-owner of EM&Co., Anna Ferguson of Stiletto Marketing (who was wearing a fabulous military-inspired creation by EM&Co.’s ‘EM Reconstruct‘ line.) and Lauren Stillman of LSPR.

Hope in the City 3: Wear Your Story

Apr 26 2010

I was excited to once again partake in Mosaic’s “Hope in the City” for its third show “Wear Your Story”, held during LA Fashion Week at the beautiful St. Vibiana Church in Downtown. I was one of the designers that made a dress that had to be at least 80% paper.

The show consisted of three parts: “Experimental Paper Designs” followed by head pieces by Salvatore Salamone, menswear by Rey Aquino, then womenswear designs by Adolfo Sanchez, Shpetim Zero and Shekhar Rahate. It was hosted by Style Network’s “How Do I Look?” Jeannie Mai and Mosaic’s own Hank Fortener. Throughout the evening, there were several performing artists like: Clairfoster J. Browne, Amalgam Crew, Poet and DJ Mytar who entertained and revved up the audience in-between the fashion shows and while they browsed the marketplace.

[“Hope in the City” has come a long way since I first attended the brainstorming meetings in 2008. The first show was held at FIDM’s “Grand Hope Park” and a number of people showed up. Then the second show “Hope in the City 2: The Other Side of the Tracks,” which took place at Chiparaki. The show had grown and so did the number of attendees. And now, the show has evolved into something spectacular! I am so grateful to have worked with such talented people.]

Special Thanks: Tammy Borrero; Corrie Sullivan; Lisa Soltis; Natalie and Rowel Salvador; the designers; models; performers; hosts; photographers; sponsors; Mosaic (www.mosaic.org); marketplace vendors: Adolfo Sanchez, Bella Sole, Beyond Us, Blessed Treasures, Cat Walk Pros, Children’s Hunger Fund, Hope in the City, Julia LoVan Designs, Lorikoop.com, Mosaic, Raven & Lilly, Serve LA, Sisters in Service, Tiffany Kunz Design, With Love Uganda; donations; the Hope in the City Team; Sarah Jane Aumentado (key MUA); make-up and hair teams.

Jen Awad/Concept LA-2nd Night (LAFW 2010)

Apr 24 2010

I was invited to attend the Jen Awad show during Concept LA-second night. I sat in the front row, which gave me the perfect opportunity to view her line up close. I was very impressed with this recent FIDM grad’s line “Post- Apocalyptic 1940’s”, inspired by the ‘futuristic 1940’s pin-up’ and with hair and make-up inspired by Dita Von Teese and Barbarella. I went crazy over the gold vinyl and faux leather suits, the dresses with crisp sweetheart bodices and tailored lines. Check out www.jenawad.com for more information.

There were two other fashion shows that evening, which I unfortunately was unable to see, were martinMARTIN and The Battalion. The three fashion installations on the mezzanine level were Skingraft, Valerj Pobega and Indian Casino (www.indiancasinofashion.com).

Skingraft designer Jonny Cota is always known for avant-garde designs. But this installation was very, in my opinion, controversial. I walked into the room, somewhat taken aback by the haunting Buddhist chants, ghost-like mannequins all dressed in black (and the latest Skingraft collection)…and then there were the macabre pig heads.on display in various parts of the room. Jonny meant for his installation to be uncomfortable and appeal to the senses (the pig heads and the Buddhist chants). He also mentioned a piece of advice to budding designers- ‘Don’t show if you’re not really ready. Take another year to PERFECT the collection before showing at fashion week…In order for LA Fashion Week to be taken seriously, LA designers need to be taken seriously…’ Check out www.skingraftdesigns.com!

I met up with designer Valerj Pobega, who had ethereal hand-painted tartan-inspired gowns on display. It was like the British Punk Rock Movement meets Vivienne Westwood. Valerj, who started her line in Spring 2008, works mainly with silk and paints them as she wants because she doesn’t like them ‘as-is.’ Her clothes have been seen on Debi Mazar and Monet Mazur and can be found at high-end boutiques like Church and Code-C in LA. Go to www.valerjpobega.com or info@valerjpobega.com for more information.

Special Thanks: J, Mike Vensel (www.mikevensel.com), Amy Kwon, the designers and models, Spring Arts Tower, Smashbox Studios, Toni & Guy (www.toniguy.com) and Michael Shane of Gorgeous PR.

Archive - April 2010