IDNYC Isabelle Donola Show (LAFW 2010)

I was pleased when I received the invitation to designer Isabelle Donola’s debut LA show at the Independent in downtown. Isabelle is a New York contemporary womens’ designer and had just moved here not long ago.

Her show was presented in photo-shoot type of manner, with the models walking to and from an open space with a large window. Isabelle’s Fall/Winter 2011 collection was titled, “Reborn.” She got her inspiration from the environment of today’s world. The collapse of the economy and people that lost their jobs, companies, etc. Isabelle feels that this is the time of a new beginning. A time of change. “A time of finding the best of you and bring it out! This is the time to establish your values and principles and to reach out for your goals! Let’s all take the minute to look inside and bring out to the world this whole reborn thing…Let’s rock this world for this is our time, our life, our generation…”
She had the models walk into the the open area and perform. They would move gracefully for a few minutes and then pause, posing in a manner that showed off the clothes perfectly. Isabelle, who had studied ballet, explained the theme to the models and told them the importance of looking deep inside themselves. “I have always been fascinated by the experiments that Andy Warhol would do with people so I want to see how models would be if they have to do a self-exploration with freedom of movement in a stage or in this case, the “window.” ”
Isabelle plans to have her line in selected boutiques in NYC and LA. She will be having another show in September in NYC and during LA Fashion Week in October. She is offering unique pieces that are handmade in the USA. “A good garment can and should be a great friend. When you indulge yourself with Isabelle Donola NYC, you will be wearing pieces that are meant for you to feel special and powerful.”
Along with her line, she will be opening a designer COOP in downtown LA to support independent artists and designers from NYC and LA. She is also working on a project to create funds to support and teach couture and tailoring techniques to people from the “favelas” (ghettos) in Rio de Janeiro and hopes to inspire other clothing companies to do the same. “I was born in Rio and there is so much poverty there. I want to bring people hope and by qualify them for the market they can have a better life and would be able to give their children the chance to dream… I believe that through fashion we can change many things and I will do my best to bring as many results as it can be possible.”

You can contact Isabelle for purchasing her garments (always made from natural fiber fabrics) or for more information at info.idnyc@gmail.com or (646)575-7641.