Paige Denim X Sea of Shoes Event at Co-Star Austin

Posted on February 19, 2013 by admin

South Congress boutique Co-Star Austin co-hosted an event with Paige Denim and blogger Jane Aldridge of Sea of Shoes. I donned a pretty vintage semi-sheer Diane Freis dress and highest heels and skedaddled over to the boutique to check out the event. Co-Star had recently begun carrying Paige Denim and since they got their new Spring styles, they wanted to create an event to help spread the word that Co-Star can now be the go-to boutique for the denim. They brought Jane on board as co-host because her sense of style is pretty spot-on with the Paige Denim consumer. I felt pretty honored when Jane took my picture during the event. She’s a real sweet girl and looked quite fetching in a pair of skinnies, coat with vintage fur collar and cute booties. I browsed the collection, checked out the catered light bites from Buenos Aires Cafe and mingled with friends. Jane spoke to the guests, styled them and gave out fashion advice.

Huge thanks to Co-Star Austin, Paige Denim, Buenos Aires Cafe, Jane Aldridge.

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Stitch Factory Opens in Downtown Las Vegas

Posted on February 15, 2013 by admin

I love it when it’s in the cards for me to attend an event while on I happen to be on vacation. This was the case on my recent trip to Vegas last month (sorry for the delay guys…work got in the way). My friend from Vegas, a local designer with an amazing line that I’ve seen during LAFW- Ermelinda Manos- broadcasted that there was a major event happening during my stay in Vegas that she was participating in. It was a grand opening of a local hub where designers and other like-minded people could come together to work on their projects and so on. The space (also part of the Downtown Project) is called The Stitch Factory- located in the up-and-coming historical downtown section of Vegas. The Stitch Factory was created by Jennifer Taler and Meghan Boyd-Mossler on a basis that folks in the Las Vegas fashion industry can come together, be inspired by one another, work on projects, etc. It is a huge warehouse-type space with mannequins, working tables and industry sewing machines. They also offer services such as: product development, retail consulting, pattern making, sampling, events, and trend services. They have a wide variety of sewing classes and studios – at both the beginner level and more advanced classes geared toward designers. They will be launching a Stitch Factory Speaker Series in March as well. “Our dream is to help recruit new and retain local design talent and to see more Las Vegas designers in the national spotlight,” Meghan stated.

The Grand Opening event was themed 1940s and ‘Old Hollywood Glamour.’ Guests donned their vintage or whatever came close to 1940s day and evening wear. Lite bites were passed around and there was a cash bar. The fashion show was lovely and included models done up in 1940s pin-up inspired hair and make-up and featured looks from: Again Apparel, Flint and Tinder, Winnie Schao, Rachael Grande, Claudia Chavarria, Trishawna Alexander, Tainted Laundry, Polly Weinstein, Robyn Carter, and Nicole Daniels. I LOVED the vegan fur vest, neon separates, mint flowy skirt from Again Apparel. The students designs were fun, with some of my faves being: a light blue tank dress that was simple in front, but when the model turned around, I was blown away at the multi-colored knotting and menagerie in the back. I also loved the two evening gowns that sashayed down the runway with the fabric manipulated into loads of ruffles. After the show, Sabriel performed while guests listened, mingled and networked.

I’ll let Meghan summarize realize her dream when she first moved to Las Vegas: “I am originally from Georgia, but I relocated to Las Vegas from New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. When I first arrived in Las Vegas, I stayed with a local news anchor who was a friend of a friend of a friend. One night, he announced on the news that I needed a job in fashion merchandising or design in order to be able to stay in Las Vegas, and an employee at Zappos emailed him the job openings. Zappos is an amazing company with an incredible culture, and I worked there for almost 6 years. It truly is a family. I feel incredibly lucky the winds blew me west, and I now call Las Vegas home. Las Vegas has always been a place where dreams come true, and I am no exception!”

Huge applause to Jennifer and Meghan, so glad to hear something like this has opening up in Vegas! (Now I have a place to hang and do work when I’m in town.) Check out stitchfactory.com for further deets. Great styling Ermelinda!

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Boudoir Queen Line Viewing Party at Wanderlust Boutique

Posted on January 25, 2013 by admin

I braved the cold and headed out the Boudoir Queen line viewing at Wanderlust Boutique during the holidays. Now when I mean “braving the cold”, I mean taking off my warm coat before heading into the venue and only wearing my short-sleeved dress because a. the dress was my spur-of-the-moment wardrobe decision and it just fit too well to pass up and b. the coat did NOT match the wardrobe. I tell you, what we gals do in the name of fashion… But anyway, before I get too off-topic… The boutique was pretty crowded, but the area where we viewed the collection was the opposite. It was held in the gallery section of the boutique. I thoroughly enjoyed touching and seeing the collection up close (since I viewed it during Austin Fashion Week). Delicious sweets and macaroons were also served. The line’s designer- Dawn Younger-Smith was the star of the hour, signing autographs, taking pictures and mingling with guests. Lovely models graced us, dressed in ethereal Boudoir Queen and showcasing the brand’s newest headpieces. Dawn even got some of us local bloggers together to try on 20s-inspired dainty caps and gather for group photos (which are on the Boudoir Queen Facebook Page). It was a whimsical evening that left me having closet envy, as I’d just adore having some of the Boudoir Queen dresses hanging in my wardrobe, ready to be worn for the next party.

Huge thanks to: Wanderlust Boutique; Dawn and Mark Younger-Smith; models: Callisto, Sarah and Cali.

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Black Halo Press Preview at Neiman Marcus

Posted on December 16, 2012 by admin

Every time I have the opportunity to meet a well-known label’s designer, I immediately jump on the chance. So when I heard that the designer from Black Halo was going to be holding a press preview here in town, I was ecstatic. It’s like being starstruck, but on the fashion industry level. Let’s just say it was such an honor to meet and chat with Laurel Berman- designer of Los Angeles brand Black Halo. For the event, I wore a demure floral 70s dress and a loose side ponytail. When I met Laurel, I noticed (as did she) that we were both sporting side ponytails (or in her case, a side bun). Such a refreshing coincidence…great minds DO think alike!

In case some of you are unfamiliar with Black Halo, let me give you a brief introduction. It was launched in 2002 and only had a few employees. The company has obviously since grown and keeps all its manufacturing in Los Angeles. It was Laurel’s husband that branded the label- ‘Black Halo’, which is in reference to a “naughty angel.” She’s got the halo, but it’s a tad tarnished. Laurel likes to consider herself a rule-breaker, thus reflecting that ‘rule’ into the brand, along with being polished, defined and sexy (but not overbearing). Think along the lines of pencil skirt and body con silhouettes…with attitude. Her designs are made so that the women wearing the garments feel beautiful, confident and ready to take on the world. The Black Halo customer is the career woman, which is why most of the dresses are designed to be taken from the boardroom to dinner. The ‘Jackie-O‘ dress for example, one of their best-sellers, is the womens version of the power suit. I can see why every time I see that dress in person or in photos. It’s architectural silhouette hugs all the right assets (which is one of the things Laurel strives for) and I love how you don’t have to really accessorize it…it’s just a statement in itself. We previewed a small presentation of current and up to Spring 2013 dresses, including the debut of Black Halo EVE, which was launched exclusively with Neiman Marcus for one season. I am just as in love with the new evening collection as I am with the day-to-dinner dresses. Simple, sleek, with their signature architectural draping. They have incorporated an invisible zipper in the slits of some of the evening wear designs. The zipper is made so that the wearer can show as much or as little leg as she wants. I love how Laurel is so innovative and thinks ahead when it comes to the little details that might make life easier for whoever buys the dress. I could go to that charity function with no or tiny slit and before I hit the after party, I would hike up the slit so I could have an “Angelina Jolie”moment. Black Halo is such a huge hit with celebrities. Laurel had mentioned that they had recently dressed Louise Roe in a custom gown for when she was commentating on the red carpet during the Oscars. She later made twenty ‘best-dressed lists’ for wearing that gown. That really speaks a lot for the brand, as the ‘best-dressed’ lists are usually only reserved for celebrities. All dresses stay below $700 and are always on-trend, yet timeless. Check out blackhalo.com for additional information.

Huge thanks to Mistelle and Jennifer at Neiman Marcus-The Domain, the models and Laurel- LAFashionsnob is a HUGE fan!

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Eleven Eleven: An Evening of Extraordinary Fashion

Posted on December 15, 2012 by admin

The night of Austin’s iconic designer- Stephen Moser’s “Made in Heaven” fashion show was the night to see and be seen. I knew that dressing over-the-top was a MUST for me, so I enlisted the help of my then boss- Henry from Austin veteran vintage shop Big Bertha’s. I ended up wearing a vintage (obvi) YSL military-inspired jacket with black taffeta skirt, red shirt with high ruffled collar, my sky-high H by Halston heels from Bakers and deconstructed a floppy hat…then voila! Instant Victorian-inspired outfit. Very high-fashion and perfect for that evening. That evening, I was accompanied by Henry and our mutual friend- Hannah, who looked amazing in a chic black dress with statement necklace and one of my veiled headpieces. The fashion show was held at the historic Driskill hotel and consisted of three designers that showcased their collections before Stephen’s finale show. The designers were: Tina Johnson of Four Small Cats, Roosevelt Cavallos Shoes and Gail Chovan of Blackmail.

Acclaimed Austin writer/designer Stephen Moser debuted his Fall/Winter 2012/13 collection after an eight year hiatus. All his fabrics were sourced from TexStyles and the collection was locally made at White Star Manufacturing. He had reached out to a bevy of local celebrities to strut their stuff on the catwalk in his unique mens and womenswear. The collection was inspired by a lifetime of creative influence, ranging from art, movies, color, etc. The men dazzled in shimmery, bold hues and brocades while the women stunned in body hugging silk and velvet gowns with jaw-dropping, plunging fur-trimmed backs. My favorite gown of the collection (that would be just AH-mazing to wear) would be the finale gown- a black velvet number with stiff ruffle detail at the neck and runs down the back to the train. It’s the simple things that include the surprising detail like that, that make the garment eye-catching and dramatic.

Proceeds from the event went to benefit Hospice Austin‘s “Pet Piece of Mind” program. The show was produced by Stephen’s lifelong friend- Jackie OH.

Congratulations Stephen on an amazing show and welcome back to the world of fashion!

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NOLA Fashion Week – Market and Shows- Day 4

Posted on December 12, 2012 by admin

The last day of New Orleans Fashion Week (for me anyway) consisted of not just the shows, but also a fashion market that was set up in an alley beside Merchant Cafe. The market consisted of: Jolie & Elizabeth, Andrea Loest, Eklektik Ekhos, Construct Jewelry, Libellule, Madâm Sara, Saint Claude, Rural Revolution, Tradition by Lawrence Kennedy, and the Design Lab (Kallen Forster). I grabbed a latte and proceeded to the market. Three brands that stood out in my opinion were: Madâm Sara, Saint Claude and Eklektik Ekhos.

Madâm Sara handbags were included in Iacono’s show and I was pleased that they were being showcased in the market. The small clutches are hand-beaded by a select group of vodou flag artisans in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. “Madâm Sara” is the the Creole term that’s used in Haitian culture to describe the women who transport goods to the market. The sequins and beading are richly done in intricate patterns, as well as the familiar chevron pattern. The colors are just ripe with vibrance. The main artist they are working with- Lafleur- is just uber-talented and even has his work displayed in Port-au-Prince’s international airport. I hope that the handbag line comes up with some larger envelope-style clutches, because I will grab those up! Be sure to “LIKE” Madâm Sara on Facebook!

Saint Claude jewelry is a local New Orleans brand that was founded by Sarah Killen in 2008 and mainly specializes in accessories made from vintage and upcycled materials. What caught my eye immediately was a pendent made from an okra…. I mean seriously…How cool is that?! Sarah credits nature as being her biggest inspiration, so when she noticed that okra in her garden, it was like a match made in heaven. She just recently launched her metal collection in June 2011 as hasn’t looked back. Each piece is made with love and since it’s made locally, Sarah feels that that quality was not sacrificed (and I wholeheartedly agree). “Each piece is made to last and you really do get what you pay for. I want my pieces to be unique and timeless,” Sarah explained. Saint Claude jewelry would make lovely holiday gifts (prices range from $40-240), so I suggest checking out saintclaudenola.com for more information and to shop your hearts out. And Sarah, if you are reading this…save me an okra necklace. I totally need one for my “neckparty”!

I had actually met the designer of Eklektik Ekhos- Douriean Fletcher- during one of the fashion week shows because her outfit was awesome and I just had to talk to her. That was when she told me about her participation in the Fashion Market. Oh and she was wearing her AH-mazing jewelry, a brass ring with ornate wire-wrapping and an earcuff. So let’s just say that when I saw her collection at the market, I was jawdroppingly impressed. Her jewelry screamed “statement” in every form and I could just see the passion and creativity in each piece. Douriean launched the line in June 2010 and it was July 2010 when she moved back to New Orleans from Pasadena, CA and her work began to really evolve. She has since been highlighted in numerous press and events and it was after her participating in Paris’s Fashion Weekend that she began to create pieces on a more larger and statement-worthy scale. During NOLAFW, her pieces were inspired by the natural elements of earth, water, air and fire. Prices for the collections start from $40 and up. I’m excited to keep following this jewelry designer, who has hardcore wire-wrapping skills and uses minimal tools. Definitely check out Eklektik Ekhos if you’re in the mood for something above the norm and you want to make a statement at your next event.

Back at The Saratoga, where the last four designers showcased their latest collections, Haute Chocolate, Brennan Manuel, Fair Fit and Andrea Loest…..

I had the fortunate opportunity to meet up with Haute Chocolate designer Terysa over beignets and did some sightseeing in the French Quarter before we both had to head back to the hotel to get ready for that evening’s shows. It was after a fateful sewing class in high school that she was hooked on designing clothing and since then, she was been doing custom orders. She launched the company in Spring 2011 and hasn’t looked back. Her S/S13 collection, which consisted of simple, yet chic dresses and suits that was inspired by the woman she’s always aspired to be. She continues explaining, “She’s very very chic, with subtle hints of sexy. I’ve been a lover of color for as long as I can remember so I definitely added tons of little elements of me into this collection – I also didn’t want to focus on defining curves this season, but I did want to accentuate them – so I also added into tiny details to draw a little attention to them.” I loved that this collection was versatile and that you could wear it to the office and then add the right accessories and go straight to a party. There were a few pieces that were classic silhouettes, but when the model turned to reveal the back, I was surprised with feminine features such as bows, a cut-out back or a plunging back. I also thought that the giant crystal spider brooch was a nice addition to the skirt suit- a great start to the show. Terysa has also informed me that she is doing a ’12 Days of Christmas’ giveaway, which started Monday the 10th and goes through the 21st. So be sure to not only check out shophautechocolate.com, but also follow the brand on Facebook and Twitter to see what she’s giving away.

Next up, we have menswear by Brennan Manuel. The show began with female models, or ‘flower girls’ that paraded down the runway throwing rose petals in preparation for the men to walk the path. One of the themes of the collection was “sunset” and consisted of staples in heavy and light fabrics that breathe life into the meaning of ‘menswear.’ The wearer is able to mix n’ match (or layer) according to his needs or life’s adventures and still feel comfortable and confidant. Brennan’s mission statement “is not to stifle the creativity of the artist or to obscure the presentability of the businessman, but to merge the two through an aesthetic that focuses on fabrication, fit, and functionality.” The FIT and law school alum strives to create clothing for the young man who is transitioning from college to his professional career. His clothing is only available through custom orders at this time, but plans to expand to produce the line in New Orleans, as it’s his hometown and he wants to be able to give back to the community and bring in more jobs to the area.

The next brand to showcase their collection was Fair Fit- created by Andrea Loest and introducing a capsule menswear collection in collaboration with Paul Eastin. The womenswear collection consisted of simple cotton dresses that were hand-dyed and had different fabrics intricately collaged together. The name “Fair Fit” is derived from the fact that the company prides itself on exemplary tailoring and how ‘on point’ the fit is to the client’s measurements. The mens and womens collection were styled in a way that pertains to on-trend streetwear to show their versatility. I think that the line is quite unique and wearable, especially when it’s designed to fit your exact measurements. Check out thefairfit.com for additional information regarding the “Fair Fit” system and to shop the collection.

The last collection of the evening was Andrea Loest’s self-titled collection, which was a more higher-end couture take on Fair Fit. They are Andrea’s conceptual dresses that showcase her current studio art practice. Loest goes on to explain further, “The surface design of the garment attempts to capture two stories- a childhood spent on an Iowa farm and its translation into a life of New Orleans. Structure and form are collapsed into a collage of stitches, surface design and texture with modern cutouts and contemporary styling. The dresses amplify an ornate New Orleans aesthetic, their raw unfinishing portrays dense and decaying architecture juxtaposed and layered with hand-dyed, bleached and deconstructed images of the prairie.” Again, the actual dress silhouettes are classic and simple yet the construction is immaculate and contoured to hug the right curves on the model’s body. Loest’s show was a great ending to a great fashion week! Check out andrealoest.com to shop and for more information.

I want to thank Mr. LAFashionsnob, Amtrak, the designers, models, The Saratoga, the Hotel Modern- I really enjoyed my stay. Thank ya’ll for making me feel welcome. To Lauren, Andi, Nick- I seriously can’t thank you guys enough. I mean, if it weren’t for helping me with the hotel stay, I wouldn’t have been able to make it. You guys rock and I am so blessed to have been able to experience the city of New Orleans and its fashion scene. I hope I’m able to come back for another round next year. For more information on NOLAFW and updates for 2013, check out their website.

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NOLA Fashion Week- Day 3

Posted on December 10, 2012 by admin

New Orleans Fashion Week day three brought out another league of designers, this time there were four that evening: Iacono, Kallen Forster, Jolie & Elizabeth and The Dope. Game.

Iacono was the first line to grace the runway that evening. Designer Lisa Iacono’s Holiday ’12/Spring ’13 collection was inspired by fabrics, particularly from the 70s and 80s, when the ‘Disco Era’ and Studio 54 dominated the music scenes that were mainly prominent in New York City and Philadelphia. “Something about those slinky fabrics [and sexy silhouettes] on the dance floor gives me goosebumps!” Iacono states. To me, the line told the story of a ‘day in the life’ of a woman in the late 70s that went backwards- going from party attire to work/casual-play attire. I loved the floral halter dress, the white mini skirt with a rosette draped at the waist, the off-shoulder embroidered flutter dress and the breezy high-neck blouse. The Iacono brand is made locally, in collaboration with Nola Sewn…after all, Lisa helped to found this New Orleans staple, along with Tam Huynh. She explains her story, “When I moved to New Orleans, I could not source local manufacturing. Through serendipitous googling, I was able to connect with Tam Huynh, who managed a large scale menswear factory in New Orleans for 25 years until it shut down post-Katrina. She had moved on to manage a defense contract factory (producing tanks, ammo, etc), but she was willing to help me get the sewing contracted, as she still had connections with many of her sewing employees from the menswear factory…Together with two sewers, Tam and I produced the Iacono Holiday 2011 collection from a rented space in her brother’s auto repair shop. As my friends in the fashion industry noticed the quality of the work, they wanted to have their lines produced as well. At the same time, more sewers were catching wind of the work, and were beginning to seek Tam out for sewing contracts. Tam and I knew there was a reason to start a factory together, and so Nola Sewn was born. We currently have contracts with thirty different designers, including myself.” As you can obviously see, after only two years (the line was launched in October 2011) it’s no wonder that Iacono is blossoming. I’m excited to see what the future holds for Iacono and Nola Sewn! She also included divine beaded clutches from Madâm Sara and jewelry from Saint Claude. More on them in my “day four” coverage!

The next collection to hit the runway consisted of five pieces. The collection was indeed small, but I was very happy that the models stood for a few moments in front of the media pit…just enough time to get the perfect shot and details of the gorgeous looks. This collection belonged to Kallen Forster and was her Masters Thesis Collection for LSU. Forster teamed up with three womens cooperatives in Kenya, Peru and Bolivia to create simple, yet impeccably detailed garments for her S/S13 collection. These garments were hand-beaded, loom-woven and knitted with socially responsible materials such as: 100% organic hemp, silk and cotton twills. This contemporary-casual collection merges classic, fun yet wearable silhouettes with iconic ‘tribal’ prints that were pre-specified by Kallen. Not only does this collection help to empower the women in those three cooperatives, but it is also inspired by The Design Lab- a local New Orleans socially responsible design cooperative that Kallen herself had founded; to train, empower and employ the local women in various design techniques. She also featured jewelry and handbags from Rural Revolution-a New Orleans based company that is dedicated to also empowering and employing women artisans in impoverished countries. Please check out kallenforster.com for more details and to place a bid on the collection that was shown during Fashion Week. 100% of the proceeds from the auction go to benefit Toto Knits, Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco and The Design Lab.

Jolie & Elizabeth was the next company that presented their collection of fun and girly dresses for their S/S13 collection. The brand was launched in April 2010 by Sarah Dewey and Jolie Benson and was and is still inspired by their southern roots. For this collection, they kept with their traditional seersucker, but also incorporated pretty pastels and some darker hues in high-quality fabrics. Their designs are the classic silhouettes that are traded up to be feminine, fun yet functional for work or play. Jolie & Elizabeth is proudly made in New Orleans and also strives to give back to the community. Ladies, why not get yourselves ready for Spring and stock up on pretty dresses by Jolie & Elizabeth- go to jolieandelizabeth.com to shop, book a showroom appointment or get further details on the brand.

The last designer of the evening was The Dope. Game, based in Baton Rouge, LA and was launched in 2008 by Courtney Howells and Tyrus Thomas (who later joined the team in 2010). The brand showcased ‘dope’ tees and hats that are inspired by the 90s hip-hop and sneaker cultures. The Dope. Game’s one mission is “to be an example of doing things your own way.” Check out thedopegame.com for additional information and to shop the collection.

Stay tuned for day four!

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Zink Grand Opening- Austin

Posted on December 9, 2012 by admin

I attended the opening of Zink, a boutique that specializes in upscale luggage, handbags and some accessories-that’s located in the Jefferson Square shopping center off of 38th St. in Austin. I was loving the antique and rustic visual displays that brought out the bold prints and colors of the bags. The brand was founded by Ben Freedland and is named after his Grandfather- Robert Zink, an award-winning Nantucket basket weaver. Zink is based on the heritage New England craftsmanship and timeless techniques from all over the world. According to Ben, “The journey of Zink might have begun in New England, but it continues to traverse the globe: To Italy, for superb canvas in a rainbow of magnificent hues. To South America, for stunning textiles hand-loomed by artisans practicing age-old traditions. To Southeast Asia, for indigo fabrics and naturally dyed textiles. To rural Japan, for the finest organic cotton. These are just some of the elements that go into creating Zink’s meticulously crafted, timeless designs: the very fundamentals of chic adventure.”

Upon viewing these bags, I concluded that they are flawless (think right up there with Hermes). The color palettes are rich and the prints take the wearer on a journey through foreign lands, where tribes centuries old flourish. They have collaborated with Indego Africa and have produced lovely totes, Japan for handmade scarves using the ancient Shibori dyeing technique that dates back to the eighth century and Thailand for numerous products and techniques. Prices range from $85 for a tote in their Indego Africa collaboration, a naturally dyed scarf/shawl for $135 and up to $1,795 for the Crocodile Tote. My faves were the ‘Steamship Totes’ and the ‘Crocodile Clutch.’ Their new ‘made in the USA’ leather bag collection will start at $1,295. So the next time you are in the mood to journey off to some faraway land and need to pack your bags- keep Zink in mind! Check out zinkstore.com for additional information.

Huge thanks to Ben, Tori and Olive & June for small bites, sweets by Macarons by Jane and Orange+ Basil skinny tea cocktails.

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NOLA Fashion Week – Day 2

Posted on December 2, 2012 by admin

Day two of New Orleans Fashion Week was held in the same location in The Saratoga with two more designers that evening. We had the pleasure of viewing the collections of Mesdress and Loretta Jane, both feminine and wearable for working and playing in New Orleans.

LSU alumna Molly Stackhouse showcased her line- Mesdress (mess-dress) down the runway first. I loved the play on architectural geometric shapes and color-blocking. My two favorite pieces from the collection were the “Crystal” maxi dress and “Diamond” maxi skirt. I loved the rich sky blue with white trim on the dress. The dress screamed Spring/Summer 2013, but I’d wear it any season; whether layered up or not, as Austin weather is not very ‘wintery’ right now, so it would be perfection! The skirt is just as lovely, with diamond shapes on the sides, which obviously pays homage to its name- “Diamond” maxi skirt. The rest of the collection was simple, clean and wearable for any climate. She has partnered with the folks at Nola Sewn and is keeping her line local. She plans to continue being successful in designing ready-to-wear and to grow her business outside Louisiana.

Side Note: Due to a heartbreaking error, I am unable to retrieve the photos of the Mesdress show. I was able to save my instagram photo of the finale, but that is all. Folks and Molly, I REALLY apologize for the error. Please see mesdress.com for additional information and you can find more pictures of the line on Google or Facebook.

The last brand to grace the runway was another local brand by the name of Loretta Jane. Loretta Jane was launched in 2009 by Kelli Cooper. In 2010, she moved to New Orleans from Nashville and continues to manufacture the line in NOLA. Since its launch, this flirty and ultra-feminine line has been a hit in the South (with all the breezy fabrics, I can see why). The collection exuded playful whimsy and ranged anywhere from chic separates to dresses that one would wear to brunch or even an event, dressed up with heels or down with flats. The collection also was very on-trend with today’s market, with pretty polka-dot blouses, shorts and rompers, mixing of prints, dainty shorts with scalloped edges and structured strapless dresses. Keep Loretta Jane in mind when you need something chic, effortless and made locally. Check out lorettajane.com for further details.

Stay tuned for day three, featuring four designers.

**Mesdress Spring/Summer 2013 photos are used with permission from Mesdress**

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NOLA Fashion Week- Day 1

Posted on November 29, 2012 by admin

Day one (for me anyway) consisted of two shows, held at The Saratoga- a 1950s office building that was converted into chic urban apartments in the heart of downtown New Orleans. The shows were located in a great open space on the lower level, while in between shows, guests could go to the third floor, where there was a lounge and then a couple apartments that were decorated by Maria Barcelona and Interior Motives. The theme for the interior design was “Little Red Riding Hood” and boasted deep reds on the accent walls, a gun chandelier, a basket table centerpiece, a red cape that hung in a corner and other ‘hints’ of this fairy tale. Back down on the ground level, the two designers showcasing that evening were New Orleans-based Libellule and Isavel.

Libellule is still a newbie to the fashion scene, having officially launched during March 2012′s NOLA fashion week with eleven looks. Libellule (libby-lool) or “Dragonfly” in French, was founded by friends Crickett Lapeyre and Leigh Reveley Kellogg, who share a passion for vintage clothing. They bonded over Crickett’s vintage six-generations-old wedding veil (as Leigh is a fabric restorer who has done work for the Vatican). The women were fed up with modern clothing being so unflattering and decided to sketch some ideas. They then submitted the ideas to NOLA fashion week and soon received a call, asking them to be apart of the March show. Fast-forward to October…they presented their Spring/Summer ’13 collection titled “Wind and Waves.” The collection consisted of vintage-inspired flowy dresses, blouses, rompers, palazzo pants and a maillot. The pieces reminded me of a seaside vacation, complete with sailor-esque separates and breezy sundresses. I’m a fan of the light, goddess-like gown and ethereal white halter dress with plunging back. Every garment is made locally at Nola Sewn and their fabric is sourced from locally-owned Promenade. (FYI, I stopped by that shop and it’s amazing! Talk about kid in a candy store!) Check out libelluleclothing.com for further deets!

The last designer of the evening was Dallas-based Izavel. LSU alumna and designer Isabel Varela just launched her independent line- Isavel, this year. Her Spring/Summer 2013 collection plays on the mix of masculinity and femininity (as well as her ‘everyday inspiration’ of architecture, music and everything in between). She used airy fabrics with lighter hues that were instilled with more heavier materials in darker hues. I loved the silk pleated shorts, sleek custom silk print pleated vest and skirt! It’s no wonder that this talented young designer has gained exceptional favor in the fashion industry, along with being a finalist on NBCs “Fashion Star” in 2011 (where she had collaborated with Ashlee Brooks Patton for their contemporary womenswear line- Varela+Brooks). Varela was also a finalist on Project Runway Season 8. As far as the future of Isavel is concerned; it looks like a bright one, so please check out isavel.net to see more of what the brand is all about.

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