SPOTLIGHT ON-

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Footwear Designer- Jerome C. Rousseau

Kindly move over Mr. Blahnik…There’s a fab footwear designer that everyone NEEDS to know about! LA-based Jerome C. Rousseau is the latest “IT” designer to hit the mainstream with his impeccable taste of unique silhouettes. Jerome is like ‘the guy next door’ and quite delightful. So, I was honored when he invited me over to his new studio in Hollywood one afternoon to catch up (from our first introduction at MAGIC back in August).

The studio space was still being renovated at the time, but the majority of the work was done. All the shoes had their respective places on the shelves, so it was easy to pour over them. Jerome was kind enough for show me some of the other shoes that weren’t at MAGIC and showed me some sketches for his Spring 2012 collection. All I can say is: Bellisimo!!! Seductive femininity at its finest! We also had a more in-depth discussion about his line, which launched in Fall 2008. His fascination of shoes and design started back in the 90s, when he saw the band, Deee-Lite on MTV and noticed their platform shoes. It was during an art class in high school, when he found himself drawing the shoes from the video and realized that he wanted to design shoes. He studied at Cordwainers College and worked for several shoe designers in London before moving out to Los Angeles. It turned out to be a great move for him, because things took off- from a feature in British Vogue to Charlize Theron wearing a pair of his shoes. Inspiration for his collections vary from season to season. He doesn’t do any research, he credits whatever he’s loving a few months beforehand (whether it be a painting, a musician, a sculpture, artist- Kazimir Malevich, muse- Siobhan Fahey and being in California…) and uses that for some inspiration. He loves designing peep-toe booties and loves simplicity and simple peep-toe pumps (especially the ones that show just the right amount of toe cleavage). Fans of the peep-toe staple include: Charlize Theron, Cameron Diaz and Katie Holmes. What makes the Jerome C. Rousseau brand stand out among other high-end shoe brands is that inspiration is very important to him. Also, the cut and silhouette of the shoe makes it very distinctive, like where it’s cut and where it hits the foot. Prices for the line range from $495-1,200…depending on material. The Spring 2012 collection is inspired by British artist, who is based in New York- James Nares. Jerome loves the simplicity of the large paintings and the richness in the colors and shapes. He mentioned that the collection will be minimal and feminine, but also a little flirty (with some references to Marilyn Monroe as well). Boutiques in LA that carry Jerome C. Rousseau include: Arcade on Melrose, Madison in Beverly Hills, Fred Segal in Santa Monica and Saks 5th Ave in Beverly Hills. For more information on the brand, go to the website here. To schedule an appointment, etc., email Ali at: Ali@jeromerousseau.com.

Thanks again for having me stop by, Jerome, Ali and Renee!

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HEATHER Fashions

Again, I’d like to thank the ladies at The Shop PR for forwarding me information about the line-HEATHER. When I saw the email and noticed that there was a cute womens contemporary fashion line that bears my name-Heather, I immediately jumped on the bandwagon!

HEATHER was founded in 2009 by Jin Moon and Ardy Raminfar. It takes the concept of mixing basic silhouettes and adding a unique twist to each piece. Quality and craftsmanship are key when it comes to producing each garment, which are constructed from novelty heather fabrics. Along with the heather fabrics, they juxtapose other fabrics such as: woven silks, leather, micropoly chiffon, and high twist cottons to create texture and depth. HEATHER has a celebrity following, including: Sarah Jessica Parker, Ashley Tisdale, Vanessa Hudgens and Kim Kardashian. I received two tops that I did a mini photo-shoot with. One top was in a light heather grey and had a scoop neck with draped pleating detail in the front and bat-wing sleeves. The other top was a sheer, striped navy blue heather, short sleeved chiffon top. It did come with a cami. The top may have looked basic in the front, but the back was loose and separated from the bottom band. Both tops are extremely comfy and can be dressed up or down. Prices for the line range from $44-215. For more information, check out HEATHER here.

**Photo Credit: Kate-Marie Heimann (Wear In LA)**

Brands used in shoot: Sole Society (Esme glitter heels), Michael Antonio booties, Alicia P. necklace, Kensie sunnies, Hue sweater tights (super comfy), Melissa Velia tassel earrings, cute big bow headband by Marialia.

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Rebekka Lien- Creative Designer & Entrepreneur

Dear readers, I would like to introduce my friend- Rebekka Lien. She was born in Hamburg, Germany and has since been an avid traveler to places like: Taiwan, Japan and Australia. She is a fellow FIDM graduate and we met during our volunteer work at UNIQUE Los Angeles a few years back. Since then, I’ve watched her grow in the fashion industry, both as an avant-garde designer and now an entrepreneur and self-proclaimed “Asian Gypsy.” She owns an ebay and store envy store, full of amazingly cute and affordable jewelry, with proceeds going to Stella’s Voice and Compassion International- organizations to fund children’s education and rehabilitate girls saved from human trafficking. She also runs a blog, which you can check out here. Here is my Q&A sesh with her…

LAFS: Tell me a little about your background and why you chose to be in the fashion industry?

RL: I have always been obsessed with fashion magazines as a child and my mom taught me how to sew when I was 12. My mother recently told me that I had made $100 selling toys for two years at my elementary school. I said, “how do you know?” She said, “You told me! You would tell me how much you made each day and you would carry a bag of things to sell after school”. I laughed because I remember she would tell me to be careful because I might get caught for soliciting illegally. That was from the age of 8 to 10. I then went to Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising for Fashion Design and Business Management. I worked in every area of fashion- from marketing, designing costumes, import manufacturing, visuals to small business start ups. Gradually, I realized that life is better lived free, so I quit my job and started my own business.

LAFS: What do you like designing?

RL: I like designing one a kind couture gowns that nobody would wear on the street. I love the fantastical feeling of wearing something no one else has. I like shocking people, I like thinking outside the box, recycling, and creating a masterpiece.

LAFS: Tell me about your other entrepreneurial goals? (Like your selling jewelry and stuff, prices and pieces, etc)

RL: I am currently working on my jewelry and accessories business- http://rebekkalien.storenvy.com. I have a very non-conventional approach to earning a living. I trust that a higher being is orchestrating my every source of income and I focus on what I want to do each moment, whether it’s marketing the products, hanging out with people, or simply reading a book. I am expanding my business and hope to start my own t-shirt line. I am also planning to continue my “pop up trunk shop” approach, not only selling through social media, but also carrying my shop everywhere I go. This lines up with my “Asian Gypsy” lifestyle, I hope to open peoples’ eyes to a more simple and uncomplicated lifestyle consisting of recycling and living communally.

LAFS: What have been some of your biggest achievements in the industry?

RL: Depends on what you call achievement. If you call achievement being recognized by big shots or making money- I haven’t made much money from the industry and haven’t really gotten my “big break”. If you want to be your own designer, you simply can’t work for other people. I have enjoyed meeting people in the industry though- that’s my great achievement, meeting people and making lifelong friends.

LAFS: What advice do you have for other budding designers/future business owners?

RL: Be prepared to fail. Failing is a MUST, without failures, there won’t be successes. Follow your heart, if you’re gut tells you something is wrong, back the hell out! Be open to new opportunities, do not pigeon hole yourself to ONE THING that you want to do. Do something different everyday, try something new, because that random thing you decide to do (like go to a new cafe) can lead to a life changing moment or opportunity. You might meet a soul friend or a boyfriend (wink)…Know where you want to go and what you want from life, if you don’t, someone else will. Someone else (your parents, your friends, strangers) will tell you what you should be doing- and of course, how are they supposed to know? They’re not you! So decide now before you end up living someone else’s life.

So as you can see, Rebekka is truly an inspiration to many an aspiring creative and small business owner. The girl’s gonna do amazing things so be on the lookout! In the meantime, I highly suggest picking up a “Snazzy Moustache”ring or feather earrings. And feel free to look her up on Facebook and Twitter!

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Australian Label- Finders Keepers

I have a new-found obsession- Australian brands, especially Finders Keepers. The line was founded in 2009 and is no stranger to fun and feminine elements. From peek-a-boo cutouts that reveal just enough skin without being too scandalous to unexpected silhouettes. The line already has a celebrity following, such as: Giuliana Rancic, Nicky Hilton, Demi Lovato, Kendall Jenner and others. I had the pleasure of working with the lovely ladies from The Shop PR (who handle the label) and they sent me a few pieces from the Spring 2012 collection “Future Icon.” I received the Changing Skies Short, Let Love Down Maxi Dress and the Just Dance Dress. At first glance, I thought the shorts was a cute skirt with ruffles around the hips, but after realizing they were shorts, it just made them even cuter and quirky. The material is light and breathable and sits perfectly at the waist. It can easily be dressed casually with a tank or dressed up with a fun top and heels. The maxi dress is elegant…period. I received the dress in ‘Sunset’, which is equivalent to the Pantone 2012 Color of the Year- ‘Tangerine Tango.’ The dress is simple, except for the tasteful lace cutout in the front and bare cutout in the back. I just love that the cut in the bodice bares my finest assets. The Just Dance Dress was the last dress I received. It has a sheer lace bodice with scalloped peter pan collar and a lovely pleated skirt. This dress is meant to be snazzed up a bit, whether it be a bright or neon-colored cami, a fun headband and a pair of Jeffrey Campbells.

Finders Keepers is deliciously exciting and I’m looking forward to seeing the collection at the stores here in the States. For more information, check out the website. For a peek inside a couple lookbooks, go here and here.

**Photo Credit: Kate-Marie Heimann (Wear in LA)**

Other brands photographed in the shoot: Kensie, Modtoast, Free Aruna, Sole Society, Lola Shoetique, Forever 21, Old Gringo Boots, Pop Killer, Heart of Haiti by Macy’s, Heather-Marie Accessories (my own line), Jenny Dayco, Vanessa Mooney, Alex and Ani, Venus Fly Trap and Lani Beck Collection.

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Vanessa Mooney Jewelry

I recently had the pleasure of taking a peek into the Vanessa Mooney design studio, located in downtown Los Angeles. Vanessa Mooney is known for her vintage-inspired, rocker-chic and boho jewelry and has been seen on the likes of Katie Holmes, Vanessa Hudgens and Sienna Miller. Vanessa, who is the great-granddaughter of Harry Warner (one of the original Warner Bros.) is self-taught and launched her line in 2009, with one idea in mind: “let uninhibited design intuition lead the way.” She gets much of her inspiration from the many cultures and ethnicities she experiences during her travels. Mooney’s studio is housed in a very chic loft with breathtaking views of the surrounding city. I had the chance to meet the staff (unfortunately Vanessa was out-of-town) and see first-hand all the supplies and work that goes into making a bracelet or necklace. I previewed some classic pieces, as well as pieces from the new Holiday Resort and Spring 2012. I also saw some of the fringed handbags and tried on the comfy moccasins (available in tribal or animal print) that are now apart of the line. My favorite pieces I saw that day were the “Spear Me” pewter/brass necklaces, the African tribal collection, the rings and the “Dream Catcher” necklace. After personally viewing the collection, I am now an avid fan. Her jewelry is perfect for layering and creating that bohemian edge to any outfit, whether it be for work or going out. The line ranges from $50-300 and can be found at Urban Outfitters, Shopbop, Free People, Calypso, LF and Planet Blue. For more information and to shop the line, check out the website here.

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Thale Blanc and La Pochette

I was unable to attend the official launch party to celebrate Thale Blanc’s newest and hottest IT accessory- the pochette. But I was able to stop by the designer’s showroom and preview the collection recently. It was such a pleasure meeting Thale Blanc’s designer- Deborah Sawaf, who was kind enough to share the background of the brand and demonstrate how one would wear the pochette. Deborah grew up in a family of couture designers, thus, going into the couture business herself. She also studied gemology and had a fine jewelry line. After taking a break to start a family for seven years, she decided she wanted to get back into doing what she loves best-design something that’s practical. So, after realizing that she hated rummaging through her purse for her phone and would miss a call, she came up with the pochette- a mini accessory with a compartment that holds a phone, credit cards, cash and drivers license. There’s also a hook that holds car keys safely and securely. Deborah wanted this to be versatile (as she’s BIG on versatility) and fashionable. She currently has forty designs for the pochette, a little something for everyone. It comes with a detachable chain so you can wear it cross-body, around your waist or as a necklace. She also sells a variety of chains for the pochette. Feel like a plain chain? Done. How about a little bling in the chain? Done. There’s also a smaller chain available so you can attach the pochette to the outside of your handbag. The line has expanded to “double-pochettes”- the mini accessory with two compartments and very travel/family-friendly. How about a unique and durable ipad pochettes and covers? Each ipad accessory comes with a handy pocket for your phone, etc. and an opening for the speaker and camera. The ipad cover also comes with a small pocket for retractable headphones.

Along with the pochettes, Sawaf also has a collection of handbags and jewelry. Since she has a background in jewelry, she casts her own three-dimensional hardware. The results are stunning. My favorite pieces were the clutches from the ‘Maharajah’ line. The clutches are sleek and simple, but with a “crown jewel”clasp. So, along with the best hardware, the line contains the best skins (Deborah loves the exotics) that only come from the best farms.

The entire Thale Blanc line includes purple packaging, dedicated to her late brother-in-law, who died in Afganistan. Everything is manufactured in Los Angeles. Prices range from $112-300 for a pochette, wrap-bracelets are $50. For more information and to check out the latest specials (which includes a holiday deal for all pochettes- $98) go to the website!

I would personally like to thank Deborah and Fabiana for having me! Thank you again for my pochette. I LOVE it and it’s so handy!

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Designer- Christina Makowsky

I had the honor of meeting New York designer- Christina Makowsky, while she was in town (and many thanks to the Kate and staff at Chic Little Devil Style House). After Christina graduated from FIT and discovered luxury brands such as Celine, Mugler, Gaultier and Alaia at the Pret-a-Porter show in Paris; she decided to open up three retail stores in Long Island. These stores only carried around ten-fifteen pieces of most of the high-end designers. She had Michael Kors in the store for eighteen years. Granted, back in those days, luxury brands were rare and since there was no internet, people weren’t aware of the brands as they are nowadays. It wasn’t until about eight years ago, that luxury brands did begin popping up everywhere and weren’t as rare. With that being said, Christina decided to close the stores and put her heart back into her roots- designing clothing. Her collections are apart of who she is and showcases her sense of style. Her pieces are classic with a hint of edge. She is a woman of value and she wants not only her children to grow up with the right values and to understand that you should buy only the best quality and to be able to wear it always, save and cherish it; but also wants her clients to recognize these values. That’s why her pieces aren’t sold in stores. She wants to keep her collections tight and precious and be made in America.

Christina is a huge believer of being humanitarian. She feels that at this stage in her life, she wants to do something that will ‘leave a mark’ in the fashion industry. “Imagine if everyone did a little something through their career they were in?” At this time, she hosts private charity trunk shows with part of the proceeds going to a specific charity. The brand hosts Twitter campaigns with a charitable edge. Right now, they are working with Operation Smile. Anything donated throughout December is matched by O.S. So far, Christina has accumulated eight smiles. The Red Carpet Collection is only made up of ten gowns for ten actresses. If the actress wears the gown, the gown will be named after her and when the gown gets produced commercially, proceeds from the gown will go to the charity of the actress’s choice. How cool is that?! That concept is also what sets Christina Makowsky apart.

Christina gets most of her inspiration from her clients from the past twenty-eight years of being in the retailing/designing business and their lifestyles. Her collections are always on-trend and classic, but never trendy. She believes that the clothes have to work for the wearer. “Every girl needs a wardrobe that works for them and can take them wherever they are going.” Her Winter, Spring and Resort collections are versatile enough to be broken up and mixed around with different pieces. “You can go from a t-shirt to ballgown, but I will try and always show you how to wear a little cocktail suit, break it up and wear out to dinner with jeans…” She showed me a beautiful suit jacket with jeweled detachable collar and cuffs and showed me how she would pair them with another piece from the collection. She loves working with double-face crepe and many of her pieces boast a raw edge (so fun and unique, very glam and rock). Another great fact about the Christina Makowsky brand is that the buttons boast her CM initials and are made in the great state of Rhode Island.

She doesn’t have a favorite designer she looks up to, as she thinks that the best designers are the ones that are consistently true to their brand, which helps build a loyal client base. But she did say that Karl Lagerfeld stands out. She thinks he’s brilliant and took Chanel to a whole other level. Plus, he made her wedding gown (omg!!). She hopes to continue to evolve her brand and evolve the awareness of the ‘made in America’ stance. You, dear readers, can check out her website to shop or get more information. If you have a charity event and would like to have Christina do a trunk show, you may contact her as well.

**My photo of Christina and a peek at the collection**

*These photos were used with permission by Kate of CLDStyle and Christina Makowsky*

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Jill Milan Handbags (via Handbago)

I am very excited to introduce two companies- Handbago and Jill Milan. Both are making their mark in the handbag/fashion industry in some way. One of the Handbago founders- Kristina Meert, kindly enlightened me about the luxury handbag line. So, without further ado, may I first present- Handbago. Handbago is a members-only site founded in 2009 and dedicated to having the best and most unique handbags around, as well as feature awesome yet lesser-known designers; such as Sherry Wolf and the brand I’ll be discussing with you- Jill Milan. Not only is Handbago a marketplace to find the hottest bags, but it’s also a community. It features a blog, handbag reviews, giveaways and more! So… what are you waiting for?! Sign up to become a ‘Bagista’ today for FREE!

I was thrilled when the folks at Handbago acquainted me with the lux line- Jill Milan, which, might I add, is V-E-G-A-N! Jill Milan is still new, having just launched in 2010 by Jill Fraser and Milan Lazich. The faux-leather bags are handcrafted in Florence, Italy by the same artisans that created bags for Yves Saint Laurent and Balenciaga. They recently hired Maya Stewart to design their Fall collection. Maya uses her Native American background as inspiration for her design aesthetic and loves incorporating geometric shapes in the designs. Jill Milan not only is environmentally friendly, they also help out the animals. For example, upon hearing that horses are in danger of being shipped to Canada and Mexico for slaughter, (and that Jill is an equestrian herself), proceeds from the brand’s “Thoroughbred” bag go towards organizations that rescue and save former racehorses. I love hearing about brands like this…whose products are simple, but beautiful and help out the environment or other charities. Prices for the bags range from $450-2,500. Check out Jill Milan here!

**Photos courtesy of Jill Fraser for Jill Milan**

I would like to thank Jill Fraser for gifting me the “Gondola” clutch in red. The clutch is the object of every women’s desire and feels amazing when holding it. The inside of the clutch is spacious and can comfortably fit a cell phone, small wallet, car keys and other small items. The bag closes securely via an inside magnetic closure and via an outside closure that is made from Italian brass with the JM logo and is hooked to a soft faux-leather strap. I love the clutch so much that it inspired me to create an avant-garde dress!

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Lani Beck Jewelry Collection

I heard about the Lani Beck Collection through the lovely Kristina of Handbago (where Lani is selling some of her accessories). I had the opportunity to meet with the designer- Lani Beck over coffee one day and chat about her line, which was recently started in February. She was inspired to start her line because of the burgeoning handbag accessory trends, like the fox tails and tassels. She also wanted something that didn’t weigh down the handbag. Unable to get the accessories at that moment, she just decided she was going to design some of her own and bought two leather hides, tools and hardware and just started experimenting. After the leather fringe she cut out herself didn’t turn out the best the first time, she was able to get a professional leather cutter. She is pretty much the sole person for her company (which helps cut down the costs) and she makes all the samples herself. There’s a signature feather charm included on all her pieces, which was inspired by the feather trend (that she adores). She describes her line of necklaces, bracelets and tassels as bohemian and rocker-chic and that can also transition easily from day to evening. My favorite piece from the versatile collection would have to be the fringe necklace, which can be worn casually with jeans and a tee or tank or dressed up. I am also a fan of the bracelets, with a leather strap woven through the chain. I’ve also got to have one of the tassels for my growing collection of handbags. Her price points are fantastic, retailing from $42-64. Lani Beck Collection is not sold in stores yet (but will be soon). You can check out the Etsy Store and she is also sold on Handbago.

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31 Bits

I had the fortunate opportunity to stop by the popular development organization, 31 Bits’s headquarters in Costa Mesa to learn more about the brand. It was co-founded in 2008 by Kallie Dovel, who had traveled to Uganda back in 2007 to visit friends and get a glimpse of life in Northern Uganda. While there, she met women that had been displaced, who were crafting beautiful beads made from old posters, magazines, fliers and textbooks; but unfortunately, there was no market for selling them there. She brought back a box of jewelry to share with her friends and family-thus, bringing awareness and more demand for the jewelry. This series of events conjured up the idea for 31 Bits. The name, “31 Bits” was named after the Bible verse- Proverbs 31, which describes a diligent woman providing and caring for her family. “Bits” was named after the phrase- ‘bits of paper’, which is what the beads are made out of. Since 2008, 31 Bits has grown from having six women designers to one hundred fifteen. I think this is so amazing because these women are so talented and 31 Bits is helping to bring awareness to their craft, as well as helping them through development programs and giving them a decent wage so that they can provide food, shelter, health care to themselves and their families. I really enjoyed taking a peek inside their warehouse, chock full of boxes of different styles of necklaces and bracelets. As a visual person, it was a joy to see all the many colors and the variety of color-ways in the jewelry. If you want more information on the brand and want to hear more about how 31 Bits helps the women of Gulu, Uganda, go to their website.

Note: I want to extend a huge thanks to Alli- the director of PR/Marketing for kindly giving me the opportunity to tour the 31 Bits headquarters and for gifting me the ‘Heritage’ necklace in violet, as a thanks for doing this article on the brand.

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Carrie Parry A/W11

During FOCUS, I had the opportunity to meet New York designer- Carrie Parry and view her Autumn/Winter 2011, titled “Mrs. Montague.” Carrie was inspired by 1930s cult classic, The Women and Japanese polka-dot artist- Yayoi Kusama, emphasizing versatility. The line is beautifully tailored and extremely innovative; using the concept of interchangeable and detachable collars, which celebrates the pioneer of the detachable collar- 1870s housewife, Mrs. Montague. Her eco-friendly pieces are timeless classics. You can play up the separates by mixing n’ matching, as well as layering. Need a new outfit that transitions from the office to a gals night out? Might I suggest the fun ‘colorblock sleeveless dress’ or ‘black and white checked skirt’ or the ‘red shift dress with detachable collar’…The whole collection is brilliant and for more information on Carrie and the A/W11 collection, check out her website and Facebook!

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Alter Ego Jewelry by Erika Walton

All you Superhero, Mattel, Disney and Warner Bros. fans rejoice! Burbank-based jewelry brand, Alter Ego by Erika Walton is your dream come true! This very funky and kitsch line has been seen on the likes of Paris Hilton, Tila Tequila, Cisco Adler, several Japanese celebrities and Korean band- Big Bang. I had the pleasure of meeting the designer, Erika Walton at her studio. She is such an awesome girl with a fun down-to-earth personality (which is a perfect match for her quirky line). Back when she was fifteen, while babysitting, she was playing with beads and toy cars, and it came to her- a car bracelet. It took her a week to make one that didn’t fall apart. After that, she branched out into making bracelets and necklaces made from semi-precious stones, beads, charms and recycled toys from the 1950s-1990s. She attended her first trade show- MAGIC- when she was seventeen. During that time, she received a lot of press and celebrity attention. Now, at present time, she has two lines: Erika Walton, a simpler line that is licensed with Warner Bros. and is made in LA. Then Alter Ego by Erika Walton, which is more high-end and handmade by Erika herself. She is also collaborating with Comme des Garcons on the “Black Collection.” Just recently she also explained that she just started making toys and having a line being made locally, in hopes to help boost the economy (as she is a fan on being green). Erika isn’t inspired by any jewelry designers, but rather, finds inspiration in the little things, such as: candy, nature, glitter, sequins and when she sees people laughing and smiling. You can tell this girl puts a lot of passion and heart into her work. Her pricing varies, depending on the line… The Superheros go for $65-90, the Looney Tunes for $150 and bracelets are around $140. The Alter Ego bracelets go for $80-150, necklaces for $200-600. The Comme des Garcons pieces can go from $500-1000. Her famous car bracelets are $60. For more information on the lines and to shop, check out the website!

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Tash Folds by Tash Limited

Move over Dr. Scholl’s! There’s a newer, (and cuter) foldable flat in town! Tash Folds (the sister line of a regular shoe line, Tash Limited) was created by Natasha Tomek. Having been disgusted by the plain ‘ole black roll-up flat, she decided to take a chance and create foldable flats that fit nicely into your purse and are inspired by her friends and herself. Her line launched during MAGIC (February 2011) and consists of snakeskin, Oxford-inspired, TOMS-inspired and linen floral lace-ups. Unlike its counterparts, Tash Folds has a thicker sole and is meant to be worn everyday, hence the motto: “For the girl on the go.” Natasha passionately stands by her product (having been wearing her folds for eight months and they’re still going strong). She also believes that if she designs something, she’s going to wear it too! Due to her upbringing, she also believes in keeping her line under $45 and affordable for everyone. In the coming months, we will expect to be seeing a Havianas-inspired sandal collection, with the bag (that the sandals come with) opening up into a handy beach tote. There is also a wedding collection in the works as well…ballet flats adorned with pearls and Swarovski crystals with Bride, Bride to be, etc. Tash Folds are debuting in July, so be sure to check out the website for further deets!!

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Macy’s “Heart of Haiti” Campaign

This campaign was brought to my attention by the lovely people of Macy’s and beeverywhere. Granted the earthquake in Haiti happened last year, but it still has an impact on us today. After the Clinton Foundation Summit in May 2010, Macy’s teamed up with Fairwinds Trading and Brandaid Project to collaborate with Haitian artisans on the “Heart of Haiti” campaign, which will bring trade and aid to the country through a program that that will give the Haitian artisans the opportunity to sell their traditional handcrafted home decor products and jewelry. The collection is inspired by the courage and culture of the Haitian people. As of now, there are more than two-hundred artisans back to work; including blacksmiths from Croix des Bouquets, papier mache artists from Carnival Jacmel artists and a womens quilting cooperative in Cite Soleil. A selection of quilts, metalwork, ceramics, wood-carvings, paintings and jewelry launched as the exclusive Macy’s “Heart of Haiti” last October online and in twenty-five Macy’s stores. To shop the products, meet the artisans and watch the video- go here. According to the CEO of Macy’s- Terry J. Lundgren, “It is truly devastating to see the ongoing impact of the earthquake in Haiti. While we, along with many others, responded immediately with giving, we also quickly identified an opportunity to help in a more lasting way. Like our Rwandan ‘Path to Peace’ program, we know that we can create a sustainable economic model when there is beautifully appointed product and an inspiring story to tell. We are delighted to bring these incredible works of art to Macy’s customers in America, and in turn to create a revenue stream that can support the foundation and infrastructure for Haiti’s rebuild.”

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Jenny Dayco-Jewelry Designer

Whimsical…Fun…Humorous… Those are the words LA jewelry designer Jenny Dayco used to describe her high-quality yet very affordable line. Dayco, a natural artist who has a knack for seeing something in her mind and actually being able to make it; was tired of the limited selection of plus-size fashion back in 2002. So she figured, hell, why not make jewelry to jazz up an outfit, since she was after all, working in the fashion industry and attended numerous events and parties. She recalled making a giant gold circle necklace for a cousin’s wedding back in 2004 and later wearing the same necklace for a friend’s store’s party. Her friend is the owner of the boutique, Scout, by the Grove and he suggested she started making jewelry for his store. So she thought about it and decided to give it a go. From then until the beginning of 2006, she worked to make ends meet, while doing her jewelry on the side. Then, literally by the grace of God, opportunities started popping up everywhere. She no longer needed a job and was able to support herself doing her jewelry full-time. Though when the recession hit in 2009, she dwindled down from making mostly large pieces to smaller pieces (but still is continuing with the large pieces). It was only until recently when she started having actual ‘themed’ collections. Cleopatra is by far, one of her favorite inspirations; due to the opulence of the movie in general, in addition to Elizabeth Taylor’s costumes and jewelry. For Fall 2011, she’s sticking to the Cleopatra theme (though some people have said her pieces are very 70′s Disco inspired). She references magazine pages at times , but for the most part, feels that she gets her inspiration from within herself. “It’s like you’re a painter… what do you want to paint today? I wanna paint that tree…You can look outside at the world around you and say well, I think that is beautiful, I wanna paint that …You could. Or is there something within you that you want to create..that you’ve never seen before? Or that you have seen in your own mind. But you have yet to witness through your own eyes on a canvas…” Dayco explains. She likes to stick with what she knows, as far as materials goes. She knows that her customers appreciate the gold and silver jewelry and loves working with large found objects (such as a brooch or an aluminum acorn). Best-sellers for her line include: teardrop earrings, silver/gold feather necklaces/earrings, charm jewelry, handcuff necklaces, religious–inspired pieces, brooch rings (I have the black brooch ring and LOVE it!), black and gold jewelry. Her prices are very reasonable, as she says she wants to design for everyone. Her wholesale prices start at $10-50. Due to the economy also being the way it is and that she does everything herself and doesn’t have to outsource, her retail prices do not go above $110. She also passed along some advise that she would like to share with young artists and jewelry designers…”Start small. Make a few things, see where it goes from there… Be the person that people like working with. No one likes working with a diva. You yourself represent your brand…You’re your own spokesperson. Young designers- put yourself out there… business cards… word of mouth… And be careful what you say online (Facebook or Twitter) because your representing your brand.”

Jenny Dayco has been mentioned in multiple publications, such as: Nylon Guys, Teen Vogue, Flaunt, Paper, etc and has been spotted on Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Paris Hilton, Keri Hilson and many other A-listers. Her line is sold in boutiques throughout LA, most noteably: Diavolina (located 8741 West 3rd Street Los Angeles, CA 90048 310.550.1341), Beige (located 7274 Beverly Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90036-2545 323.549.0064), Kill City (located 7975 Melrose Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90046-7118 323.272.4206) and EM & Co. (located 7940 West 3rd Street`Los Angeles, CA 90048-4305`323.782.8155). She also is a best-seller in Japan and online.

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Designer John Murrough and illia

I hate to admit, but I didn’t really know of illia until after I had the pleasure of touring the store in Venice, meeting the retail manager-Fritzie and talking with the designer- John Murrough (and meeting his dog- Gracie). The store was small, which enabled a more personable atmosphere. All the clothes and accessories exuded the highest quality in fabrics, mainly leathers and some knits and wovens. John was eager to share some background (and current) information with me. illia has been around since the 90′s and the garments at the time were made out of suede. However, John decided to take a sabbatical from the industry and went back to South Africa. It wasn’t until Spring of 2009 when illia relaunched again, with an exclusive event at Barney’s New York. This time around, the garments were mainly created out of leather. Since rejoining the fashion workforce, along with business partner-Robbie Moray, he has realized that the business had changed dramatically with the recession. Specialty stores are getting fewer and far between. The point was brought up that because of the economy, people are paying more attention to the quality of clothing. Consumers want something that’s unique and not seen on a lot of people (which is why illia stands out from other brands.) He was telling me that during one of the trade shows, he saw a very chic woman that he knew was wearing of his jackets. He found out that she has had it for twelve years. He is very passionate in his brand, being well-aware of the ‘illia consumer,’ who are usually the very health-conscious Venice women. He always wants to know what has or hasn’t sold and why, along with the fit of the garments. He focuses on a fitted, tailored silhouette with smaller armholes. Although illia is a womenswear brand, men even love trying on the shirt jackets because of the tailoring. He is constantly thinking about what the customer wants next and is usually spot on with his judgement. He credits LA as his inspiration, because the brand is all about the California lifestyle…casual yet chic. He also has a couple muses that have impeccable style and looks to them for inspiration. Although every piece at the Venice store is exquisite, there are a couple best-sellers: the motorcycle jackets and vests; because they’re made so well that they last a long time, which is what people want (I mean, wouldn’t YOU?) In the near future, illia plans on opening a few more stores (as Venice is the one and only) and creating a menswear line. The line would ultimately consist of five or six easy shirts and blazers.

illia is located in the trendy Abbot Kinney neighborhood in Venice at 1638 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291. The phone number is (310)450-2890.

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Jewelry Designer- Clemmie Watson

I first heard of Clemmie Watson when I was reading NYLON magazine and saw a picture of a customized “NYLON” necklace she was sent them. I checked out her site and fell in love with her jewelry line. Native American inspired necklaces and earrings…Fender guitar pick earrings… Medicine pouch necklaces…Each piece is one-of-a-kind and was carefully constructed by Clemmie- who chose jewelry making as an artsy medium to express herself creatively. About ten years ago, she found herself at an arts and crafts store to get some string and seed beads. But as she soon realized, what started out as just a hobby, quickly turned into a happy love affair and business. She draws her inspirations from the Mulleavy sisters of Rodarte, her boyfriend, the Nelson Atkins Museum in Kansas City (where she is based). According to Clemmie, ” [the museum] houses one of the most beautiful masterpieces by Michelangelo Caravaggio, John the Baptist. I could look at that painting for hours. It is more intriguing than the most perfect sunset because it was created by man.” As far as the process of making the pieces; she uses anything from silks, leathers, precious stones (smoky quartz and crystal quartz in particular), fine chains and feathers. “I am always challenging myself to develop new techniques to make mixed-media pieces look balanced and seamless,” she adds. At the moment, her favorite pieces are the medicine pouches. “I put different crystals in each pouch. No two are alike and they’re so much fun to make because I don’t know how they will turn out,” she explains. Prices range from $40-920 on her website. The medicine pouches range from $160-700.

NOTE: All but one of the photos were used with permission from ClemmieWatson.com. The one photo I took myself. Many thanks to Clemmie for gifting the “Silver Feather #1″ !!!!

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Nana Bijou Jewelry

I had the pleasure of meeting jewelry designer, Natalie Sadigh at my monthly Two Point Oh LA “Blogger Cafe.” Her pieces were very exquisite and delicate and immediately caught my attention. She started her line, Nana Bijou Jewelry in 2000 while studying at GIA (Gemological Institute of America). The name, “Nana Bijou” originated from when her younger brother was a toddler. He had a tough time pronouncing her name, Natalie; so he said, “Na-na-Na,” which has stuck with her over the years. She just recently found out that “Nana” means: “chic” (French street slang for ‘girl’.) Bijou is her mother’s name and means, “jewelry” in French. Natalie finds inspiration from her mother, Karl Lagerfeld, Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren, nature, and the LA architecture just to name a few. She is not only business-savvy (having followed her parents wishes and went to business school) but is extremely crafty in the fashion and jewelry industries. She works with anything she can get her hands on, turning it red carpet-worthy jewelry. She’s known for her lariats, chunky necklaces, elaborate earrings and especially her attention to detail. Each necklace comes with two little tags: one is a Hamsa, for protection and the second is a heart inscribed with a quote- “Made with love.” Prices for the pieces vary depending on materials. It could be anywhere from $40 (for a pair of earrings) to $3,000 (for a more elaborate necklace). But the average necklace prices are from $100-500. I will leave you with an inspiring quote from Natalie: “…I guess you could say I’m walking proof for all the youngsters out there of how important it is for everyone to be sure and DO WHAT YOU LOVE!!! Because ultimately, that’s the only way one can truly be successful.”

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We Are Handsome

Thanks to fellow blogger, Jennifer for introducing me to Australian swimwear brand- We Are Handsome. The line features mens and womens suits with simple silhouettes but have bold and fun images printed on them. The brand was founded by longtime friends, Jeremy and Indhra. Indhra managed a nightclub in Sydney and also ran swimwear label-Oscar and Elvis. Jeremy was the creative director of the same nightclub. Then, after about five years, Jeremy approached Indhra with the idea that would later be “We Are Handsome.” When finding images for their collections, they go through massive piles of images and then come up with an idea. Once they have an idea, they explore the many themes and images that are affiliated with that idea. They use the highest quality elastomeric and polyester fabrics and use the process of digital sublimation that makes the images vibrant and lucid. What sets them apart from other swimwear lines? According to Jeremy,”Our debut collection was all born from the idea that we wanted to create images that you felt like you’ve seen before. The familiarity of all our prints is really important, even though you’ve never actually seen them before. We love to be able to create an emotional connection to an image and for it to bring back memories of thoughts of distant times.” When I browsed the collection at the California Market Center, I did see a couple suits with images of vintage life… Ahhh yesteryear……. The line and its signature scoop neck one-pieces are coveted by the likes of Katy Perry, Jessica Biel, M.I.A. and Tyra Banks. Prices range from $200-250 to own a piece of wearable art that’s perfect for the beach. Also check them out on Facebook and Twitter.

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Gasoline Glamour’s “Candyland” Collection

I happened upon the ‘candied happiness’ when I was reading an e-newsletter from the Chic Little Devil Style House. I immediately contacted them to view and get to know more about the collection. I tell you, the pictures don’t do the products justice… Just being able to try-on, touch and actually see them was awesome and overwhelming (overwhelming in a good way of course). Shannon-the designer for Gasoline Glamour utilized everything from candy, lollipops to spikes, jewels and Christmas ornaments; when she was commissioned to do the “Candyland” collection for Katy Perry. The collection was done in 72 hours. As for the rest of her collections in general, she finds inspiration through random things in her house, images in her head, anything she can get her hands on or sparks her interest…”Creativity is not something you can bottle. Like swagger, you either have it or you don’t,” she states. Gasoline Glamour is sold in boutiques around the globe and online. For more information, contact Kelly@cldstylehouse.com or Michelle@cldstylehouse.com.

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Adam Bernhard- CEO at Hautelook

Yours truly had the exciting opportunity to sit down with Adam Bernhard- the founder and CEO of the popular and ever-growing e-commerce site, Hautelook. What amazes me is that the company is only two years old and is doing remarkably well [whether growing internally with employees or externally with its member base] during this economy. For this interview, I did something a little different. I not only asked some of my own questions, but reached out of my fans as well, asking them ‘if they had one thing to ask the CEO of Hautelook, what would it be?’

LAFashionsnob: What made you want to get into fashion?

Adam Bernhard: I’ve been around fashion since I was a kid. My mother’s in the fashion business. She owned a textile company and buying office. One of my first jobs was working at a retail store- Fred Segal when I was 17 years old…and so I worked there for years. Even while I was in college I worked at Fred Segal. I always loved being around clothes. It was kind of a family industry that we were in.

LAFS: Of all the names you could have named the company, why “Hautelook”?

AB: Hautelook represents a couple things in the fashion business: ‘Haute-couture’ for one, which is high or high fashion, ‘Haute’ the word in and of itself, in French means ‘high’, so the concept of it being a aspirational site we wanted to make sure the name carried with it aspirational thought process. Psychologically, you think ‘Haute’ is a very elegant word and the word,”look” actually is a word used in the fashion business. So on photo shoots, no one really says, “oh I like that outfit”, they say, “oh I like that look” and when you’re backstage at fashion shows they call the different outfits “look 1, look 2, look 3″..etc…depending on when the girls are walking out. In fashion always, there’s the new “look”…The word ‘look’ is highly correlated to the fashion business. So ‘haute’ which is ‘high’ and ‘look’ which is very ‘industry terminology’…just seem to go well together.

LAFS:What is the purpose behind the “legendary big comfy green chair”?

AB: When I had just started the liquidation business, I had just come off running a label called, “Joie” and I was in my apartment and every morning .. I would get up like I was going to work, take a shower, get dressed and go sit in that chair like it was my office. I would start to call my friends in the business and see if they had extra goods for me to sell.  ( My friend had an office up the street from my apartment and when I needed to send a fax I would go to his office and I would sneak in there and I would send faxes from his fax machine because I didn’t have one in my apartment. ) And so that chair lives on and I won’t let anyone throw it away.

LAFS: What sets Hautelook apart from the other companies (ie Gilt, Rue La La)?

AB: Part of it I think, is the culture and the roots of our business. This business comes from me being in the apparel business. We had never seen this idea. We had a liquidation  business (post my running a label)  and the business really came out of us wanting to provide brands with a better way to clear their access inventory by protecting the brand from anything that would harm their brand identity and we wanted to figure out a way to make more margin for them. So it was a fortuative timing that we happen to launch the site during one of the worst economic downturns that this country has ever seen. So we were fortunate enough to have that on our side and we had the wind in our back and it really just took off so quickly.

LAFS (on behalf of Crosby Noricks-PR Couture): Given the proliferation of similar sites, how do you continue to differentiate Hautelook and retain/extend your community?

AB: As a first-mover we have an advantage that our site is recognized as one of the leaders in the space. We are able to leverage that because we are a west-coast based company in and of itself the culture and the brand of Hautelook is more of a casual-lifestyle brand,compared to the east-coast players in the space who are much more New York based and east-coastcentric so we have more of an inviting atmosphere of inclusiveness rather than exclusiveness and we wanna make sure that our membership continues to grow with that feeling of being a member is open as an invitation to all people no matter who they are, where they are, at what social bracket they’re in, what ethnicity they are, the gender…Now we have mens. So our focus is to differentiate by being inclusive rather than exclusive  and we are letting brands know that we’re reaching a huge customer base of customers that wanna know more about what’s going on w/style as opposed to us dictating what we think style is.

LAFS (on behalf of Crosby Noricks-PR Couture): Why should a designer consider a sale through a company like Hautelook? Any success stories to share?

AB: When we first started the site, it was an exhaust vehicle for brands to be able to clear their inventory. What we quickly realized was that this was a incredible marketing vehicle for brands to be able to reach our close to three million customers on a regular basis. Seventy-five percent of our member sales , when they buy something from the sale from the brand, they go to that brand’s website . Fifty percent of the people that buy something from one of our sales they go and go buy and purchased that brand post the sale at either brick-and-mortar or online store and twenty percent said they bought an item from that brand post the sale at full price. So we’re getting brands a new member into their the brand culture and this is the real exciting part of what’s happening in the flash sales base that is not just a exhaust vehicle, but it’s a marketing vehicle.

LAFS (on behalf of Crosby Noricks-PR Couture): How does Hautelook promote itself off-domain?

AB: We have been fortunate enough to have our community of members basically build our business. The bloggersphere has really retold our story, brought sixty percent of our members into our membership base into our database and it’s been really a fantastic word of mouth growth . Plain and simple, it’s one of those phenomenons where people like to talk about it. It’s one of those things, people like to hear about it, it’s great, they like to share. Like the proliferation of the social web , people like to share what they’re doing more so then ever. So as they continue to share (girls love to share about their shopping experience) so we are continuing to escalate our ability to allow them to share information. And you’ll see something coming out in our iphone and ipad apps in the next couple months.

LAFS (on behalf of Crosby Noricks-PR Couture): What excites you about coming to work each day?

AB: I think it’s the atmosphere and the people here.We’re doing so many new things every day it’s a undiscovered territory where our business is there’s no road map in doing what we’re doing. It’s the discovery similar to every night we re-merchandise our store so every morning there’s new discovery for our members and it’s similar for me when I come to the office . There’s new challenges every day, there’s new exciting frontiers , new problems, there’s always something new for us to focus on. This is a very young atmosphere here, the employees are all very young and it’s exciting to see how everybody’s just working towards the same goal and it’s a very pleasurable place to work.

LAFS (on behalf of Crosby Noricks-PR Couture): What are three things you wish you had known before you launched Hautelook?

AB: I think not knowing sometimes allows you not to have fear. There’s a lot of things that if I knew it, I probably wouldn’t have been able to build this business as big as it is. The three things I wish I didn’t know, I still wish I didn’t know. So I know now what I knew then, I probably wouldn’t have started this business. My advice would be: don’t worry about you don’t know, learn what you don’t know and don’t be afraid. You have to just go with your intuition some of this obviously when your building a business from scratch it’s all about that feeling that you’re gonna have to make a decision and once you make a decision you’re  have to stick with it. You have to be big enough to admit you’re wrong. At some point, when you know something’s not going your way you have to cut bait and move on.

LAFS (on behalf of Rebekka Lien): What is your life goal?

AB: I enjoy life. So I live as hard as I work and my goal is to experience life as it comes to me. I want to see the world. I love travel. I love that we (here at Hautelook) put a stamp on a new form of doing something, which is the new form of retail. So for us to have a lasting impression on the mindset and way in which people shop, that’s really exciting  for me.

LAFS (on behalf of Emma Zerner-model/singer/actress): How do you always look and feel “haute” and meanwhile retain your sense of self?

AB: Hautelook doesn’t define me. It’s a company that we have all built together so I am still me and I think part of our ability to build this business was my relationships out there in the marketplace and I think it’s you need to be true to who you are -always . People who change over time, I guarantee you, people from grade school will say I’m the same guy I was then , nothing has changed about me, I do exactly the same things I was doing before . Like everybody else, I eat, I sleep, I breathe, I exercise. I have the ability to meet with people that because of this business allow me to continue to collect deeper levels of information because we have garnered a status here at Hautelook of a “frontier blazer,” and so that’s exciting for me . I now am able to spend time with individuals that  are leaders of business to completely understand how we can develop our business.

LAFS (on behalf of Jane Chen): What are your favorite stores or places that you go to that always has that something special for everyone?

AB: I’m very particular with my gift-giving. There isn’t one particular store where I shop. When I buy gifts , I really think about what that person’s likes are and anytime people ask me what I should get them I say what do they do? What are they into?What are their hobbies and passions? Mine are pretty evident, you see around the office, I have modern architecture books, art books, calenders by famous artists… So for me, I’m pretty transparent. Art, architecture and travel are my passions so when people buy me things, they know and so when I say to my friends and when I go to buy gifts for people, I really focus on who they are and what they like rather then the stores i find appealing to me because I’m buying something for someone else.

LAFS: In closing, what advice would you give to young entrepreneurs wanting to start their business, and in this shaky economy?

AB: This is the best time to start a business. It’s all about change right now. It’s all about evolution. People are looking for different ways to do pretty much everything. So I believe this is the one of the most opportunistic times we’ll have in our lifetime. The economy has turned in a way where there’s a lot of great talent out there on the streets of if you’re able to start a business and get some great people, whatever you do, do it with conviction. If you believe in it, you gotta go for it, that ‘s the number one thing.  I think being an entrepreneur is one of the most exciting things you can ever do. but what you need to understand when you’re an entrepreneur is the highs are very high and the lows are very low. so you better be thick skinned if you’re gonna start a business. You gotta be able to ride the wave and be able to understand that there’s gonna be good days and there’s gonna be bad days. If you just go to work somewhere and you’re just getting a check every week, yes that could be fulfilling, but if you’re going to go the route of an entrepreneur, you have to have that mindset of when it’s going great, that’s when you need to worry, because it can turn in a second. and so you need to be able to ride the highs and ride the lows and keep a calm, cool and collected head.

NOTE: Many thanks to Executive Assistant Christine Elmassian for helping to set up the interview, to Adam and to Kate Petreccia of Paqit for providing five boxes of Paqit for my five fans that provided me with questions. And the lovely people who provided me with questions: Crosby Noricks, Rebekka Lien, Jane Chen and Emma Zerner!!

**You can sign up to become a member of Hautelook on my blog. Thanks!**

**Photo of Adam provided by Hautelook….. 2nd photo is of the Legendary Green Chair (taken by me)**

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Designer Elene Cassis

I had the chance to sit down with and view the Fall/Winter 2010 of New York designer Elene Cassis. Elene is a graduate of Parsons and felt very prepared and driven to start her company right after. This June will mark the one-year anniversary of the start of her company. She defines her style, inspired by Chanel and Ralph Lauren, as “classic beyond belief with a modern twist.” Her clothes have a general color palette of black and white and have a European meets Jackie-O meets London feel. She uses natural fabrics and all the pieces are lined with silk. She is extremely detail-oriented in that she checks the quality of every piece before it goes out to boutiques. Her pieces have been seen on Booker T. Washington’s daughter, the Shannon twins, Stephanie Pratt, and the ‘Linda’ dress has recently been worn on Cheryl Burke.

The classic silhouette was evident in the collection I viewed. The dresses are very versatile in that they could be worn during the day and then jazzed up a bit to wear out on the town in the evening. They are also structured to fit curvier women as well. Elene believes that “everyone should feel special and wear designer clothes.” Prices range from $300-400 and are available in boutiques around the country (one being Petro Zillia here in LA). Her NY showroom is located at 252 W. 38th St. (between 7th & 8th Aves.) and her office number is (212)784-0696 and fax is (212)784-0699. Check out www.elenecassis.com for online shopping and more information.

Special thanks to the designer, Elene Cassis and Carla Bate of Spin Shoppe PR!

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Celebrity Jewelry Designer- Onch of Onch Movement

I caught up celebrity jewelry designer and one of Paris Hilton’s BFFs, Onch at a local Starbucks and chatted with him about his line, Onch Movement. Malaysian-born Onch found his niche in jewelry making while attending school for graphic design. He took leftover resin and paired it with some Tylenol pills and created his first necklace. While wearing it out, he was approached by a woman who loved the necklace and bought it off him. This then motivated him into making more necklaces out of pills, M&Ms, etc. He met up with Mika, who helped him with tips on making his jewelry better. On April 1st 2005, Onch Movement was launched. Soon after, Onch  appeared on Paris Hilton’s BFF, wearing pieces from his line on every show. The show brought attention and a new audience to the line. There is a major celebrity following of the Hollywood and pop culture-inspired line, like: Kate Moss, Amy Winehouse, Jenna Jamesson, Brooke Hogan, Paris Hilton, Perez Hilton and Beth Ditto just to name a few. His signature pieces include the pretzels, lollipops and lips. He recalls when Kate Moss wore one of his razor blade necklaces and it created a media frenzy overnight.

His current collection is called, “Monchsters” and is inspired by our world. Each of the monchsters is limited and due to pollution, becomes extinct. “Gotta save our planet to save our monchsters!” He is also currently collaborating with the Trevor Project, a LGBTQ suicide and crisis hotline, designing a necklace for them.

Prices of the necklaces range from $12.99 for a flip-O-pendent to $45 for one the famous pretzels or thousands for one of his pieces from his line with Jason of Beverly Hills. Onch Movement can be found online at www.onchmovement.com. He hopes to have the collections available at stores at the end of 2010. Follow him on Twitter or Facebook!

Special Thanks to Onch for the Flip-O-Pendent!

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Celebrity Stylist- Reinaldo Irizarry

Meet celebrity stylist Reinaldo Irizarry (pronounced erie~zarie), the latest phenomenon to take the fashion scene by storm. Having started his career in the industry as a visual merchandiser for Saks Fifth Avenue and even dabbled in design, he realized that there are a lot more career paths besides design and modeling and decided to take up styling. Having a strong editorial background has given him many opportunities to style photo shoots, be a Creative Director for his online magazine, A-List International (www.alist-international.com) and has given him the chance to style the likes of American Idol’s Ayesha Mercado and Mel B of the former Spice Girls. If you walked into his office, you would probably find a vast array of magazines, European in particular, arranged alphabetically of course and you would hear about every genre of music playing on his ipod; as this inspires him to create moods, themes and looks for styling. Whether his day begins at 5AM or 9AM, a stylist’s work is never done. He is always checking emails, making phone calls to clients or designers or PR Firms, picking up clothes for shoots, attending fittings and then making returns. Current styles [or trends] he is hyped up on at the moment are harem pants (he loves the way the modern woman wears it with platform sandals) and shoulder pads. He is currently filming his own reality show, Style Protocol, which is about his fast-paced life as a stylist and his goal to get to high-profile status. The show is being produced by DJM Multimedia and help from Daniel Magro. For more info on Reinaldo, Style Protocol, and contact info, go to www.reyalfashion.com.

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Michaela Kuechenhoff- Designer of Micha Designs

While I was at the Focus Fashion Show, I was introduced to a bubbly designer named Michaela. She showed me her jewelry collection, which consisted of  handmade, one-of-a-kind, avant-garde necklaces made from vintage watch pieces, belt buckles, brooches  feathers, etc.  Let’s just say- I was HOOKED! Her company was founded in 1997 and her mission is “Go Green.” She uses recycled and vintage materials while also using ‘offbeat’ materials like: leather, feathers, lace, door knockers, brooches, fabric roses, scrabble pieces, doilies, etc. Her mission “is to show that you do not have to compromise beauty to ‘go green’.” She gets inspired by materials, odds and ends from swap meets. She does not work from a sketch, thus allowing the creations to develop organically, draping materials over a mannequin. A few of her signature pieces are: “What time is it?”, “Buckle Up” and Hardware Deluxe Designs. She sells her pieces at numerous style houses, boutiques, Nordstrom’s, Bloomingdale’s and trunk shows. Her price points range from $40-300. Her necklaces are very popular with celebrities, including: Jessica Simpson, Kourtney Kardashian, Fergie and Audrey Kitching. I look forward to seeing more of Michaela’s unique pieces on the red carpet or out-and-about. For more information or to purchase, go to www.michadesign.com or contact Michaela at micha@michadesign.com.

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SHANE TAMOSHUNAS- ELEGANTLY DISHEVELED

I am truly fortunate to work in a place full of creative people. So, with that being said, it was no surprise when I heard that one of my co-workers, Shane Tamoshunas has his own jewelry and apparel line, “Elegantly Disheveled.”
His passion for deconstruction began as a child and jump started when he was working on a shoot. He wanted a pair of boots used on set but they cost $700. Unable to afford them, he decided to take matters in his own hands. He bought a pair of boots, sanded and painted them, turning them into the exact same pair as the ones at the shoot.

2007, he officially launched his line, “Elegantly Disheveled. He sands (by electric and hand) jeans, khakis and boots; deconstructs tees and jewelry. He takes knick-knacks that wouldn’t normally be used for jewelry and incorporates them into his pieces, which are unisex. “Not too masculine…not too feminine…” An example of a unique item that he puts on  his necklaces was a canary pendent he purchased at a thrift store for $2, or the face of a watch, which he would re-make into a locket. He wants “Elegantly Disheveled” to be affordable to people who want that one one-of-a-kind piece.

Depending on the amount of work, the line ranges between $30-100 and is available online at www.gas-d.com. Shane’s website is now available at www.elegantlydisheveled.net.

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MATT KAYE- DESIGNER AT BAZANGO CREATIVE

Bazango Creative was the name that first popped into comedian Matt Kaye’s head when thinking of names for his apparel company. He is an eco-friendly company that takes thrift and new apparel  and turns them into works of art. The idea came to him during the ten years he was a house painter, people would offer money for his paint-splattered pants…and so it went from there. He found an investor and so, this past February, Bazango Creative was born. He paints a menagerie of colors and draws Johnathan Winters-type cartoon characters on jackets, shoes, tees, pants and dresses for men and women. He can paint on most types of fabrics, except coarse materials found on sweaters; but loves working with Dickies, which holds paints well, like canvas. Matt finds inspiration while looking through Juxtapose, graffiti magazines and the art of Jean-Michel Basquiat (*1960-1988* Of the Warhol era). He is currently selling online and at Monogrammit on Robertson Blvd, but wants to ultimately sell to more boutiques. His jackets and pants go for $390.00, long sleeve shirts go for $155.00 and tees for $120.00. For more info and to purchase a one-of-a-kind Bazango creation, go to www.bazangocreative.com and check out Matt Kaye on Facebook!

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JOSEPH RENE- HAIRSTYLIST

Joseph Rene, known for styling hair for high-end fashion shows, celebrities , magazine shoots and now…me…that is, for Beauty Fusion Beauty Show in Pasadena, CA; where I was a last-minute model.

I arrived at Salon Sessions the day before the show, not knowing if he could take me or not. His station was already packed with clients, but he asked me to kindly wait for a few minutes and then we would talk.

Just when I thought I was probably outta luck, his assistant ushered me back to his station, where there was a free chair. Despite that he was booked, he still managed to squeeze me in and had the time to color and shape my hair for the show the very next day.

At the show….

I observed Joseph working his magic on fellow models. Three girls had curled red carpet hair, with the help of the Enzo Milano curling irons…While he inserted colored extensions in others…By the time the show was over, every girl and yes, there were a few guys looked amazing. Even during a few stressful times during the show, this man kept it professional. When a workshop location went awry, he took charge and brought the show to the main stage, which got the attention he needed. During his presentations (with a rockin ’80′s theme), he would bring each of us up and explained (or demonstrated on the Enzo Milano and extensions models) in detail what he did to our hair. In the end, he achieved yet another level of his dream and I left with a bad-ass rocker hairstyle!

SPECIAL THANKS: Salon Sessions (112 S. De Lacey Ave. Pasadena, CA 91105  Phone: 626-795-8856) , THE MODELS!, Beauty Fusion Beauty Show, Joseph Rene (contact #626-243-3123), Enzo Milano, Chenice Beverly Hills, the Jr. Stylists: Liz and Charles, the make-up artists: Lupita, Johanna and Sandra from Millenium Cosmetics (8611 California Ave. Suite B  South Gate, CA 90280 Phone:323-249-0018), Fresh and Famous Clothing and Parris Harris.

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FALLING WHISTLES

Falling Whistles was a concept that started a year ago when Sean Carasso poured his heart and soul into a blog while on a trip to Congo. He had been on a shoe drop with Tom’s Shoes and had decided to explore the region. What he saw and experienced in the months ahead were heartwretching. One was of five boys that had been tortured and in this prison camp that Sean and his friends were able to acess. The boys told him of the whistle blowers…boys what were not old enough….given whistles and forced on the front lines…

When Sean was back in the States, he was still broken. Then one day, a friend gave him a whistle and told him to “just keep it alive…” From then on, he wore that whistle around his neck and people have come up to him and asked about the meaning of that whistle. It was then that he chose to “make their (the boys) weapon his voice” and now Falling Whistles is a company based out of Venice, CA that sells whistles along with the boys story. 100% of the proceeds go to programs that will help rehabilitate children through local leaders in Congo and to advocate the war.

Falling Whistles will be selling the whistles at Space 1520 and Steven Alan. The company has also partnered with jewelry designer Lizzie Fortunato and she will be making a whistle every season.

Sean hopes that he can distribute and share the information about the social issues in the Congo through fashion and the whistles.

For more information and/or to purchase the whistles, please go to www.fallingwhistles.com.