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Carmen Steffens Fall Launch-Fashion Square Mall

Aug 28 2010

The luxury Brazilian accessories brand, Carmen Steffens launched its Fall Collection at the Westfield Fashion Square in Sherman Oaks. Why Sherman Oaks…you ask? Carmen Steffens wants to appeal to everyone, not just celebrities or Beverly Hills clientele. They want to reach out to those who love fashion but can’t necessarily afford the Louboutins, Manolos or YSLs. Carmen Steffens pride themselves as being a brand that only carries one size or handbags that may only have one for the entire US market. The brand sets the highest standards to make sure that their focus is on style, exclusivity and comfort. Especially comfort. The shoes are made with a composite or rubber sole that allows people to walk on hard floors with ease (and I was told that that’s why their stores have marble floors and not carpeted floors…to demonstrate how comfortable it is when trying out the shoes). When trying on the platformed shoes myself, I too, believed in the Carmen Steffens comfort… I felt a difference when walking around and loved the way the shoe had a slight upper curvature that I believe would help to relieve the bulk of the pressure at ball of the foot. Prices to own a Carmen Steffens piece range from: $150-760 for shoes/boots, $190-850 for handbags and $180-190 for wallets.

Special Thanks: J, Michael Shane of Gorgeous PR, Mark Willingham- President of US Operations, the helpful sales staff of the Fashion Square Carmen Steffens store- 14006 Riverside Drive, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423.

NOTE: Along with the slide show of pix from the event, Michael was kind enough to give me the link to the CS virtual fashion show. They reinvented the fashion show by making it mostly animation but the CS products are not animation. Enjoy!

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

Apr 24 2010

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

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

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

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

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

Concept LA- First Night (LAFW 2010)

Apr 24 2010

I was once again joined by fellow fashionista, Ashleigh at the first Concept LA show at the Spring Arts Tower. That night, there were three fashion shows by designers: Chelsea Rebelle, B:SCOTT and Fremont. Chelsea Rebelle designer Sarah Brannon showed off a collection with aspects of a gothic schoolgirl theme-meets- girly girl- meets- ‘Wilderness Girl’. I thought her use of faux fur was clever in a few of the dresses- one use was fur draped around the shoulder and the “claws” at the bust with “blood droplets” under the bust, imitating an empire waistline. Check out www.chelsearebelle.com for more information. B:SCOTT designer Brandon Scott showcased classic jackets, denim and hooded sweatshirts and sweaters. For more information, go to www.bscottdesign.com. Fremont was the last show of the evening. Fremont designers Brittany Pham, Devin Carlson and Jessica Loria had some amazing pieces in the show, such as an organza shirt dress accented with a leather vest and spats. Check out Fremont at www.fremontapparelco.com.

Along with the fashion shows, there was a fashion installation, “Love in the Time of Fast Fashion,” which was created in seventy-two hours. It was a glimpse of designer Katie Kay’s (Otto Gates) line. Contact Katie at (213)739-6933 or katiekay@ottogates.com.

There were also three other fashion installations on the mezzanine level of the Spring Arts Tower. Designer and Concept LA show producer Mike Vensel was doing a photo shoot with a couple models. The brand Farm Tactics (www.farmtactics.com) set up a farm theme, while Elmer Avenue (www.elmerave.com) had a model walking slowly in a huge plastic ball (like a hamster playing in its ball).

While the shows were indeed the hit of the evening, the crowds were very trendy as well. I met Audrey Kitching, who was wearing a fun Indian headdress inspired headpiece from her own accessory line. Hats and headpieces played a big role in the trends of the evening, along with hip heels and lots of vintage!

Special Thanks: J, Ashleigh, Mike Vensel (www.mikevensel.com), the designers and models, Audrey Kitching, Felix Salzman of LookbookLA.com, Spring Arts Tower, Smashbox Studios, Toni & Guy (www.toniguy.com) and Michael Shane of Gorgeous PR.

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