Kami Shade Archives - LAFashionsnob.com

Style 360 Presents FTL MODA – NYFW September 2014

Jan 15 2015

Style 360 celebrated its tenth anniversary in September 2014, once again presenting an eclectic mix of Spring/Summer 2015 collections to an array of celebrities, editors and fashionistas. I attended their FTL MODA segment on September 10th at the Style 360 Pavilion. FTL MODA was founded by Ilaria Niccolini Productions, who have since been putting on runway shows worldwide since 2007 and have been the building block for Italian designers to showcase their collection on a worldwide scale.

While waiting for the show to start, guests were able to browse the several pop-up shops provided by Olivia Garden, Shimmer Jewelry Tattoos, Not Your Mother’s, Flips Audio, Scarlet & Gold, Carefree, Mehron Makeup, Leghila, Beanitos and Hello oral care products. There was also a VIP lounge provided by Cointreau. My favorite take-aways from the pop-up shops:

* Hello oral care products are VEGAN-FRIENDLY and Leaping Bunny Certified. They come in three great-tasting flavors- “Pink Grapefruit Mint,” “Supermint,” and “Mojito Mint.” Their packaging is really fun and everything is made in the USA.

* Flips Audio make HD headphones that flip over and become amplified speakers. They are pretty bad-ass!

* Leghila is an Italian handbag company who’s handbags are ultimately created from neoprene and are washable. The bags vary in numerous styles and a variety of bright colors. Best of all, the bags are cruelty-free.

Run of Show:

Fri:haend is an Italian street wear brand that was founded in May 2012 by five friends who built the company upon the foundation of friendship, a strong ambition and passion for fashion. The brand focuses on brand identity promotion by exploring serigraphic printing, digital techniques and use of exquisite yet comfortable fabrics. Their t-shirts and jackets are easily recognizable with their signature symbols: “5,” “:,” and the “hand.” In all, Fri:haend provides men a distinctive look that is rich in identity, prints, color and fabrication.

The next designer was rather a surprise to me, as she is a designer friend from Los Angeles. Kami Shade launched her career in 2004, with her eclectic collections being in numerous magazines and on many celebrities. She presented her Spring 2015 capsule collection that was bursting with bright colors, sequins and her signature swimwear. Loved the neon yellow maxi skirt and the sequin bohemian-style jumpsuit.

SoCal designer- Jaime Elyse launched her brand, elyseREUBEN in 1994, with a focus in the bridal market. Her gowns offer contemporary yet classic silhouettes in rich textures and patterned bodices (not to mention the stunning headpieces that were portrayed in the runway presentation). The gowns were stunning and each had its own unique personality. Jaime knows her craft and gives the bride-to-be and bridesmaids unique choices for the big day.

Gianni Tolentino began his path to to fashion success in the 1970s and debuted his brand in the 1980s. He has since gained recognition as one of the best fashion and costume designers in the “Made in Italy” category. He presented edgy pieces with mesh and leaf cut-outs, along with timeless cocktail dresses in vintage silhouettes. My favorites were the black sheer swing jacket and white silk shantung cigarette pants.

Shecky's "Girls Night Out"

May 31 2010

What could be more ideal for a fun night out….shopping, free goodies and cocktails. I’m talking about the multi-city girls only event- “Shecky’s Girls Night Out.” I attended the recent one held at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. After checking in, I walked to the back of the venue to receive my coveted Shecky’s goody bag. Now ladies, when I mean coveted, I mean the goody bag is one of the main reasons to buy the ‘general + goody bag’ ticket (which guarantees a bag) and attend this event. The cute pink tote is filled with over $100 worth of the latest must-have products from brands such as: Dial, Venus, Veet, The Body Shop, Colgate, Rembrandt, Suave and Jergens.

That evening, I had my picture taken on the Shecky’s red carpet and also at the Veet booth, where guests could get their pictures with two gorgeous Veet models. I browsed the vast array of vendors, including The Body Shop Lounge. The helpful Body Shop consultants spoke about their latest campaign, “Stop Sex Trafficking of Children & Young People.” With every purchase of the ‘Soft Hands Kind Heart Hand Cream’ or the ‘Bag for Life,’ Body Shop with donate a certain amount of money to their campaign partners, ECPAT and the Somaly Mam Foundation. For more information on how to help out or to buy Body Shop products (I purchased the ‘Bag for Life’ for $5 at the event and is available online for the same price), go to www.thebodyshop.com/stop or www.ecpatusa.org or www.somaly.org. I spotted a rack of clothing that had been recycled from vintage pieces by designer Bridgett Artise of Born-Again Vintage. Each piece was very unique and creative. Being a designer who loves to deconstruct recycled clothes myself, I instantly became a fan. She is also the co-author of the book, Born-Again Vintage: 25 Ways to Deconstruct, Reinvent, and Recycle Your Wardrobe. Check out her site at www.b-artise.com! I do adore good skincare products…which is why I stopped by the Epicuren booth. I learned that Epicuren is made from natural ingredients (the cinnamon vanilla exfoliant is actually edible!) While one of the consultants, Heather, was telling me about the brand, she also gave me a soothing hand treatment. Afterward, my hands felt relaxed, smooth and smelled really good. Check out www.epicuren.com for more information. I stopped by the booth of accessory designer, Enovia Bedford of Accessory Remix. She was featuring chucky necklaces with neckties and bowties, ‘Chain Shades’, and chalkboard earrings! Check out www.accessoryremix.com for purchasing and more information. Towards the end of the evening, I happened upon my designer pals, Kami Shade and Rachael Broussard, selling their lines. I “hearted” the leather and sequin mini-dresses. Their websites are www.kamishade.com and www.etsy.com/shop/Supastarclothing for Rachael’s line.

I thoroughly enjoyed my evening. The place was packed and everyone had a blast. I would like to thank J, Blair Riley the Communications Coordinator at Shecky’s, Heather Lindbergh of Epicuren, Enovia of Accessory Remix, Bridgette Artise, swimwear designer Laura Soares (www.laurasoares.com), Kami Shade and Rachael Broussard, the ladies at the Body Shop, Julienne of Veet, Aidan Ivy and Keith Kirkwood-the Veet models, the vendors and Shecky’s volunteers.

Kami Shade/Supastar Fashion Show

Nov 17 2009

Designers Kami Shade and Rachael Broussard showcased their lines during an exclusive runway event at the Rebecca Molayem Gallery on Robertson Blvd. during LA Fashion Week. My friend, Rochelle Carino of Rumple Munkeh (who’s floral mini dress I wore to the event) and I sat in the front row and watched as Kami Shade’s line was the first to go down the runway. Kami’s collection of sexy swimsuits, couture dresses, casual dresses, and sparkly minis is called “I Am Every Woman” because the four-way stretch in the garments forms to every women’s shape. According to Kami, “There’s no mannequin that helps design for all body types…” I absolutely LOVE Kami’s swimsuits. The cut especially… they are made that you can wear them SIX different ways! And of course the prints… My favs are the polk-dot and striped. I am also proud to say that I now own a Kami Shade striped swimsuit! I recommend that YOU pick up your Kami Shade suit at www.kamishade.com before the next beach season starts!

There was a brief intermission and then Rachael Broussard’s line, “Supastar” rocked the runway. The first model was none other than Rachael herself, in a mini gold ruched dress with zipper detailing in the front. Her collection Supastar was also combined with her couture collection R. Michel’le Couture because she had a mix of casual and couture wear in the presentation. Rachael chose the name ‘Supastar’ because it was her nickname and she wants to promote in both Supastar and R. Michel’ le is “for girls to embrace the star within themselves and bring out the ‘Supastar’ from deep within! And what I try to create is very different clothing for a new and fun look, that brings you to that ‘Star’ level!” She had some cute pieces, like the long striped dress with a vest , a long tank top dress, etc… You can shop the “Supastar” line and learn more about the multi-talented model and designer Rachael Broussard at www.supastarworld.com.

SPECIAL THANKS: Rochello Carino, the designers, models, Rebecca Molayem Gallery, Parris Harris, Tiffany LaVonne. Hair team: Nicoletta Gauchi, Nate Siem, Frances Ferris, Lauren Goodman, Zoe (Hair Havok) and Leslie Bennett. Make-up team: Kellie Motte, Barby Calvo, Amelia McConnell, Vanessa Wood, Christina Chen, Tawny (City of Angels), Erica Bazzarrini and Noemi Avila.

Tag - Kami Shade