Tag - Rochelle Carino (Rumple Munkeh)

LAFW 2010 wouldn’t be complete without a show by my friends at Project Ethos! Thousands packed into the Music Box Theatre in Hollywood to watch musical performances, fashion shows by TEN designers, and view the art exhibits on the rooftop.

I was able to make my way to the front, where I joined in the gaggle of female party-goers swoon over the first performance of the evening, rock/experimental/soul band, Bruno Mars. They entertained the audience with their hit songs, such as: “Billionaire” and “Nothin on You.”

After the band, the fashion show began. The show featured ten designers, ranging from “Project Runway” season six contestant, Gordana Gehlhausen (GOGA by Gordana), “Project Runway” season contestant Jesus Estrada (Haus of Estrada), Rachael Feigelson (Love Child), Shant Der Ashodian (ARKA Clothing), Michelle Liu (EMEL), Shoes for the Stars, Rochelle Carino (Rumple Munkeh), Maria Peralta (Devious Damzels), Omatu Gottschlich and Sandra Sturm (Fulani), Marialia Pacitto (Marialia), and Seth Nobmann (Seth Wellington). I was able to catch up with a few of the designers about their collections.

Devious Damzels has been around for two years and was founded by Maria Peralta-who is also the head designer. The company started out as an LA inspired t-shirt line (see the Unique Los Angeles Spring ’09 article) but has evolved into doing fine jersey wear like: tanks, harem pants, terry hoodies, metallic dresses and leggings, which were shown on the runway. The line has been seen on the likes of Tiffany “New York” Pollard (VH1’s “I Love New York”) and the Paradiso Girls. Devious Damzels is currently being sold online (but with limited availability) at www.deviousdamzels.com.

Fulani designers Omatu and Sandra showcased elegant red-carpet worthy gowns from their “i812” collection. “i812” stands for “i ate one too” and means that it’s all about the woman who “will get herself a man.” (She “ate one too.”) Their inspiration is based upon the ‘typical’ bridal shower, but with a twist: two colors for two particular moods, which are loud and muted. This Viennese company started in August 2003 and is named after the Fulani tribe in Africa. The Fulanis are known are their beautiful women, thus the name of company, “Fulani” speaks for itself as a company that exudes sex-appeal, self-confidence, elegance, etc. The line has been seen on Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child, Jadakiss, Jamie Foxx, Eve and R. Kelly. Fulani can be purchased in Austria or on their website at www.fulani.at.

My lovely friend, Rochelle Carino, designer of the fun collection Rumple Munkeh showcased her Fall 2010 collection that night. Her pieces, ranging from cute tops to fun mini hand-beaded dresses, inspired by the ‘Bond Girls.’ Rochelle believes in two things when she designs: 1.) “that the woman has fun and feels giddy, confident and sexy when she puts on my clothes” 2.) “that the clothes feel good and are comfortable to wear.” As a huge fan of her dresses myself, I love how she keeps her silhouettes simple but will jazz up the dress with girly accents like: peacock feathers, bows, pearls, handmade beading, etc. Her clothes are available online at www.rumplemunkeh.com and become a fan on Facebook!

The last designer I would like to spotlight is Marialia Pacitto. Marialia is the self-taught designer behind her alternative high-fashion line, ‘Marialia’, which she started when she was sixteen. I loved her mini-dresses and corset with the tulle tutu skirt. Her pieces have been seen on Onch Movement, Brittany Flickinger, Audrey Kitching and other numerous “underground” people. You can purchase and/or contact Marialia at www.marialiaxo.com, www.twitter.com/xomarialia or marialia@marialiaxo.com.

A performance by Love Grenades followed the fashion show.

SPECIAL THANKS:J, the wonderful crew at Project Ethos (shout-out to Brianne Bear, Project Ethos PR-Jill Queza, Jason Peskin), Bruno Mars (www.brunomars.com), Love Grenades, local DJ Mando Fresko (Power 106), all the artists: Amy Bernays (paint), Lea Barozzi (graphic designand illustration), Michael Pukec (live painter), Jennifer GutierrezMorgan (photography and mixed media installations), Claire Cetera (paint and photography), Arnold Randall (sketch, paint and mixedmedia), Nan Lawson (illustration and photography), Jeremy Asher Lynch(paint and video), Shane Pollard (photography, paint, design, andsculpture), Erin Hammond, and Tom Howarth (paint and sketch), Emma Zerner and Houstina Summers selling Junquie Girl.