LA FASHION WEEK.COM

Armani Exchange Sexy New Print Campaign

 

 

 

 

 

Sensitive New Tome from Kelly Cutrone

Photo courtesy of: Stainedcouture.com

Veteran fashion publicist (and bitchy reality TV star) Kelly Cutrone, notorious for her verbally abuse tirades, has just released a new book called: "If you have to cry, go outside."

Here's how Sheila McCLEAR of the NY POST described the new tome:

Everyone thinks they know fashion PR powerhouse Kelly Cutrone from her appearances as the terrifying boss of People’s Revolution, featured on “The Hills”: the black-clad workaholic feels no remorse firing interns, or delivering rapid-fire verbal smackdowns that leave underlings stunned.

But Cutrone was just a working-class kid from Syracuse when she moved to New York City. Within a year of her arrival, she was hanging out with with Vanity Fair art critic and notorious raconteur Anthony Haden-Guest, who took her under his wing and let her stay at his Upper East Side apartment. Tired of working for the “sexist and domineering” Bob Gucionne at Spin, Cutrone impulsively decided to start her own PR firm at age 23.

An early divorce to much-older painter Ronnie Cutrone prompted a “profound spiritual awakening.” Washed out and jobless in a Los Angeles motel room, a meth-withdrawal-induced hallucination turned her towards the teachings of an Indian guru known as “Mother.” The event gave her life focus.

Cutrone gives blunt, how-to advice on how to be a “power bitch,” including tips on finding a birth coach, “should you find yourself alone and pregnant” (by a hot younger Italian man.)

It’s an old-fashioned guide to succeeding in both life and work (phone, not e-mail, you Gen Y-ers!), with a dash of self-styled spirituality and, of course, all dressed up in Balenciaga.

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/books/if_you_have_to_cry_go_outside_W92oekkTiy6zg9g53WVJlL#ixzz0dqTyE1ur

The Challenge to Thrust LA Fashion Week onto the World Stage is ON!

 

Michael Venedicto, Artistic Producer, Trapeze Partnerships (Second from Left in above photo) and Jeff Warrington Design Director, The Look Partnership, LLC., have come together and have taken the initiative to reframe and reposition Los Angeles Fashion Week in order to more adeptly compete on the global fashion stage and marketplace.

 

On January 25, 2010, Venedicto and Warrington and associates hosted a roundtable discussion at the Standard Hotel downtown for local fashion luminaries in order to share their ideas and solicit input on how to up the ante for L.A. Fashion Week.

 

Notable attendees included Christian Troy from the office of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa,   Adam Cooper, Director of New Media for the Mayor’s Office, Bert Keeter, former Halston designer, as well as representatives from the California Fashion Association, Downtown L.A. Fashion Week, Ford Models, Prada, Angeleno Magazine and the Historic Downtown LA Business Improvement District.

 

 

The discussions delved into crucial problems that have plagued our fashion week for years; the conflict of scheduling shows on the same night at opposite ends of the city, how scattered and disorganized it can get for all involved, and what an all-around tense and draining experience it can be for both the attendees and organizers. The roundtable organizers seemed genuinely committed to break thru the crippling grasp of  disorder that sends our fashion community into a dither of considerable proportion twice a year.

 

Further, there were comments about how poorly LA Fashion Week is perceived by the world.  This meeting was significant because the frustration with the logistics, planning and overall presentation of Fashion Week has come to a head. The need for the fashion community to work as a whole is crucial on so many levels. More importantly, the financial rewards to the City of Los Angeles from Fashion Week associated events are staggering, with $36.8 billion in revenue per annum, to be exact.

 

 

Michael Venedicto believes very strongly that Fashion Week in Los Angeles must have a global identity, and he advocates strongly for the deprivatization for the event, so that the City of L.A. can more fully support its creative and commercial fashion community.  It would help guarantee the future of L.A. Fashion Week as a globally recognized, viable creative event.  

 

Venedicto boldly challenged the panel with relevant questions that can make a considerable impact on Fashion Week in our community and around the world.  He and his partner also outlined their own vision for the event.   Their presentation was impressive. Everyone at the roundtable received a well-designed pamphlet, including their mission statement, which reads:  

 

“OUR MISSION IS TO SHOWCASE THE INNOVATION OF THE LOS ANGELES FASHION INDUSTRY FOR BROAD IMPACT, BASED ON PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES.’’

 

Further:

 

“THE GOAL OF FASHION WEEK LOS ANGELES IS TO PROVIDE THE FASHION INDUSTRY WITH A WORLD-CLASS, WORLDWIDE PLATFORM BASED ON A HIGH LEVEL OF ORGANIZATION, DESIGN, STYLE, EFFICIENCY AND EXPOSURE.”

 

 

Venedicto and colleagues distributed a well-written questionnaire that posed thoughtful queries such as:

1.) What is unique about L.A. fashion and L.A. designers?

2.) What competitive advantages/ disadvantages does Los Angeles have in hosting a fashion week?

3.) Please recall your best/ worst runway experience and explain why it was the best or worst?

4.) Are you in favor of a consolidated, centrally-organized fashion week and runway show schedule, integrated with event advertising, pr, communications, etc.? and;

5.) Are you in favor of The City of Los Angeles either sponsoring or officially endorsing Fashion Week in Los Angeles, in alliance with private firms?

 

These  questions opened up an honest dialogue between members of the panel who genuinely feel passionate about  the future of L.A. Fashion Week. The only constituency underrepresented  at the roundtable, and actually the most essential—were the designers themselves, whom without there would be no fashion week. It is so important for the designers to be present at these gatherings because the roundtable wants fresh ideas and innovative ways to further the evolution of L.A. Fashion Week.

 

 

Michael and his partner Jeff have given us a wake up call and a challenge that seems daunting, yet possible. The problems are many, but there always solutions, and these solutions are within the grasp of our creative and entrepreneurial fashion community. Their next fashion week roundtable discussion is scheduled for April.

 

We must come together and think of this as a “whole” and examine our own resistances, self-interests, belief systems, etc. that may  block us collectively from moving forward on these issues so that we can reap the cultural richness and economic prosperity that all of us deserve.

 

By thinking in terms of how this can benefit us as a whole, the future of Los Angeles Fashion Week has a chance to be as big as Paris, London, Korea, Milan and other prestigious fashion capital events around the world.

 

I leave you with the famous words of Tim Gunn from Project Runway:  ”Make it work people!”

 

More information about this venture is available at: http://www.fashionweek.la/

Email:  roundtable@fashionweek.la

 

 -Story and Images by Nestor Ruiz

Editors Note:  We would very much like to hear YOUR comments on this blog regarding the roundtable and how fashion week could be improved!

DPA Golden Globes Gifting Suite, Part 2

 

At the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills for the three days prior to the Golden Globes, presenters, nominees and other people associated with the Golden Globes were invited to visit several gifting suites. One of these suites was organized by DPR- Dubois, Pelin and Associates, headed by Nathalie Dubois-Sissoko.

 

Before, after or during breaks from practices for the Golden Globes, nominees, presenters, and others associated with the entertainment industry and the Golden Globes wandered into the hotel suites after having their credentials checked. These people included on screen personalities, directors, producers and others associated with television shows like True Blood, Madmen, Dexter, and the nominated movies like Avatar, and Crazy Heart. Each invitee was accompanied by a guide who introduced them to the vendors and carried the gifts these guests received from the vendors.

 

The particular gifting suite that LAfashionWEEK.com attended was actually three hotel suites at the Peninsula Hotel: two adjoining ones and a third across the hall. In the two adjoining suites, fashion and beauty products from a variety of designers, and manufacturers were presented. In the third suite resort services were presented.

 

The fashion suite included the following fashion and accessory designers selected to participate by the organizer: tristan + trista, Ginger McGann Jewelry, Tucker Paisley, Eva Varro, Starkers by Dianna DiNoble, Geisha Fabulous, Marchon Eyewear, Barbera Bela, and Sodaliscious/ Cindy Renee Mathieu. Immediately below is more specific information about all the fashion participants. 

 

 

tristan + trista's designer Kristine Megrikian presented her fall collection with gift samples for female presenters, nominees for best actress, and for tv personalities. Aside from her leather jackets, her line emphasizing earth based fabrics and includes linens, wools and cottons, and yarns. Her pieces are done with wool stitching. Colors are also earth inspired in grays, blacks, browns and other earthy tone. The pieces are modern, and simple plus Japanese inspired. Her mother makes these one of a kind pieces, so pricing reflects their uniqueness. Her items  have recently been worn by the likes of Mary J. Blige, Niecy Nash, and Tamara Braun. http://www.tristanandtrista.com/

 

 

Barbara Bela, from Brazil, was represented in the gift room by their manager Stefania Mascarenhas. This family owned business founded 35 years ago by Stefania's mother and was named after a poem her mother liked. Both Stefania’s mother and sister are designers for this 100 person company. With imported fabrics, everything is handmade with the designers' oversight. With the dresses emphasis on embroidery, this line is evening wear for special events. Fabrics used include 100% silks, cotton and shears. Barbara Bela currently has a show room in Paris, and also sells in the Middle East. The line is currently looking for space in the US, though more likely in New York City, than Los Angeles. The gifting room was the first time the line has been shown in the United States. http://www.barbarabela.com.br

  

 

Starkers by Dianna DiNoble from Toronto presented her line of custom corsets at the gifting suite. Though her 17 year old company is based in Toronto, Dianna ships worldwide and has clients from Japan, Australia and many other places who've logged online to her website. Once online, her clients follow the easy instructions to take the 15 necessary measurements to be properly sized for one of her totally customized steel boned corsets with traditional busk enclosures and lacing up the backs. Though many of her clients also choose to fly to Toronto to be fitted and measured directly by Dianna. Once measured, her corsets take  6 to 8 weeks to draft patterns and fabricate.  Dianna noted that historically both men and women wore corsets. Her line made from silks, satins, and leathers can be worn both as an undergarment or as outwear with cuts both under and over the bust line. The corsets help reduce her clients' waistlines any where from 3 to 6 inches when worn, and are extremely comfortable due to how the corsets are custom measured and fabricated. http://www.starkers.com/

 

 

Cindy Renee Mathieu also came to the gifting room from Toronto representing her namesake line of custom gowns and her ready to wear though still limited edition line Sodaliscious. The Sodalicious line just started to be carried in Los Angeles at Chic Little Devil. For her namesake line of custom gowns, Cindy gets her inspiration from the materials which includes silks, silk taffeta’s, shears all hand stitched and hand beaded. She looks to European fashions, movies and all eras for ideas. She also gets her inspiration from working directly with her clients making designs that fit their respective personalities. For example, with Angela Bassett, who she made two dresses for, her initial conversations with Ms Bassett's assistant gave her an some general ideas as to what colors, and materials Bassett liked, so that when Cindy met with Ms. Bassett, Cindy presented Ms. Bassett with color and material samples of fabrics for Angela’s gowns. Cindy then sketched onsite concepts for Ms. Bassett that fit this client's tastes and personality. Cindy never makes the same dress twice. Cindy's process for her one of a kind gowns is  almost a psychoanalytic process where she gets to know her client. Her greatest reward is having a satisfied client.  http://www.sodaliscious.com

 

 

Manufactured at a 10,000 s.f. facility in downtown Los Angeles, Eva Varro International's line of wrinkle- free travel leisure wear was also presented to Golden Globe participants by the company's marketing person Erika Seifred. This line of tops, wraps, dresses and pants made from blends of rayon, and spandex is intended for both model figures and women with a lot more curves. No woman is excluded. One of the primary inspirations for the line is simple and that's comfort. The line is all about flexibility. Pieces can be mixed and matched. The spring/summer line utilizes bright colors and patterns, while the fall line features dark maroons and browns.  The custom patented stitching is all overlooked and personally approved by the Eva Varro herself. So the company doesn't intend to get too big where such oversight could be lost, thus no B-lines.  Currently the spring/summer and fall lines are available in Nordstrom’s, Bloomingdale's and Dillard’s. A 1,000 square feet flag ship store at Santa Monica Place will open in 2010.

http://www.evavarro.com

 

Also based and manufactured in Los Angeles, Tracy Fredkin's Tucker Paisley with its signature print, started with small clutches and totes. Thereafter, the designer took the most popular silhouettes and started to manufacture them in leathers, suede’s, and metallic’s. Now she has also expanded to beach wear and other accessories like travel bags, small leather goods, scarves and ties. Tucker Paisley can be purchased online and also at high end boutiques.

http://tuckerpaisley.com/

 

Story and Images by Stefhan Gordon.

Fashion Shoot and Q&A with BTFL People

 

BTFL People's Art Brandon Hunter's mother was a local designer who submerged him in fashion in an early age. Art later learned how to sew in high school; starting with just minor things like making skirts. After graduating high school, he dabbled in a little bit of everything from event planning, teaching kids with autism how to read, and styling. Art then went to school at FIDM to better his craft and through networks met his partner Brandon Ho, a self thought designer/stylist. These two started BTFL People  in 2008. In forming BTFL People they brought together a keen eye for prints and the ability to make something out of nothing. BTFL People believes that nothing is ever out of style and that fashion isn’t trends, but rather it's a representation of yourself through what you wear. BTFL People also believes fashion is what makes you feel good: it's your secondary skin. At the end of the day no one else can tell you how to wear your clothes.

 

 

LAFW: For your spring line we photographed, what were your inspirations, and what are you trying to achieve? Did movies, materials, and or textures provide inspiration?

 

BTFL: The Spring 2010 collection we recently shot was a manifestation of all the things we love; from old movies starring Cyd Charisse, mod culture, Korean fashion and music and art, Each piece was an imagination come to life for the girl on the run who always has a place to go. I envisioned each piece to be a piece that stands out and can turn from day wear to night.  Plus I envision each piece will be the woman's best friend and thus give her the confidence that will enhance her beauty and show her off to the world.

 

 

LAFW: Finally, where in LA can one purchase your items?

 

As of now we do appointment only sales/pulls 10am to 8pm Monday - Saturday, and can be reached through e-mail at btflpeople@gmail.com. An online store will be launched late February. And boutiques that will carry our dresses will be announce shortly at btflpeople.com.

 

 

 

About the Photographer: Due to his father being an avid photographer with a dark room in the basement, Stefhan of SHGfoto.com has quite literally been shooting a SLR camera since the age of four. His photography ranges in style and content from fashion and beauty model portfolio development for agency models in Los Angeles to runway, event, and concert photography for LAfashionWEEK.com, Examiner.com, and numerous up and coming bands. Stefhan also reports on the fashion and music industries for these two dot coms. In Stefhan's "other" life, he's an award winning Ivy League educated architect and interior designer.

 

LAFW Note: This is the third of a series featuring Los Angeles area designers. If you are a LA Designer and would like your work featured, please email Stefhan Gordon at stefhan.gordon@shgfoto.com

 

 

 

Hyperlinks:

 

Examiner

 

SHGfoto

 

BTFL People

 

 

The DPA Golden Globes Gift Lounge, Peninsula Hotel

Soon in March, celebrities and non-celebrities alike will be able to experience the same personalized make-over experience that Catherine Deneuve, Isabelle Rosselini, Isabel Adjani, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Carla Bruni Sarkozy, the Queen of Jordan, and many other of the worlds most beautiful women have experienced at 8568 ½  Melrose Ave in West Hollywood,  at the new complete beauty salon Charlie en particulier .

 

Recently in front of numerous covers of Elle, Vogue, and other magazines that Charlie’s celebrity clients have graced the covers of at the gifting suite for the Golden Globe participants at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hotel, LAfashionWEEK.com spoke with Charlie about her make-up concept and her new salon in Los Angeles where she will be 15 days every month.

At her new salon, like at her Paris one, Charlie will meet with her clients, one at a time, by appointment only, get to know each client, and then in a 2 to 2.5 hour session with herself and her team, transform each client into the person each one imagined he or she could be. Through  this personal approach and the resulting cut, color, and make-up, Charlie at her new salon will turn even her non-celebrity clients into stars!.

 

 

-Stefhan Gordon 

Fashion Shoot and Q&A with RumpleMunkeh

 

 

Story and images by Stefhan Gordon, Special Correspondent

 

After studying Fashion Design at Los Angeles Trade Tech, and working for high profile fashion companies selling their designs in Beverly Hills boutiques and national retail stores such as Macy's, Rochelle decided to pursue her own passion. Comparing her late night sewing sessions to the fairy tale Rumplestiltskin and combining that with her nickname of "Monkey", "RumpleMunkeh" was created in May 2009. RumpleMunkeh is a fashion line with no age limits. Rochelle wants women to feel beautiful and have fun while wearing her clothes, the same concept of when little girls "play dress-up".  Rochelle finds inspiration in pretty much everything, cultures, movies, nature, etc.....One of Rochelle's main goals is to help "change the world through fashion, one garment at a time."  By working with various charities, planning fundraising events and donating a portion of sales each season, RumpleMunkeh hopes to increase awareness and bring everyone closer to the world we all hope for: One garment at a time.

LAFW: For your spring line we photographed, what were your inspirations, and what are you trying to achieve? Did movies, materials, and or textures provide inspiration?

 

 

 

RM: For this collection, I was inspired by the Geishas of Japan. I love and have so much respect for the Japanese culture.  There is so much elegance and beauty and I wanted to capture that in modern day dresses.  I researched Kimono fabrics and fell in love with the colors and textures. While I was working, I had the movie "Memoirs of a Geisha" playing in the background on loop.

 

LAFW: For the pieces photographed, do you have any specific comments regarding these items? E.g. descriptions of the materials, where you sourced them, et cetera?

 

 

 

RM: I wanted each garment to tell a story. I chose a lot of prints and bright colors because I thought they truly represented the authenticity of the Kimonos.  I designed and constructed each garment myself.

 

LAFW: Finally, where in LA can one purchase your items?

LAFW: Is your website inclusive, or are you going into more and new stores in 2010?

 

RM: These garments are from my Spring 2010 collection which will be available starting in March 2010.  You can purchase from my website, www.rumplemunkeh.com   I am also selling my clothes in Taylrz Joynt boutique in Sherman Oaks.  I hope to move into more stores in 2010.

 

LAFW: Thank you very much
RM: You’re welcome, thank you too.

 

About the Photographer: Due to his father being an avid photographer with a dark room in the basement, Stefhan of SHGfoto.com has quite literally been shooting a SLR camera since the age of four. His photography ranges in style and content from fashion and beauty model portfolio development for agency models in Los Angeles to runway, event, and concert photography for LAfashionWEEK.com, Examiner.com, and numerous up and coming bands. Stefhan also reports on the fashion and music industries for these two dot coms. In Stefhan's "other" life, he's an award winning Ivy League educated architect and interior designer.

LAFW Note: This is the second of a series featuring Los Angeles area designers. If you are a LA Designer and would like your work featured, please email Stefhan Gordon at stefhan.gordon@shgfoto.com

Backstage with Dolce&Gabbana SS10

Happy New Year!

LAFashionWeek.com wishes the Los Angeles Fashion Community a year 2010 filled with blessings, abundance, peace, success and major breakthroughs in fashion design, fashion shows and distribution!!

Fashion Failures and Successes of 2009

Christian Lacroix.  Photo Credit: Jezebel.com

Was 2009 an Annus Horriblis for fashion?

Check out this insightful story on the Jezebel Blog:

Lindsay Lohan, Christian Lacroix, And Every Celebrity Clothing Line Known To Man: Fashion Failures And Successes Of 2009