By Rakhee Bhatt on February 14, 2011
When the music from “The Nutcracker” gave way to all out rock, we settled in for what was sure to be a thrilling show. With an astounding 69 looks sent down the runway, nearly each one garnered “oohs” and “aahs” from the mesmerized audience. A short leather dress with ruched sleeves, a long maroon velvet number with beaded neck details, and metallic and silver sequined dresses were just some of the pieces that could bring out the Joan Jett in any woman. The Hungarian-bred Stern, who cut her teeth as a professional architect, a clasically trained pianist and a flamenco dance, channeled her passions into the masterpiece of the season with this regal ivory silk organza wedding gown shown at right. Absolutely breathtaking.
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By Rakhee Bhatt on February 12, 2011
Fall is usually a time when the easiness of summer dressing gives way to structured silhouettes. But at Lyn Devon’s Fall 2011 presentation on Thursday, the designer took a different approach with an easy, breezy collection of 1970s-inspired gear that was a departure from her sophisticated black and white offerings of her spring, 2011 stock. Cozy knit sweaters, drop-waist dresses and drawstrings a plenty are some of the casual touches that makes us think this collection will fare far better on the West Coast rather than the East.
Here were some of our favorite looks:
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By Rakhee Bhatt on November 16, 2010
We adore California for obvious reasons of course, but it is always a treat to hear of a designer who loves it just as much as we do. Case in point—Frank Ford, one half of the German-born design duo of loyandford, who tells us that, “The whole energy of what we like and how we work is always related to California, it’s our thing—it’s what we do.”
Along with his business partner Stefan Loy, Ford is enthusiastically gearing up for the stateside re-launch of their brand, which has been favored by some of Hollywood’s elite like Angelina Jolie, Scarlett Johansson and Drew Barrymore.
Started in 1999, loyandford quickly grew out of their Chinatown design studio to be mass-produced in such outlets as Barney’s New York and Neiman Marcus. The duo has now decided to shift focus onto one-of-a-kind and limited edition items through their latest collection, Wicked Gardens. The collection will offer a range of dazzling beaded and sequined items that range in price from $85 all the way to $5,000.
L.A. has glamorous events and celebrities, [and] our loyandford collection is geared toward stage and red carpet pieces,” says Ford. “More than anything we love California, we love the lifestyle, the climate, the glamour and the people.”
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By Rakhee Bhatt on November 4, 2010
Who actually buys Juicy anymore? Obviously people do — their parent company Liz Claiborne saw stocks jump 5 percent today with news of higher earnings than this time last year. But really, when was the last time that you or someone you know actually bought something from the Tween-feeling line? (Chanukah gifts for ones 14 year-old niece don’t count.)
Well we happened to be trolling the web for festive holiday garb to take on an upcoming trip and guess what we found? Juicy’s holiday collections are actually worth checking out. Our eyes lit up over Erin Fetherston’s retro-Parisian collaboration for the brand, while the company’s Bird line of garb offers edgy pieces that can easily be mixed and matched with existing gear in our wardrobe.
Here are some of our favorites that will hopefully fill our suitcase in a few weeks:
Erin Fetherston for Juicy Dolman Sleeve Gown ($378)
Erin Fetherston for Juicy Boustier Dress ($298)
Erin Fetherston for Juciy Silk and Velvet Dress ($298)
Bird by Juicy Couture Faux Fur Shawl ($398)
Bird by Juicy Couture Emanuelle Jacket ($598)
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By Rakhee Bhatt on October 19, 2010
If this image is any indication, then the collaboration between Lanvin and H&M is sure to be a sold-out success. The collection hits stores November 23rd just in time for the holidays, but customers can get a sneak peak at all the clothes November 2nd when H&M releases a short film on their website.
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By Rakhee Bhatt on October 13, 2010
LA Market Week kicks off in a few days and what better way to start than with sister designing duo Carol and Elizabeth Ai, of AI for AI, who will be unveiling their spring/summer collection this Thursday October 14th at E.P.I.C. Boutique. Music guests Boom Bip, Bobby Evans, and The Pastries will be on hand while customers can view an art installation by Owen Schmit. The fall/winter collection will also be available for purchase, priced between $80-350.
Can’t make it Thursday? Head over to the California Market Center on Friday where trend forecasting firm Directives West will be hosting a cocktail reception and contemporary runway presentation of the spring/summer collection.
Reservations are required to attend.
AI for AI at Epic Boutique. 1712 W. Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles. 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. rsvp to aiforairsvp@gmail.com
Directives West Presents AI for AI at First.LA. 110 E. Ninth St, Los Angeles. 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. rsvp to nayiri@directiveswest.com
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By Editors on May 25, 2010
“Theory is, like, so boring.”
This from two 20-something hipsters as they walked past the label’s Melrose boutique on their way to Marc by Marc Jacobs, or so I assumed. I suppose they have a point–the label doesn’t exactly throw you curve balls. But like James Perse, they do luxury staples well. A new arrival in the store, the super-soft Drake cotton/viscose hoodie ($245, though I’m sure there’s an impending sale), is a good way to graduate from the American Apparel zip-ups that 4 in 10 people having mimosas for Sunday brunch in L.A. seem to be wearing. Love them, but sometimes I’d rather not look like an extra on The Sarah Silverman Program while I’m still trying to pull of a bit of a slouch look on weekend mornings.—Paul Dexter
The Drake is available here.
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By Editors on March 29, 2010
Ray A. Smith of the Wall Street Journal has a nice shout-out piece today on Scott Sternberg from Band of Outsiders, who remains adamant that maintaining a west coast residence is key to the brand’s success: “If I was here in New York in this mix influenced by the same thing all these people are influenced by, the edge would be gone,” [Sternberg] said in his Manhattan showroom. “This [L.A.] bubble is vital to being able to do something that is not informed by fashion.”
Sternberg says he wants to grow the biz from $12 million annually to $40 million – largely by expanding Boy., his women’s line, and launching what sounds like will be women’s diffusion line, named … wait for it: girl. —Paul Dexter
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By Jazzi McGilbert on February 22, 2010
An unexpected New York Fashion Week highlight was a hotel presentation for L.A.-based designer Stacey Clark’s Odilon brand. Just a few months after debuting her first collection at Los Angeles Fashion Week, Clark packed it up and revealed her newest designs at the Bryant Park Hotel.
At just twenty-three years old, the Canadian (who now lives and works in L.A.) showed a collection more intelligent-feeling than many of those from fashion veterans across the street at the Tents.
Thoughtful, wearable and expertly constructed — with a post-apocalyptic motif and high-tech fabrics (like neoprene) — the collection includes leather and furs and fabrics hand-worked to resemble, um, burnt flesh. One perfect S&M-infused chain & leather bag rounded out the collection. Even the presentation’s set up was stellar: champagne, nibbles and a friendly model who tried on various looks on request. Exactly the type of up-close and tactile experience the looks deserve.
We’d place our bets on Stacey Clark as the next big thing in any city.
Photos: (above) A model in Odilon, left, with designer Stacey Clark; (below) looks from Odilon’s Fall/Winter 2010 collection.
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By Editors on February 15, 2010
In a sea of national and international designers that make up New York Fashion Week, I can proudly say that a couple of our Angelino’s are making a strong statement (and causing me to wear my oversized shades and uber-blonde bob with pride despite cold, drab weather conditions).
At Milk Studios on Saturday night, Band of Outsiders and Boy held a presentation (or, more realistically, a party/visual feast). A series of brilliantly propped vignettes surrounded the room, transporting guests to an Alice in Wonderland Alpine ski vacation with the coolest bunch of traveling companions you could imagine. And when it came to the clothes designer Scott Sternberg didn’t disappoint, displaying his usual knack for twisting preppy tailoring into unique, desirable looks. Memorable scenes included slouchy tweed pants paired with fitted ski vests and blazers, cut off wooly mittens hanging from models sin the midst of a backwoods winter wonderland — a beat up car and snow mobile — and my personal favorite, an adorable prepped up boy atop a stack of white chairs nearly 10 feet high. Which just goes to show that Sternberg’s overall vision continues moving upward and onward.
Cut to Sunday afternoon back at Milk Studios, where the technically savvy Juan Carlos Obando showed his latest line in an intimate setting. His love of the female form and craftsmanship were ever apparent in his 22 piece collection of lean, well-constructed suits, elegant belted shift dresses and stunning rouched and pleated evening gowns.
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