Loomstate for Target launch in Venice

Venice's Big Red Sun was the perfect place to fete the westside launch of the new collection from Loomstate for Target. Racked LA was there and has lots of party picks. I wonder what was in their goody bag??

Are you full of drama and have a gift for sewing?

If you answered Yes, then you must apply for the new season of Project Runway. Bunim/Murray Productions is handling all of the casting and holding an invite only call in Los Angeles and some other cities. Read all of the intricate details regarding application submittance so casting directors aren't saying Auf Wiedersehen before seeing your talent. Good Luck!
Bunim/Murray Website

Valentino: a story of love, fashion, pugs, and being tan

Since the entire fashion world (including us) have been anticipating the release of Valentino: The Last Emperor we had to check it out to evaluate if it lived up to the hype. Well...it did. The film follows Valentino and his partner Giancarlo Giammetti as they plan shows, create couture, and contemplate the future of the couture house.
Valentino's fashions are centered around classic glamour and he grew up dreaming of designing clothes for ladies of the silver screen. Viewers learn that Giancarlo is the brains behind the business side of Valentino. Their 50+ year relationship is incredible and a real highlight of the documentary. They work together, live together, and have somehow managed to stay with each other all these years. The banter between Giancarlo and Valentino is absolutely classic and keeps you smiling throughout. Keep your ears open for them calling each other fat and Giancarlo telling Valentino he's looking too tan. Lets also not forget Valentino's five pugs who were total scene sealers.
At the screening I attended the director, Matt Tyrnauer, showed up at the end to answer questions and give more of an insight into the creation of the film. Matt met Valentino when he was sent to Rome to write an article on the fashion mastermind for Vanity Fair. Matt dreaded this as he knew nothing about fashion, but was instead fascinated with Rome's rich history. While meeting with Valentino for he became associated with the dynamic relationship between him and Giancarlo. After the article was published headlines in Italy read: Valentino Is Gay. Not sure how that slipped by them, but they are a more conservative country. After all, right next to Rome is Vatican City.
Anyways, after completion of this assignment is when Matt got the idea of creating a film centered around Valentino. He and his crew spent time commuting back and forth between NY and Europe. Somedays they would go into to shoot and be told by Giancarlo that there would be "no movie today" because he and Valentino weren't speaking. Hence, why their bickering is so pivotal and fun to watch. As you'll learn in the film, Valentino is a hard headed individual who can be quite stubborn.
Giancarlo is the more levelheaded one of the two. He even had many ideas and opinions to offer up to the directing and producing of the film. Most of them didn't exactly make the cut, but one that did was of Giancarlo walking around in his snug swim shorts as their yacht docked in Venice. Genius! Actually, when it came to the final cut of the film Valentino and Giancarlo didn't get the documentary style and weren't exactly thrilled with the outcome. It took a few screenings for them to lighten up. Although, as you may have noticed by all of his recent US press, Valentino is all about being a movie star! Looks like he was born to do something else besides fashion after all.

Now Showing at Laemmle Susnset 5. Visit Valentinomovie.com for more details.
Images courtesy Acolyte Films and Check out The Most Fashionable Pug Contest

Pants off for Earth Day!

With Earth Day coming up this month we are all about things that will help make us Eco-Pretty and save some cash. Our friends at lucy are offering $10 off new workout pants when you bring in your old ratty ones. You know which ones I'm talking about too - the pair that's faded, stretched out, and you tend to wear when its laundry day. Time to retire those and get something cute and sporty.

lucy will give the old bottoms a new life by donating them to a local charity. Good for the wallet and good for the planet. So sweet!

visit lucy online for locations (there's lots in LA)

Siriano now a makeup man?

Mr. Christian Siriano is turning into quite the mogul! In addition to his fierce Fall 2009 line being picked up by Saks and his shoe and purse collection for Payless, our little flat-iron lover is also doing a cosmetics collection for Victoria Secret! Surprised?

As it turns out, Siriano was once a makeup artist working the counter at Bloomingdales, and even had a stint at Sephora, so he knows his way around a makeup brush. His collection includes a black liner, three different neutral lip glosses, a bronzer/highlighter trio and five eye shadow solos seem to echo his Egyptian-inspired collection and will probably be quite popular amongst the fiercest of the fierce. Um, can we call a moratorium on that word, please?

Not yet: one of the eye shadows is named "Gilded Fierce." Find these in stores at the end of summer.


source

Tim Gunn on Ralph's: "A fabulous food emporium!"

Oh do we love the kindly, earnest, and always delightful Tim Gunn. And we also so appreciate how much he raved about loving our city to USA Today. Apparently, had the "there's so much traffic and everyone's stuck in their car" opinion of LA. Luckily, the six weeks he was forced to spend here to shoot the never-to-be-seen LA season of Project Runway gave him ample opportunity to feel some LA love. As he explained:

"Last fall, I was in Los Angeles for five weeks while we taped Project Runway season six. I had visited LA many times before, but those trips were always a mere day or two. My impression of the city was lukewarm: a sprawling megalopolis where people spend inordinate amounts of time trapped in idling vehicles. What's the appeal of that? So, I arrived in LA for my record-breaking stay with huge doses of apprehension. (But) I fell in love with Los Angeles! I found it to be a cultural treasure chest, with fabulous museums, architecture, and entertainment. And the weather was so sunny and sublime that I actually began to long for a cloud to pass by. Furthermore, I embraced the city as a pedestrian (!) and greatly respected the jaywalking enforcements, which I wish were in place in my dear home of New York, because it makes navigation so much safer and civilized. Finally, everyone should experience Ralph's, a fabulous food emporium that's unlike anything that we have here in New York. I shopped there every day. It was my therapy!"

While are every so happy that Tim is hearting LA, it makes us wonder: does New York even have grocery stores? If he's this enthralled with Ralph's, what's this poor man used to?

Image source

Ashley Paige for Target is a downer

What is knitted all over? Comes in two pieces? And painfully boring? The Ashley Paige for Target bikini collection. Even if I was thirteen I still don't think I'd want to buy one they're Not So Pretty. First of all knit leaves nothing to the imagination and it wont enhance, support, or do anything for your boobs. Second, the bottoms on all the bikini's are so mundane and I question how they will actually hold up after some fun in the sun. Most of them are held on by strings, so they'll have to be tied up well. However, being made of knit fabric means they probably wont untie.
Okay so maybe the rainbow is kind of cute, but if you compare what's sold on her website to what's at Target, then it's a complete let down. Plus, there are zero one pieces in her collection for Target- those are the cutest ones on her site. Although, $29.99 vs. $250 for a bikini is significant difference. Besides, it's all about the Power of Juan anyways. Below are pics of brighter hues that I wished we would've seen.

BOXeight vs. CoLA

Is this a new cat fight for lafw or friendly competition? BOXeight never set out to be the go to event for lafw, it just kind of happened. Without them, this season's fashion week would be cut short. On the contrary, CoLA wants to be the premier lafw event and they did put on quite a show.

BOXeight got custody of the 'it' event, Friday's GenArt show. However, being open to the public and allowing those already inside admittance to every show and the after party, it was hardly exclusive. It really did feel more like a concert than a fashion event. Let's not forget everyone that showed up late only for the after party and not the fashion. The lack of a consistent open bar and free water was a minus. The staff was also a minus - more confusion than necessary. Hardly anyone in charge of seating, and lets not forget everyone yelling at guests to go upstairs because they weren't seating the bleacher section yet. Um...one problem with that, the only woman's restroom was down there. Please don't yell at me when I have to pee. Not polite.

The theatre situation was a total free for all. Luckily, LA Pretty chose the balcony as the best spot to scope out fashion. At least we could see and didn't have to turn our heads while seated up high. Although, the historic LA Theatre was absolutely gorgeous. Every floor had amazing architectural detailing. Overall, it was a fun event, but lacked the seriousness of a more professional show. However, BOXeight is all about the indie scene and tends to attract a rowdy crowd. Thus, you need to know what your getting yourself into when attending their events. Peter Eaton Gurnz, head of arts collective BOXeight, told The Los Angeles Times: "I don't think BOXeight is necessarily ready to be, or planning to be, representative of L.A. Fashion Week in its entirety."

CoLA set out to be pro from the beginning. According to them, "Los Angeles has season after season lacked a respectable presence. This city has produced a small army of uniquely talented and universally lauded designers who, orphaned by the city that birthed their creativity, have fled to New York and Paris to show their wares. COLA is out to change all that, to build a seasonal event that will demand respect and attention throughout the fashion world."

CoLA is an industry event, not a consumer event. That's the biggest point of difference and showed with the audience in attendance. Even though they both had Coke Zero, but CoLA had open bar and a more intimate lounge area. They may have been smaller, but they had a bigger bite or should I say drink. One crisp clean runway + crowd control+ amazing designers = awesome shows!
So who's the winner? That's up to you or maybe the the claws will really come out next season. I say it's Coke Zero, they had a strong presence at both events. Either way, we are eager to see how LAFW will progress and become more reputable nationally and globally.

complete LAFW coverage

CoLAFW: Brian Lichtenberg

Brian Lichtenberg was undoubtedly the star of this season's LAFW. His show was inspiring, avant garde, and the clothes were completely unpredictable. With fur adorned headdresses, furry shoes, and scantily clad garments, the fashion was loud and everyone heard its roar. The crowd coming to support Lichtenberg knew how to have fun with fashion too. All the pieces were unique and obviously not from the 90's.



Forget GenArt, this was the show to be at and definitely a fine conclusion to lafw. I'm still dreaming about those hairy headdresses(literally, I had a dream someone was casually strollin' through downtown wearing one). There was also another StarTrek-eqsue sunglass presence. You may be thinking, well who buys this stuff? The answer: young celebs, rebellious rich kids, friends, and those who are craving fashion forwardness. If that's you then check out more photos via Racked LA.

CoLAFW: JOYRICH

If neon and hip hop had a baby it would be JOYRICH. The urban chic line drew in a huge crowd of friends and fashion enthusiasts. Seats were taken over fashion mavens and men wearing every color sneaker available. Apparently, gold high tops really are the hott new it shoe. With classic hip hop bumpin the models worked it in a wide array of neon leggings, acid wash denim, and bright sweatshirts. The StarTrek-esque glasses were also a huge focal point.



According to them: "The theme of this Joyrich collection is the intertwining of high-end and contemporary casual wear. Strongly influenced by 1990's culture. A time when the enegery was fresh, Hip Hop was emerging, and contemporary casual wear and luxury brands were mixing together, creating a recognizable theme that is synonymous with the 1990's."

So bascially Joyrich is confirming what we learned earlier at lafw, the 90's are back. At least Joyrich is way more stylish and hip than Doc Martins and flannel. Although, jury is still out on those sunglasses.

The clothes can be found at their cute boutique on Melrose Ave, where Brian Lichtenberg's clothing is also sold.

JOYRICH 7700 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles 90046

CoLAFW: COA

COA, who also showed at BOXeight, gave a surprise appearance at CoLA. The show seemed practically identical to the previous show - shirtless models and all. The menswear line was obviously a hit with the ladies, but I could also see their bright denim and casual sweaters appealing to the men in the audience.

Although, being shirtless isn't a bad idea. Afterall, it's not like it really gets that cold in LA.

lafw

Louis Verdad's come back!

After reading Laurie Pike's profile on Luis Verdad in Los Angeles Magazine a few months back, we were rooting for the once successful LA designer (who could count the one and only Madonna as a huge fan) to recover from the financial troubles that caused him to declare bankruptcy in 2007. Everyone loves a comeback, especially in LA, and Verdad's exhibition at The Geffen last Thursday was a great start.

It was a small collection of only 15 pieces created from 4 bolts of black fabric. After losing legal rights to use his name on his own designs (it's obviously a sad, sad state of affairs when that happens) Verdad is calling this new collection "Louver." (LOUis VERdad.) There are currently no plans to produce items from the collection, because, well he has no money and is currently looking for investors. Hopefully with Los Angeles Times fashion editor Booth Moore's rave review, someone, somewhere, will get out his (or her!) checkbook. Moore's take:

This collection was focused and controlled. There were hints of the 1960s and the 1980s in the styling (safety pin brooches, over-the-knee boots, etc.), but it never felt too retro. Verdad walked the line beautifully between tough and feminine, which is exactly what fall is all about. It just goes to show that with fashion, scarcity often does lead to greatness.

Congratulations, Louis!
Images by Adam Tschorn via LA Times.

CoLAFW: Fremont

Fremont Apparel Co. has a strong presence in LA with their urban retail space in downtown. Known for having classy and contemporary clothing the brand showcased an impressive Fall 2009 collection at lafw. Inspiration seemed to be oozing from the 1920s and the models were absolutely gorgeous in the glamorous yet simple styles. Romanticism was definitely in the air with flowers in the hair and trickled all over the runway. Trends were high waisted dresses and men in sharp coats that could translate from casual to dressy. I also loved the little hats that adorned the sultry hairstyles.

Fremont 120 W 4th St Los Angeles, 90013

CoLAFW: EKSEMPEL

Danish designer Pernille Winther's collection Eksempel set a great example of comfy stylish clothes for her fall collection. Eksempel is obviously not based in LA, but they do have a showroom downtown.

The show was amazing and we were surprised that there weren't more attendees. This is a line which was previously unknown to us, but after being introduced we've become great friends. The elegantly casual clothes are very LA Pretty and quite chic. We love pieces that are versatile for layering or are bold enough to be worn alone due to the detailing. The collection also incorporated bold hues throughout and ended with an orange bang of a dress.


LAFW: More photos here.

What about the CAT???

Flying cat alert! Kenley Collins, most known for her pretty feather headwear and being the one PR contestant who could get under Tim Gunn's skin, was just involved in a domestic dispute. The victim? Her (we hope, ex) fiance Zak Penley, the man with the scared, frozen smile in the picture below:

Apparently, she woke him up by throwing their cat in his face (alert PETA!!!) and then she switched to throwing a laptop at him. After falling to the floor, he tried to crawl away, and that's when Kenley slammed a door on his head and then began pelting him with apples. Oh, and lest we forget, she also poured water on him. The poor guy called 911 and she was promptly jailed.

According to The Celebrity New Examiner, she was released. But what about the cat??? Hopefully TMZ's reporters are on the case!

Cat image via Tubcat.

Models making monkeys

Supermodel Coco Rocha is primarily known for her stage presence and striking look. But, according to her blog did you also know that she loves to doodle? Yes! She is a stellar artist who can sketch out everything from houses to monkeys.
















Courtesy of Oh So Coco

Matthew Williamson for H&M

After my last post on hippie fashion courtesy of Matthew Williamson, I was so excited to read on Racked LA that he'll be doing a collab with H&M. The clothes are all the things that I heart, bright colors and hopefully an excellent fit(sometimes those H&M clothes don't come out right). The collection releases April 23rd!