FactoryLA by Anastasia Genvarskaya

APRIL 2013

FACTORYLA

FactoryLa Magazine is an outlet for self-expression; a voice for the L.A. Community; it is a culture that celebrates Made in L.A. products. Seeking to facilitate growth and success for the L.A. manufacturing industry, FactoryLA proudly promotes the L.A. lifestyle by advocating under-recognized artists, designers, and all around do-gooders. With your help, together we can preserve the uniqueness L.A. has to offer.

Together we are FactoryLa!

FACTORYLA

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Editor’s Note

Why FactoryLA?

www.danielpatrick.net

DANIEL PATRICK

FactoryLA Lifestyle 6 Leah Garvin: A Call to Action

Human Resources Los Angeles

FactoryLA Social Media

KeepinExistance

Inside FactoryLA

Contributors Tiffany Solis

Editor-in-Chief Anastasia Genvarskaya

Media Executive

Established 2007 Los Angeles, California www.elder-statesman.com

Art work by Manny Castro

Why FactoryLA? There is more to l.a. “Than just jeans, t-shirts, and surf wear,” says FactoryLa founder, Leah Garvin. And Boy is she right! The vibrant and ever stylish Los Angeles possesses an undeniable boldness and edge that could make anyone feel like a rock star. And now, with made in la products quickly becoming the next big trend, People everywhere can join in on such an exciting lifestyle. Better yet, by becoming a part of made in L.A. Consumption, together we can help redefine the meaning of L.A. Fashion. But what is made in L.A.? FactoryLa Magazine is here to tell you that it is the most immediate way for all angelenos (and nonAngelenos) to contribute to not only the thriving communities of Los Angeles, but also the growth of the United States economy as a whole. By bringing manufacturing back to the states and into Los Angeles, we can make the benefit of every purchase more direct and therefore more rewarding for those people who help make it happen – the factory workers, designers, and ultimately you! Designers like R.B. of McD, Sarine Marie, Clover Canyon, and many others throughout Los Angeles are joining this Made in L.A. movement and facilitating fine, quality manufacturing that brings you products that are made to last. Whether you live in L.A. or just wish you did, we are sure you are going to love it! So what are you waiting for? Get out there and support our beautiful Los Angeles by becoming a part of this Fashion Revolution.

LIFESTYLE

ISM MODE www.ismmode.com Made in Los Angeles 9

A CALL TO ACTION

LEAH GARVIN

Portrait by Kim Sabbatino

With Made in USA products increasingly becoming of high demand, designers and manufacturers are quickly jumping on board to align their brands with the Made in L.A. positioning. Leah Garvin sat with us to share all about her vision for FactoryLA, where her inspiration came from, and ultimately, how it could bring about change to not only the LA lifestyle, but also the U.S. economy.

10 Dress: Clover Canyon

LEAH GARVIN

What was your initial impression of Los Angeles and how has it shaped your vision for FactoryLA? When I came to L.A. it was a whole other world. I remember I came out here to go to a sustainable textiles conference and I stayed with some friends and they took my Griffith Observatory – it was the first time I’ve been there. It was absolutely beautiful and I saw L.A. as a place where you can see outside; you can hike; you can have a dog. And I said, ‘I want to live here!’ And then, when I learned about L.A. and how dynamic it is, that’s when I became really interested in the city. I learned that we are more than Hollywood; we are more than the beach. I didn’t realize that we have this downtown that’s going through a big urbanization revolution! I didn’t realize that we have the second largest apparel-manufacturing hub in the country. I didn’t realize we have the artistic community, the tech community, I didn’t realize that was all offered here. And so the more I got involved in each of the different areas of the city, the more I saw potential -- what this city offers and what this city needs enables me to start envisioning FactoryLA.

“…we have this downtown that’s going through a big urbanization revolution!” You originally started your career by studying anthropology. Can you tell us how you found yourself in the world of fashion? Growing up I made clothes. I had pink hair. I had purple hair. I was shopping vintage before I was told to shop vintage. When I was in high school I was in New York for a summer, and I made these skirts and sold them at a little shop in Brooklyn. But I didn’t understand how to align my desire to do something that’s a part of a community and how I could do that being involved in fashion. Until about 3 years ago when the industry really started talking about sustainable and ecofashion and that’s when I first really started seeing my ability to align and contribute to community while being involved in fashion.

How do you feel your background in anthropology has defined your outlook in fashion? When you think about anthropology the idea is that you study culture; you study how people interact with each other. And I think

in America the way we use what we wear is one of our number one forms of communication. Other cultures could care less about what they wear. But our freedom here in the United States makes it so that we are free to wear whatever we want and then that allows us to define ourselves however we want. It’s my experiences over seas that made me realize that in America we are very detached from how things are made and who makes them. And so my interest in fashion is discovering and sharing the answers to those questions – how is it made and who makes it?

What would you say to someone to educate them as to the meaning of Made in LA? When you make a purchase of a product that is ethically Made in L.A., you are doing something to support someone’s family. For every dollar spent on a made in L.A. product, $1.48 is put back into the economy – versus pennies overseas. So by purchasing Made in L.A., you are contributing to the growth of the U.S. economy and helping make peoples lives better. The more FactoryLA growth, the more jobs we can secure which means the more people will be affected, and the more families will have food on the table.

How do some of the brands you have worked with reflect the L.A. lifestyle?

Top and Bottom: AG Jeans

One of my favorite brands is R.B. of McD and he’s one of the first brands I worked with. When you go to his website and you read about who he is, you learn that he’s a third generation Angelino and you see that his products are really cool! But most people don’t realize that he is L.A. He is the perfect example of the reputation that FactoryLA is working to change of what is Made in LA – it’s more than just jeans, Tshirts, and surf wear. FactoryLA is R.B. of McD. It is Axthelm (another L.A. brand). It’s beautiful; It’s contemporary. We want to align with brands that are dynamic and who tell a story of why they exist, who they exist for, and that create products for their lifestyle.

“Human Resources is rooted in the professional and creative expertise of its nine directors: academic, managerial, artistic, legal, musical, curatorial, and activist. This volunteer run organization seeks to foster widespread public appreciation of the performative arts by encouraging maximum community access. We serve as a point of convergence for diverse and disparate art communities to engage in conversation and idea sharing promoting the sustainability of non-traditional art forms. We emphasize underexposed modes of expression”. www.humanresourcesla.com

Modern LA art scene, filled with talents and creativity, keeps growing. The idea to open a physical space, where young and ambitious artists can share their contemporary vision through art, is quite inspirational. Human Resources- a notfor-profit, volunteer run organization with a mission to increase awareness and community engagement with modern and conceptual art through “underexposed modes of expression”. The assistance of HRLA is an incentive for emerging artists to present and promote new work to the public. “HRLA is a gallery and also a communal meeting ground for contemporary artists, writers, musicians, and curators. We take inspiration from our region’s rich history of independent art collectives-such as Los Angeles Institute for Contemporary Art, Woman House, Los Angeles Free Music Society, and Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions”. Human Resources contributors, participants, and some of the creative and unusual exhibitions become more popular, since community network and engagement help spread the

word about HRLA in Los Angeles media world. in a recent interview with MediuumArts, Los Angeles artist Morrisa Maltz shared her thoughts about current LA art scene, “The problem the art world has here is its size; it is very small. Everyone knows each other. I sense that as new spaces open up and new people come into the fold, the art scene will grow and more creativity will come with that growth. About nine months ago, I was at this very interesting lecture at USC. Someone commented on how LA always felt like this, like it was continually on the brink of being a culture capital. I thought that was a really interesting observation. I have that feeling right now, and I am wondering if that will change. I think that it is changing…” HRLA is one of the first contributors to this important change. Perhaps, this is what Los Angeles based artist and designers need to be known and appreciated- free spaces to present and educate the public about the importance of young, progressive, and innovative thinking, expressed through local creative art work.

Social Media

KEEPinEXISTANCE: Save memories, save environment

Meet J.J. This 30 year-old photographer based in Los Angeles is one of the first owners of a sustainable photo studio “KEEPinEXISTANCE”. This cool, gifted, and inspired artist has the goal to keep in existence both uniquely captured moments of life and the environment we all live in. In his studio, J.J. tries to use daylight as much as he can. Besides geoexchange technology and energy-efficient features, J.J. cuts utility costs by using green materials, LED lights, electronic timers on studio equipment, and rechargeable batteries. He also uses paperless communication with clients, providing them with online invoice options for payments. When there is a need to use paper, J.J. is conscious to use recycled.

J.J.

Why did you decide to become a photographer?

Growing up I always found myself appreciating the essence of my surroundings and special moments shared with family and friends. It was like I had this camera rolling inside my head capturing and preserving everything that was happening around me. And then one day – I was about 13 years old -- I was given my very first camera. It was one of those basic Kodak disposable cameras -- you know like the ones you have to scroll the dial for and all – and I absolutely love it! I would go through tons of those in just one day. Naturally, as I got older I matured in my decision to pursue photography as a career and I have been doing that ever since.

What do you enjoy the most about working/living in Los Angeles? Accessibility for sure! I grew up in the small town of Brattleborro, Vermont, so all I pretty much saw was cows and a bunch of trees; not to mention the tiny small town festivals my parents would force me to go to. So coming to L.A. was complete awestruck for me and it wasn’t long before I became infatuated with the metropolitan lifestyle. I mean, one day I’m at the coolest art gallery in Downtown LA, the next I’m at an awesome garage band concert, and within walking distance I could be having the best food I have ever tasted at a small little whole in the wall restaurant. What’s there not to love?

The idea of "KEEPinEXISTENCE" studio......where did it come from?

sustainable

photo

Well, like I said earlier, I’m from a small town and despite my obsession for the L.A. lifestyle, I do still have special place in my heart for nature. Having so many memories of the beauty of a suburban area as the one I grew up in has created a desire and passion in me to preserve the innocence that industrial life can so easily demolish. It’s almost like I have dedicated my career to paying back to our environment in the only way I know how – through my photography and the measures I take in bringing it to life. Hence, KEEPinEXISTENCE.

You provide quality, uniqueness, and philanthropic (or sustainable) approach in your work. What do you value in the work of others? As a photographer I have seen and worked on various different projects that have taught me to appreciate the unique and creative ways an artist expresses the ideas psychologically formed in their minds. I mean, the mind is an amazing place! It can bring about so much innovation and imagination; it just requires a person willing to take the risk in making it happen. Those people, I believe, are today’s emerging designers and artists.

What do you hope those that come across your work would take away and remember you for? Generally speaking, my goal is always to emit an essence of quality and high standard. From an artistic standpoint, I want people to see the fineness in the details I capture – like the wind in someone’s hair, the smile in someone’s eyes, or the emotion being expressed. I want them to take away the memory of that specific moment in time that will never exist again.

Inside FactoryLA www.againapparel.com www.artexperiencenyc.com www.axthelmcollection.com www.behance.net www.blainelabel.com www.danielpatrick.net www.downtownartwalk.org www.drifter.com www.elder-statesman.com www.fritzhaeg.com www.humanresourcesla.com www.imgfave.com www.inasoltani.com www.ismmode.com www.liannelahavas.com www.lifemorenatural.com www.mediuum.com www.ourstage.com www.rbofmcd.com www.society6.com www.thechicsociety.com www.thefancy.com www.themaxdavis.com

BLAINE. SILK LEATHER BLAZER. MADE IN LOS ANGELES. WWW.BLAINELABEL.COM