The LA Fashion magazine June 2013

L’Oreal, Melbourne Fashion Festival - 2013 Designer Series

Kevin Michael Schmitz Editorials

June 2013 - Vol. 10

20+ Amazing Wedding Gowns

Franz Szony Photography Exclusive:

Kenneth Barlis San Diego’s Leading Fashion Designer

eva varro

SANTA MONICA * PALOS VERDES* NEWPORT BEACH

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Editor in Chief Csaba Fikker Managing Editor Dana Elizabeth Johnson Beauty Editor Clarissa Burt Creative Director Kai He Photographers Kai He Scott Naide Timothy Vechik Kevin M. Schmitz Cover shot aby Kevin M. Schmitz Writers Beth Barrett Julianna Maranon Stacey Blanchet Yasmine Santana Operations Manager Mitch Melassanos

Legal Consultant Julian Chan www.julianchanlegal.com

Questions and feedback: 1200 Santee St..

Los Angeles, Ca, 90015 213 746 1020 Online: www.theLosAngelesFashion.com

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Contents 12

Kenneth Barlis

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L’Oreal, Melbourne Fashion Festival

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The artistic world of photographer Franz Szony

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Enzoani -“Take Flight” Runway Show and Badgley Mischka

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Kenneth Barlis

San Diego’s Shining Designer Photography by Timothy Vechik 12| The LA Fashion magazine

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San Diego’s own talented fashion designer Kenneth Barlis has been unstoppable these days working on his own personal brand since winning last year’s 2012 San Diego Fashion Week. With less than three years of fashion school under his belt, he is already rubbing shoulders with fashion elites and established an impressive celebrity clientele.

This San Diego native is proud to live in his city and refuses to join the emerging designers running off to Los Angeles. He is determined to help make San Diego a fashion mecca in its own right.

As I started to interview this humble and fashionable Designer he described his previous successes, his current projects and a look at what the future holds in store. It was nice to see Kenneth again since last year’s San Diego Fashion Week but it seems Kenneth has been on an unstoppable whirlwind ever since then.

Kenneth was born and raised in Pagadian City, Philippines and has always had a passion for the fashion world from a very young age. While living in the Philippines he joined the modeling world at 14 years old. Standing at 5”10, he was taller than most of his average Asian male friends. He moved to San Diego, California at the tender age of 16 where he continued modeling until the age of 21, when he decided he was getting older and modeling was just not the right path for him. With no prior experience in the fashion world he decided to try his hand at styling and was asked by his photographer friends and family to create styling for them. Kenneth then entered a Fashionista Challenge in 2010 for Project Ethos, which involved seven designers competing for the top prize where he won the competition.

The path to his fashion career was not a straight forward one. Kenneth had his sights set on entering medical school and was researching several campuses in San Diego. Upon touring the UCSD campus he made the decision that would forever change his course and lead him to what his passion has always been, fashion. “When you are looking at something you want to do and even though it looks so beautiful but you don’t feel connected to it. That’s what I felt like while researching medical school.

But when I went to FIDM in 2010 that is where I felt I belonged, in that environment, that atmosphere, everything about the school is what led me to fashion design”. Kenneth enrolled in the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandise San Diego, in the summer of 2010 and is currently finishing up his studies at the Los Angeles Campus.

Kenneth was not the only one who felt he belonged in a fashion career however; his mother was a huge supporter of his talents. “When my mom saw my designs at the time, she saw me doing that for the long term. She told me that I should get the proper training for it. That is why we started looking into fashion schools and the first thing I saw was FIDM. When I went to visit the school I fell in love with it and that is why I chose to attend FIDM”.

Kenneth left styling because he felt he wanted to explore fashion design, “I felt that my creativity speaks louder than my styling capabilities so that is when I said, you know what, I am going to try designing. It is amazing and I love the journey so far”.

Kenneth was one of many competing for San Diego Fashion Week last fall in 2012 where he was declared the winner of San Diego Fashion Week. When asked if the event opened doors for him he let me know it got him recognition in his hometown. “Locally yes, people started to notice me but before then my market was mainly Los Angeles, celebrity clients, magazines and international”. Kenneth already seems like a veteran designer for being only in fashion school less than 3 years. His most recent work since San Diego Fashion Week was getting a personal call from recording artist Rhianna herself for an offer to do a reality show for designers. The show is called “Styles to Rock” from the Style Network produced by Rhianna. “For the show they called me personally, I did not apply. It is just really amazing beyond our dreams there are actually people out there that started to follow us and know our brand and what we do and there is nothing like getting known for your craft”.

So exactly what is the Rhianna reality show according to Kenneth? “It is kind of like a project runway for designers. Every week you will dress up celebrities. She wants me to be part of it because I have

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my own experience, I have my own market.” But Kenneth has many plans as the show may conflict with his already busy schedule. The young designer is producing his own exclusive show here in his hometown of San Diego. “I am really concentrating on my own fashion show for the end of August.

Not just creating my collection for spring 2014, I am also producing the entire show. I am reviewing many marketing strategies on how I am going to make it happen, a lot of creativity. The show is named after our brand, so we are trying to take it to the next level of creativeness of design because we want people to remember the show, remember the collection, and the story we are going to tell the audience”.

Kenneth is not only producing his own show, he is marketing it himself as well as working on his new couture line and ready to wear collection of clothing and his new hand bag line which will premiere at his show. “I did not realize how much work producing a show can be and on top of that all the press, the sponsors, all the other creative stuff and the details of the show. It is hard work but I am enjoying every minute of it”. Unfortunately Kenneth declined the offer to be involved in this year’s Fashion Week events so that he can focus all his creative energy into his own shows.

The show will feature his collections as well as international designers, celebrities and elites who will collaborate with Kenneth and showcase their own fashions.” I’ve invited all of my friends from different countries. We have designers all the way from Paris, the Caribbean, Los Angeles, and other cities.

They have their own background and we tried to collaborate with them in the show and that is like the whole entire purpose, which is to bring the international market to San Diego. So it is not just a local event anymore, we have a lot of celebrities we invited, personal clients, the UK press, Caribbean Press, and even the Toronto press who want to be in the show and broadcast to their own countries”.

Kenneth wanted not only to bring international recognition to San Diego but the exclusivity for his show as only being showcased in home city. San Diego will be the only city in the United States that will showcase his fashion collections. “On the show that I am producing these are designers that are establishing their own brands in their own countries. From the designers I met during the Caribbean Fashion Week, one of them is a designer for the House of Oscar De La Renta and I invited him personally to be in my show”. If that does not seem like enough, Kenneth will be traveling internationally this year, touring his home country of the Philippines, Toronto Canada, the Caribbean and Paris to showcase his fashion style.

Kenneth already has celebrity clientele, his own market and his own brand. “My first ever celebrity client was Crystal Reed who is in MTV’s Teen Wolf. I ran into her through a friend of mine who was styling her for a cover of a magazine. She actually called me two days before her shoot wanting me to dress her and that is how everything started. She was my first actress and since then I work with PR people, editors from different magazines that want my stuff and so many others”. Among his celebrity client list he has dressed is, Kendra Wilkson, BooBoo Stewart from the Twilight Saga, Ashley Henshaw and Mary Murphy just to name a few. This young designer’s impressive resume left me speechless.

Keneth Barlis has decided to take a semester off from his studies to focus on his spring 2014 collection and gave me a sneak preview into his color story and inspiration. His spring 2014 collection is “based on European Structures, so there are a lot of those details, with a Baroque feel to it, arches and structures infused with French Military; Romantic yet so masculine.” What is his inspiration behind this collection? “Part of my background was growing up in a military base so always seeing camouflage. I want to tell that part of my story to my audience and with the European structures I like how the details are so contrasting to each other and it still works together. I think that is what the concept of this collection is about.” The main audiences for this collection are women in their fifties and sixties, retired, who love to travel the world and have a fancy lunch with their girlfriends and dinner with the husband. Women who do not mind spending $1,200 on a gown and live in places like La Jolla, California. That is why it is conservative yet there is still that sex appeal because of the form fitting stretch materials that any woman can wear.

For this collection Kenneth went with bold contrasting colors that will grab the attention of the audience. Reds, blues, infused with gold, black and white. “I think it’s also really part of my background using these colors.

Bold colors that really stand out in the crowd and I think the message is to showcase the uniqueness of each garment, even though the silhouette of what I am going to showcase is very simple and basic, form fitted but yet the details are so contrasting to each other that it still works together”. Along with his Spring Collection debut at his own Show “The Kenneth Barlis Show”, he will also launch his first ever ready to wear handbag and accessory line which will include 100 percent leather clutches and messenger bags for evening or work. I look forward to seeing Kenneth pave the way for future fashion designers in San Diego and I am positive we will be hearing more of this talented designer soon.

by Yasmine Santana

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Photography by Mark Peterson

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2013 Designer Ser ies

L’Oreal, Melbourne Fashion Festival

By Beth Barrett and Heidi Beachen

With each year, the L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival grows in influence and popularity.

This season we saw many shows presenting the latest collections from an array of vastly talented Australian designers. There was so much to love from every show, each designer presenting a distinctive style that us Melbourne fashion lovers have come to know instinctively. With so many chic new styles on display throughout the festival, we are now eagerly anticipating our southern hemisphere winter to embrace these beautiful A/W fashions.

Here we have handpicked a small selection of designers whose collections we found particularly noteworthy and inspiring.

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Photography by Mark Peterson

LIFEwithBird Sleek, sexy, directional style for the urban sophisticate was the order of the day for LIFEwithBird’s AW 2013 collection.

Melbourne based LwB (headed by the versatile duo Nicholas van Messner and Bridget McCall) have again produced a highly wearable capsule to take Aussie fashionistas through to the warmer months.

Beginning from a palette of black, grey and navy, the collection also pops with accents of metallics, and with an array of luminous watercolor prints.

LIFEwithBird’s respect for tailored silhouettes and their signature drapery through dresses and tops was evident throughout the collection. The look was well balanced; the feminine whimsy of watercolor silkscreen prints and softly draped mini dresses were expertly tempered with black studded ankle boots and oversized black tote bags providing just enough edge.

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Aurelio Costarella With devotees ranging from Rihanna to Dita von Teese, Costarella never fails to deliver on pure old-fashioned glamour. In his AW 2013 collection, the Australian designer’s modern take on classic femininity was showcased along with a few little twists and surprises.

Texturally lush, Costarella played with feathers, beading, fur, leather and silk throughout the collection paying homage to 1930s Old Hollywood and Parisian decadence.

The ready-to-wear portion of the collection consisted of a muted palette of browns, beiges, olive and gold.

With many pencil silhouettes and feminine accents, the waist was paramount. High necks and puffy ruches shoulders in unexpected fabric combinations gave a quirky lightness to the collection despite the very-classic shapes and colors. Again, Aurelio Costarella provided his breathtakingly distinctive aesthetic take on femininity.

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Photography by Mark Peterson

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Photography by Mark Peterson

Aurelio Costarella The bridal collection was particularly beautiful and featured bias cut silhouettes crafted and cut to perfection with the most luxurious of silks and crepe fabrics featured in opal, pearl and ivory tones of off-white. One particularly stunning ensemble featured a long mermaid-style chiffon and silk creation with accented shoulders, ornately beaded and feathered. Paired with a structural autumn bouquet, the model was crowned with a gorgeously constructed gold headpiece redolent of a byzantine icon.

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The label of Kristy Lawrence, Flannel is fast becoming a classic Australian brand with followers wordwide ranging from Nicole Ritchie to Kirsten Stewart. For the 2013 collection presented at L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival, the look was as breezy, sweet and bohemian as ever. With a flagship store in Venice, CA and a wearable and fresh aesthetic, it’s easy to see why Flannel has such trans-pacific appeal.

With the AW 2013 collection Flannel graced the runway with a delightful palette of pastels, white and tan, promising us an autumn/winter season which will be anything but dark and dreary. Classic shirt, trouser and skirt combinations were given the western treatment with tassels, studs and pitch perfect tailoring.

The eye-catching pieces that most impressed onlookers were the desert-tan leather ensembles paired with deconstructed lace-up sandals. Flannel has produced a collection for relaxed easy days; for women with an inner cowgirl who will be eager for summer, but happy to daydream the winter away too.

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Photography by Mark Peterson

Flannel

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Photography by Mark Peterson

Maticevski Avant-garde favorite of the Melbourne fashion world, Toni Maticevski’s shows are always highly anticipated. His previous collections have appeared at various international festivals including New York. Something of a creative chameleon, Maticevski continuously expands his art form through various collaborations in the world of art, dance and costume. The cutting-edge femininity of the Maticevski look has become a magnet for confident, sexy women such as Beyonce, Kim Kardashian and Leighton Meester.

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Maticevski The AW 2013 collection at the LMFF was divinely executed, delivering striking silhouettes along with Maticevski’s signature elegance. Many of the pieces shown were right on target with the major fashion trends of the season. There were peplum silhouettes along with statement collars and shoulders. Black leather found perfect partners in chic lilac and a cool gold tone forming the consistent palette throughout the ready to wear collection. Two dresses featured in the show (one long in white, and one midlength in black) are set to become Maticevski classics; the dresses’ embellished peplum-effect details through the waist accentuating curves and a strong, structured shoulder adding drama.

The bridal collection was somehow less cohesive and striking but still provided plenty of romance with an avant-garde edge that is sure to appeal to the contemporary woman. Bodices and skirts constructed with delicate fabric were slashed and deconstructed while maintaining a classic ball gown or sheath style.

The intricate ‘undone’ mood of the gowns exaggerated their temporal beauty. Another breathtaking fashion moment from a Melbourne master.

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Photography by Mark Peterson

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Photography by Mark Peterson

Christopher Esber Strong, minimalist and well balanced, Christopher Esber takes an evolutionary interpretation on feminine dressing. The sydney born designer is a self confessed perfectionist, often creating his own textiles for each individual collection. This commitment to integrity is conveyed directly in his flawless fabrication. Tailored shift dresses were given a modern edge with horizontal mesh panelling, the style carrying through into modestly round necked short sleeve tops and giving movement to longline skirts.

He combined two of the seasons key trends, leather and overlay skirts, giving it his own signature twist. The entire collection was what has become business as usual for this dynamic young designer, consistent, attainable and undoubtedly on trend.

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Ellery Presenting what is always expected from this talented young designer – structured, polished pieces, infallible craftsmanship and an identity that remains consistent without appearing too contrived. Cool white pieces were given depth, layered with geometric lace. Subtle suggestions of fringing and contrast stitching added texture to an otherwise minimalist composition. Clever in her choice of fabrics, she created a luxuriant feel to her collection with beautiful metallics in black and an almost “frosted” bronze tone.

High rounded necklines and contrasted overlay skirts were right on trend. Ellery also offered up an inviting oversized opera coat that has the makings to be a staple in every woman’s wardrobe this winter.

An iridescent metallic bomber jacket added a spontaneously casual twist to the predominantly elegant collection.

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LA Fashion Unleashed Taking the Fashion District by Storm Photography & Art Direction by Kevin Michael Schmitz www.KevinSchmitz.com Models: Ayse Kalinci (On The Cover), Mariah Strongin, Kamilla Alnes Represented by Wilhelmina Models Wardrobe Styling by Arianna Sinclair Hair Styling by DaRico Jackson Makeup by Uzmee Krakovszki using Rain Cosmetics Wardrobe Styling Assistant: Sonovia Washington!

Photography Assistant: Efren Herrera Photography Assistant: Emre Sahin Video Production: Gavin White Creative Manager: Bo Garber at Kevin Michael Schmitz Studios Wardrobe by Dar Sara, Dubai Photographed on Location at the New Penthouse Studios & Offices of The LA Fashion Magazine

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LOS ANGELES

BEAUTY

by Kevin Michel Schmitz

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The Mission Photography by Charles Warren

Art Direction by Kevin Michael Schmitz Wardrobe Styling by Kevin Michael Schmitz Photography Assistant: Emre Sahin Hair Styling by Chris Gees Makeup by Jessica Davis Laura Dimpflmaier Represented by Pinkerton Models Kennen Miller Represented by Pinkerton Models Alena Zdorovchenko Represented by Pinkerton Models

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Photography & Art Direction by

Kevin Michael Schmitz Photography Assistant:

Emre Sahin Makeup by

Uzmee Krakovszki Hair Styling by

DaRico Jackson Hair Assistant

Ouzton by Evans Wardrobe Styling by

Shelli Moore

Wardrobe Styling Assistant:

Sonovia Washington Models:

Amy Holt

Represented by Pinkerton Models

Hannah Flattery

Represented by Pinkerton Models Wardrobe Collection by

SkinGraft

Photography Courtesy of H&M

Hermosa Summer

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Photography & Art Direction by Kevin Michael Schmitz Photography Assistant: Mark Palermo Makeup & Hair by Uzmee Krakovszki Makeup & Hair Styling by DaRico Jackson Wardrobe Styling by Kevin Michael Schmitz Models: 1) Krista Floyd Represented by ELITE Models 2) Brooke Ebner Represented by ELITE Models Wardrobe Collections by DiNeila & Victoria’s Secret The LA Fashion magazine | 71

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Franz

Szony The artistic world of photographer Franz Szony

by Fashion Designer Stacey Blanchet of Blanchet Designs The studio and the subject are ready. The stage is set with everybody and everything ready to go. The lights go up, the camera points and clicks. Behind the camera is the genius that makes the pages come alive for the reader. He will take us on a journey to faraway places we may only dream about.

For the picture to make us respond to it, it takes a good subject and an even greater photographer with a vision to share. How do you judge what makes a good photograph? Art is subjective. What gives the photographer an artistic eye?

Franz Szony grew up in Nevada. As the son of a casino manager, he watched all the shows that came to town. The show’s costumes clearly have affected his work.

He enrolled in art classes at the age of five and the legend was born. Lucky for us at an early age, Franz realized that he was destined to be an artist.

He immersed himself in the craft by studying the history of photography and the techniques of other photographers then perfected his own style that would set him apart. Coming into his own over the years has had its ups and downs but he never lost sight of his path. He has no regrets and thinks the word “regret” should be banned.

With the closing of Szony’s first show in Los Angeles, and after he finished perfume ads for fashion designer, Furne One, I wanted to know more about Szony’s path and how he perfected his “artistic eye”.

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Technical What are your go to cameras?

My first camera was a 1959 Nikon F. I now solely shoot with a digital Hasselblad.

What type of lens do you use?

I shoot mostly with a good ole’ 80mm What is your photographic process before your photos are exhibited or given to cients?

Most of my process is secret to me. It is pretty similar to most artists. I have a disturbingly close relationship with my printers as any photographer should.

What does the photo need to have for the Franz Szony touch?

The photo needs to be grounded in having no sense of time or place. It also must always have a story.

What do you think is the most important equipment that a photographer should own?

All the most expensive equipment in the world won’t make a good photographer. Aside from any equipment, the most important piece in a photograph is an amazing subject.

This can completely, and I mean completely, make or break a photograph.

Business What is your 5 year plan and how do you make it a reality financially?

My father asks me this same question, ha-ha. I’ll never short sell me as an artist. I work very hard at what I do; no artist should ever give away their work for free. Too many people will take advantage of this. In the past, I’ve learned this the hard way. All I can say is I’ll keep on keeping’ on.

How do you get customers such as top designers for their perfume ads and clothing shots? Do you have a marketing team?

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I have no manager, nor do I have a marketing team, although I will say I was blessed with an incredible mom who helps me unconditionally.

If you combine the law of attraction with persistent work, amazing things will happen. I’m truly blessed and grateful to the people who have come into my life and have given me wonderful opportunities. It wouldn’t be unnatural seeing me standing on my driveway at midnight, staring up at the sky and giving gratitude to the Universe

ergy that is very different. Im a dreamer, so living in the “city of dreams” seems like a novel idea, oui?

What do you think is important to make your business successful?

Know who you are and represent that with every project you do.

Creativity

What are your rules when engaging with clients on their photography campaigns?

Although I’m quite flexible, and respect the terms a client gives me before a shoot has begun, I am also very clear that I don’t enjoy being micromanaged. My number one rule: abide by our contract.

What is realistic advice for kids today who want to make it as a professional photographer? What do they really need to know?

Find your vision. Educate yourself in what YOU want to know. High school for me was basically 4 years of shit I didn’t care about being shoved down my throat. The more you learn about your craft and the “greats” who came before you, the more you can take control of your own personal vision. Be inspired by other artists, but never copy them directly. Find a technique, or combination of techniques that is personal to you. If you find another artist has gotten there before you, respect that, and push yourself even further to find something that’s unique to you, and only you.

Why did you feel it was necessary for you to move to Los Angeles from Reno?

Although the “biggest little city” will always hold a place in my heart, my work has evolved and grown. Reno will always remain what it already is (although this is the reason why i will always love it). In order for me to keep evolving, I must swim to a bigger pond. Los Angeles is full of en-

Where would you as a photographer dream of living that you feel would take your work to another level?

I think living in Paris would be absolutely magical, but I will always live in my head moreso than any city.

What are the common business mistakes?

Mistakes?……. Give me a few more years and Ill let you know…..or better yet, hopefully I won’t!

Is Franz Szony your real name?

Franz Szony is my actual birth-given name. I got lucky with the double Z. I couldn’t make up a better name, and it feels perfectly fitting.

How do you begin your process? What inspires you?

I always begin my process with sketches, eventually leading up to a final blueprint rendering of what the photograph will be. At the moment, the concept of “tragic love” inspires me. Turning pain into beauty…and throwing in a punch of humor. I can feel this changing lately, and I’m keeping myself open to the flow.

How would you describe the type of photography you do and why?

I like to think of my photography in the terms of fashion. My fine art photography is my couture, and customer-commissions are my ready to wear. However sometimes these cross paths, and my customer commissions want the fine art, this is almost always in the form of advertisements. My fine art photography (like couture) is my vision completely; it represents the fantasy and the unattainable. It is also very expensive to create. For the paying costumer, they usually want a photograph better tailored to their vision with a more attainable budget.

At what stage are you with your career goals?

I feel like I was just born, the very beginning.

What are your favorite type of photos; Studio or location, and why?

Definitely in the studio. I like creating every element in the photograph. This way, there is no actual location of the photograph……it only exists in the image itself.

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There’s something magical to that.

How do you feel about your photography being used for commerical purposes and why? And do you feel that paying for art takes something from the creative Process?

It is rather strange. I think every artist would like to say they were “above” utilizing their art for a commercial “product”.....I was one of them at one point. I think this is partly because the term “commercialized” gives the impression of art that has been stripped of its integrity and turned into a factory-pressed, trendy, superficial piece of nonsense meant to brainwash the masses.....and most of the time this is true, haha. However, I will always stand for the opposite of that impression, and so, will seize any wonderful opportunity to marry my art to a commercial application. That being said, any artist who creates a piece of heartfelt art for a commercial application MUST have a thick skin. Commercialism appeals to the masses, art doesnt. There will always be people who choose degrade what they don’t understand. This, the mix of art and commercialism, will always provoke the thunder.

Do I think paying for art takes away something from the creative process?

I’d have to say no. I think paying for art re-instills its value, in a world so quick to devalue the importance of artists. Although the value of art can never truly be measured monetarily, like anything else that is beautiful, rare and desired, it comes with a price.

What do you want your legacy to be in the artistic world?

I’m not sure if I can define my own legacy. I can only focus on creating my art and inspiring people through beautiful images.

What is your biggest regret and why?

No regrets. This word should be banned. Every choice we make, good or bad, takes us to the next step What photo have you taken that you wish you could do all over again? Describe why. What did it teach you?

Although I’ve wanted to re-create photos from my earlier years of photography (7-8 years ago), I feel that would be a royal slap in the face to those photos. An artist shouldn’t try to re-create what they’ve

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already created unless they want to bastardize the beauty of their original piece. Art should always reflect who the artist is at the time they make it. If art is re-created and changed, then everything would be modern and nothing would have history…with its flaws and all.

Clearly your love for photography started in childhood with all of your art classes and such. How many years do you think it took you to make it to your current professional level?

I’ve only felt like I’ve “stepped into my own” over the last 4 years I’d say, and I am still learning with every shoot. Although, who’s to say I wasn’t at a professional level when I was 5? Professional art is completely subjective.

With the internet and social media so prominent, how do you think it has effected photography? Good or Bad? Both? And, why?

The social media and the internet has been good and bad. Good for any artist in terms of exposure. Its effect on photography? Well…… it’s amusing how many people claim to be a photographer for the mere fact they purchased a nice camera. I say that without a hint of sarcasm. I promise! Ha-ha.

What type of artist are you?

A happy artist!

As a fashion designer, one quickly realizes the difference between photography and fashion photography.

It is your dream to work with a photographer who has the technique and vision to bring your images to life creating scenes you never thought possible.

Working with Franz Szony, you will get elegance, style, craziness and a little bit of danger. He takes us on a wild ride with his “artistic eye”. We are all lucky to have bought a ticket.

by Stacey Blanchet

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Enzoani Soars with their “Take Flight” Runway Show and Badgley Mischka Dazzles with a 2014 Bridal Preview!

Kang Chun Lin, a London College of Fashion graduate, designed and developed the Enzoani brand. Enzoani is a young, dynamic company whose primary focus is innovative design. Additionally, Kang Chun Lin has since hand-crafted creations for Blue by Enzoani, Love

by Enzoani, and Love Shoes. He also oversees Love 16 also by Enzoani. Through his immense talent and great vision, the label has gained widespread attention for its unprecedented designs, use of luxurious fabrics, exquisite beadwork and unmatched construction. Enzoani’s 2014 groundbreaking collection takes women’s wedding and formalwear to new and exciting heights!

Over 800 esteemed guests, which included celebrities and top retailers from around the world were wowed not only

by Enzoani’s 2014 collection, but also by the unique venue.

Lyon Air Museum is an enclosed hangar, spanning over 30,000 square feet and features operational, authentic, vintage aircraft, vehicles and related memorabilia from the WWII–era. The locale served as the perfect backdrop for Enzoani’s, aptly-named, “Take Flight” presentation which kicked off with models arriving to the hangar in a vintage DC-3 airliner.

Enzoani designer, Kang Chun Lin, captivated his audience with his collection which featured breathtakingly elegant wedding gowns. Each piece boasted romanticism with dramatic draping, a variety of necklines to suit any bride’s taste, beautifully embroidered lace and intricately beaded floral appliqués. Looks were nothing short of stunning.

Gowns were tailored to perfection and oozed superior quality and craftsmanship. Looks were cut in several styles ranging from a-line to trumpet in rich silk, satin chiffon, tiers of tulle and organza fabrics. The cohesive presentation was a unique mix of vintage and contemporary looks to cater to today’s bride in search of their dream gown for their special day. The audience was enchanted with the Enzoani exhibition and eager to view the second half of the show.

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Following intermission, The Bachelor, reality star Lindsay Yenter introduced famed designing duo, Mark Badgley and James Mischka, who have each been hailed by Vogue as ‘ Top 10 American Designers’. The pair previewed their 2014 Badgley Mischka bridal and bridesmaids collection which was inspired by their glamorous, 2013 couture collection. The collections definitely showcased the style and grace the label epitomizes. Each look featured the label’s signature beading and exquisite embroidery. The designers shared, “We are always inspired by the glamour of Old Hollywood, and the 2014 collection takes it to a whole new level of sophistication and polish. “We love that even the most modern of brides seek a touch of glamour and timelessness for that special day.”

Modern yet sophisticated bridesmaid pieces were presented in a vivid, eye-catching color palette of grape, marigold/dandelion, turquoise and classic black. Opulence was alive in this timeless collection of amazingly constructed silhouettes.

As reported, Badgley Mischka Bridal Collections will be launched at Modatex in Essen, Germany this weekend, June 15-18, and will be available to international markets.

The entire fashion show and collection information is available for viewing. please visit : www.enzoani.com For more on Badgley Mischka’s Bridal Collection, please visit : www.badgleymischka.com/bridal

by Julianna Maranon

98| The LA Fashion magazine

The LA Fashion magazine | 99

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