The LA Fashion Magazine March 2013 issue

Paris Couture Fashion Week Didit H., Serkan C., Julien F. and more

NY Fashion Week: Vievienne Tam Cesar Galindo

Interviews:

Armand Hadida Sandra Cadavid Lisa Kline Benjamin Straub March 2013 - Vol. 7

WWD Magic

eva varro

SANTA MONICA * PALOS VERDES* NEWPORT BEACH

www.evavarro.com

Editor in Chief Csaba Fikker Managing Editor Dana Elizabeth Johnson Creative Director Kai He Photographers Kai He Scott Naide

Cal Bingham Irvin Rivera Diana Konrad Kevin M. Schmitz Writers Dana Elizabeth Jonson Jullianna Maranon Meghan Wilson Rosy Muto Yasmin Santana

Advertising Artin Aghamalian Thomas Reichhardt

Legal Consultant Julian Chan www.julianchanlegal.com Questions and feedback: 20463 Hart St. Winnetka, Ca, 91306 818 481 4634 Online: www.theLosAngelesFashion.com

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Contents 12

Fashion News

36

Academy Award’s Best

42

Sandra Cadavid

44

NYFW - Vievienne Tam

50

Victorias Secret Swimwear

68

Armand Hadida

72

Paris Couture

100

Lisa Kline

22

58 84

108 WWD Magic Editorials: 22 - Irvin Rivera 58 - Diana Konrad 84 - Kevin Michael Schmitz 102 - Kevin Michael Schmitza

102

Fashion NEWS ANN TAYLOR’S LAUNCHES CAPSULE COLLECTION WITH KATE HUDSON Ann Taylor announced that award-winning actress Kate Hudson returned as ambassador of its spring and summer 2013 campaigns. This year, Hudson’s role will take on more importance and she will serve in a larger capacity, as both a design influence and charitable ambassador. For the summer collection, she will be developing a capsule collection for the brand. In addition, she will join the Advisory Council for the company’s ANNpower Vital Voices Initiative, a program that supports the empowerment of young women.

The spring 2013 ad campaign was shot by famed fashion photographer Norman Jean Roy at Milk Studios in Los Angeles. Debuting in early February, the campaign features Hudson wearing inspired bold mix of vibrant colors, modern florals and graphic prints. She instantly connected with the season’s looks including many of the dresses from the collection, wearing them with confidence and natural style.

“I’m a dress girl through and through,“ Hudson said.

“Working with Ann Taylor has been a great creative experience and there is a really wonderful connection. Putting these outfits together has been incredibly fun – they have such youthful energy and flair!” Hudson said. “I got to dance on a treadmill wearing some amazing dresses and heels while being photographed in front a giant digital screen when we shot this new campaign.”

As part of the relationship, Hudson will make her first foray into fashion design as she collaborates with Creative Director Lisa Axelson on the summer capsule. Planned for May, the limited edition capsule is inspired by Hudson’s chic red carpet style, recreated and brought to life for everyday occasions.

“We are thrilled to expand our partnership with Kate Hudson,” said Lisa Axelson, Creative Director at Ann Taylor.

“Her confident spirit inspires us. She lives the many roles in her life with such chic, effortless style.”

Broadening her role with the brand, Hudson, a long time advocate for empowering young women, will also serve on the ANNpower Advisory Council. The ANNpower Vital Voices Initiative provides leadership skills to young women, empowering them to affect global progress, invest in their communities and begin their journeys as the next generation of leaders.

All items featured in the spring 2013 campaign will be available in late February in Ann Taylor stores nationwide and on www.anntaylor.com.

The summer capsule collection will be available in May.

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Fashion NEWS Neiman Marcus Unveils the Art of Fashion – Featuring Walter Chin Neiman Marcus announced Walter Chin as the photographer of The Art of Fashion campaign for Spring 2013. The campaign includes twenty-two images of spring fashions and will appear in the March edition of the Neiman Marcus publication, the book. The Spring 2013 Art of Fashion campaign offeres Chin the chance to blend both sensibilities, the commercial and the personal, tapping into his own aesthetic to create images he describes as “whimsical, graphic, and simple.”

“The Neiman Marcus Spring 2013 Art of Fashion campaign and the March issue of the book, share the same theme – the art of imagination,” said Eddie Nunns , Vice President, Neiman Marcus Brand Creative. “ Walter Chin ’s inimitable creativity reinforces that theme as he let his imagination loose to showcase our spring collection in a modern way.” Other notable photographers of the Art of Fashion campaign have included Richard Avedon , Arthur Elgort , Helmut Newton , Annie Leibovitz , Lillian Bassman and Paolo Roversi .

Walter Chin was born in Jamaica and raised in Toronto. He graduated from art school with a specialization in contemporary painting, followed by a master’s degree in photography.

Today, Chin enjoys wide acclaim for a body of work that encompasses fashion photography, celebrity portraits, and advertising campaigns for, among others, Hermes, Chanel, Tommy Hilfiger , Missoni and Lancome.

Debuting nearly 20 years ago, The Art of Fashion was a revolutionary step for a retailer as the campaign was designed to feature cutting-edge fashion and provocative photography. Designer merchandise featured in the campaign includes: Chanel, Lanvin Paris, Alexander McQueen , Christian Dior, Saint Laurent, Gucci, Burberry Prorsum, Valentino, Azzedine Alaia , Oscar De La Renta , Prada, Tom Ford , Stella McCartney , Akris, Dolce & Gabbana, Haider Ackermann , Proenza Schouler, Jil Sander , The Row, Manolo Blahnik , Jimmy Choo and Christian Louboutin .

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Fashion NEWS Fab Fashion Footwear in Sizes 9 to 13: Chic and Elegant Zofie Shoes Launches Collection at ZofieShoes.com

“I’m Watch – Italian Technology Meets Sophisticated Style

What do Michelle Obama, Milla Jovovich, Oprah, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Kate Winslet all have in common?

Besides being their own tour-de-force style mavens as well as successful, beautiful women, they all wear shoes sized between nine and thirteen. “It’s traditionally a neglected size run,” says Anna Pater, Chicago native and founder/designer of Zofie Shoes (www.zofieshoes. com). Pater understands that when it comes to elegant footwear for women, size should not be a problem, and with a full collection of fashion savvy shoes in larger sizes, Zofie Shoes seeks to remedy this hole in the marketplace.

Zofie Shoes is celebrating its “start of a New Year” online inaugural launch showcasing Pater’s design debut. The Inaugural Collection, featuring six signature styles, is beautifully crafted in Brazil and inspired by the season’s color palette of fuchsia, emerald green and metallic color palette along with the traditional black and neutral . Each style is carefully crafted with a chic and modern wearer in mind. Many boast a lower heel, which is not often available in the marketplace and more importantly for larger sizes.

Zofie Shoes provide affordable luxury and elegant style without sacrificing comfort. They’re made with all leather components and price points range from $195 to $275 at www.zofieshoes.com

Kenneth Cole New York Launches New Limited Edition Watch Kenneth Cole with its partner, the Geneva Watch Group, unveiled the limited edition Powered

by You watch, the newest style in its renowned automatic watch collection. The limited edition Powered by You watch is designed to inspire individuals to generate change in their global community. Through its partnership with Kenneth Cole New York and a continuation of both companies’ long standing commitment to giving back, Geneva Watch Group will donate at least $25,000 from the sale of the watches to amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research.

Change:…Powered by You – KENNETH COLE As the automatic watch is powered solely by the wearer, so is the ability to impact social change. Wearers can fashionably show their support for AIDS awareness through the watch’s red color details. Each limited edition Powered by You watch features a vibrant red hand on the sub second dial, red minute track accents and an enameled double loop red ribbon on the case back, symbolizing united efforts to finding a cure for AIDS. The Kenneth Cole New York limited edition Powered by You watch (SRP$250) will be available at Kenneth Cole retail stores, www.kennethcole.com, and in department stores worldwide this Spring.

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The 2013 CES Convention in Las Vegas was announced as the largest CES they ever had!

The amount of people that attended was underestimated for this year’s convention.

I got to see so many incredible new inventions and technology for 2013. The fashion industry still contributes to the CES convention, for example I ran into the i’m Watch booth.

The i’m Watch is the watch of the future. Not only is it fashionable but it is also advanced in its technology. i’m watch connects to your smart phones and becomes a computer on your wrist. I’m watch has 4GB memory and 128MB of ram. The1.54’ (diagonal) color display and resolution pixel of 240x240 gives you a crystal clear image. The i’m watch features also includes a speaker phone and a lithium ion rechargeable battery with up to 5 hours usage time and 24 hours of stand-by time.

The watch can be set to many different languages including Italian, German, Japanese, Korean and Spanish. The watches are eye catching and light-weight. They come in a variety of colors and materials like aluminum, titanium, silver and gold. i’m Watch is the perfect combination of the most innovative Italian technology and a unique, unmistakable style. High-quality materials make it comfortable, durable and attractive to see and to wear. i’m Watch is designed, engineered and built entirely in Italy - based in Piazza Luigi di Savoia, Milano

by Rosy Mutto

Fashion NEWS Paloma Picasso – Paloma’s Olive Leaf Collection – For Tiffany & Co. In 1980 the youngest daughter of the world renowned artist Pablo Picasso, Paloma Picasso—introduced her first collection of Jewels for Tiffany & Co. Paloma quickly climbed the ranks, becoming one of the worlds most soft after jewelry designers. Her gemstones introduced the world to a whole new color palette and exquisite jewelry to choose from. Fiery orange opals, shocking pink tourmalines and her now signature “X” design; combined with her use of “Scribbles,” and “Graffiti” sky-rocketed Paloma’s career and established her as a permanent fixture and force-to-be reckoned within the design world.

Paloma’s pieces have not only become a favorite amongst Tiffany collectors but have become extremely recognizable, well known and loved throughout the world. The longstanding partnership between Tiffany’s and Paloma has proven to be an extremely rewarding collaboration for both parties. Which is why, it’s no surprise that Tiffany commissioned Paloma to yet again, design a new collection. Fittingly appropriate and in-sync with the New Year, we were invited to preview the new line for Tiffany and Co. “Paloma’s Olive Leaf” collection. This week we stopped by Tiffany & Co.’s Rodeo Drive location in Beverly Hills, California.

The collection is intricate, extremely detailed and yet delicately designed at the same time. Inspired by Peace and Natural Beauty, Paloma’s Olive Leaf collection is stunning. With pieces for everyday wear to evening, her collection is nothing short of brilliant. Precious metals combine with brightly colored gemstones deliver a collection that is true to the designer’s signature aesthetic.

Distinctly Paloma, the collection embodies elements of true organic design combined with whimsical elegance. A true artisans touch is seen throughout the collection. From the details seen within each Olive leaf, to the carefully placed gemstones, the collection is one that begs to be worn and captures light perfectly, drawing one’s eyes almost without notice to each piece, beautiful on it’s own, yet even more so dazzling in the light.

Paloma’s Olive Leaf collection makes use of a variety of metals and gemstones. One stand out piece from the collection is a large bib-necklace, which traces delicate leaves and stems in an openwork pattern, brilliantly placed green tsavorites and 18 karat gold come together to finish the piece nicely.

The designer used various gemstones like Rubellite and green peridot Cabochons that are woven throughout each ring setting of either 18-karat gold or silver offset with diamonds. Pear-shaped Rubellites accentuate luxurious drop earrings of gold and sparkling diamond leaves. With several pieces to choose from, there is bound to be something for even the most discerning of customers. Paloma’s Olive Leaf collection is a true work of art, one that would make even Tiffany’s founder, Charles Lewis Tiffany very proud. The collection will be available at select Tiffany & Co. locations starting, March 2013.

For more information please visit: www.tiffany.com

by Dana Elizabeth

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NEWS Neon Colored Lingerie – Yandy.com Introduces New Yandy Candy Lingerie Line Yandy.com, international online retailer of women’s lingerie and apparel, has launched an exclusive new collection aptly named Yandy Candy inspired by trending neon colors and classic candy favorites. The new Yandy Candy line can only be found at Yandy.com and features 12 colorful styles at affordable prices.

Pulling from popular trends, like bright neon colors, the new Yandy Candy collection is sure to hit a sweet tooth or two. The Yandy exclusive collection consists of 12 neon lingerie items and can only be purchased on Yandy.com at http://www.yandy.com/ Yandy-Candy.php. With everything from bra and panty sets to camisoles and chemises, the collection is well rounded and is bound to add the perfect burst of color to any woman’s lingerie drawer. Stand out pieces include a neon blue mesh chemise with hot pink lace trim, faux lace-up front and halter neck for $8.95 and the purple cheetah print triangle bra top with matching, wrap around booty shorts and gloves for $12.95.

Affordability meets fashion with the new Yandy Candy line as well. With prices starting as low as $6.95 and up to $13.95, shoppers will have plenty left over for adding on unique extras. For example, to complete each look, Yandy has paired all of the items in the Yandy Candy line with neon wigs and candy accessories, all of which are available for purchase on the site.

Not only that, but Yandy has taken the new candy-inspired line one step further adding an extra feature for shoppers. For interested customers, a gift box complete with Yandy tissue paper, ribbon and assorted candy can be added to any Yandy Candy order for $8.95.

In addition to the new Yandy Candy collection, Yandy offers same-day shipping, free flat rate shipping on all orders over $70 and a free panty with every order.

The exclusive new Yandy Candy collection from Yandy.com adds just the right amount of wrong to any lingerie collection.

$1 Million Shoes by Crystal Heels Consumers whose taste in luxury fashion runs beyond the now-famous precious gem-studded bra of a major lingerie retailer may want to take a trip to Leon’s of Beverly Hills. Through August 1st, the fine jeweler is displaying the world’s first pair of handstrassed, diamond-encrusted million-dollar shoes, courtesy of high-end fashion brand Crystal Heels™ (http://crystalheels.com).

Crystal Heels founder Evelyn Fox started with a peep-toe Giuseppe Zanotti pump in size 37 (U.S. size 6). For three weeks, Fox and her team painstakingly placed 11,000 diamonds on the shoes. Each of the .03-, .05-, .07-, .10-, .20-, and .40-carat stones is meticulously spaced for maximum visual appeal -- and the end result is stunning.

Perfectly symmetrical, The Million Dollar Shoes are literally covered in precious stones.

From the five-inch stiletto heel to the demure peep-toe, every inch of the shoes -including the stitching -- sparkles as only diamonds can.

As The Million Dollar Shoes were in development, Fox set out to find a suitable place to display them. Leon’s Jewelry was a natural fit. Accustomed to retailing one-of-a-kind, high-end jewelry, the boutique’s staff had the knowledge to represent the exceptional Crystal Heels.

“It is certainly unusual to find shoes in a high-end jewelry store, but The Million Dollar Shoes are like no others,” Fox stated. “They are the ultimate accessory: high-fashion shoes that rival the world’s most exquisite jewels.”

“With the placement of The Million Dollar Shoes in the window of Leon’s Jewelry, Valentine’s Day season in Beverly Hills just became even more glamorous,” Fox concluded.

“The Million Dollar Shoes are a fashion first, and I encourage women everywhere to find inspiration in them.” The Million Dollar Shoes are available for purchase at Leon’s Jewelry located at 308 North Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. View the entire Crystal Heels line at http://crystalheels.com.

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NEWS

Double Victory for San Diego as it takes the Crown for Miss California USA 2013 and Miss California Teen USA 2013!!

Former Miss USA 2003, Susie Castillo, hosted the event. The event was judged on three categories: Interview, swimsuit and evening gown. They also were judged on character, poise, confidence and personality.

Among the judges this year are: Jaan Assaf from the UCLA Children Hospital Mattel Dream Team, Charisma Carpenter from ABC’s Family The Lying Game, Amanda Che who was Miss California USA pageant’s official swimsuit sponsor and Mark Harris of WOW! Creations Media just to name a few.

The finale also took place at the Pasadena Convention Center where the contestants won awards for different categories. Mary-Kate Fitzpatrick, also miss “Palm Springs” won two awards that night. A Tony Bowls award for best evening gown and Miss Congeniality. She definitely deserved the awards because judging from her dress she took the cake. Fitzpatrick wore a stunning scarlet red colored floor length mermaid style custom-made gown by Christian Pelayo, from the Christian Collection.

Pelayo, who custom designed this stunning gown for Fitzpatrick is also part owner of the Crown Diva Boutique in Santa Monica California. Mary-Kate competed for the title last year and made top 10 so she decided to try again this year. She is an aspiring model and actress and also a film major at Mt. Saint Mary University in Los Angeles. She loves being on stage and feels that being on stage will help give her that extra confidence that will later help her in her career.

Two native San Diego women took the title and the crown in both Miss California USA and Miss California Teen USA. Maybelynn Capeluj, 21 of San Diego, California won the title for Miss California and Cassidy Marie Wolf as Miss California Teen USA. The live two-night star studded event that began early Saturday, January 12th and ended Sunday night January 13th. The Miss California Pageant is the largest state pageant and already in it’s 9th year in a row of crowning achievement.

Saturday began with the preliminary event where the 200 plus contestants got an opportunity to present themselves before the judges before being filtered down to 20 contestants for the finale Sunday night. The women proudly represented their native suburbs throughout the State of California. The live event took place at the Convention Center in Pasadena where over 220 ambitious contestants competed for the prestigious titles. This year the event also made beauty pageant history as Kylan Wenzel, was the first transgender woman was allowed to officially compete for the state title in the 63-year history of Donald Trump’s Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants. (left) Keith Lewis (right) Mary Kate Fitzgerald The Los Angeles Fashion Magazine got an opportunity to speak with the two producers who are also veterans in the entertainment industry.

Keith Lewis, who is the director of Miss California USA and Miss California Teen USA since 2003.

He also has worked for VH1 and founded a full service-modeling agency, The Morgan Agency, in Hollywood, Calfornia. Mr. Lewis spoke to our magazine on the contestants and the pageant “Our competition isn’t really about just a beauty pageant. They get a local title, they are expectant to work in their community, and they are expectant to work in philanthropic causes that are important to them and to raise awareness on issues that are relevant.”

What advice can Mr. Lewis offer to girls out there wanting to try out for Miss California? “Go to our website and apply which is the first step. Our contestants need to be disciplined and conscious of nutrition and exercise, their appearance and to always strive to be the very best that you can”. We also got the opportunity to speak with another producer of the show who was also once a former beauty pageant contestant herself, Keylee Sanders.

San Diego winner Maybelynn Capeluj, 21 winner of Miss Calfornia USA 2013

Cassidy Marie Wolf, San Diego winner of California Teen USA 2013

Sanders is a style expert, television personality and founder of Style Studio LLC. She has been seen on TV such as E! Network, The Style Network, TV Guide and is a celebrity stylist. Sanders explains to us “a lot of mental preparation goes into being a contestant”. “It’s a lot of mental preparation and a lot of hard work.” When asked who creates the ideal winner of the title holder she explained “ the girl who really has that self confidence, has the IT factor, something different and unusual about her. She got to want it, and want it really bad, those are the girls we want as title holders and that do really well”.

The night closed with the two San Diego winners being crowned and an after party to continue the celebration. Needless to say the night was filled with excitement, glamour, beauty, fashion and fun!

by Yasmin Santana

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MB NYFW 2013 Interview with Cesar Galindo 18| The LA Fashion magazine

Kendall Jenner opened and closed the show in a beautiful sequence bustier top and handmade tutu

by Tumbler and Tipsy - rocking shoes from InPressLA “We move too fast and to best interpret

Photography By Semant Jain, Ph.D.

our surroundings you have to simply stop, pose - take in life, notice the details.”

LIFE SUSPENDED was the brilliant collection that Cesar Galindo showed during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.

Cesar Galindo stated “this is a collection based on the principle of slowing down to check your reality and pay attention. We move too fast and to best interpret our surroundings you have to simply stop, pose - take in life, notice the details. Life has so much to show us with in all creative communities.”

During an interview backstage after his show, he shared with us a little more about his collection. “It’s all about Suspended life…it solidified my path, you know when you’re doing the right thing, everything and messages all come together.”

When asked about some of his favorite looks from the collection, he stated “I love the bubble skirts and bubble hems.” Those looks included a ponte bubble hem halter, a variegated brocade bubble skirt, and a jersey floating bubble maxi. “I love the layering of my coats,” he said, “I did convertible clothing, like the coats are actually convertibles, you can take the sleeves off, can take the hoodie off, and play with it.” His first look incorporated this look as a cornflower wool convertible hoodie coat over a jersey dress walked down the runway.

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There was also a brick jersey convertible jumper dress in the collection that was really popped in color and flowy yet fitted at the same time.

We wanted to know what Cesar thought every woman should have in her closet this season.

The designer thinks that everyone woman should have “ for Fall 2013, a shift dress, as it’s a very important statement. You can have a fitted dress but you’re gonna have to have that shift, it’s easy, casual, relaxed.” And we saw plenty of shift dresses in this line, ranging from sculptured knit to silk charmeuse cap sleeve.

Lastly, we wanted to know what Cesar Galindo has planned next for himself.

“Global distribution, global branding…that’s the ultimate goal,” stated the designer.

He seems very determined to reach this goal, and with an innovative collection such as this one, this Houston native is well on his way.

Fashion Photographer: Semant Jain, Ph.D. Fashion Writer: Zoha Memari

www.sjchronicle.wordpress.

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-FINAL EXIT Photography & Art Direction by Irvin Rivera graphicmetropolis.com

Wardrobe and Designs by: MASAI PAYAN Assistant Photographers: Benjamin Kui Mike Deliguin Darwin Abad Models: Raina Hein (America’s Next Model Season 14) Hannah Jones (America’s Next Top Model Season 16) Stylists: Wilford Lenov with Jose Galeana Hairstylist: Tokiko Inoue Make-up Artists: Tokiko Inoue Amanda Carrete

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85th Academy Awards 10 Best 36| The LA Fashion magazine

Charlize Theron Dior Haute Couture column gown

Jennifer Lawrence Dior Haute Couture

Jessica Chastain Giorgio Armani

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Naomi Watts Armani Prive

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Nicole Kidman L’Wren Scott

Halle Berry Versace

Catherine-Zeta Jones in Zuhair Murad The LA Fashion magazine | 39

Kristen Stewart Reem Acra

Zoe Saldana Alexis Mabille

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Amy Adams Oscar de la Renta

by John Galliano

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Colombian Made - American Designed - by Dana Elizabeth

Sandra Cadavid Q: Do you travel back often to Colombia? And did you do so prior to designing the collection?

In the very beginning I did travel to Colombia often to put together a team that would help me create the business that we have today. I really aspired to obtain true artisans, that were masters of their craft and fortunately we were able to find artisans who worked for Nancy Gonzalez, who as you may or may not know is one of the greatest icons for handbags from Colombia. She has a team of artisans from Narino in Cali, and some of her artisans are the very same artisans who are working with us to create my collection.

Q: I know the Sandra Cadavid brand has a passion for philanthropic endeavors; can you elaborate on some of the charities, and organizations you’ve donated to in the past year?

What other projects or programs do you have planned for the future?

S andra Cadavid is a luxury handbag designer specializing in high-quality, Atacama leather,

handbags. Each one is handcrafted in Colombia by skilled artisans. Although Sandra, is originally from Colombia, the designer moved to Pennsylvania as a young girl, since then she has been dreaming of the day her designs would become a reality. In 2011 Cadavid decided to turn sketches into reality and in turn has designed some of the most beautiful, durable, and exquisite handbags on the market.

Her collection was seen on the TODAY show and is slowly but surely making it’s mark across the U.S. We had a chance to sit down with the designer to find out exactly where she plans to take her collection next.

Q: Sandra, can you tell us a bit about your design inspiration? I read that for this collection you were inspired by the 500 year-old fortress city of Cartagena, Colombia.

Sandra: Yes, my entire collection was inspired

by Cartagena; the city is very romantic, very old and classic. Everything from the people to the buildings to the city, which is so full of charm and beautiful architecture, it really inspired me to create a collection of handbags that truly captures the essence and beauty that all of Cartagena has to offer.

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In Colombia we work with an organization that helps struggling, single mothers. In addition to our team of twenty, we employ ten mothers who help out on a part time basis. They work with us to clean the leathers, as well as clean some of the tools, they are also learning how to do small tasks such as sewing on zippers and working with our leather machines.

It’s not only educational for them but it’s also to hopefully teach them enough to be able to someday work with us more in-depth, and it’s also helping them to feed their families. Another organization we are working with is one that gives back to Colombia and the children who go to school there.

Often times the children living in Colombia don’t have adequate backpacks or book bags, they wind up carrying their belongings in plastic bags. We are working on creating a durable, long lasting handbag that can be used often and could potentially be passed down from generation to generation.

Q: You opened the Online Store just this past September 2012 other than the online store, is there anywhere else online that customers/readers can go to view the collection, and purchase the line?

Sure you can find us on bottica.com, which is a UK aggregator site and they scour the world for some of the best up and coming designers. It’s a very small group, there are about 60 designers worldwide. We are also in various boutiques across the country and hopefully in Los Angeles very soon.

Q: Not even a year old, but I also saw that your brand was featured in October 2012, on The TODAY show. What was that like to have your products mentioned on such a large platform, at such an early stage?

It’s actually a funny story, I attended a handbag-101 event a couple of years ago, and I heard that Jacqui Stafford was going to be there and I snuck back stage---I can’t believe I’m telling you this, that’s obviously something you are not supposed to do. But anyway, I snuck back stage after she was done and I had a chance to speak with her. I told her I was a huge fan and I mentioned what I was doing and she said, “you know here’s my business card and call me when you have your prototypes ready and let’s see what I can do.” As it turned out, she was able to get us on the TODAY show. It was very exciting.

Q: When you go to design your handbags, do you sit down with a design team and sketch out ideas, what sort of design process do you go through? How do you go from concept, to production?

Okay, so I’m very “oldschool” I design everything by myself and I don’t use any software--I design by hand.

It’s a lot harder to be honest with you, and it’s not as cost affective— because in all honestly, it’s very challenging to get your point across to the person who is producing your handbags without the use of a CAD. So what wound up happening was, we started out with 14 handbag designs in the collec-

Colombian Made - Sandra Cadavid Luxury Handbag Collection -tion and narrowed it down to four that were made perfectly. It was very difficult; I think I have to strategize to figure out how to keep my method while still moving forward into a more easily produced concept. You know, rather than my process, which tends to be a bit more tedious and time consuming, I still want to retain the tradition of hand sketching my designs so we will see.

-Dana Elizabeth

Photographed by: Cal Bingham

With price points ranging from $475 to $625 the handbags are truly affordable, when compared to other high-end Atacama leather handbags.

Make sure to visit www.sandracadavid.com for more information.

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Photography By Semant Jain, Ph.D.

VivienneTam Vivienne Tam showcased her Fall/Winter 2013

collection at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in February to an eager audience awaiting to see her designs. She delivered a bold collection inspired by cultural dialogue, change, and awakenings that truly made a statement.

“I was inspired by the Punk movement and Pop Art and how they changed the status quo and made us look at things differently,” she said in an interview with us. She continued, “I am not making a political statement but a universal one of evolution that transcends political and ideologies and moves toward a new era of the common good for everyone – to open up culture and dialogue.

These powerful thoughts were deeply evident in her collection, as many looks incorporated a pop culture Obama print and graffiti prints of Mao’s writing.

The designer has also partnered with SaveLoveGive.com, which protects consumers against Wireless Waste.

“My SaveLoveGive.com dress was a great collaboration to help empower women in starting their own businesses by turning wireless waste into opportunity,” Vivienne said, referring to her one shoulder wrap dress with leather applique. It incorporated the Chinese character for “love” and encourages her fans to “Love! SaveLoveGive.”

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Even by the prominent red, white, and black color palette, it’s apparent that Vivienne designs for a confident woman. “The woman I design for is one with a heart,” Vivienne said, “she is socially responsible and a woman of the world.” Vivienne also mentioned whom she would like to see in this season’s designs. “I would love to see Beyonce wear my Obama gown. She is the type of woman I strive to dress – powerful, independent, and successful.”

So what’s in store next for this widely recognized designer? “Future plans include more lifestyle products and opening new stores in China.” With the support of her mother, who has greatly impacted her designs, Vivienne will surely continue to stand out in the fashion industry and reach her future goals.

by Zoha Memari www.sjchronicle.wordpress.com

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Photography By Semant Jain, Ph.D.

We asked the designer what is one essential item she things every woman should have in her closet, and she said “a beautiful statement jacket to transition through seasons.” Coats and jackets were quite plentiful in this collection, in fabrics such as leather, quilted nylon, and wool melton.

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William Vintage

The Next Name in Hollywood

W

hile the name WilliamVintage may not be widely known on the Hollywood red carpet scene just yet, expert vintage forager William Banks-Blaney and his London boutique are set to break out in a major way. WilliamVintage is a meticuously curated vintage boutique located in the heart of London. The boutique serves as a gallery of sorts for one of a kind vintage pieces owner Banks-Blaney scours the world to bring home. His expertise is so extensive, in fact, he has been dubbed “the vintage king”

by Vogue Magazine UK. Among the store racks, it’s not unusual to find a 1970’s Ossie Clark maxi dress, a piece from the 1967 Andre Courreges collection or a 1963 Christian Dior haute couture formal gown.

Beloved by both private clients and celebrity stylists alike, WilliamVintage and owner Banks-Blaney are already well known names on London red carpets. UK based actresses Gillian Anderson, Anna Friel and Hayley Atwell have all attended events in his gowns and impressively, at last year’s BAFTA awards (the British Oscars), WilliamVintage had more actresses in his gowns than any other designer. Along with Anderson, he also hosted a private, pre-awards BAFTA dinner last year which was attended by top professionals from the fashion and film industries.

The LA Fashion was lucky enough to spend some time with the London based Mr. Banks-Blaney during his recent trip to Los Angeles where he was in town ”filming for a US TV show that’s based in fashion and reality.” With his feet already firmly planted in the London fashion scene, the next move for Banks-Blaney is building a name for WilliamVintage in the states, which likely will include opening a US boutique.

Currently, he and his team are “working on a much longer term plan over the next 5 years and a US presence is definitely part of that. We’re in a very lucky position in that the company is growing irrespective of the recession. Month on month and year on year, we’re just skyrocketing.”

With high profile London red carpet appearances under his belt, it seems only a matter of time before a WilliamVintage dress makes a major mark on US red carpets. Will we perhaps see one of his dresses at the Academy Awards this year? As far as Mr. Banks-Blaney is concerned, that’s the plan: “I’d be delighted to have a dress or two featured at the Oscars...we’re working with alot more stylists in the US and we’re working with alot more actresses who are partly based in the UK some of their time. We’re in conversations at the minute.”

Success in the fashion world has come quickly for Banks-Blaney as he began WilliamVintage about 3 years ago after a successful career in interior design. Despite his rapid success, he is remarkably

With high profile London red carpet appearances under his belt, it seems only a matter of time before a WilliamVintage dress makes a major mark on US red carpets.

“I’d be delighted to have a dress or two featured at the Oscars...we’re working with alot more stylists in the US and we’re working with alot more actresses who are partly based in the UK some of their time. We’re in conversations at the minute.”

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We’re working with an increasing amount of stylists and magazines. We’re also working with alot of fashion houses now.

We’re working with alot of creative directors of brands increasingly who are looking for inspiration.”

Largely due to the expertise and passion of Banks-Blaney, WilliamVintage is now a huge name for resurrecting pieces of fashion history and making them must have luxuries for today’s contemporary fashionistas. His skyrocketing success proves that well maintained and well edited vintage remains a chic, relevant and highly sought after commodity on all levels of the contemporary market.

humble and speaks of his collection with a vast and passionate knowledge of vintage style. He cultivates his collection around the idea of being “very edited, very unpretentious and very straightforward” and has always concentrated on buying, “pieces of clothing I think are just really chic and really wearable whether you’re 22 or 72.” His London shop carries not only special event gowns but also everyday pieces.

At WilliamVintage, the ultimate goal is for clients to fearlessly work classic pieces of vintage clothing into their modern wardrobe and to have fun while doing so. As Banks-Blaney puts it, “I think a big point for me, in any retail but particularly with WilliamVintage, is if you’re parting with money and you’re not having the best time of your life, somebody’s not doing their job properly. We really try and maintain that so whether you’re coming in to spend 200 pounds or 20,000 pounds, you have fun, you feel you get value for money and it’s beautifully presented. ”This formula is serving WilliamVintage well and in the next few years, a Hollywood red carpet is really the tip of the iceberg as to what’s coming for Banks-Blaney and his boutique. The success thus far has already led to some quite fortuitious offers; “we’ve been approached about doing books and we’ve been approached about doing a TV series.

For more information on WilliamVintage and to schedule an appointment at his London boutique, visit his website: www. williamvintage.com Red carpet photos credit: Alistair Guy

by Meghan Wilson

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Victoria’s Secret Launches 2013 Swim Collection

Victoria’s Secret launched the sizzling swim 2013 collection, which coincided with the release of the brand’s coveted

swim catalogue. The first of four highly anticipated 2013 Victoria’s Secret Swim catalogues hit mailboxes nationwide in February. Shot by famed fashion photographer Russell James on the sunny beaches of Turks and Caicos and Miami, the catalogue features the sexiest swimsuits, inspired by old Hollywood, glamorous starlets and their chic escapes to the most luxurious destinations in the world.

The brand, known for launching the careers of the most iconic supermodels in the world, has selected Angel Candice Swanepoel to appear on the cover of the first Swim catalogue cover of the year. The cover suit is the new Very Sexy Bandeau bikini, a retro inspired push-up bandeau available in an assortment of colors, prints and embellishment fabrics.

Additional catalogues shot in Tulum and St. Barths will hit mailboxes throughout the season.

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Behati, Prinsloo-Beach Sexy bandeau bikini

Candice Swanepoel Beach Sexy push-up bandeau

Lais Ribeiro Beach Sexy triangle-top ruffle bikini

The trends featured in this year’s VS swim collection include embellishment, novelty fabrics, seductive prints, neon, and mix and match pieces. Customers can create their perfect suit by mixing and matching an array of colors, prints, styles and sizes to show off their personality and shape.

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Candice Swanepoel Beach Sexy push-up-halter bikini

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Candice Swanepoel Beach Sexy triangle-top bikini

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Candice Swanepoel Beach Sexy strappy-twist bikini

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Sara Sampaio Beach Sexy push-up, triangle-top-bikini

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Candice Swanepoel Beach Bombshell push-up halter bikini

The 2013 swim collection is available at

VictoriasSecret.com,

in the Victoria’s Secret Catalogue, select Victoria’s Secret stores nationwide, and on the Victoria’s Secret all Access iPad and iPhone apps.

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Photography & Art Direction by

Diana Konrad

www.dianakonrad.com Fashion Designer: Allyson Simone www.allysonsimone.com Jewelry by Sherry Mattia-Welch www.glamarellajunk.com Hat designer: Diana Cavagnaro- Millinery MUA: Equalla Foster www.efostermua.com

Models: Dagmar Biork, Adela Hill, Hawlie Ohe, Cara Leigh Goldberg

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Armand Hadida Tranoi’s L’Eclaireur Of Fashion Tranoi Tradeshow is held four times a year in Paris, France. It coincides with Paris Fashion Week, Tranoï takes place in prestigious locations and puts creativity and business together.

Tranoï – which literally means “between us” – is an artistic platform with a stern selection of more than 1000 premium designers from all over the world, created for them to meet the most influential fashion ambassadors. This selection makes Tranoi what it is: a valuable source of truly different, international creativity, high-quality and outstanding talent.

Tranoï is more than a tradeshow. It also includes artistic installations, designers exhibitions, catwalk shows, fashion parties and all sorts of events which arouse the dreams and desires inherent to fashion.

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What does design mean to you, not only on a personal level but a global one?

- design has the same power as all the other artistic expressions such as photography, sculpture, paint. It is a strength we try to possess to take a break with reality, to get away from our lives and have a spiritual moment with ourselves.

When you go to design a space, what are the first elements you look for, how do you develop your concepts?

Armand Hadida: The first thing to do in a space you own is to undress it, to reveal it. Look for its history; what is the origin of what it has become, in order to have a different point of view on what it could be. the inspiration can be very nourishing when you search the history of things, look through their past. Then you have all the power to make it different, but not forgetting it´s initial goal and what it tells us.

You’ve recently launched another L’Eclaireur in Tokyo, what was your vision behind this new location and what is different about this location?

Armand Hadida: Tokyo was a big ambition for l’Eclaireur. The idea was to have a staggered space from its environment. It was a parking lot at first that we changed with a landscaper, to reveal the nature and the poetry that naturally came out of it. The building was see though with big windows and dressed with shutters. We could control the light direction and exposition, which made the place very modern yet peaceful and cozy. The challenge was more into the destination than the boutique itself. Now the contract is over we focused on our French stores, such as the one Rue de Sevigné or the Royal Eclaireur, Avenue Hoche.

As the Artistic Director, what was your overall vision for this season of Tranoi, what is new, what is returning and what do you hope Tranoi will be in the next ten years?

“L’Eclaireur, as the name would suggest, is in all simplicity the desire to stand out from the crowd, to discover new designers and to avoid taking the easy way out. What I have always wanted, and what I still want, is to put across a message while unveiling a certain type of fashion, even if this is sometimes an arduous task” – Armand Hadida Mr. Hadida, with a career spanning more then 25 years in the fashion industry, you’ve not only launched the careers of several notable designers, but you are responsible for bringing those designers into several homes across the globe, you were the first distributor of brands, (Gir­baud, Prada, Hel­mut Lang, John Gal­liano, Ann Demeule­meester, Dries Van Noten, Mar­tin Margiela) in France. You were the first to combine, both design and fashion and you changed not only the look of, but concept of the store front boutique. In 1980 you opened the first, L’Eclaireur, literally translating to ‘scout’ or ‘guide’ and you have definitely lived up to the name.

Armand Hadida: We want the customer to take back the power from the sellers, and fasten the dusty rhythm of the fashion industry. We will keep fighting against fast fashion, guide our customers, and prepare the exhibitors. we need more tonicity in the industry; the October and march sessions will be the greatest, while the two others will promote more basic and essential offers.

This season, launches Tranoi’s menswear, in it’s 7th year, since it was added to the Tranoi family in 2007 it has seen steady growth, what can we expect to see this season for menswear?

Armand Hadida: Our new target now is to give power to new designers, new talents. In March it is the main goal we pursuit. There are lots of creative people that don’t have the chance yet to access the success they deserve. We will have for the men’s fair in March the designer Ora Ito as ambassador, symbol of a modern and luxurious sense of design.

We need to develop more our relations to all other expressions of art, not just fashion but maybe glassworks, silversmith´s trade...

You have raised many talents in the Fashion world, such notable designers as; John Galliano, Prada, Diane Von Furstenberg, Martin Margiela, Helmut Lang, and Dolce & Gabbana, are there any brands, with which you would like to point out of notice for this season both men and women designers?

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Armand Hadida: I have a crush for every single designers I admitted at Tranoï, and will not point one out better than the others. Please refer to the brands present at the Preview, they are all a success and being showed at this first session is a proof they have their own talent and singularity.

In addition to the menswear collections being shown at Palais de la Bourse, a new fair is launching, “Preview” what can the buyers and media expect to see launching at ‘Preview?” and how is it different?

Armand Hadida: It is an additional session that was made to accelerate the rhythm of fashion as I said. Preview is a first venue on the women’s collections and it gives the choice to buyers to analyze their budget starting from January, and maybe go for less commercial things that will seduce them, and change their vision of trends. we want to keep the difference growing, in Tranoï of course but also in the stores we represent, and if buyers have the opportunity to see a first selection of what we have to offer them, they will go faster in their orders, then in the deliveries and so on. We have to create the new rhythm of tomorrow’s needs.

You mentioned once that, “Difference is the world’s spinal cord. Everything started when a hand was raised to catch a leaf in order to dress the first human being, Adam. It’s the first fashion demonstration that led to that powerful thing it is now. Everything comes from that central core that is fashion. I am fighting to save its nobility.” Do you believe that the above statement is still true? Are you still fighting for its nobility? How do you define fashion, not only for yourself but for others?

Armand Hadida: Yes it is the main point of my living and my work! Shining out is a must. Being unique is a privilege everyone has to reach. Fashion for everyone is its own way of understanding it, customize, and wear differently, nothing common to be exceptional -Dana Elizabeth

The first time collections will be shown at the same time as the menswear is being previewed at Palais de la Bourse, what are the collections that are being exhibited and can you point out a few of your favorites?

Armand Hadida: The collections presented are called “Bis”, like a complement to what the designers would normally show. It is a gathering for more essential things, basic yet trendy, and not commercial. As the name tells us, it is a “preview” on the exhibitors´ world, offering useful products and reflecting our common sense of sharp fashion.

When you are looking for new talent, the best of the best, what is it that you have found to be so intriguing of some designers, are there certain qualities you look for, what makes one designer stand out from the next--in your opinion?

Armand Hadida: The main thing i look for in a new talent´s work is his soul, his integrity through his work. I have to see he is not inspired by commercial things, that he keeps away from anything that could fall into common, streetwear and what the media says about trends. There are 4 goals to achieve when you have talent : isolate your work, bloom in your field, find your own identity, and remain different. The designer has to be a new keynote in the music of fashion. I trust a product that has a strong power of selling, that has a unique idea behind it, more than a big collection where the original idea gets lost.

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G. Pierce Clothing: Meet the man behind the entertainment industry’s best kept fashion secret!

Have you ever wondered who dresses your favorite male actor, sports star or male celebrity and how they always look so impeccably dressed on television and the red carpet? Ever wondered who they call to look like a million bucks? Please meet the man behind the red carpet looks! Perhaps no one understands the art of fine bespoke men’s fashion like Benjamin Straub. G. Pierce Clothing has created looks for some of the well-dressed high profile clientele in the sports, fashion and entertainment industry. His bespoke creations have been featured on television, been worn by top entertainment executives, house-hold name professional athletes, and widely known actors that you have seen in films and on TV Benjamin Straub, founder and proprietor of G. Pierce Clothing located in Downtown Los Angeles , may be an unknown name to some but just mention his name among professionals, business elites, sports and entertainment industry professionals and will know exactly who you are talking about. It is one of the best kept secrets in Hollywood today. G. Pierce Clothing creates the finest quality “made for you from scratch” garments in town.

The founder’s fashion lineage dates back to post World War Two where his grandfather, Pierce Bitker, owned a high end luxury retail store specializing in women’s wear. “I chose to name my business after my grandfather as a way to honor his legacy. He was the proprietor of what was basically a Bloomingdales in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the 1940’s and 1950’s after World War Two. They sold luxurious bridal gowns, 40’s and 50’s style women suits and formal ball gowns to a high-end Mid-Western crowd”. With fashion in his DNA, Straub knows fashion, quality and luxury all too well.

Straub was born in London, England to American parents and at the young age of two, moved to the East Coast eventually settling New York City. He grew up in Manhattan and still considers himself a proud New Yorker. He moved to Los Angeles in 1995 to attend USC where he graduated with honors in Journalism and Business. Straub has worked in the fashion industry since 2003 and founded G. Pierce Clothing in 2008 where he is now carrying on the family name with the standard of excellence in the high-end garment industry. “I wanted to begin my company here in Los Angeles because I think LA is still the Wild West in many ways. A vibrant city where trends are created and where there is a huge opportunity for people to make their mark and leave their legacy”! The young entrepreneur also wears his own creations, which is definitely a perk to owning your own high-end clothing company.

The well-dressed entrepreneur told me how he felt about fashion; “To me, fashion is how someone expresses their individuality and makes a particular look really his or her own”.

G. Pierce Clothing is not just or the wealthy and fortunate however. Any man who has worn many suits professionally and wants to upgrade to a custom well-crafted suit made to fit his body type will want a G. Pierce creation. “I want to offer garments appropriately constructed according to one’s unique personality, body type, and sense of style.” The company mainly caters to men’s fashion but also produces garments for women. “While only about ten to fifteen percent of our overall business comes from women’s garments, we do offer women’s work attire, pencil skirts, A-line skirts, jackets, tuxedo jackets (which are the most popular), blouses, and business professional attire”. Among his women clients are business professionals such as attorneys, business executives and industry professionals who want high quality, custom-made suits. His clothing is competitively priced but still very fair, “I want the client to understand they are getting a high end garment for a fair price”.

His suits are not only high end but very exclusive. He prides himself on making G. Pierces clients feel and look their absolute best. “At the end of the day, it’s all about making each person look and feel like a million bucks. It is truly a rewarding experience.”

What makes his bespoke clothing stand apart from ready to wear fashion?

The custom tailored personalized attention. You are your own designer!

The company can also send a sales representative to you, thereby allowing for optimum convenience through one on one personalized attention to detail. With such first class service, one can create a custom -tailored suit designed to fit your personality. “We get to create garments for our clients with their measurements and style in mind. When that client tries that jacket on for the first time and really feels the difference between that one and every other suit they have, it’s quite something to behold”.

So what does the future hold for G. Pierce Clothing? Straub is currently partnering with high-end international restaurant groups (Hakkasan USA for example) to create custom tailored suits for their restaurant managers.

“Top notch restaurant service deserves top notch presentation from the staff’s clothing!”. He works with entertainment industry wardrobe teams as well, but don’t let the fancy suits and Hollywood clients fool you. While Straub is man of class and sophistication, he is also a man of character and integrity. Benjamin Straub believes in being humble and always giving back to his community. It is something that he has always believed in. He feels it is the responsibility as a citizen to give back to others and to mentor young business people whenever possible. Philanthropy has always been a cornerstone of G. Pierce, which helps support charities such as The Nancy Davis Foundation for Multiple Sclerosis, March of Dimes, The Midnight Mission in DTLA, and Leukemia and Lymphoma Society just to name a few.

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Didit Hediprasetyo’s SS/2013 Collection

Gentle nonchalance, tropical reverie, Zen mood‌ The flowing spring water of Ubud, the starting point of this season of Didit Hediprasetyo. There is no more time no more constraint: just the body sliding into long dresses with infinitely sophisticated lines but a totally natural look, leaving nothing but the sensuality of draped jersey.

Languid and elegant, in Bali or in Paris, Didit’s girl pours herself into a sheath dress, her naked skin warmed by the sun. The garment hugs her movements and caresses her curves, revealing flesh here and there, particularly the back, unveiled in a series of cut-outs, with voluptuous modesty.

The collection is structured as tableaux rather than chapters. There is the black monochrome of an undershirt beneath an asymmetrical dress whose neckline falls nearly to the hips. The white monochrome of a strapless model crossed over with a scarf placed lightly on the shoulder, enveloping one arm so as to bare the other to greater effect.

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PARIS Fashion Week 2013

Then pastel, an aquatic mint green, imbues dresses falling into drapes right on to the floor, with singlet shoulders and a belt made of the traditional Indonesian brocade called Songket.

There are also the reflections of crystalline water, of Japanese pools full of quivering Koi carp. Countless little fish in pure colors (black/orange/white/blue; blue/orange/white) are printed on the velvet of a strapless dress, while the mesh of an orange summer wool dress echoes the pattern of the scales.

The only thing added to this is the relief and texture of embroideries produced by the Lesage Paris workshops-clutters of jades placed on a pineapple fiber tunic and on the sleeves of a jersey summer dress – but the lingering retinal image of an airy silhouette delineated in the summer light.

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Didit Hediprasetyo’s SS/2013 Collection

PARIS COUTURE SS/2013 Serkan Cura SS/2013 In addition to his professional experience in the couture and pret-a-porter ateliers of Paris, Serkan Cura studied fashion design at the Royal Academy of Antwerp in 2007, wherein the young designer was free to discover his most fantastic creative dreams. Serkan’s graduate collection explored absurdist tone-on-tone silhouettes with oversized structured jackets or full skirts, realised in a multitude of handcrafted textures. At the end of his studies, Serkan was accepted by the Parisian fashion house Jean Paul Gaultier, where he worked in the design atelier for four years “carrying out the wishes of the genius of fashion”. www.serkancouture.com

photography by Shoji Fujii

The spring/summer collection presented by Clarisse Hieraix draws its inspiration from the love parade.

This idyll is expressed by the emphasis of the sensualism and the feminine elegance thanks to soft, noble and vaporous fabrics such as guipure. Fabrics are elaborated with lots of delicacy in order to re-shape the hips.

The Woman Body is celebrated thanks to recurring transparency effects which revealed the feminine curves. The necklines are cut with finesse and precision in the aim to sublimate the bust.

Clarisse Hieraix is once again demonstrating her desire to introduce an elegant, sensual and refined woman through strong colors like red, black, white and anise green or oppositions between short and long dresses or structured and fluid garments.

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PARIS COUTURE SS/2013

Clarisse Hieraix SS/2013 Born in 1973 in Marie-Galante (Guadeloupe), Clarisse Hieraixreceived her diploma from the Chambre Syndicale of Haute Couture in Paris in 1999. During her initial studies, she perfected her craft while working on different collections, ultimately allowing her to perfect her style and personality.

The Clarisse Hieraix woman is not seeking her identity with discretion she shows her strong personality and displays a well-defined style. Feminine, spontaneous, active, she follows her destiny in the wake of those elegant intellectuals who know to combine freedom and seduction.

The Clarisse Hieraix woman knows exactly what she wants and where she is going.

Unfold and explore a theme, a story being told with fabric inspired by the models which she draws and draws again‌ she composes with her basics: high waists, structured, lacing, and multiple fabric cuts. Each piece possesses an aura of glamour, the promise of ultra-femininity yet sober, the silhouette of a narrow waist symbol of seduction. www.clarisse-hieraix.com photography by Shoji Fujii The LA Fashion magazine | 79

PARIS COUTURE SS/2013

Julien Fournié SS/2013 Julien Fournié allies the know how of haute couture with the innovative spirit of today to give an edge his designs. Using organza together with rhodoid, sheer fabrics and energizing colors, drapings and anatomic inlays, zippers together with screws, the designer has set his landmarks on the way to building a sensuous silhouette for a woman with a point of view, free to express her emotions.

In 2009, after ten years serving other luxury houses, among which Torrente Haute Couture where he was Creative Director, Julien Fournié has founded his eponymous brand, Award-winner of the City of Paris 2010 Grand Prize for Creativity, his first runway shows have made him a “guest member” in the prestigious official calendar of Paris couture.. photography by Yannis Vlamos 80| The LA Fashion magazine

www.julienfournie.com

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OSCAR CARVALLO SS/2013 Oscar Carvallo was born in Caracas, Venezuela, the first of four brothers in an established family of lawyers.From a very young age he always showed interest in photography, painting, art and design but still chose to follow his family’s tradition by pursuing an education in law.

After completing his law degree had the good fortune to meet one of France’s most renown master couturiers in Caracas, Mr. Guy Meliet, from whom he began to learn the techniques of haute couture.

Since 2003, Oscar Carvallo has been based in Paris, where he develops his collections and continues to create his elegant designs.

He’s presented his collections for Paris fashion week each Spring and Fall since his arrival.

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Night

At The Ballroom

Photography By: Kevin Michael Schmitz

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Dress by J Mendel, $6,980 Earrings by Alexis Bittar at Saks, $275 The LA Fashion magazine | 85

Dress by Carolina Herrera at Saks, $4,590 Shoes by Valentino at Saks, $995 Bracelet by Rachel Zoe at Neiman Marcus, $495 Earrings by Rachel Zoe at Neiman Marcus, $250

Dress by Carolina Herrera at Saks, $4,590 Bracelet by Rachel Zoe at Neiman Marcus, $495 Earrings by Rachel Zoe at Neiman Marcus, $250

Dress by J Mendel, $4,500 Necklace by Alexis Bittar at Saks, $550 Shaul by Ilana Wolf at Saks, $295

Left: Suit by Boglioli, George Greene, $1,590 Formal tie by Massimo Bizzocchi, George Greene, $165

Right: Dress David Mister, Neiman Marcus, $550 Earrings by Alexis Bittar at Saks, $175 Belt by W. Kleinberg at Saks, $195

Dress by J Mendel, $6,980 Earrings by Alexis Bittar at Saks, $275

BASIL SODA COUTURE 2013

BASIL SODA COUTURE 2013

BASIL SODA COUTURE 2013

Lisakline.com will house the store, where customers can come shop with ease and peruse the latest offerings from Lisa Kline.

The store will also feature a new venture for Kline, the opportunity for Kline to branch out as a designer, yes—now customers will actually be able to say, “I’m wearing Lisa Kline from head-totoe” and this time it will be true.

FromThe PavementTo Online

Lisa Kline Is Back

If you were a frequent visitor to Beverly Hills, or if you treaded heavily along Roberston Boulevard during

the middle to late nineties there was a large possibility that you in fact stepped into one of three, if not all Lisa Kline boutiques, or at the very least heard of Lisa Kline. Kline grew up in Southern California, the Los Angeles native and Syracuse graduate knew from a young age that she wanted to go into fashion. What started out as a dream coupled with frequent trips to Melrose Ave. (during the early days) launched the process that would eventually lead Kline to open her own store.

In 1995, Kline stumbled upon Roberston Blvd. The concrete barren street, sparsely plastered with different storefronts here and there was in stark contrast to and certainly nowhere near the corporate laden Roberston Blvd. known today. Back then 25-year-old Kline, managed to see what the now well-known Kitson and Tory Burch boutiques of today see. Kline saw an opening, and instead of planting herself on Melrose, chose to set forth, and “trail-blaze” the way for the high-end boutiques seen along Robertson.

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In the late nineties and early two-thousands Kline’s boutiques picked up, not only in foot-traffic but in notoriety as well. Suddenly, A-list celebrities seeking a safe-haven from paparazzi flash-bulbs and mainstream shopping malls found solace within Kline’s stores. Kline was able to offer her customers a relaxing and trusting environment to do their personal shopping. Something that hadn’t been previously available, Lisa Kline provided that shelter, working long hours, making sure her boutiques were stocked with the newest and chicest apparel.

When asked if she thought it was a perfect marriage of location, timing and designer placement that attributed to the company’s success, Kline stated “ It was a lot of things, I listened to what the store

needed—there was a point when we were so busy we had huge lines outside the fitting rooms, and that was before any filming occurred within the store. Shows like, Newylyweds with Jessica Simpson--came in to film, and that garnered press for the store.

Celebrities like, Brittney Spears and Paris Hilton would stop by and I think all of this aided in branding the store. Also, in the beginning I was in the store a lot to help people on the floor. I think over time people came to value me as a trusted source for fashion in LA. I think people shopped because the clothes were good, and being the first store there on Robertson really trail-blazed the way for other boutiques--truthfully I think it was a combination of the street, the timing, the press, the clothes, the celebs---everything that you mentioned, it was just the right mix.”

Kline’s boutiques rose to national and international acclaim, so much that Kline herself had to hire several assistant buyers, and a slew of employees to help her maintain each store. Wanting to set Lisa Kline apart from other name brand stores, Kline saw an opportunity and took it. In early 2000 Kline came up with the idea of branding her men’s store with a distinctive, and memorable logo. Taking the “Trucker Logo” to new heights, mentioning, “You know, the trucker

logo was so bold and so outrageous, and I decided I needing something to really differentiate between Lisa Kline Women and Lisa Kline Men. I wanted people to know that all of Lisa Kline boutiques were related but that the men’s store was separate. I came up with the girl, and I put it on the logo and it really set the stores apart from not just one another, but all other boutiques as well.

I think that really made the store feel like it was my own brand.

It wasn’t though, but people would take a photo and say; I’m wearing Lisa Kline head-to-toe…but it was never mine. For years people were saying…I’m wearing Lisa Kline—but it was other brands. Which is so funny because that’s the next step I’m actually taking in my career…”

Kline’s stores became a mainstay for go-to fashion, providing individuals with the ability to find that special, something for everyone.

Eventually Kline opened Lisa Kline Kids in 2003, unfortunately only lasting a few years. When speaking with Lisa in regards to the closure of the boutiques, she managed to shed light as to what exactly was the catalyst that prompted the closure of her beloved boutiques.

Kline stated, “ The writers strike on November 5th 2007 was when

the vibe on Robertson really started to change. From that day forward we were pretty much done. It was a very difficult period. People weren’t working, people weren’t writing, the stylists weren’t pulling; the writer’s strike affected everybody. Then 2008 was so bad, the economy was crumbling---all the Internet stores started to buy all the off-price merchandise, online boutiques like, Hautelook and Gilt opened up and we literally couldn’t compete. It was one of the reasons I started to close my stores. It’s a different world now, the future isn’t shopping in a storefront any longer, it’s online now. Which led me to close the Malibu store first, then suddenly, my husband passed away due to a tragic accident in 2009, and everyone thought I closed my stores because he died, but that wasn’t true. I probably would have closed them faster had he still been alive, he was helping me to transfer to the web and when he died I couldn’t do it without him. He was

running the website for me. The final straw was the soaring rent prices on Roberston and it became clear that we were working for the landlords and not for profit, basically working just to pay the rent. As much as it was hard to close the stores, I know it was the right thing to do.”

Kline went on to describe how her beloved Robertson Boulevard had gone from a funky upscale boutique laden street, to something more corporate. The entrepreneur no longer saw it as a desirable place for herself or her clientele. Realizing this, reluctantly, Kline began to close the doors of her boutiques over a period of five years but not before putting time, money and effort into doing so gracefully. The last and final store to close was Lisa Kline Men, which closed on December 17th 2011. The boutique owner and lover of fashion felt it was a poignant moment in her life, albeit Kline also saw this as a new beginning, and a fresh start.

Speaking with the fashion maven, she touched on several upcoming projects currently in the works. Putting an end to worry, letting us know that the notion of the Lisa Kline Customer is still very much in existence. Kline is currently working on an online boutique that will carry several new up-and-coming brands as well as brands Lisa’s customers have come to know and love. Lisakline.com will house the store, where customers can come shop with ease and peruse the latest offerings from Lisa Kline. The store will also feature a new venture for Kline, the opportunity for Kline to branch out as a designer, yes—now customers will actually be able to say, “I’m wearing Lisa Kline from head-to-toe” and this time it will be true.

Lisa mentioned another addition to the Lisa Kline family launching soon--Lisakline.la that will be a way for customers new and old can get a peek inside the history of the empire that once was and the new direction for the company. Kline will also cater to her customers by sharing weekly vlog posts on both sites. During this time Lisa will share her favorite picks, under the title: LKPRESENTS helping to still shed light on rising brands. The posts will ultimately enable Kline’s customers to still have that personal time with Lisa, which was what Kline’s customers in the past grew to appreciate and expect from the store owner. Even though it seemed to be the ending of one chapter for Lisa Kline in regards to her storefront closures, it appears she hasn’t slowed down one bit. With more time on her hands now to dedicate to her online boutique, Kline hopes to put as much time and energy into her online venture as her previous storefronts.

-Dana Elizabeth

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Black Gown by House of Devali

Mask by Marianna Hartunian Dress and Corset by House of Devali

White Gown by Masai Payan

WWD Magic

THE LOS ANGELES FASHION at WWD MAGIC Once again The Los Angeles Fashion has partnered up with WWD Magic this past February for the WWD Magic Photo Studio Project. The Los Angeles Fashion has shot over 10,000 images over the course of the 3 days exhibition. Close to one hundered exhibitors participated in this massive project, where The Los Angeles Fashion helped the emerging and already established designers get a bit of extra exposure trough The Los Angeles Fashion’s social media and online outlets .

Look for the “Best of WWD Magic by the Los Angeles Fashion” publication in mid April - we will be showcasing the very best finds from the February 2013 WWD Magic Showfloor.

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Linda Richards

NUX

Dero By Rocco

Sister Knit

Wrabb

Hilficker Associates

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Parides

Eva Varro 110| The LA Fashion magazine

Holt - Maison DeLuxe

V&K Studio

Stella Proseyn

W By Walla

Doota

Retta Wolf

Kasia De Gelaque

BCBG

Donatella

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WWD Magic Catherine Malandrino Unveils Diffusion Line During WWD/MAGIC Tradeshow 2013 ing that caters to the young working professional, she’s the woman who exudes sophistication, but not necessarily the price tag often associated with some other high-end designer labels.

In February The Los Angeles Fashion Magazine traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada where we teamed with WWD/MAGIC once again to bring exposure to brands that are exhibiting. Twice a year brands from all over the world descend upon the brightly-lit urban oasis that is Vegas. Split between two venues Mandalay Bay and The Las Vegas Convention Center, WWD/ MAGIC and Project tradeshow’s showcase thousands of brands to hopeful buyers and media. Additionally throughout the week guest speakers and well-known industry professionals host seminars providing WWD/MAGIC attendees with a bit of insider’s knowledge.

The lovely Catherine Malandrino stopped by her North Hall booth to unveil her newest venture, Catherine -by-Catherine Malandrino.

The diffusion line will carry cloth112| The LA Fashion magazine

We had a few moments to speak with the world-renowned designer, Catherine Malandrino, where she was able to answer a couple of questions about her newest line.

When speaking with Catherine about her inspiration for the line, the designer mentioned, “Catherine, is a line that is effortless. The collection is one that’s designed to be worn very easily. It’s for the young workingwoman that strives for success, a woman who is feminine yet still powerful. She is possibly a woman who will one day transition to the main Catherine Malandrino line.”

The very strikingly beautiful, and poised Malandrino, looked as effortlessly chic and put together as the collection itself. Catherine stated that the line, even though might be considered a diffusion line of the Catherine Malandrino Collection, Catherine-by-Catherine Malandrino still embodied all of the elements that make up the main collection. “This collection

is more about an attitude, it’s about refinement, it’s very French, strong with a great mix of fabrics. The silhouettes are very clean, precise cuts that accentuate a woman’s figure. It’s an everyday strong type of attitude to really help propel our customer forward in life.”

Browsing through the collection, we surmised that it’s very much sophisticated, but still manages to portray a young-vibrant aesthetic. The color story ranged from cool grays, to bright blues. Adding varying shades of brown and mustard-yellow to the collection finished off the line nicely.

With the success that is the original Catherine Malandrino Collection, there is no telling how successful the diffusion line will be however, something tells me it’s going to do very well.

by Dana Elizabeth

WWD Magic - Spotlight On Emerging Designers Haute Chocolate and Sarine Marie The first day of WWD/MAGIC Market Week brought a wide variety of clothing companies to the showroom floor. North hall housed several contemporary brands, some are emerging designers while others returned as veterans to the trade-show floor. We had a chance to speak with two emerging designer brands, Haute Chocolate and Los Angeles based brand, Sarine Marie. What we found to be not only unique, but also endearing—both brands were founded and designed by young women with an entrepreneurial spirit and backbone.

The first of the two brands, Haute Chocolate—was founded in 2007, what started out as a company catering to beauty pageant contestants launched the brand, Haute Chocolate Collection by Glam R Us. After finding success in the pageant circuit the Glam R Us team began recreating celebrity inspired dresses and simultaneously gaining a steady customer base. Hoping to further the brands success, Terysa head designer officially launched Haute Chocolate in 2008 as a custom ready to wear line and has since then been delighting customers with beautifully The LA Fashion magazine | 113

WWD Magic designed pieces. After three attempts to gain access into the tradeshow, Haute Chocolate was finally granted a spot in the Emerging Designer’s category this year. We were so inspired by their story we wanted to showcase their work. The line is a mix of prints and fabrications. A line made up mostly of brightly colored easy to wear dresses. After seeing each silhouette up close, it’s easy to tell that Haute Chocolate’s garments are not only well made but compliment any figure. You can view the entire Haute Chocolate Collection and read more about the Glam R Us team by visiting: www.shophautechocolate.com

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With a youthful spirit, yet sophisticated approach to design, Sarine Marie is definitely an emerging designer to watch. The Los Angeles based designer, and FIDM graduate began her career not long ago, but with a strong background and a dream to launch her own clothing line which pushed the designer to unveil her collection. The Sarine Marie line is one that is not only designed beautifully, but can easily be worn by varying demographics. The contemporary line is comprised of mainly separates, available in a stunning color story. The designer believes heavily in fashion, “it’s been in my blood and it’s what I’ve been raised with all my life.” The spring 2013 collection will be available soon. For more information on Sarine Marie please visit: www.sarinemarie.com

With hundreds of brands exhibiting this past month, it’s been a difficult task to select just only a few to spotlight. However, the brands chosen represent a new wave of designers to look out for. Designers, eager to showcase their talents as well as add further to the list of already established and well known lines exhibiting during wwd/magic.

by Dana Elizabeth

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The Magic of Retta Wolff

WWD Magic

Handbag Couture Collection

One of the most amazing handbag designers I have stumbled upon at the WWD Magic Convention here in Las Vegas was that of Retta J. Wolff. The Dallas based luxury handbag couture designer has been designing some of the world’s most exclusive handbags for over the past twenty years. I had the pleasure of meeting the creative genius behind this couture handbag company. As I sat down with Retta I was mesmerized by the array of handbags and accessories, and each seems to have it’s own unique story to tell. I was in couture handbag heaven as I glanced around her trade-booth like a, kid in a candy store unable to decide which piece I wanted. The shy and humble Retta came over to greet me. She proudly opened up to me, sharing some of the secrets behind this stunning handbag label.

It seems no one knows the fine art of handbags like Retta J. Wolff.

Raised with a strong retail background she carried the family business where she worked in retail most of her early years and later went on to study gemology. She always had a true passion for fashion, gemstones and the art of true elegance and sophistication, which she incorporates into her line. She discovered she wanted to fill the niche in the art of fine quality handbag craftsmanship to bring women handbags they can invest in for a lifetime. She also wanted to create handbags for the woman truly searching for a one of a kind handbag experience. Her goal was not to be the massively produced luxury handbag retailer every woman owns but a high quality finely custom exclusive handbag not every woman owns. Retta knows the important of a handbag as the accessory and the final finishing touch for the ultimate fashionista wanting to make a fashion statement. Wolff’s fine bags are made for the luxury customer searching for a unique

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handbag found nowhere else. Carrying a Retta Wolff purse is a purse that your friends don’t have.

These fine handbags are handmade in Tuscany, Italy and are hand-dyed by true artisans using secret techniques that have been handed down through the ages since the 1600’s. Each handbag is a portable work of art and is unique in itself and made of the finest and most exotic King Python, Ostrich skin, and Ligator in the world. Retta has combined her passion, love and understanding of precious gemstones, great fashion sense and love of fine handbags to create some amazing pieces for her collections. She gains her inspiration through nature and how she described her inspiration to come from “deep within me”. She works closely with her team in Italy, which includes schedulers, designers among others to bring you only the top of the line and high quality pieces in her collections. The collections offer an array of handbags, clutches, belts, luggage, briefcases, coin purses, ipad cover cases just to name a few.

The exotic skins are imported from South America and South East Asia to bring you the finest King Python skins from across the world. Retta Wolff specializes in Ostrich, leathers, King Python and ligator. Ligator, which is a process of combining leather and alligator skins and is one of Rettas famous signature styles. One of her personal favorites as well as mine is the Pearlamix which is a beautiful opal like color of dyed King Python skin handbags which is truly a work of art just to master.

One of my other favorites is brightly colored rainbow yellow sea foam green and blue ocean colors where she combined her distinctive style with Swarovski crystal dolphin embellishments added a true fashion statement that could be a perfect resort handbag. Another personal favorite of mine is the black and white stripped King Python clutch purse, which is classic and timeless and makes a perfect accent to any look from daytime to nighttime glam in an instant. The head turning handbag collection and accessories can be found exclusively at the Aria Papillon in Las Vegas and purchased directly on her website at rettawolff dot com.

by Yasmin Santana

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