Breaking News: Catch The Runaway Runway

Posted on April 21, 2012 by adriana

Hot Tip: You can catch The Runaway Runway Truck on Abbott Kinney  tonight from 7-11 PM, next to the Other Room  (1121 Abbott Kinney) .

As the full brigade of food trucks lined up for lunch time today on Wilshire Blvd, across the street from LACMA, one truck, in particular stood out – the only fashion truck on the block!

Not since the arrival of the Pressed Juicery truck at the Malibu Lumber Yard have I been so excited by the sight of one of these mobile units.

The Runaway Runway truck is the brainchild of Gayle Shea, a Kate Spade alum and former designer of the lines McGinn & Madison Brown. Of late, the designer had been doing the circuit of home trunk shows for a couple years, until she and her husband decided to launch the next best thing since …well, the fusion taco truck!  The Runaway Runway truck carries a revolving collection of lines, today no less than 17 of them!

The real innovator of the fashion truck concept  was Amen Wardy, who was decades ahead of the curve with his travelling trove of top of the line designer duds.  In the last couple years, there have been sightings of mobile shops by William B and Cynthia Rowley, among others. But, now seems the right place and the right time for the concept to take off. So, I can only look forward to the infestation that is sure to follow!

..and keep your browser ready to hit http://www.ShopRunaway.com – the couple intends to launch the site tomorrow!

 

The scene outside LACMA at lunch time

 

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I want candy

Posted on April 18, 2012 by

Hobe Bracelet

 

One of my favorite vintage jewelry dealers, MDVII, is coming to LA! If you are a fan of fabulous Chanel, YSL and KJL gems (who isn’t??)  – make your way over to the Loews Hotel in Santa Monica . Added bonus : Raven Kauffman handbags – exquisite little works of art. Wednesday & Thursday  11-8

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Fall 2012 Fashion Week Wraps

Posted on March 12, 2012 by

Balenciaga

With the clocks springing forward and Fall wardrobes being prepped for rotation, consumers may be happy to know that some of the trends they may have bought into this Fall will return next Fall. The peplum and over-sized proportions, namely in shoulders and arms, remained strong in all 3 European cities’ Fashion Weeks.

Haider Ackermann

Paris came off modern, confident and sexy, but not in an overt way, with leather, pointy toes and modern silhouettes ruling the runways.

Ann Demeulemeester

YSL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Varying shades of cobalt were still strong on the scene, along with the addition of copper. And designers seemed to be smitten with all sorts of sheen, from satin, to jacquard, to leather.

Hakaan

Givenchy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The layered look, as in coats over dresses, over cropped pants, was explored by Louis Vuitton, Prada, and Chanel.

Louis Vuitton

Prada

Chanel

 

The exaggerated hip was also a notable trend, evolving from nipped waists and away from the body silhouettes,  to padded hips.

Rochas

Lanvin

Stella McCartney

Further pushing the envelope into new territory were Mary Kantrantzou and Alexander McQueen.

Mary Katrantzou

Alexander McQueen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And, then of course, for those preferring a classic femininity, Gucci & Valentino did renditions of the perfect, old school dress with a slim bodice and puffed sleeves .

Gucci

Valentino

 

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NY Fashion Week Fall 2012

Posted on February 21, 2012 by

3.1 Phillip Lim

Each season, I always find it amusing to track the geographic themes, similarities and trends in each city. So, as London Fashion Week puts together it’s story, here is a quick sum up of what remains in my mind from New York . With clean geometric lines and sleek simplicity, New York collections presented a touch stronger than what one might read as safe sophistication.

 

Hemlines were mostly below the knee, usually falling in a gentle A Line, seemingly the logical progression from Spring’s popular mid-century silhouette.

 

Peter Som

Some other evident details, which seem to have been born not long ago , were rounded oversize shoulders & jackets, and the prominence of  black & white.

And, of course, not only because of my background in shoes, I always look to the feet, for this one detail can entirely change the look of any ensemble (for example, the harsh flat boot which gave Marc by Marc Jacobs it’s  strict image.) But, for the majority, pointy toes, t straps and knee boots represent the must haves of next Fall.

 

Juan Carlos Obando

 

Prabal Gurung

Overall, I can say, there were some confident strong looks, which got straight to the point. And, for those still caught up in the afterglow of Spring’s frothy side, there are plenty fantasy-like embroideries, brocades, lace and shiny surfaces still to be found…

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Tony Duquette x Coach

Posted on January 20, 2012 by

 

The late Tony Duquette

In a sea of collaborative efforts, which have brought accessibility to otherwise exclusive collections, the Tony Duquette x Coach line of jewels makes a statement. Duquette, a unique design talent who became known for costume and set design in the 1940s, created a stunning body of work from outsize jewelry to artful objects for the home. His aesthetic cannot be labeled, though it was all at once eccentric, exotic and over the top.

 

Last night, I attended the launch of the Duquette x Coach jewelry at the Beverly Hills flagship. It was hosted by Hutton Wilkinson, the President and Creative Director of Tony Duquette Inc., along with the fabulous trio of Rose Apodaca, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Nina Clemente. Speaking of fabulous, here is a piece which you will undoubtedly be seeing in the press. The inspiration behind this piece was an original commissioned by the Duschess of Windsor.

Duchess Bib Necklace for Coach

I had the pleasure of lunching with Mr. Duquette and Hutton Wilkinson, his long time business partner, shortly before his passing, at the fabled Dawnridge. The day still brings vivid imagery to mind, with more visuals than one can possibly take in at one time. Surrounded by tropical foliage and saturated with color and texture, the legendary home is a visual dose of epinephrine. Since then I have been completely enamored with and inspired by his work.

 

The jewelry has become extremely collectible over the years. In fact, just last year I attended an auction here in Los Angeles in hopes of possibly procuring a bauble, only to see many prices quadruple from their estimated sales. Here are a couple pieces that had my heart racing:

 

 

Original Tony Duquette Fish Necklace

Bracelet of Smoky Quartz - Duquette Original

What I see carried through in the Coach collaboration is Duquette’s incredible use of color and fearless design. Wilkinson, who had been a design collaborator over the years, has done well in introducing a design legend to those who may otherwise not have had the opportunity to discover him – truly a gift.

 

Duquette x Coach semi precious ring

Duquette x Coach necklace

 

 

 

 

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Grab Bag

Posted on December 6, 2011 by

Marie Turnor bag

Although I may be slightly biased from my years of designing handbags, as far as I’m concerned, one can never go wrong with the gift of a novelty bag… something anonymous, fabulous and unique. A girl can never have enough!

 

If you are in Los Angeles this weekend, be sure to stop by a Holiday Sale for a selection of great go to gifts (or maybe a little treat for yourself!) Prices are 25-50% off!

 

December 10 :Noon – 6pm                                                               314 Alfred St, LA, CA, 90048

 

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Paris SS2012

Posted on October 11, 2011 by

Chanel

On the last leg of the SS 2012 shows, Paris came in with some trends we have become quite familiar with over the past few weeks, such as a sporty influence, geometric color blocking, and mid century silhouettes.

Stella McCartney

Barbara Bui

Miu Miu

Rochas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was an overwhelming “ lightness of being,” with translucent, shimmering, light as air fabrics, dominating the runways.

Louis Vuitton

Valentino

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The strongest two themes seemed to be an almost architectural minimalism, clean and strong; and, a soft, pretty, femininity.

Celine

Givenchy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall, it was a beautiful spring which offered many options for both the strong, and the demure; the bold, and the beautiful.

Haider Ackermann

Balenciaga

Lanvin

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Milan SS2012 – runway wrap

Posted on September 28, 2011 by

Ferragamo

By the time Milan came around, things had quieted down in the print arena. Save for the houses known for their eye-popping prints, like Pucci, Etro, and Missoni, patterns were much less frenzied from those seen thus far. Aside from hitting on the popular tribal, tropical and graphic versions, prints ranged from art deco, novelty (from veggies to cars!), to scarf-like in nature. For the most part, they were cleaner, bolder, almost more elementary in style, rather than the dizzying digitized versions, which were omnipresent in NY & London.

Etro

Marni

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gucci

Emilio Pucci

There were sophisticated ladylike looks, midcentury & flapper silhouettes, and a couple visits to Spain. While vivid color was still strong, with a continuing taste for emerald green and purple, pastels and white (amazing at Jil Sander!) were also popular.

Jil Sander

Alberta Ferretti

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall, Milan was more the lady than the athlete; more sophisticated than shocking, but not without a playful side.

Dolce & Gabbana's veggie tales

Prada's cars...

 

 

 

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London SS2012 Fashion Week

Posted on September 22, 2011 by

Erdem

Mary Katranzou

Peter Pilotto

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Digitized prints, notably tropical and geometric, continued to be on trend, while Burberry tapped into modern tribal patterns. Particularly striking were the prints at Mary Katranzou and Peter Pilotto, two masters of print who are both known for their expertise in the arena. Those at Pringle are also worth mentioning, possessing an almost kinetic quality.

 

 

Erdem

Color ranged from shockingly bright and in clashing combinations, to pastel and luminous. In this pale palette, shimmer and sheen were very popular. Sheer continues to play a starring role, recently appearing in reference to the long, sheer skirts of Givenchy Fall 2011.

 

And, last, but not least, the sporty element, from silhouette to fabrication, made its way into many a show on this side of the pond, as well.

 

 

 

Christopher Kane

Marios Schwab

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NY Fashion Week SS2012

Posted on September 17, 2011 by

Preen

Just as we prepare to transition our minds and wardrobes from Summer mode to a new Fall season, the fashion calendar commands a small respite to focus on what will be, 6 months from now. As the first round of the Spring 2012 shows comes to an end in New York, I give you just a few images to look forward to for next Spring:

Rodarte

Thakoon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s another season of eye popping color and dazzling prints, from sorbet shades to high def brights; Pepto pink to acid yellow, and an ubiquitous color purple. Prints range from graphic, a cleaned up “modern tribal,” and tropical florals. Often the muse was bold & pretty, yet sexy with something less than innocent lurking below the surface.

Prabal Gurung

 

Altuzarra

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

White, the Spring classic was represented beautifully on many runways…

The Row

Gregory Parkinson

Oscar de la Renta

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Designers have picked up where Fall left off, with the evolution of uneven hems (flowing behind;) fetishism: buttoned up, prim yet provocative sheer blouses, latex and harnesses; and, the new version of the ever popular utility jacket,  done up in lightweight nylons and sheers.

Derek Lam

Altuzarra

 

 

 

 

Ohne Titel

 

 

 

What’s fresh & new – sporty influences: mesh & other techno fabrics, track pants, and utility buckles.

Rag & Bone

Alexander Wang

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next stop London…

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