Kevan Hall Stakes L.A. Claim
Fashion designer Kevan Hall will open a design studio this month in Los Angeles to launch a collection that will represent the designer’s take on all-American glamour.
The bicoastal Hall, who, up until now, did much of his work from his New York studio, plans to open his atelier on Beverly Boulevard and relaunch his eponymous luxe ready-to-wear label, which the designer described as a homage to all things “iconically American.”
Hall, whose resume includes a brief stint designing for Halston, said he chose Los Angeles to relaunch his business because “of all the exciting things going on in L.A.”
“There is so much style that comes out of L.A. even though a lot of people won’t admit to it,” said the designer, who has dressed such stars as Mariah Carey, Charlize Theron and Salma Hayek.
“But almost every designer I know scours all the vintage shops and costume warehouses here for inspiration.”
The Fall 2001 collection “will be more day into evening,” according to Hall, who added that he has taken design elements as simple yet completely American as cable knit and woven it into incredibly luxurious gowns.
“I’m all about taking these iconic American elements, making them modern and pushing them as far as I can,” explained Hall.
Cashmere gowns, camel hair suitings, a “substantial amount of beading,” silk crepe and matte jersey cocktail dresses and evening gowns round out the rest of the collection, which he said is priced from $1,000 to $4,500.
Hall said that his custom couture work is inspired by elements as contradictory as “beautiful ornate vintage fabrics” and “streamlined architectural references,” noting that prices start at $3,000.
Hall collaborated with architect Joe Aldo and interior designer Jenny Armit on the roughly 2,000-square-foot salon to create a space that is “lovely yet efficient like a New York apartment, where everything has its place,” said Hall.
The addition of parchment-covered Jean Michel Frank furniture to the sun-filled space with 18-foot ceilings and sandblasted glass walls creates a space that is very “Zen-like and completely modern with lots of luxurious 1930s references,” added Hall.
A license for fur products, as well as plans to license shoes and handbags, are also in the near future.
“I want to build a complete brand with a beautiful central collection and all these other luxury products,” said Hall. “In essence, to create a whole world of Kevan Hall.”
