California Apparel News

Two new contemporary labels—Rachel Pally and Lanya—have arrived on the Los Angeles fashion scene by way of New York and Berkeley.

Designer Rachel Pally and Lanya designer Amber Myer, both studied at the University of California Berkeley, then headed to New York to break into the fashion industry before returning to California to launch their collections in Los Angeles.

Both collections are carried in the EM Productions showroom in the Silverlake section of Los Angeles.

Rachel Pally creates casual designs that appeal to buyers who are looking for stylish simplicity. Her collection is made for women between the ages of 25 and 50 who want fashionforward styles without sacrificing comfort, said EM Productions co-owner Vanessa Impicciatore, who runs the showroom with partner Lisa Elliot.

The designer’s collection combines dancewear and film noir looks with dramatic backless tops and draped dresses. The collection, which has 16 pieces and ranges in wholesale price from $30 to $95, includes casual looks as well as pieces that can be dressed up and worn in the evening.

For her Spring 2003 collection, Pally uses fine jersey and pashmina wool blends for a black, backless cap-sleeve rayon jersey dress with scarf and a cream-colored jersey halter dress with a large white detachable flower pin.

Pally also created her own version of the “Little Black Dress”—a seamless asymmetrical mini-dress that will wholesale for about $80.

“I think the line is poised for a lot of really exciting prospects for the future,” said the young, effervescent designer, who studied dance at UC Berkeley and worked as a designer’s assistant in New York in the late 1990s before moving back to the West Coast to start her own collection.

Pally said initial distribution, with deliveries beginning Feb. 15, will be focused on West Coast specialty retailers, including Madison and Diavolina II, both in Los Angeles, and Cavallo in Mill Valley.

Based in West Hollywood, Calif., Lanya produces pieces that recall the delicate and feminine styles from the 1920s.

Fellow UC Berkeley alumna Meyer moved to Los Angeles shortly after a brief stint in the public relations department at Tommy Hilfiger in New York. Meyer launched her own collection in 2001 after completing a fashion program at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College.

For Spring 2003, the designer uses vintage silk fabric, linen and heavyweight cotton for styles that range from a soft silk chiffon wrap blouse to a high-waist, striped halter dress with decorative strap ties. Meyer said the collection’s candy-colored hues and stripes are inspired by a recent visit to Coney Island’s historical boardwalk.

The 20-piece collection also features a tunic with an Art Nouveau print, a sleeveless silk chiffon blouse with side-tie waistband and heavyweight cotton wrap skirt with chevron print.

Wholesale price points range from $50 to $130; initial deliveries begin Feb. 28. The line will be sold at Aero & Co. and Blonde in Los Angeles, Otte in New York and P45 in Chicago.

“It’s a stylish collection,” explained Laurie Lipsky, a sales associate at Blonde in Los Angeles. “The pieces are very soft but you can style them elegant with an edge.”

For more information about Rachel Pally and Lanya, contact EM Productions at (323) 559-7677. —Claudia Figueroa