Nela:A 1940s Feel

Newcomer Nela, a division of Panglobal Brand Inc., has reputable fashion roots. Taipei-born fashion designer Hellen Yuan- Edralin designed for notable labels Rozae Nichols, Parallel and Linda Loudermilk prior to launching her own collection. Yuan-Edralin credits Panglobal Brand Chief Executive Officer Stephen Soller as a driving force behind her vision for the new line. Together, the duo launched Nela for the Spring 2008 season, with an eye toward modern sophistication and using unique graphic prints, sexy silhouettes, natural fabrications and exquisite details. “Overall the line will always have a little bit of a ’40s feeling to it, with a drop waist that elongates the body,” Yuan-Edralin said. “There will always be a versatility to the line, where you’re able to wear the pieces from day to night.”

Fall 2008 brings a whimsical feel to the line—or “Cirque du Soleil meets a cabaret,” as the designer puts it. “It’s the silliness of the circus, yet sophisticated with a touch of sexiness like the ladies in the cabaret,” she explained.

Yuan-Edralin makes use of full sleeves, silhouettes that skim the body for a slimming effect, low backs and hemlines that fall either right below or just above the knee. The new collection also introduces leather and sweater pieces and utilizes the printed fabrics that are becoming a signature element of the line. According to Yuan-Edralin, buyers of the Fall 2008 collection are responding favorably to the “Wood Carving” prints in the pepper and band dress, as well as the “Floral Stocking” charmeuse print in the elephant color. She also notes that rouge seems to be the hit color.

“I like to rework the prints from original artworks so that there is always a fluid element to the prints, like a scattered riverbed or the fabrics engineered to create a movement in the print,” the designer explained. “Detailing is also key, whether it’s bringing together a color combo or blend, or a certain type of stitch mixture or surface treatments, or handwork with special jeweled treatments to it with infusions of color.”

Comfort is also important to the print-driven line, but the gorgeous fabrications, details and surface treatments are what lead fashion-forward customers to the inspired pieces. The sophomore collection employs mixed-fabric combinations, large saddle hand-stitch on the edges of wool suiting and crystals scattered on the prints. The broad range of fabrics includes a cashmere group, silk chiffon and charmeuse, cashmere-blend jersey, leather, viscose jersey, and crinkle chiffon.

Retailers carrying the line include Henri Bendel and Fred Segal. Wholesale prices range from $69 to $149.

For more information, contact the Ginger Showroom at ginger@gingershowroom.com or (213) 689-9620 or Eileen Fountaine at eileen@panglobalbrands.com or (212) 575-9444. —Dena Smolek