Designer Launch Pad Takes Off
Up-and-coming brands took to the runway during one of three fashion shows held during Los Angeles Fashion Market at the California Market Center.
The nonprofit group Fashion Business Inc. organized a show at high noon on Aug. 11, featuring nine labels new to the U.S. apparel world.
They ranged from the fashionable raincoats and outerwear of NeuNel to the sun-protective clothes of Enliva.
The Los Angeles founders of Seam Ripper took an edgy approach to their new line that debuts at the MAGIC Marketplace in Las Vegas Aug. 16–19. With music from Lady Gaga setting the scene, Seam Ripper’s take on fashion was a bit schizophrenic, with a ripped vest opening the lineup, but later several long feminine halter tops with jagged hems rounded out the collection.
NeuNel, launched by Nelly Kolodny, a Ukranian chemist who started dabbling in design, is now a label mixing fashion with practicality. Her line features raincoats and hats made from waterproof fabric that is breathable and reacts to changes in temperature and activities. Her other creations are vintage designs with a modern twist ranging from a double-sided Italian wool raglan coat to a straight wool skirt with a bustle.
Enliva, started by a nurse in Sacramento, Calif., was making sun-protection fun with sporty silhouettes that covered a lot of skin.
Lanvie, based in Alameda, Calif., had a collection of sophisticated dresses, coats, sportswear and skirts that were fitted and fun.
Sfizio and Beatrice.B, two Italian designers represented by U.S. distributor Sheila Hill, were elegant and sophisticated. Transparente, based in Germany, was equally as continental.
HorizontalSports took a well-designed logo based on a play on words and ran with it on T-shirts, sweatshirts and baseball caps.
And branching out from the crowd was pearl-jewelry maker I Pearl, whose long and short necklaces were shown on outfits that matched the jewelry’s colors of robin blue, green, peach, brown and lavender.—Deborah Belgum
