Emerging Designers Take the Spotlight at Los Angeles Fashion Collective
Ai for Ai at the Los Angeles Fashion Collective Fall presentation, photos by John Eckmier
Emerging designers were the focus of the Los Angeles Fashion Collective’s second annual event. Guests attended a cocktail reception and presentation held at the Thompson Hotel’s Bond Street Lounge in Beverly Hills. The Los Angeles Fashion Collective was created last Fall to discover and help develop the emerging design talent in Los Angeles. For the March 24 event, Jane Oh, Barlow, Ai for Ai and Dolan presented looks for Fall 2010.
For designer Jane Oh, style is about modern classics with an edge. “I try to make clothing that is timeless, beautiful and sophisticated,” said Oh. “So you can take it out of the closet in three to five years and still wear it.” Oh said she is inspired by designers such as Lanvin and Schaparelli and incorporates silhouettes from the ’20s, to the ’50s into her collections. For her design debut, the designer utilized silk organza, charmeuse and wool to create a collection of chic collection of cocktail dresses, tailored coats, draped jackets and short ensembles.
Jane Oh
The marriage of the 1930s’ depression era and vampire shows such as “True Blood” and “Twilight” served as the inspiration for the Ai for Ai Fall 2010 collection. Sisters Elizabeth and Carol Ai are intrigued by the idea of merging fashion and film. Jackets had cape-like styling and moto zippers, blouses were voluminous and romantic and a chic black lace dress could have been worn by Audrey Hepburn. This was the second collection for the Vietnamese design duo who have had a lifelong dream to launch a clothing collection.
Ai for Ai
For Jodie Dolan the key word for the season was “sloppy.” But the Dolan Fall collection looked anything but disheveled. To create the look creative director Dolan collaborated with designer Hillary Justin who has an artsy vision. The pair developed original prints and reinterpreted heather gray fleece to create a fresh mix for the season. “We were really honest with ourselves and said this is what we love,” said Justin. Heather gray French terry was decorated with sequins and beading, dresses were studded and given a designer’s touch and the fabrics were washed for a lived in look. The result was an easy, wearable sophistication that can only be described as L.A. casual chic.
Dolan
Barlow designer Molly Coonan formerly designed for Andrew Buckler and worked at Cynthia Vincent prior to launching her own collection. Coonan designs with a sexy tomboy aesthetic in mind. The designer said her goal is to figure out a way to be comfortable and sexy at the same time. “I like to wear biker shorts, but not look like I’m at the gym,” explained Coonan. With price points between $98 and $600, the line is focused on the price conscious consumer. Think downtown girl in lace cargo vests, loose fitting velvet pants paired with tee shirts and ’80s leather jackets and sexy pencil skirts with lace-up details.
Barlow
