MOCA Contemporaries Sponsors 'Art Merges With Fashion' Event
From left, Emily Harteau and Michelle Chaplin, designers of Smoke Mirrors, and MOCA board member Marika Krissman Tsircou. photo by John Eckmier
A random jumble of art and fashion fans packed into the Blum Poe art gallery last night to support MOCA Contemporaries’ “Art Merges With Fashion” benefit event last night. MOCA Contemporaries’ board members picked some of their favorite local and up-and-coming accessories, jewelry and clothing designers (Jacqueline Rose, Jeffrey Levin, KNIOMY, Lisamichelle, Marlen Lugo, Samora, Smoke Mirrors and YevArts) to showcase their work to MOCA members and friends.
A birdseye look at the event. photo by John Eckmier
Kniomy Chang-McAuliffe’s eponymous line of men’s shirts didn’t look like much by just glancing at the rack, but after inspecting every inch of the garment, extra stitches, ribbons and buttons would appear like hidden Easter eggs. “My husband, when he goes to shop, he sees touches of details that he appreciates, which I love.” said Chang-McAuliffe, who graduated from L.A. Trade Tech, FIT in New York and then worked in France for nine years. She now lives in Pasadena, where her line is sewn by a special contractor. “The shirt isn’t screaming. It’s a lot of little details.”
Kniomy hides lots of minute details for the owner to discover the more and more he or she wears the shirt.
Designer Kniomy Chang-McAuliffe (right) with her muse, husband David McAuliffe (left). photo by John Eckmier
Smoke Mirrors’ camp was busy and crowded all night long as guests thumbed through their current Spring 2010 goods and took notes for ordering. Designers Emily Harteau and Michelle Chaplin have a knack for making flattering and easy-to-wear dresses, skirts and tops in fresh prints.
“We’re just having a lot of fun with the collection. We’re doing less skus but more colors. We’re just doing the pieces we love. We’re not doing any of the filler pieces. We’re not waiting for the retailers to tell us what they like. We’re saying, ’This is what we like’ and putting it out there,” Harteau said. Smoke Mirrors has a webstore in the works to debut soon.
From left, Emily Harteau and her sister, both wearing Smoke Mirrors. photo by John Eckmier
To coordinate with her solid-colored jersey dresses, Lisamichelle added belt, headband and bracelet accessories that add an extra jeweled glitz to any outfit.
Pictured third from left, designer Lisa Felsenthal of Lisamichelle with friends in her designs. photos by John Eckmier
