Elena LaBua
Elena LaBua’s telephone has been ringing off the hook, according to contemporary designers Janna Pelsinger and Christine Kohout.
“People have been calling like crazy and they ask to speak to Elena LaBua,” explained Kohout, flashing a devilish smile.
It’s a common mistake for many who don’t know—Elena LaBua is an ode to the designers’ mothers (Pelsinger’s mother’s first name is Elena and LaBua is Kohout’s mother’s maiden name).
The duo, who met while living in the same apartment building on Los Angeles’ Westside before starting their own business, entered the fashion arena a year and a half ago with an Ultrasuede wraparound skirt with a Swarovski crystal belt, which they sold to local boutiques. Kohout, who designed the skirt from scratch, said the original concept for the skirt was to keep it simple in style.
Vivienne Westwood, Gucci, Marc Jacobs and Chanel are just some of the influences in the collection, which offers four groups for Fall 2002: corduroy, wool, vintage-inspired chiffon blouses and stylish sweaters.
The designers stuck to an earth-tone palette of camel, sienna, deep blue, black and white for their fashionable, yet casual, collection. A pintucked corduroy tube dress with optional straps and a stretch-corduroy vest with a bohemian vintage-print cotton voile lining and matching pintucked blazer with large covered buttons are part of the group, which also includes low-rise pants and skirts with similar pintuck stylings.
A modern perspective on 1940s looks inspired the designers to create a group of wide-leg cuff pants and “Page Boy” knickers that can be converted into culottes by unbuttoning their side buttons. The wool group comes in plaid, gray herringbone and black-and-white houndstooth. Pelsinger said most of the collection’s fabric is imported from Italy.
The same group also features a plaid button-up corset with piping on outer edges that can be paired with an A-line skirt (knee-length), which can be worn with a poly-charmeuse petticoat that has a white mesh ruffle.
“We wanted a cutting-edge collection that combines classic looks with sexy styles,” said Pelsinger, citing Vivienne Westwood’s use of petticoats as a reference.
The designers’ collection also offers buyers a combination of feminine-meets-masculine looks: A tailored short-sleeved ruffle chiffon blouse with vintage buttons or a delicate lace-and-silk camisole paired with the wide-leg wool cuff pant are reminiscent of Marlene Dietrich.
Other standout pieces in the collection include a sleeveless, asymmetrical cowl-neck mohair tunic with matching poncho that looks casual and earthy when worn with denim, Pelsinger pointed out.
The designers’aim is to reach $500,000 in sales for 2002, and so far, their company is right on track, they said.
Recently about 150 fashion followers turned out for Elena LaBua’s trunk show at Monkie in Santa Monica, Calif. The line is currently sold at Fred Segal Santa Monica, Planet Blue in Malibu, Calif., and Yellow, Mushi Mushi and Polka Dots and Moonbeams in Los Angeles.
The company, which produces its collection in downtown Los Angeles, has showrooms in Los Angeles and Dallas. Pelsinger said sales are starting to trickle in from the East Coast.
Elena LaBua’s collection is at the Mix showroom, suite 1106 in the New Mart, and the Federico Mariel showroom, suite 2F55 in the Dallas Mart. For more information, call (213) 623-8422 or (214) 638-2292.
