Earthy Blends, Sleek Style
Except for one cotton tank top, all pieces in new women’s contemporary clothing line Cellardoor are made in a silk-and-hemp–blend fabric that mirrors the label’s earthy, sleek style.
Designer Lisa Barnes said the marriage of silk and hemp was the source of inspiration for Cellardoor. “I have a very bohemian vibe, but I feel there is a need to bring ladylike silhouettes into L.A.,” she said.
The blended fabric is shiny yet heavier and less flimsy than silk. For the debut Spring 2005 line, multicolored skirts and halters are hand-painted to achieve a watercolor effect representing sunsets, a primary inspiration for Barnes.
The designer said she hopes to find a dye house that can produce a similar result but the start has been rocky; the last dye house she handed her clothing to damaged the only samples of her Fall line. Despite the setback, Barnes is upbeat and excited to move forward.
Barnes is introducing new fabrics for Fall, including different hemp blends and pure silk. Among the new pieces are capris, pants and ladylike 1920s-style jackets in natural white, black, beige and other soft colors. Barnes said the butterflies she saw on recent trip to Cancun, Mexico, inspired the shades.
The embroidered owl mascot that appears in a yarn-like texture on the sides of skirts and on the hips of halter tops will reappear on jackets with a laser-cut twist. The owl’s wings, spread over the pieces, are intended to be a symbol of wisdom for the wearer.
While natural settings inspire the color applications of the fabric, the shapes of the clothes are influenced by an old Hollywood aesthetic. The halter dresses shown in black or vanilla white best display the curvy Marilyn Monroe look, and the solid colors complement the shimmer of the fabric.
“In downtown, they have these old art deco theaters. I have pictures of what downtown used to look like and how people used to dress and carry themselves with so much class. I want to bring that energy back,” Barnes said.
Wholesale prices are $98 for a below-the-knee–length halter dress, $76 for a short skirt and $72 for a colored halter top with embroidery painting.
For more information, visit the Fabulous showroom in suite 809 of The New Mart, or call (213) 236-9421. —Rhea Cortado
