Kate Hosts Kristinit Trunk Show
At the specialty boutique Kate, shoppers in Los Angeles’Fairfax Dis trict were treated to a retrospective and preview Feb. 9 of Kristina Lenss’ line Kristinit.
As a costume designer for theater, opera, commercials, film and ballet and a fashion illustrator, Lenss has taken her cues from vintage fashion. The Kristinit event was one of the last chances to purchase one-of-a kind jackets made from vintage fabric and pick up pieces from Lenss’ remaining stock from previous collections.
On display for pre-order was Lenss’ Spring ’08 and Fall ’08 line. Her newest pieces were inspired by designer Paul Poiret and classic Chanel from the 1920s and 1930s.
A silk dress with puffy long sleeves hung straight and loose off the body like a flapper dress but was contemporary in graphic prints. Made using naturally dyed silk, the Spring collection was the first step to Lenss’ commitment to transition to an eco-friendly line. “Eventually I want my line to be 100 percent ecologically friendly,” said Lenss, who launched her label in 2006.
Wendy Watson, owner of the Kate store at 515 S. Fairfax Ave. in Los Angeles, has been selling Kristinit for more than one year. The artsy quality of the clothes fits in with Kate’s roster of progressive and cool labels such as Tree, Mara Hoffman and Mason. Watson, who was a burlesque dancer in Atlanta before becoming a retailer, said she chooses designs that are “antifashion.”
“I wouldn’t buy a label just to buy a label,” Watson said. —Rhea Cortado
