California Apparel News

Lorenzo Hadar is wagering that green is far more than the next flimsy trend.

The pioneering fashion boutique owner debuted H-L-N-R, or H. Lorenzo North Robertson, at 474 N. Robertson Blvd. on May 12.

He intends for it to be the clothier for the discerning eco-fashionista who demands Prada-like craftsmanship on environmentally sustainable threads.

The store will devote much of its 5,000-square-foot space to high eco-fashion, according to H-L-N-R Creative Director Steven Trussell. Currently, 25 percent of the store’s stock could be called eco-fashion. Once more high-end eco fashions are created by manufacturers, more store space will be devoted to the genre.

Eventually, the goal is to have 70 percent of merchandise become green.

Many of the world’s high-fashion ecolabels are based in Japan. Consequently, H-L-N-R’s fashion has a Japanese edge, Trussell said.

Best-selling items for men include Japan-based Mister Hollywood. A conservative gray suit by this design house was made fashionable with eccentric button details and lining. It retails for $1,800. An organic T-shirt by Japan’s Botanika label retails for $295.

For women, the best-selling item is a cotton-silk floral capelet by Japan-based Dress Camp. It retails for $1,629. A Chanel-style jacket by Viktor & Rolf retails for $1,819. Los Angeles–based label Social Awareness produced a bamboo gown that retails for $285.

In October, H. Lorenzo will debut an eco-fashion line that will be called 13. Oct. 13 has a special significance to the H. Lorenzo organization. It is Lorenzo Hadar’s birthday. The line will offer 13 different California casual looks, six for men, six for women and one unisex.

Italian architect Olivero Baldini, who designed the three other H. Lorenzo shops on Los Angeles’ Sunset Plaza, shaped the look of H-L-N-R with environmentally friendly materials. Much of the furniture is constructed from recycled plywood bound together by soy glue.

Other architectural features include a wheelchair ramp made out of a recycled conveyor belt. Some display cases are constructed out of recycled papier-macirc;cheacute;. Even store art is from recycled materials, such asstatues of a motorcycle and a Buddha forged from old scissors. Solar panels on the building’s roof will supply the store’s electricity. Lighting will be distilled through environmentally sensitive florescent bulbs and LED light bulbs.

For air conditioning, Baldini attached a film to the store windows to reduce heat from the sun’s glare. —Andrew Asch