Comune's Declaration of Independence
The sun finally broke out the weekend of June 26, after a long season of “June gloom” weather in Southern California. For Frank Delgadillo, it was the perfect time to invite 400 of his best buddies over for something of a housewarming party at the headquarters for his fashion label, Comune, based in Costa Mesa, Calif. He hoped the party would show that his label would make good on its intention of being different.
Delgadillo started Comune in mid-August 2008 with the mission that it would mostly be guided by creativity, not financial considerations. “The financial sector will not tell me how to create my brand,” he said. Since then, he sold the Fall 2009 collection to retailers such as The Closet, Jack’s Surfboards, Active and American Rag.
The proof of Comune’s artistic intentions was at the party. It served as the debut of the label’s Drop City gallery. The gallery is housed in two 40-foot-long storage containers at the Comune compound, and it features the works of Comune art director Corey Smith and his friends. The gallery will be open to the public. Appointments can be made through the label’s Web site.
Austin, Texas–based rock band Woven Bones performed at the party, and guests munched on goodies prepared by Delgadillo’s catering project, called Gringo The Bean Taqueria #2. Reportedly, it makes a scrumptious carne asada. Fashion was important here, too. The Fall 2009 collection was displayed at the party. Delgadillo said Comune would eventually design a women’s collection and tailored suits for men.
COMUNARDS: Comune founder Frank Delgadillo, left, and Billy Stade, owner of boutique chain The Closet at the Drop City Gallery, based at the compound for fashion label Comune
