Photo courtesy of Fashion Los Angeles and Two Point Oh LA
Fashion Los Angelesand Two Point Oh LA, saved the day by swiftly coordinating “Bloggersʼ Café 911” Saturday evening – An Emergency Bloggers’ Café to aid the designers displaced by the cancellation of WCM’s shows. Major kudos to The Fashion Los Angeles Team: Michael Venedicto, Jeff Warrington, Kelsi Smith & Cuitlahuac Gonzalez.
Fashion Los Angelesreleased a statement on Monday, “Above all, we want people to appreciate the strong level of unity for this cause. We ask everyone to focus on the positive energy we achieved given the circumstances. Letʼs show the world why Los Angeles is ranked the number five global fashion capital (Source: Global Language Monitor).”
Lʼune, French for “the one,” was established by Anh Volcek. Her SS2011 collection of dresses and separates combines European draping techniques with an updated American flair, offering women ultimate comfort and modern appeal. Before forming Lʼune in 2009, Volcek worked for some of the largest American brands such as Calvin Klein, Nautica, and the Gap. Before that, she also trained in Paris while working for couture houses such as Koji Tatsuno and Lapidus. She was born at sea in the Pacific Ocean, while her family was stranded on a ship named “The Forever Young.” Eventually, they were rescued with the help of the Queen of England. Volcek grew up as a Danish citizen in Quebec City and Montreal. She graduated from the Parsons School of Design, where has was awarded the Gold Thimble Award. Volcek currently resides in Southern California.
Paulina López is a fashion designer based in Mexico City. Her brand, Paulina López, represents elegance, which is manifested in many of its avant-garde evening gowns and cocktail dresses. Paulina López is an innovative brand that appeals to women who like to take risks. Its SS2011 “Rainbow” collection draws inspiration from the femininity of Greek nymphs, thus many of its garments accentuate a womanʼs silhouette. Many of Paulina Lópezʼs pieces showcase handmade stitching techniques that add detail styling to fabrics and give garments unique shapes.
Since the debut of her first collection in fall 2008, Daisy Gonzalez has already been acknowledged by some of the most influential people in the fashion industry. Among them, the infamous Patricia Field, who chose Daisy as the winner of her “Confessions Of A Shopoholic” contest and Project Runwayʼs Jerell Scott. Gonzalez regularly showcases her pieces at runway shows for some of the most recognized venues in Hollywood. She is a member of “Embassy of Fashion Designers International.” Since the inception of the brand, Gonzalez has been actively engaged in the Miss Guatemala Pageant, which raises money to help children in Guatemala receive adequate medical care, and school supplies. Gonzalez currently resides in Los Angeles, California, but has clients throughout the United States and Latin America.
SPECIAL THANKS: Cynthia M. Ruiz — President, Board of Public Works, City of Los Angeles Two Point Oh LA Bloggers: www.twopointohla.com -Especially Cirrus Alpert [mumm.tumblr.com] & Tiara Henry [www.luxedelux.blogspot.com] for helping with the event! Event Photographer: Melissa Manning — www.thelookpartnership.com Models: Global One — www.globaloneltd.com Hair/Make-up: Amber Ayala, Diana Lomelin, Eric Devezin & Meredith Murdock. Sponsors: CONTRA by Bonny Doon, One Coconut Water & Border Grill Restaurant
FASHION LOS ANGELES The new global platform for Los Angeles fashion 600 S. Spring St., Suite 1708, Los Angeles, CA 90014
t: 213.341.0633 | f: 866.808.6739
FW11: Feb. 1-7 | SS12: Sept. 20-26 www.FashionLosAngeles.org
October 22, 2010 [Los Angeles, CA] – Less than 48 hours before its fashion presentation was set to begin, World Coast Management (WCM) cancelled its self-titled “Official LA Fashion Week” production. As a prompt solution to this cancellation, Fashion Los Angeles has organized a community movement through its Bloggers’ Café program, to ensure that the designers are given an opportunity to exhibit the fashions they have worked so hard to produce.
The Los Angeles Fire Department called off the WCM event due to several outstanding citations on the venue dating back to March 2010. This unpleasant situation left 18 local and international designers without a platform to present their SS2011 collections.
Fashion Los Angeles, the group behind the new Los Angeles fashion presentations set to debut February 2011, has joined forces with Two Point Oh LA, an organization that includes 80 of Los Angeles’ biggest fashion and beauty bloggers, led by Kelsi Smith, to offer the displaced designers an opportunity to meet with local media. The Bloggers’ Café event, known by the Twitter hashtag “#bc911,” will take place at Fashion Los Angeles headquarters [600 S. Spring St., Suite 1708 Downtown Los Angeles] from 4:00 and 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 23, 2010.
“There will be no exchange of money, there is no underlining agenda… we simply want the designers to show their work,” said Michael Venedicto, co-founder of Fashion Los Angeles. “We also hope that the designers do not perceive this to be a representation of the City of Los Angeles nor its fashion industry. Considering the current economic difficulties, it is the wrong time for a fashion presentation of this magnitude to be cancelled and for talented designers to be left stranded.”
Designers who are confirmed to present their works are Daisy Gonzalez, L’une, and Paulina Lopez from Mexico City. Since this is a community service event, individuals and groups able to donate time and products (models, hair, makeup, mannequins, etc.) should contact Fashion Los Angeles via email immediately at bloggerscafe [at] fashionlosangeles [dot] org.
Fashion Los Angeles is the only West Coast fashion and lifestyle event of its kind, rooted in year-round, community-based programming, to bring together innovative live and technology-driven fashion presentations, in one immersive platform, positioned for global reach. For more information, visit: www.fashionlosangeles.org
When people ask me, ‘how old are you?’, I really have to stop and think about the answer for a minute… twenty-seven. Wow. Definitely no longer in the infamous initial half of my twenty something years. I’m genuinely excited about growing older and nearing my thirties. I’ve heard that those are the best years.
Twenties have been fun and all, but so far have been full of ups/downs, friends moving all around, careless/reckless love, bittersweet self-discovery, career skepticism, living paycheck-to-paycheck, insecurities about your milestones compared to your peers, mistakes, pure debauchery, most obscene hangovers, dating all the Mr. Wrongs, realizing your parents were always right, starting over, and over, and over… and over.
Twenty something. Love/Hate. Hot/Cold. Happy/Sad.
You’re up. You’re down. You’re friends move. You move. You make friends. You lose friends. You fall in love. You fall out of love. You break hearts. Your heart is broken. You figure out your career goals (finally). You get a job. You get a promotion. You get a raise. You blow your money on stupid shit. You learn how to budget. You think saving isn’t a bad idea. You see your friends get engaged/married. You are still single, WTF? You date a bunch of __________. Your standards change. You drink until you blackout. You go to work every Friday hungover. You become best friends with your parents. You go after every opportunity. You don’t get everything you go after… but sometimes you do and you don’t want it anymore. You learn to try harder.
And the point of all of this? You realize what you want, what’s important, and now know that attitude is everything. It’s a beautiful process which you only get to see the results toward the end.
I have three years left to get all of this nonsense out of my system, so to speak. This is very likely the only time when I can freely make all of these damn mistakes, with little to no repercussions, and hopefully learn and grow, right? I don’t have anyone to blame, except myself. I don’t have anyone relying on me, except myself. So, really, the ball is in my court.
Many of my fellow twenty-somethings and I always joke around about how torturous these stages are, but in the big picture, these episodes really make for the most interesting and funniest stories to re-tell over and over again. In 40 years, we will look back at these treacherous times of our twenty-something years, and smile at the misery we went through and hopefully, share our experiences with our grandchildren.
Both my grandfathers passed away before I was born. One of my grandmothers was in the Philippines and I only met her once. So, I grew up with one grandmother, and she had the best advice in the history of advice ever given. That is my life mission, to tell my tween/teen grandchildren about my scandalous twenty something years so hopefully they can avoid some mistakes… It will be fun times.
Anyhoo, twenty-seven. I had a fab time celebrating with family and friends, such a blessing. Is there really anything else I need in this lifetime?
The world is filled with talented artists. Recognizing that talent is becoming increasingly difficult. That is why H&M now introduces ‘Your Art Here’ – an all styles visual arts contest, with a New York City theme – giving aspiring artists the opportunity to gain valuable exposure by exhibiting the winning artist’s work in the window of the H&M store located at 42nd Street and 5th Avenue in New York City.
The winner will also receive:
- $5,000 stipend to support an up-and-coming art career
- $500 H&M gift card
- Roundtrip airfare and accommodations in New York City while installing the piece in the store window.
- Up to $15,000 installation budget.
Visitors to the website get to vote on their artwork of choice and the top ten vote getting artworks will compete in a final round where they are reviewed by a panel of judges from H&M and art world personalities, including:
- Thierry Guetta, AKA Mr. Brainwash
- Nancy Barton, Professor of Art and Art Education at Steinhart NYU
- Daniel V, the blogger behind JazJaz.net
- Adele Treschow, designer and contemporary artist
All entries must be received by October 15th, 2010.
Levi’s new ad campaign fascinates me on so many different levels. A new generation. Real people. Change. Community involvement & workshops. Social responsibility. Fall Work Wear Collection. Design collaborations with Billy Reid and Opening Ceremony. Cinema, TV, print, out-of-home installations, digital elements and more.
SAN FRANCISCO (June 24, 2010)– Amid today’s widespread need for revitalization and recovery, a new generation of “real workers” has emerged, those who see challenges around them and are inspired to drive positive, meaningful change. This fall, with the introduction of Go Forth ‘Ready to Work’, the Levi’s® brand will empower and inspire workers everywhere through Levi’s® crafted product and stories of the new American worker. Bolstered by its pioneering spirit and ‘Go Forth’ rallying cry, Levi’s® will explore how a new generation of real American workers is rolling up their sleeves to make real change happen. The campaign, created in partnership with Wieden+Kennedy, kicks off this July and will reach across the Americas from the top of Canada, throughout the United States, Mexico and South America.
“Last year, driven by the pioneering spirit the Levi’s® brand has represented for more than 150 years, ‘Go Forth’ created a resonate message underscoring a new vision of hope and progress,” said Doug Sweeny, VP, Levi’s® Brand Marketing. “This year, we’re turning that energy into something tangible by engaging in meaningful conversations around ‘real work’ and celebrating the individuals who are carving the way for a better tomorrow.”
‘Ready to Work’ Campaign Spotlights Real Work in Braddock, Pennsylvania
The muse for Levi’s® new campaign is Braddock, a town embodying the demise of the blue collar base that is taking radical steps to reverse its decay. Braddock now faces a new frontier of repurpose and new work in what was once a flourishing industrial mecca. Since 2001, John Fetterman, the mayor of Braddock, has taken his fight for social justice in Braddock to the masses by enlisting the help of modern pioneers – artists, craftsmen, musicians and business owners – to rebuild and revive the town. As it rebuilds, Braddock has become a model for how any city, in any part of the country, can prevail as a symbol of hope and change.
To contribute to the real change in Braddock, the Levi’s® brand is committed to funding the refurbishment of Braddock’s community center, a focal point of the town and their youth-based programming. Additionally, Levi’s® is supporting Braddock’s urban farm which supplies produce to local area residents at reduced costs.
Joining Braddock to help spark action in other communities in need, Levi’s® new ‘Go Forth’ campaign will feature the real people doing real work in Braddock in its newest national marketing campaign. Led by Mayor John Fetterman, the residents of Braddock shine an authentic spotlight on how vision and hard work can not only change one community, but also help to inspire the nation to aspire to greater prosperity as a whole.
Shot on location in Braddock, the campaign features a dozen residents of diverse backgrounds dressed in Levi’s® Work Wear Collection for fall. The new line features iconic pieces such as 501® jeans, denim trucker jackets and work shirts. Work wear is Levi’s® birth right. Since 1873, the Levi’s® brand has been making the clothes that pioneers have worn to build America. Today, Levi’s® is investing in the American revolution that is taking shape in Braddock. Levi’s® and Braddock are intertwined by an unshakable mantra for progress: Real People + Real Work = Real Change.
The ‘Ready to Work’ campaign launches on July 4 and features cinema, TV, print, out-of-home installations, digital elements and more. The first provocative TV spot launching in early July was shot by “The Road” director John Hillcoat. A second spot and vibrant print campaign was captured by acclaimed photographer Melodie McDaniel.
“This campaign is unlike any other that Wieden+Kennedy has created,” said Susan Hoffman, Executive Creative Director of W+K. “We did not want Braddock to be merely a backdrop in our advertising. We saw this as an opportunity for W+K and Levi’s to participate in the amazing movement that Mayor John has created and help realize his vision to reconstruct Braddock and at the same time we created an amazing Levi’s campaign.”
Additional ‘Ready to Work’ themed partnerships will be announced later this year as the campaign continues to roll out.
Levi’s®Fall 2010 Work Wear Collection
Levi’s® Work Wear Collection for Fall 2010 features iconic pieces inspired by authentic work wear staples such as 501® jeans, 505 jeans, denim trucker jackets and work shirts. The collection is not about fads – it’s about authenticity, exceptional craftsmanship, attention to detail, and innovation in fits, finishes and fabrics, backed by the brand that invented work wear more than 150 years ago. Details tell the story – the finest denim fabrics, brass laurel shanks, genuine leather patches and functional waist back cinches.
Taking ‘Ready to Work’ to Local Communities through the Levi’s®Workshops
Beginning this summer, the Levi’s® brand will equip a new generation of pioneers and celebrate creative communities across the country with the launch of Levi’s® Workshops – a new, innovative approach to integrating community involvement with retailing. The workshops will serve as community-based extensions of the Go Forth campaign, paying homage to the principles of hard work and civic engagement. The Levi’s® Workshops will be multi-use spaces, featuring a functional workshop, community event space and retail storefront. The first workshop debuts in San Francisco this July, followed by a second expression of the program in New York this fall. Each workshop is designed to focus on a specific craft including printmaking and photography, and will feature forums where local pioneers in design, sports, technology, sustainability, and other interests can engage and collaborate.
Inspiring Levi’s®Pioneering Spirit through Brand Collaborations
Throughout the year, Levi’s® will continue to partner with iconic American brands on new design collaborations that embody the pioneering spirit of America. These collaborations will be guided by the values and principles of the Levi’s® brand. This fall, Levi’s® will partner with award-winning designer Billy Reid to create new, limited-edition versions of iconic heritage pieces from the Levi’s® Work Wear line. Later in the year, Levi’s will introduce a new seasonal co-branded collection with Opening Ceremony that is rooted in classic Levi’s® styles and updated with progressive fabrics, washes and details. Additional design collaborations will be announced in the coming months.
ABOUT THE LEVI’S® BRAND
The Levi’s® brand epitomizes classic American style and effortless cool. Since their invention by Levi Strauss in 1873, Levi’s® jeans have become the most recognizable and imitated clothing in the world – capturing the imagination and loyalty of people for generations. Today, the Levi’s® brand portfolio continues to evolve through a relentless pioneering and innovative spirit that is unparalleled in the apparel industry. Our range of leading jeanswear and accessories are available in more than 110 countries, allowing individuals around the world to express their personal style. For more information about the Levi’s® brand, its products and stores, please visit www.levi.com.
With the invention of fast fashion chains, and stores such as TopShop, restocking their floors three times per day, let’s face it, fashion changes weekly. Of course, most of us are suckers for these weekly trends, and every two months I’m trying to clean out my closet. Fail.
The Associated Press reported Friday on a solution — starting in September, New York City will launch one of the largest textile recycling initiatives in the nation.
Non-profit companies like Goodwill Industries International are getting bids on a 10-to-15 year contract to supply clothing “recycling bins” throughout the city under one mission: making the practice of donating clothes as easy as throwing it away.
Under a Goodwill-conducted survey of 600 adults in the United States and Canada, more than half of the people who donated clothing admit that they wouldn’t go 10 minutes out of their way to do so. This means that the planned initiative could drastically curve disposing behavior and save the populous city’s landfill from 190,000 tons of wasted textiles. The recycling plan will place 50 collection bins in high-traffic areas of the city.
Articles with reselling potential will be making their way to Goodwill stores, while the more tattered pieces will be used as rags for businesses or insulation purposes. With only a predicted 5% of the donated clothes making their way to the landfill, we must admit, this is a great first step in making fashion a greener industry.
NEW YORK — From intellectual property to mergers and acquisitions, fashion designers and brands often face their own unique set of issues that require legal aid. But until now, law schools haven’t really treated fashion as a dedicated field.
This fall, Fordham Law School will change that with the Fashion Law Institute, which university officials claim is the first of its kind in the world. The institute, being created with the support of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, aims to serve as a resource for law students interested in fashion as well as design students and designers by offering them information and counsel on specific fashion industry issues.
Half of the mall near me burned down when I was 12. JC Penny got the worst of it, gutted and flooded. But the fire sale afterward was legendary, if you didn’t mind a little water damage or the unremovable smell of smoke. But when a clothing factory goes up in flames, there are no fire sales. Instead, there are injuries and deaths. And when those factories are sweatshops or use slave labor, the workers inside may have no way to escape the flames because they are locked in, chained to their work stations, or simply not given viable exits. Continue reading →
