Photographer: Jake Narciso
Model: Ami Gan
Designer: Kittin Hawk
Make Up: Katie Hale and Kishan
Hair: Aileen Nham
Producer: Karen Lacanilao
PHOTOS: Ami Gan of Fashion ROI for Kittin Hawk
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BEHIND THE SCENES
THANKS Jake Narciso, you da bomb!
Aileen Nham doing hair
Katie Hale doing make up
Kishan doing make up
Kishan doing make up
Jenny in Ellie Lavelle / Jenny of Good Bad N Fab for Ellie Lavelle
Nikoleta in Geren Ford / Neekoh of Live Love LA for Geren Ford
Jenny in Ellie Lavelle, Ami in Kittin Hawk, Mel in Kucoon
Jenny in Ellie Lavelle / Jenny of Good Bad N Fab for Ellie Lavelle
Kiara in Jen Awad / Kiara of Tobruck Ave for Jen Awad
Ami in Kittin Hawk / Ami of Fashion ROI for Kittin Hawk
Nikoleta in Geren Ford / Neekoh of Live Love LA for Geren Ford
Mel in Kucoon / Mel of Modanista Junkie for Kucoon
Lara in Rory Beca / Lara of What’s Haute in the Streets for Rory Beca
Kiara in Jen Awad / Kiara of Tobruck Ave for Jen Awad
And… Me sneaking in a Geren Ford dress 
XOXO
I hope to begin posting pictures from the shoot by next weekend! STAY TUNED!
I’d like to do this for a living if I could
Tomorrow is… THE… BIG… DAY! It’s almost here and I bought two huge bottles of champagne to celebrate ;)
I just received all the confirmations from every designer and each blogger, that the pulls have all been scheduled for tomorrow’s shoot. As you know, I am producing my second fashion photoshoot alongside Jake Narciso. Our first photoshoot earlier this year, was trend based and all the blogger/models worked with their own personal wardrobe to create 4 looks. This time around, I was feeling the need to get more creative and make more connections. I introduced myself to 6 local LA designers, told them about this awesome multi-cross-promo project, and asked if we could feature their most current collections, and then I paired them up with 6 local LA bloggers.
Over the last few weeks, I have posted features on each amazing Los Angeles designer, which I hand-picked for this photoshoot; and I have also posted interviews on all of the beautiful and inspiring Los Angeles bloggers.
In case you missed them — here they are:
Kiara of Tobruck Ave for Jen Awad
Lara of What’s Haute in the Streets for Rory Beca
Mel of Modanista Junkie for Kucoon
Jenny of Good Bad N Fab for Ellie Lavelle
Ami of Fashion ROI for Kittin Hawk
Neekoh of Live Love LA for Geren Ford
FEATURED DESIGNERS
JEN AWAD – http://www.jenawad.com/
ELLIE LAVELLE – http://www.ellielavelle.com/
KITTIN HAWK – http://www.kittinhawk.com/
KUCOON- http://kucoondesigns.com/
RORY BECA - http://www.rorybeca.com/
GEREN FORD – http://www.gerenford.com/
FEATURED BLOGGERS/MODELS
KIARA SCHWARTZ - http://tobruckave.blogspot.com/
NIKOLETA PANTEVA – http://www.livelovela.net/
AMI GAN – http://www.fashionroi.com/
LARA JONES – http://www.whatshauteinthestreets.com/
JENNY WU – http://www.goodbadnfab.blogspot.com/
MELISSA RODRIGUEZ - http://www.modanistajunkie.com/
KUCOON FALL / WINTER 2011
DESIGNER: Andrea Spratt
Tell us what inspired you to create your own brand? It happened organically. I was making costumes for a circus group I was involved in and my designs started to create a buzz. Kucoon developed as a brand and I had a solid clientele base over a couple years of designing. I eventually had clientele and recognition to start a solid line.
What is your personal style? Bohemian/ baroque … showing just enough, an innocent type of flirt, a dramatic sleeve on simple t-shirt dress, long flowing skirts with ruffles, hoods which add an element of mystery, comfortable jersey cotton fabrics that flow and fit on the body comfortably.
Who is your target customer? What is their style and lifestyle? A woman with a busy schedule, successful and personable, well adapted, travels, can be a bit of a tom boy but still has sex appeal, women ages 20-40. Physically fit and involved in all parts of her spiritual, physical, emotional, and social being.
When did you know fashion was what you wanted to do for a living? When I would get lost in the creative process in a way in which I have never been able to do with anything else I have been involved in. I would look forward to coming home and working next to my sewing machine, I would spend hours and not even be aware of the time. It came so naturally, and I could not have asked for a more ideal career path for myself.
What was your biggest challenge getting to where you are now? Understanding the business of fashion.
How do you find inspiration for your collection? I think about the balance of what I can get away with as well as still remaining practical. I people watch and see what women look the most confident in. I look at the design and see how I would rework it. A lot of my inspiration comes from what my clientele needs- what they are craving and I always make sure that it is also comfortable.
How did you come up with the name of your brand? It’s pretty simple when you think of a cucoon (the womb in which beauty is created) and then there is the butterfly… it was a perfect for what I wanted to achieve with my line. Misspelling cucoon with the “K” represents my tendency to be a bit rebellious in the creative process.
What’s your strategy to make your brand stand out among other brands? I add detailing to pieces where you wouldn’t always expect it to be. I also use a jersey knit material with an elegant design which isn’t typically done.
If you can give any advice to young entrepreneurs, what would you tell them? Don’t take risks you can’t recover from.
Are you planning anything exciting for your brand for 2012? If I plan too much it loses momentum, I like to keep it spontaneous.
Twitter: www.twitter.com/kucoongirl
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kucoondesigns
Kiara of Tobruck Ave for Jen Awad
The stunning Kiara of Tobruck Ave will be modeling Jen Awad’s White Collection for this Saturday’s photoshoot. Sasha of LA Inspiration is taking a fun last-minute trip back to her home town of Ohio so she had to back out of the shoot… Fortunately, she referred me to Kiara
Name: Kiara Schwartz
Age: 27
City: Newport Beach
What inspired you to start your blog?: I wanted to create my own footprint online and the only way I could think of doing that is sharing what I love most which is anything and everything about Fashion.
Sites you must visit daily: www.myfdb.com/ –> I could spend hours on this site.
Favorite Designer: That is so hard to narrow down especially after tracking NYFW for the past week. All time fave has to be Alexander Wang but Phillip Lim and Rag and Bone are close runners-up as well as Shakuhatchi and Khalo … so fun and playful yet totally timeless.
Trend/item you’re loving right now: Loved the high low trend from this Summer… I’m just going to keep that going as long as I can
Who is your style icon and why? I know it might be cliché to say but my Mom, she always encouraged me to be different and creative with my style. Celebrity Style Icon: Alexa Chung and The Olsens
What is your dream fashion purchase? The Row camel color wool coat and the PS1
What is the most beloved item in your wardrobe? My new ostrich skin Rebecca Minkoff M.A.C clutch
You’re spending an afternoon shopping in the city of your choice. What’s the city and itinerary? Sydney! I have never been but I love the Australian laid back edgy cool style. I would try and find all the local Australian boutiques and shop my little heart out. I can’t complain as LA is at the very top of my list as well.
If you could own the wardrobe of any film or TV character whose would it be? I am going to have to say Serena Van der Woodsen from Gossip girl. her style is edgy/ sexy and she get to wear all the most amazing labels… not fair!
Ultimate accessory is… a killer arm party of bracelets and bangles.
What advice can you give to anyone who is thinking of starting their own blog? Just do it! Have the confidence that what you have to say and communicate is absolutely amazing
KITTINHAWK FEATURE
Kittinhawk at Charity Fashion Show 2010
Tell us what inspired you to create your own brand? Making clothing for myself and my friends; wanting something special to express what was in my heart in tangible form.
What is your personal style? Gothic slut wave.
Who is your target customer? What is their style and lifestyle? Everyone. Weirdos, lovers, earth children, rockers and tender darlings.
When did you know fashion was what you wanted to do for a living? Birth.
What was your biggest challenge getting to where you are now? Money and the institution of fashion, rules and preconceived notions, the establishment.
How do you find inspiration for your collection? Dreams, magic, love.
How did you come up with the name of your store/brand? KITTINHAWK is the mixture of my two favorite animals, it’s my pet name, my moniker, it’s me.
What’s your strategy to make your brand stand out among other brands? Handmade, DIY love, authentic artistry mixing earthly with a punk/antique edge.
If you can give any advice to young entrepreneurs, what would you tell them? It takes money to make money. Don’t go into anything unless you’re 100 percent dedicated to your craft and not in it for the wrong reasons.
Are you planning anything exciting for your brand/customers for 2012? More art videos, installations, a new collection and costumes for all the lovelies…
Web: www.kittinhawk.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/kittinhawk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KITTINHAWK
RORY BECA HOLIDAY 2011
Tell us what inspired you to create your own brand? I did a summer program at St. Martins in London and then when I was in college in Boston I started taking design classes. I knew then that was what I wanted to do. From the beginning I knew I always wanted to start my own line rather than work for someone else.
What is your personal style?I live by the beach so I tend to have a very relaxed, easy-going style.
Who is your target customer? What is their style and lifestyle? Someone who likes to feel pretty and comfortable at the same time. Someone who likes to travel and enjoy herself. I have a big customer age range. Everyone in our office wears the clothes, from the 20-year-old interns to my mom who is 65.
When did you know fashion was what you wanted to do for a living? When I was in college and was taking classes and interning for stylist Deb McGuire.
What was your biggest challenge getting to where you are now? Being able to keep designing and successfully producing collections with no outside financing – it’s just me and my mom.
How do you find inspiration for your collection? I find inspiration everywhere from photographs to music to travel. Mostly, my collection though is inspired by fabrics and colors.
What’s your strategy to make your brand stand out among other brands? I try to make quality clothes that are wearable, feminine and sexy, but also fit well. It is hard to find clothes that fit well.
If you can give any advice to young entrepreneurs, what would you tell them? Make sure to ask a lot of questions and listen to advice from others, but always follow to your own intuition.
Are you planning anything exciting for your brand/boutique/customers for 2012? We will be expanding our collection in new directions.
Web: www.rorybeca.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Rory_Beca
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/rorybecafashion
