L’Une at Style Fashion Week

On Wednesday I was back at Vibiana to see L’Une’s presentation of the Breakable Collection, which was inspired by designer AnhVolcek’s upcoming surgery. Through these creations she explored the unveiling and the opening of the body through draping and sea urchin like embellishments were incorporated to represent protection.

Love L’Une

It’s good to start the New Year off with something shiny and pretty like this spectacular necklace from L’Une’s Fall 2012 “Breakable” collection.

Thread Show LA Fall/Winter 2011

The recent installment of Thread LA was a lot of fun. I’m not sure if it was the wide variety of vendors or the number of familiar faces. Either way, it was an enjoyable way to spend a Sunday as there were lots of bargains to be found.

Get a Head Start on Your Holiday Shopping at Thread L.A.

With Thanksgiving around the corner it’s time to get started on your Holiday shopping. Lucky for you, the Thread Show is just a week away (Sunday Nov. 13^th) and it will be a great opportunity to stock up on gifts and grab a few things for yourself as well. Featured vendors include our favorites: LisaMichelle and L’Une. MYVL and Neoclassics will also have their apparel for sale. Jewelry designers Nolan Jewelry, Micha Designs, and MaridaJewelry will have their wares on display. Hemptress will feature their latest collection of conscientious handbags made from hemp, and Magnetic Grain will be selling their artistic wood home furnishings.  Of course there will be a lot more vendors and because Thread is more than just a shopping event guests will also be treated to a style and wellness lunge. There will also be live music, a pop-up local art gallery, a nail bar, a gift wrapping lounge, a swap lounge (to trade your old clothes), a full bar, snacks, and a photo booth to capture the memories. If you RSVP in advance tickets are just $5 or $10 at the door. (11 a.m. – 5 P.M. The Cooper DesignSpace: 860 So. Los Angeles St.)

Narrative by Nikki Neil 

Two Point Oh! LA Cocktail reception at L.A. Fashion Market

Two Point Oh! LA and LA Fashion District hosted an opening night cocktail party to celebrate the beginning of Market Week. Held in the lobby of the California Market Center it was a fun event featuring wine from Frey Vineyards and delicious Hpnotiq Harmonie cocktails. If you’re a fan of Hpnotiq Liqueur you’ll love Harmonie’s blend of French vodka, infused natural fruits, flowers, and a touch of cognac. There was also food, cupcakes, hip tunes courtesy of DJ Mahli and, of course, lots of stylish individuals, including fellow Two Point Oh! LA bloggers Hillary (Cake Not Coke) and Gina (Fashioned Out).

Interview with Fashion Stylist – Bettina Bati

The first thing you notice about Bettina is her great sense of fashion. The second thing you notice is her warm smile and charming personality. I first met Bettina last year at L’Une’s SS 2011 preview for Two Point Oh! LA's Bloggers' Café. We exchanged cards in the hallway. I ran into her again at the USC Fashion show this past April. As it turns out, we both have more in common than just a love of fashion. We also worked in finance. In fact, we actually worked for the same company at different times. While Bettina may have been good with numbers her true talent and love lies in fashion. I commend her for leaving a world of security in order to pursue her dream, and I’m happy to see that she is finding success in doing what she loves.

CONCEPT Fashion Week Fall 2011 - Saturday, March 12th

I specifically stopped by CONCEPT on Saturday to see and support Anh Volcek - designer extraordinaire behind L’une. I meet and fell in love with Anh’s designs last October. It’s hard to believe that someone so sweet and animated could be inspired by pain. Her Fall/Winter 2011/12 collection is titled ‘From Water to Ice’ with water representing her birth at sea while her family was escaping the war in Vietnam and Ice representing the pain she endured from being abducted at the age of 8 for a year. It has been said that beauty is spawned from personal tragedy and in Anh’s case it lead her to design a very stunning collection. The line centered upon Asian and military influences and featured a contrast of textures. On display was a really cool cocktail dress made from melted plastic– a technique Anh learned while working in Paris. I was very impressed with this collection. I have to say, Anh is very talented.

Bloggers' Café 911

It was announced on Thursday October 21st that WCM/LA Production Studios were canceling their LAFW Official Runway Shows, which were scheduled to take place through Sunday. Sadly, this left 18 designers without an opportunity to showcase their collections and was devastating news to them since they put so much time, effort, and money into preparing their shows. Thankfully, Michael Venedicto and Jeff Warrington of Fashion Los Angeles and Kelsi Smith of Two Point Oh! LA came to the rescue and gave three designers (L’une, Daisy Gonzalez, and Paulina Lopez) an opportunity to present their looks at Fashion L.A.’s Spring Street office. The designers didn’t not have to pay to have their collections shown, which was a relief for them since they’ve yet to be refunded their money from WCM. A number of TwoPoint Oh! LA members adjusted their schedules so they could provide the designers with media coverage and hair stylists, make-up artists, and models also donated their time to help make the presentation happen.

BiteMe! has always been big on exposing underground and up-and-coming artists so I was more than happy to attend this last minute Bloggers' Café to lend my support.

Fashion Los Angeles Steps Up To Help Displaced WCM Designers

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. 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. “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@fashionlosangeles.org. Come back to BiteMe M+F for coverage of the designer presentations.