Welcome to the WGSN Americas blog, focusing on the trends that the
US, Central and South American teams are tracking right now.
WGSN publishes thousands of news and business stories each year, reacting to the events and issues in the fashion and style industries worldwide, predicting what will matter to industry professionals now and in the future.
The new accessory trend to make an impact in Los Angeles is the finger bracelet. The finger bracelet is a ring (or two!) which is connected to a bracelet, assembling an elaborate and complete accessory for your hand. This trend best embraces a bohemian Egyptian aesthetic with delicate details like carved triangles, thick chains, and ornamental eyes. A unique accessory that is already layered for you, the finger bracelet is sure to make a statement.
By Bianca Grafton
Mikey Koffman is a woman whose distinct style is synonymous with her career path. While many may recognize the name from Showtime’s hit series, “The Real L Word,” the tattooed Angeleno first gained recognition a little over ten years ago, when she opened Sin Cycle and became the first woman to own a custom motorcycle shop in Long Beach. As her business began to grow, so did her career aspirations.
Koffman has produced a number of ad campaigns and runway shows, which ultimately led her to aid in the establishment of Los Angeles Fashion Week, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios in Culver City. In 2005 she opened The Gallery Los Angeles, a full service marketing and event planning company in downtown Los Angeles, with the intention “to help deliver a message to the world through fashion.” Subsequently, in 2008, after seven years at Smashbox Studios, Mercedes Benz concluded their final season of Los Angeles Fashion Week, at which point Koffman spearheaded a new initiative to establish Los Angeles Fashion Weekend at Gower Studios in Hollywood.
You're working with quite an impressive and varied list of designers, how
do you select who presents at LA Fashion Weekend at Sunset Gower Studios?
We scoured LA for the best and brightest designers to promote on a larger
platform. Many designers would love an opportunity to showcase at our event,
but we can only choose a certain number. I based my selection on the caliber
of craftsmanship, aesthetics of the collection and would the collection fit
with our production.
What is your planning period from booking the designers to actually
having the collections hit the runway?
It varies with each designer; some have been months and others in weeks. But
everyone must be present.
Despite all the glitz and glam, producing a fashion weekend is hard work
- what do you find is the most challenging aspect?
The most challenging part of it all is to meet MY own expectations. I always
want to make the show bigger and better than the last. But when you're
coming from such a successful event - it's often hard to top yourself.
What designers currently inspire you?
My sense of style is quite unpredictable and eclectic and I love designers
that embody those traits. I personally like Vivienne Westwood, Alexander
McQueen and Thierry Mugler. They always go outside the box and their designs
are unparalleled.
The biggest misconception of LA Fashion Week is that our event showcases
nothing but bikinis and flips flops. LA has large number of amazing
designers who need to be recognized. LAFW serves as a platform for these
talents to catapult their collections further into a larger fashion
marketplace and hopefully their designs make an imprint.
What are three things that you can't live without during the shows?
A walkie-talkie, a great assistant, and redbull.
What was the most challenging show you have ever produced?
Each show is different and as I previously stated it's a priority to make
each show better than the last. This upcoming show is certainly a great
challenge. But we have more hands on deck and all collectively working on
one goal which is to make an amazing and unforgettable show.
The first one was the most inspiring because it motivated me to create even
more and that's what I'm doing now.
What is more annoying: seat poachers or people that show up with 4 plus
ones?
Both, seating charts are created for a reason, and let's not act hungry when
we RSVP.
What is your fashion week soundtrack?
I have a diverse taste in music and it's ever changing - I'll let you know
come the weekend!
Style Fashion Week’s second season in Los Angeles is proving to be quite successful. Produced and directed by the Bubble Fish Media team, the opening night featured Nicolita, Karena’s and La La Land. In between shows, guests were spotted ogling the fire burst Aston Martin from Galpin, sipping Sapporo and getting mini-makeovers from the Napoleon Perdis team.
Nicolita’s SS12 swimwear collection was a diverse mix of modern silhouettes and vintage inspired pieces. The nautical collection is the strongest in overall design direction and one could easily see it on the shores of Miami or a rooftop pool in Manhattan.
Kareena’s Trends SS12 outwear collection is a vibrant mixture of cultures and colors. Moroccan, South American and tribal influences are evident in intricate beadwork and silhouettes. The dip-dye skills are showcased through strong color palettes of yellows, blues and rich reds. WGSN loves the ombre tunics and feel they are key SS12 swimwear staples.
La La Land closed the night with animalia tops and skirts including antelope sweaters, flamingo cardigans and a sheer horse shirt. The tops are lightweight and functional for SS12 but more bottom pieces would have helped balance the collection.
The rest of the week looks promising with collections by Stop Staring!, Alternative Apparel, Gypsy 05 and the highly anticipated Gen Art Fresh Faces in Fashion event this upcoming Saturday.
If you haven't had the chance to visit Insight's chilled-out flagship store in Venice Beach, next weekend will give you a great excuse to go. Our friends at Insight have just announced their very first sample sale in the LA store, starting this Friday, October 21 - Friday, October 28. Merchandise from Spring 2011-Holiday 2011 collections will be on sale, so changes of scoring 90s vintage-inspired fashion pieces, cool graphic tees and show-stopping swimwear are pretty high. Insight51
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Akio Hamatani (1947-). W-Orbit, 2010. Rayon, indigo; special technique. Diameter approximately 157 in. (400 cm).
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Based in Los Angeles, designed in Britain and fitted by a multi-cultural intimates team – Claudette is truly an international lingerie brand.
The debut collections are a varied mix of everyday basics with a modern, sophisticated and womanly feel. The Cool Cotton collection features wearable day and night wear in an array of soft, supple materials. The Sophie collection is a luxurious nod to old Hollywood with retro-inspired designs in a myriad of color-blocked stretch crepe fabric.
The experienced design team has given much-needed attention to fuller sizes including DD and G cups yet features wearable intimates for all ranges. President Robin Levitt says, “Our collections are in tune with pret-a-porter stories of the season, but follow our own unique and singular vision and style. We designed Claudette to be your favorite bra.”
Please check out www.loveclaudette.com for more information.
WGSN highlights key events below:
October 13th -16th
Concept will start things off with a bang on October 13th, with an impressive roster of performers and art installations, and includes runway and “fashion installations". WGSN favorite, Mike Vensel will be showcasing his SS 12 collection on Friday, the 14th. Based on his previous collections and recent accolades at Concept NY – the show is guaranteed to be impressive and packed.
Project Ethos
October 14th
Held at the House of Blues on Sunset Blvd., performances by Julie Zorrila followed by the headliner, Black Cards (with front man Pete Wentz) will start the evening. The runway shows begin at 10:00 pm and feature seven emerging Los Angeles designers including: BritBoy, Johana Hernandez, Pentard Couture, Lauren Nicole, Multeepurpose and NAMI. Over 90 models (!) are being styled by TNT agency, the official styling team for Project Ethos.
Style Fashion Week
October 17-22nd
The dynamic duo, Veronica Welch and Karim Atash, are poised to have a successful second season at L.A. Fashion Week. Designers including Gypsy 05, Stop Staring!, Alternative Apparel, and a few “surprise designers” are set to showcase their SS 12 wares. Saturday, October 22nd features a highly anticipated Gen Art showcase of emerging fashion designers.
LA Fashion Weekend at Sunset Gower Studios
October 21st – October 23rd
Kicking off LA Fashion Weekend at Sunset Gower on Friday is Anthony Franco’s SS 12 collection. Saturday includes the Emerging Designers Runway Show featuring Lawren Michele, Age of Aquarius, and Nathanelle Couture, to name a few. Women’s Contemporary rules Saturday night and designs by Naven, Karen Capili, XCVI and Cristina Nitopi will glide down the runway. Another anticipated event from Sunset Gower? Betsey Johnson on Sunday at 2:00 pm.
