By Erin Weinger on March 20, 2010
Los Feliz boutique Confederacy threw a party on Thursday night for former Cali boys (and Trovata designers) Sam Shipley and Jeff Halmos — of Shipley & Halmos — co-hosted by actor Ben Foster (The Messenger). The occasion? To celebrate the arrival of their Spring 2010 collection.
A few memorable moments…
DUFF STUFF: The Shipley & Halmos guys with Hilary Duff.
GAL PALS: Designer Tara Subkoff with Confederacy co-owner Ilaria Urbinati.
SERIOUS FUN: Confederacy co-owner Danny Masterson with Ben Foster.
By Andrew Harmon on March 19, 2010
I remember covering Space 15Twenty when it was nearing its grand opening in 2008–then covering it again when it had to postpone said opening after a second-floor space above Urban Outfitters caught fire and ruined a bunch of merchandise. Hardly an auspicious start, but it has grown on me: What Goes Around Comes Around, the SoHo vintage shop that opened at 15Twenty last year, is a great addition to the city’s independent retail scene. Co-founders Seth Weisser and Gerard Maione were on hand last night to fete their first anniversary in L.A. and to show off their fall 2010 ready-to-wear collection. Though they’re both steeped in vintage, the collection, as Weisser rightly pointed out, doesn’t have the dusty/faux wear-and-tear of, say, RRL. And it’s a lot more affordable. Peaches Geldof was on hand to celebrate, as was Amanda de Cadenet’s daughter, Atlanta, and … well, frankly I 
didn’t recognize a lot more names of the up-and-comers who showed up (turning 30 has its stark disadvantages). But it was a fun, chic crowd, and the clothes were sublime. Looking forward to seeing another year of RTW collections from this duo, as well as their vintage finds.
By Jazzi McGilbert on March 19, 2010
Confused.
That about sums up my feeling on Yotam Solomon’s Fall/Winter 2010 presentation Thursday night. The confusion started with the location: a private residence tucked high up in the Bird Streets section of the Hollywood Hills. After zig-zagging through a massive line of traffic on stick-thin roads, I pulled up to the valet only to be turned away. So I went in search of street parking. And during the 15 minute, uphill trek, girls had to remove their heels. Eventually, though on the brink of an asthma attack, I arrived with a smile, hoping to see some great fashion to match our travel efforts and the excellent jetliner views.
Then came a second round of confusion.
In lieu of a runway, models would be “milling about near the couches.” Uh, ok. And judging by my eavesdropping, it seemed I wasn’t the only bewildered guest: This is ridiculous… Wait, where is the runway?… Did we miss the show?… Is there a show?…
But even more confusing than the lead up to the presentation was the collection itself. A lack of cohesion made it difficult to discern Solomon’s designs from a random party-goer’s ensemble. Between a complicated satin mini, a fringed jersey dress and what looked like a skirt-suit for the club, I was left, dare I say it again, confused. On the upside, Solomon is only 22, which leaves plenty of room for growth. And his collection of shoes on display were promising.
Overall, the event fell victim to the typical evils of L.A. Fashion—lack of attention to design and detail for an excuse to schmooze and booze.
But at least I got a good workout.
By admin on March 19, 2010
Rachel Chandler is one of my favorite fashion photog up-and-comers. She’s impossibly young (22) with an amazing eye, and regularly shoots for Italian Vogue and Purple Magazine, which should be in your Internet browser’s favorites file, like, now.
T magazine recently caught up with Chandler and chatted about her no-fuss style:
Chandler’s personal style is as eclectic as the tunes she spins: a Ralph Lauren cable knit sweater that once belonged to her mother, a men’s Dries Van Noten overcoat stolen from an ex, Adidas track pants, her signature blue Belgian loafers. “Well, of course I love Rei, Junya and Yohji,” she says, “but without my parents footing the bill anymore, I have to be resourceful.”
By Emili Vesilind on March 19, 2010
We’re not in the habit of writing about non-SoCal brands, but I was so baffled by the look-book from a label called New York Couture, I had to share.
The label’s toddler-cum-hooker look (intensified by the old-school Patricia Field-esque styling) is so early-90s club kid, it’s sorta spooky. Could “Party Monster” Michael Alig be pulling the strings from his sparkle-strewn jail cell? Or perhaps his sidekick, James St. James, has taken up sewing?
Because these are clothes made to drop ecstasy by…in the back of a U-Haul decorated with glo-sticks. I’m just gonna go hunt for my mini backpack now…
By Erin Weinger on March 18, 2010
Recently, I found myself confronted with quite the quandary as I tried to pick out an outfit for a first date. We were going to a very low-key sushi spot in Little Tokyo, so I thought flats—paired with a sexy dress, of course—were appropriate.
Hell No, said my roommate. You’ll feel stupid in heels, said one of my best college friends. Guys don’t get flats, said another close friend, a noted local stylist.
And man was I torn.
I try not to listen to others when getting dressed as I usually trust my own judgment (even when Joan Collins-esque pearl drop earrings are involved) and frankly, don’t usually give a shit what anyone else thinks about my clothes. But this time, every outside opinion stayed in my head as I sorted through my wardrobe in search of the perfect first date ensemble.
When the opposite sex is involved, I usually like the contrast of flats, which conveys sweetness, with something a bit sexier such as a mini skirt and sheer chiffon blouse that shows a hint of lingerie. And while most girls like to feel taller, I actually tend to feel beastly when I go above my 5′5 frame.
What’s your opinion—heels or flats on a first date??
PS- I went with heels. We’ll see if he calls.
By Andrew Harmon on March 18, 2010
I suppose it was only a matter of time before I encountered BDSM paraphernalia at Rudy’s Barbershop on Melrose. Though I hadn’t imagined it would be worn by dear Leon, who cuts my hair every, like, eight days.
I thought he was wearing some sort of Nom de Guerre or Rick Owens contraption. Turns out it’s an American Apparel white button-down and a leather harness from Rough Trade. He also wore a foxtail keychain hanging from his back pocket. While getting my trim I asked him how the harness…worked exactly, then blushed five seconds into the explanation and dove into email on my iPhone. But love the look, L.
By admin on March 18, 2010
It’s hard to beat the exquisite knits and patterns coming out of Missoni these days. Even though the weather here isn’t exactly screaming for chunky cashmere, Angela Missoni arrived in LA this week to christen the corner of Rodeo and Little Santa Monica with her family’s impeccable designs. (The new Rodeo boutique is only Missoni’s second in the country after New York.)
Since taking over the creative direction at the label in 1996, “A lot has happened in the world of fashion… the players have changed, everything has changed,” Missoni told Style Section L.A. “So for an independent, family-owned brand like us, it is an accomplishment to still be around and to be relevant.”
The collection is “very closely related to the California lifestyle… it’s very relaxed but sophisticated,” she said. The last several years have seen the collection expand on its classical platform by developing a young, contemporary energy, with a ‘Gypset” layer of cool that combines layered prints and colors in a modern way.
London-based design team Kinmoth Monfreda designed both the interior and exterior of the 
building, which incorporates painted aluminum from just outside of Milan that wraps the building exterior in a woven manner—evocative, perhaps of the way any Missoni garment sublimely wraps the body. —Hellin Kay
By Claire Butler on March 18, 2010
Fashion Group International (FGI) threw its “The Designers & Their Muses” party at the Standard Hotel last night — luring a hodgepodge of acclaimed and, well, totally unknown designers, who were asked to attend with their “muses” — models dressed in looks from their latest collection (Gen Art asked the same of its participating designers on Tuesday night, but FGI spearheaded the formula last season).
Lloyd Klein (who isn’t L.A.’s trendiest designer, but could very well be its most skilled) came with his Natalie Cole, who was dressed in a jaw-dropping bright green gown meticulously draped and cut. “I feel so good in this,” enthused the singer. “This is how a dress should fit!”
Nony T
ochterman from Petro Zillia, Project Runway grads Mila Hermanovski and Jesus Estrada and L.A. fashion vet Sue Wong also turned out for the event with gussied-up models in tow.
Photos, from top: Natalie Cole in Lloyd Klein (photo courtesy of Getty Images); Mila Hermanovski, left, with her model/muse (C. Butler).
By admin on March 17, 2010
It isn’t rare for fashion bloggers to influence product made by the designers they cover. Bryanboy spawned a Marc Jacobs bag, after all. But I’m more interested in what Michael Williams, blogger behind A Continuous Lean, is doing in terms of collaborations. He recently produced a small run of oxford-cloth Indian madras shirts in conjunction with Gant.
Alas, they’ve already sold out, but I hope this portends a second run, as well as other collaborative pieces. Beyond that, his online store is a treasure trove of nostalgia merch, featuring collabs with Billykirk, Cole, Rood & Haan Co. and Mark McNairy. Here’s the link. —Paul Dexter
