House of Extravaganza

Last night I caught the premier of The Fashion Show Ultimate Collection with Somali beauty Iman and designer Isaac Mizrahi.  Any show that has to do with the industry I usually watch it.  What I noticed was the number of Latin designers that made the cut for the show.  I think this is the first time in a design show that I have see that many Latino designers in one show.  The designers on this show were male and female young and old.  I really felt proud to not only watch these talented people but to see their work of art play out on the cat walk.  This was only the first episode but it had me entranced.

After watching the show I couldn’t help but wonder how far have Latinos come in this ugly business of beautiful people?   I don’t recall seeing  any Latinos designing clothes  20 years ago with the exception of Oscar De La Renta and Carolina Herrera.   Now there is this insurgence of Latino talent out there.   When we think of designers we often think of Europe as the driving force in fashion particularly France, England and Italy but now Latin America has thrown their hat in and said “me too”.  Now you have Narciso Rodriguez, Rodarte, Eduardo Lucero, Isabel Toledo, Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein, Carlos Miele, Gustavo Cadile, Esteban Cortazar and even Manolo Blahnik (half Spanish).  Even First Lady Michelle Obama wore Latino designed dresses for the Presidential  inauguration. 

 I have had the good fortune to know and work with many great Latino designers here in L.A.   That’s what fashion is all about the diversity that one can bring to it especially here in Los Angeles.  Latinos can bring influences from their culture, history and surroundings.   Latinos are on the rise in this industry.  I want to see more and more Latino designers, stylist, models and writers (myself included) out there.  So if you have what it takes for design or have an eye for fashion go out there and make a mark in this industry. 

Click on the links below to find out more about my favorite Latin designers.

http://www.narcisorodriguez.com/

http://www.carolinaherrera.com/

http://www.oscardelarenta.com/

http://www.rodarte.net/

                                             Narciso Rodriguez

                                                       Carolina Herrera

                                         Oscar De La Renta

                                          Rodarte

Liquid Dreams

                                    L*Space Designer Monica Wise

Winter is almost upon us and yet here in southern California it feels more like summer.   No time like the present to talk about bathing suits.  Today I was invited to Smashbox Studios to observe the photo shoot for the upcoming 2011 collection for L*Space by Monica Wise.  My good friend Yvette Charlton was the stylist for the session (shameless plug).  I thought OK its 80 degrees outside and we’re inside photographing a girl in her bathing suit and it’s November.   Most major designers are already sketching for fall/winter 2011.  I just saw Issac Mizrahi’s video blog where he said that he spent this past weekend sketching for his fall/winter 2011 collection and he’s almost done.  That’s the world of fashion for you thus the term fashion forward.  To quote Ferris Bueller, “Life moves pretty fast.  If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.

                                   Stylist Extraordinaire Yvette Charlton

While at the studio I met with the designer and creator of L*Space, Monica Wise.   She is an amazing woman very down to earth and easy to talk to.  Time is money so rather than tie up her time speaking to me I decided to visit her website and view her line.  The inception of her line started in 1997 and has grown into a major must have among celebrities.  Trust me when I say this you have seen one of her bathing suits in a magazine, TV or on a celebrity.  These are not your mother’s bathing suits.  I think what sets Monica apart from other designers of this genre is her love of jewelry and how she was able to combine them in her designs.  The melding of hardware and fabric is genius.  They make women look sultry, sexy and a little edgy.  I could not keep my eyes off the girl who was modeling today.  Even though it is a bathing suit you can still take it to another level with accessories.  Remember gold jewelry on tan skin is sick!

I know most of us are thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas right about now.  So who wants to think about summer?  Yeah I know it’s not quite summer yet but get a head start.  That’s what’s so great about fashion because it moves fast you can jump on the train now and see what’s hot for the season to come.  Not to mention that you have 7 months before summer is here in case you want to get your body bathing suit ready.  I'm wondering when Monica will come out with a men's line (hint, hint).  She can always call it L*Homme.  

For more information on L*Space visit their website at www.lspace.com .   
For some great style tips visit Yvette Charlton’s blog at www.fashionchow.blogspot.com

A Bag of Tricks

 I dedicate this to my female followers out there in fashion land.  I do have a following of the opposite sex so I decided to gear this to you.  I’m talking to you today about the handbag.  I being an admirer of women’s bags thought,  why not.  What makes a great bag?  Is it the size?  Is it the color or is it the functionality you get out of it?  There is an array of great bags out there to choose from.  Where can you get a handbag that is stylish, functional and most importantly, one that is unique?    

Recently a friend suggested I visit a website devoted to women’s handbags.  In particular he mentioned a line of women’s handbags by designer Lesa Wallace.  I went onto her website and did some exploring of my own.  These bags were not only unique but the colors and styles were amazing.  Not like anything I’ve seen.  You can search for just about any type of bag, from big to small to dressy and casual.  The craftsmanship of each bag is exquisite.  She only uses the finest Italian leathers and hardware for each bag.  Her recent campaign shoot was inspired by the 1960’s French mod look.    Think the Kelly Osbourne video for One World, which I personally love.  Lesa’s  vision is to create a bag that a women can wear every day and be functional yet stylish.  Visit her website and do some researching of your own.  You can purchase her items on line or if you’re like me and you want to see the actual product in person you can find her collections in just about every boutique store in the southern California area.

Ladies the season is upon us for holiday parties, fundraisers and just hanging out with close friends.  That means it’s time to get out that old handbag or maybe it’s time for a new one.  A handbag should make a statement.   In my opinion it’s equivalent to having a stunning pair of shoes.  A good handbag much like shoes is an investment.  It should make you feel confident and feminine.  When a women walks into a room her shoes and handbag are the first thing people notice.  So why not give both sexes something to talk about!  

   

http://www.lesawallace.com/index.php