©ourtesy of Karen Ostlund
Paul Redmond Design
“Concept fashion – it’s when music, art & fashion come together as one” It takes place twice a year, at Ace Gallery in Hollywood.
Concept fashion week, Hollywood’s bi-annual event, was as last season
located at Ace Gallery (5414 Wilshire) and welcomed 16 designers, two
nights of runway shows, and creative installations. This March fashion-
presentations featured fall 2012 season’s runway collections and
installations by: MIKE VENSEL, HENRY DUARTE, BRYAN HEARNS, PAUL REDMOND,
MEMENIC, NUVULA, S&G, CHAMBERS, THAI NUYGEN, CURLY V, BELLE N.
MATISSE, ELAINE ALLEN, ZuBAUEN, GYPSY JUNKIES, LAILI LAU, NAMI and JEN
AWAD.
Edgy, Dark & Spanish style for S & G by Sequoia and Gita
Concept fashion week was founded by fashion designer Mike Vensel and
downtown Los Angeles visionary Brady Westwater in 2010. The concept was
seen as a new alternative for designers wanting to showcase their latest
collections under their own terms.
Vensel and Westwater had produced fashion shows in Los Angeles since
2004, and also worked together to launch many shows over the years.
Bryan Hearns Design
Concept Los Angeles at ACE Gallery has become the creative platform
born out of the modern Mecca of marketing, which is Los Angeles today.
The aim of Concept is to merge entertainment with some of the
most upcoming fashion designers, artists and musicians of the moment.
How Concept Fashion Week all started:
Doug Christmas, owner of ACE Gallery, had an interest to get more
involved in the fashion industry, and approached fashion designer Henry
Duarte. Duarte introduced Concept to Doug, and the rest is history – a
month later they announced their newly formed partnership. right, Henry
Duarte wearing his design
Doug Christmas and Duarte explained in an earlier interview:
“Many designers are looking for a new way to showcase their
collection . Having a beautiful raw space as a blank canvas in which
designers can push their creative boundaries and expand the idea of what
a fall fashion show can be, from a traditional runway show to video
projections, to live performance art, there are no boundaries
restricting the way a designer can communicate their vision”.
Ace Gallery on 5514 Wilshire blvd is an enormous labyrinth, which has
space for everybody with interest in fashion & art. The only
drawback with this venue is that the main floor has only one unisex
bathroom, and you had to walk three floors up for additional.
Nuvula :: Columbian designers Rebeca and Vanessa Victoria of Nuvula, kicked off opening night with theatrics and colors.
Los Angeles Fall Winter 2012 collection titled, “In the airs of La
Belle Époque,” was a tribute in colors and textures to Gustav Klimt and
Toulouse Lautrec and the imaginary wardrobes of their muses. Nuvula’s
fashion show started off with a live performance of ‘El Tango De
Roxanne” from the movie Moulin Rouge. The singer was accompanied by a
violinist and a cellist, so the music set an more operatic tone. The
eco-line consisted of pieces inspired by 20’s, 30’s and Art Deco – in
geometric shapes, patterns and silhouettes. Inspiration was also drawn
from Asian luxury – Chinese and Japanese hybrids and Samurai armors. The
fabrics were made with hemp and bamboo and low impact H20 dyes. In
addition, Nuvula uses no animal products, choosing to use only vegan
leathers, and is strictly anti-fur. nuvula.com
Fashion Week Poster (Photo: Dakar Fashion Week)
