LA TEXTILE SHOW::Megatrends: Moving Towards Sustainability Seminar

The LA Textile Show kicked off today with several education seminars and received lots of foot traffic on the 7th and 13th floors. I went to "Megatrends: Moving towards Sustainability" seminar because the "green" trend is becoming more and more widespread. You see it all around; eco-friendly doggy bags, sustainable architecture & even the plastic water bottles I buy have modified its design to be more eco-friendly. So I wanted to find out more about how designers/manufactures can become sustainable and pass on the knowledge to you.

The seminar was presented by Nicole Bassett who is a consultant for Textile Exchange, a global organization providing increased value to sustainable textiles market. Bassett pointed out that our knowledge of the world has changed dramatically since 1954. We thought that resources were abundant, whereas now, they are scarce. There is also an increasing number of people who want to know, Bassett said. These people want to know what is in the products that they're buying. As a result, designers/manufacturers need to listen to their Stakeholders. These include people who are internal (investors) and external (clients).

The textile industry is important to everyone. It's in the clothes you wear, the car you drive, and the home items you use. It is projected that the world will have 9 billion people by 2050. And the textile industry needs to satisfy all of them.

Here are some interesting facts:

• It takes 700 gallons of fresh water to make 1 cotton t-shirt
• In 2009, the world used 3 trillion gallons of fresh water to product 60 billion kilograms of fabric
• Textile waste occupies nearly 5% of all landfill space

As a result, it is important that the textile industry turn to sustainable opportunities to satsify a demand. How? Here are some examples:

• Reusing materials for new products
• Design for disassembly
• Turning to reneweable, biodegradable materials such as bio-based polymers, corn, soy, castro beans
• Re-exploring better, finer fibers

If you have more questions or are interested in moving towards sustainability, please contact:
Daren Abney
Textile Exchange
daren@textileexchange.org

Sample Sale! Sample Sale!

purses and handbags for sale at ANDM Showroom, 10th Floor of California Market Center

Initial necklaces at Charlene K for $20 (originally $50)

$15 beaded bracelets at Charlene K

DKNY bras $5, bra sets $10 and other lingerie at Wells Sample Sale Room (Showroom is on B-301 in CMC)

Hundreds of women's lingerie and sleepwear at Wells

Shoppers at Renee & Co. looking at 100% silk dresses. $30, 2 for $50

Belts from $10-$20 at L on 5 showroom, Suite B-511 at CMC

Sample Sale Shoppers



Sample sale shoppers at Voom by Joy Han

A huge turnout of sample sale shoppers today at the LA Fashion District. There was a lot of foot traffic at the California Market Center and at the Cooper Building. I went to take some photos of the sample sales at Cooper not knowing I had left my memory card in my computer! I hate when that happens! But what I can tell you was that shoppers were at every floor of the Cooper Building, hence the long wait for the elevator. Showrooms like Ella Moss on the 10th Floor and Romeo + Juliet Couture at the Mezzanine floor were well attended by shoppers. If you didn't have a chance to come today, make sure April 29 is on your calendar for the next one! And we'll be sure to give you a sneak peak of what's for sale =)

Happy Shopping!

LA Fashion Weekend @ Sunset Gower Studios - Photo Diary



Dina Bar-El



Dina Bar-El

Dina Bar-El. Photo by Volker Corell

Dina Bar-El. Photo by Volker Corell

Dina Bar-El. Photo by Volker Corell

Biatta Intimates. Photo by Volker Corell

Nuvula. Photo by Volker Corell

Nuvula. Photo by Volker Corell

Nuvula. Photo by Volker Corell

Z Brand. Photo by Volker Corell



Z Brand. Photo by Volker Corell

 The last fashion show that wrapped up my week was the LA Fashion Weekend at Sunset Gower Studios presented by Gallery LA. Six different designers showcased their collection, but I only posted several outfits I liked and I thought were memorable. The event was jam-packed with press, industry folks, and some celebs, but very random ones I must say. Jeremy Piven, in which I asked for a picture but got rejected and yelled at by his publicist, and Ron Jeremy. Yes, Ron Jeremy. How does he fit in fashion? - we may never know. But it just goes to show that this event was a must-see by everyone! =)

WGSN Seminar: Post New York Fashion Week Wrap Up

I recently attended WGSN's Post New York Fashion Week Wrap Up seminar and was schooled on the 2011/12 trends seen and set by the designers themselves. Alexander Wang, Marc Jacobs, Proenza Schouler, the list goes on...here is your comprehensive recap at styles hitting retailers worldwide.

Sally Lohan, Head of Content from WGSN, the leading online trend-analysis and research service for the apparel, style, design and retail industries, stated tgat "the overall look and feel of the styles was a return to glamour." Soft tunic shapes, color blocking, plaids and winter stripes also play a role in Fall 2012 trends.

The key trends:

"Lunge" (luxe + grunge)

40's dressing

Multi-layering

The key colors:

Cognac

Grenadine

Marigold

Mallard

Sapphire





Thakoon - hip emphasis, plaids, bold colors, and draping





The key pieces:

Hip emphasis

Tunic dressing

Shirt dresses

Cropped pants

Shell tops

Outerwear:

Ponchos/Capes

Cropped jackets

Fur vests

Accessories:

Metallic accents

Sturdy ankle boots

Bold striped heels

Playful clutches

Luxe satchels



Marc by Marc Jacobs - bold color stripes, capes





Jason Wu - long maxi skirts





Style Fashion Week's "Go Red for Women Celebrity Fashion Show"

Style Fashion Week LA presented "The Go Red for Women Celebrity Fashion Show" on Thursday night in support of the American Heart Association at the Downtown Vibiana. First off, the venue itself was amazing! The mission-like interior had an old, Hollywood glamour nostalgia and the posh, open spaces and modern decor gave the venue an updated spin. Given that I haven't been living in Downtown for very long, I had no idea that this treasure existed! Hands down, the Vibiana, with its historic energy, is definitely a great venue.

Featured in past Fashion Weeks held in New York and Miami, this special event was held in Los Angeles for the very first time. This event united supporters of art, fashion, and health to bring attention to Heart Disease and Women. Heart disease is one of the top diseases affecting women and this show sought to bring awareness and promote a healthy life among all women. All proceeds received in this event from tickets sales to the auction was given to the American Heart Association.

The models on the runway all wore red dresses in different lengths and styles to honor the evening's theme. Celebs like model and reality television star Shannon Moakler, America’s Next Top Model winner CariDee, E! Entertainment reporter Ashlan Gorse, and DiddyDirtyMoney singer Kalenna were the highlight of the evening's cat walk.

Lastly, one of the highlights of my night was meeting Ashlan Gorse! She's such a talented entertainment reporter and so personable too... I'm still swooning over her Southern charm =)

Have a great weekend, Fashionistas!

-Annie, LA Fashion District

"First.LA" Runway Show & Style Fashion Week VIP Cocktail Party

Whitney Eve

Hazel

Hazel

Kolae



Dolan. Photo credit: Volker Corell



Hazel. Photo credit: Volker Corell

James | Icon. Photo credit: Volker Corell

The Directives West third seasonal "First.LA" runway show was held at the California Market Center on Monday, March 14. The show featured over 80 looks from up and coming designers to the newest looks from internationall recognized brands like J Brand. All of these catwalk looks were meant to be taken to the streets for Fall 2011.

Whitney Eve, the collection by reality star Whitney Port, was the first to hit the runway with a very fashion forward line. Tribal prints, bold colors from head to toe, and trendy pieces (maxi skirts, cropped pants) were her overall theme.

Fur vests and accents, chunky knits, metallic heels, romantic top and feminine dresses also made it to the runway as it was all over YuYu, Hazel, and Dolan collections.

Later on that night, the LA Fashion District team headed over to Style Fashion Week LA's VIP Cocktail Party at the uber-chic FENDI Casa in West Hollywood. Industry guests and press were in attendance. I snapped a quick photo with Kalenna, one of three from Diddy Dirty Money, fellow blogger and designer David Sebastian, and met the guys from Four Two Four on Fairfax.

Style Fashion Week LA held its first show yesterday at the Vibiana in Downtown. They will continue to have shows today, Thursday and Friday. Will share those photos with you soon!

-LA Fashion District