18_can102607lettersi.. - California Apparel News

LOS ANGELES FASHION WEEK SPRING 2008
Linda Loudermilk
Eco-conscious designer Linda Loudermilk put her own spin on Los Angeles Fashion Week
with an Oct. 17 show held at BP’s Helios House, a Los Angeles gas station that strives to lessen
its impact on the environment by using recycled building materials and energy- and watersaving
initiatives. “The location is hilarious. It’s a green gas station, but it conveys the message
that if they can be a little bit more earth-friendly, anybody can. Just do it!” Loudermilk said.
Loudermilk, who is known for using innovative, chic green fabrics, showed immensely wearable,
imaginative pieces on the runway. Inspired by the notion that nature can be destructive
and unpredictable, Loudermilk sent wind-blown, artfully tattered styles down the catwalk. A
classic shirtdress featured a funky off-the-shoulder neckline, and men’s sweaters featured
layered, asymmetrical collars. Loudermilk also created a print that registers as a random floral
but is, in fact, an image of an overturned rubbish bin streaming colorful bits of trash. “It’s about
walking down the street and having wind, like a tornado, mess you up, but you are still sexy
and powerful,” the designer said.
Texture, in the form of layers of chiffon, pleats, metal-infused silks, and cottons dipped in
shiny, crinkled wax, played a big role in Loudermilk’s Spring 2008 collection. Loudermilk also
showed avant-garde pieces, including a black chiffon funnel dress that enveloped the wearer
like a twister and a gold dress that became a real-life gilded cage, alongside impeccable tailored
suits for men and women.—Erin Barajas
The Green Initiative
Fashion Show
The Gallery Los Angeles presented The Green Initiative Fashion Show
on Oct. 17 during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios in
Culver City, Calif. Mikey Koffman, founder of The Gallery Los Angeles, a
philanthropic public-relations and marketing company specializing in green
branding, produced the eco-focused event. Koffman said she wanted to
help bring awareness to eco-friendly and socially responsible designers and
create a forum for them to show their collections on the runway. For the
designers featured in the show, at least half of their collections were made
from eco-friendly materials, including recycled fabrics, organic cotton and
bamboo. Many also utilize sustainable fabrics and have fair-trade policies.
The show included an array of clothing and accessories ranging from casual
to dressy.
Rene Geneva Design opened the show with dramatic skirts, dresses and
corsets. The collection, inspired by Japanese architecture, was made of
hemp, organic cotton, Tencel and recycled textiles. M The Movement, a
denim-based streetwear line for men and women, showed a mix of tees,
jackets and denim. The collection included cashmere hoodies from Mongolia,
organic Pima cotton and alpaca knits from Peru. Protect the Element
by Roshi Salim focused on reducing the amount of chemicals that go into
manufacturing clothing. Her organic cotton and naturally dyed clothing included
childrenswear as well as women’s dresses, shirts and skirts with
clean, sophisticated lines in khaki and white.
Wet Cement, created by Andrew Lee, former president of 575 Denim, and
set designer Stef Z, included T-shirts, skirts and shorts for girls and for guys,
with custom-screened images inspired by life. Trees, numbers and a “save
water” eco-message decorated the collection in green, gray and white.
Men’s and women’s knits by Peligrosa were stylish and modern, utilizing
organic wool, cashmere and recycled cotton. The collection, founded by
Adam Sidell and Nico Morrison, added a sophisticated, fashionable edge
to the show.
Vintage China closed the show with streetwear made in organic fabrics
with bold Chinese script that included humanitarian messages. The show
also featured accessories including ArteSania jewelry by Laura Cardenas,
Demano handbags made from recycled materials and shoes by Calleen
Cordero.—N.J.S.
16 CALIFORNIA APPAREL NEWS OCTOBER 26–NOVEMBER 1, 2007
JOHN ECKMIER
Evidence of Evolution
Evidence of Evolution launched its green line Oct. 17 during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at
Smashbox Studios in Culver City, Calif.
The Los Angeles–based collection, created by partners Ali Alborzi and Andrew McCarthy, is
made of organic cotton and hemp silk using low-impact dyes. “We watch what we put into the
gutters,” Alborzi said with a laugh.
The inspiration for the collection is the bohemian crusader living in today’s global society,
campaigning for eco-conscious living and striving for a sustainable future.
The runway presentation began in a solid white palette and then exploded into color. “Everyone
thinks that green has to be boring, but it doesn’t. It can be vibrant. It can be anything you
want,” Alborzi said.
A palette of red, mustard, peacock blue, fuchsia and neutral gray dominated the collection.
Women’s styles included simple, short tunic shapes and long dresses in a gauzy cotton fabric.
Nature-inspired graphics, such as a feather print, appeared on a drawstring dress and off-theshoulder
tee. And there were plenty of little tank tops paired with colorful skinny jeans. The men’s
collection had the look of a casual bohemian sophisticate and included clean styles such as a
white jacket paired with a Henley tee and a shocking red four-pocket jacket and jean ensemble.
Vests and hoodies added casual ease, and ties dressed up the look.—N. Jayne Seward
Rene Geneva Design M The Movement Protect the Element
Wet Cement Peligrosa Vintage China
TIM REGAS, COURTESY OF LINDA LOUDERMILK
JOHN ECKMIER