Many of us young to getting older kids out in Hollywood, we just want to pretend we can make it whatever time and year we want in whatever universe, just by throwing on costume and pulling out the hairspray. Thankfully, niche designers are keeping up with our times - whatever planet that might be on, producing avant-garde collections that inspire us to dress like life is our runway.
The Tamarind Studio is more like a make shift warehouse/art exhibit, hidden-in-Hollywood home for Pablo Levinas, Argentinean owner; freelance photographer and film artist. Located just off Sunset, his studio is catering as venue to notable essentials in L.A. fashion - Bel Kazan, Kucoon, and L E K U I N launched their showcase Saturday night starting almost past Cinderella’s getaway at the late ten pm; tailored trunk show accompanied by lines Sheila B, S&G, Heathen, Skins & Stones, n.om, Mae, Shiang New York, Catoure, Valou, ChiStylez, Blamo Toys and Gladys Tamez Hats running earlier from 12 pm until 6.
Exclusive fishnet design handprinted in Bali
BEL KAZAN, rebranding itself from former label gadogado was comfortable jersey in geometric cuts for Spring 2012. Distinctive in its unconventional yet austere style, the Balinese established line was a hit amongst guests, ironically clad in mostly blacks or grey tones. The explosion of color was saved for showtime, with special highlighting effect makeup reminiscent of 80's David Bowie for wanna be fashion divas donning up their eyes in blues and magentas because matching is all about dress hued to lids. Extreme hair design in French phish twists had me thinking visual immigration to the ocean for a filet of style.
Whispered rumors the 80’s must be changing their digits to 1’s and 2’s
This is the end of the world could be tomorrow, aliens land and take over, you just might be last soul standing line. Introducing Kucoon. Their strong aesthetic comes across in hardcore construction done up by designer Andrea Spratt, a high school acquaintance of Pablo’s who taught some school herself before churning pieces out of her small apartment for eccentrically dressed, fashion minded clients and friends. With her energy in heathery fabrics and mysteriously jersey contortions, Spratt has been able to turn designing into a full time job, with a studio and showroom in East LA.
One finger pointed and an arm raised the pronunciation, “I have to find out where she got that.” It was immediate optical rasturizing love. Unknowingly, Leticia Garcia’s daughter was sporting the latest from who else? – MoM. Handpainted, distressed and restructured pieces make a statement as part of L E K U I N’s industrial grunge turned sexily glammed line. Rocking spider web tights, good friend Valou’s 3 cap ring, and a clearly coutured piece of her own, Garcia replicated her vision for L E K U I N in feminist androgyny. Wings of destructured fabric filling in a more fashionable futuristic version of present reality...
Clockwork broad brimmed Tamez for L E K U I N
Topping off L E K U I N was Gladys Tamez Millinery. Describing her line for Spring 2012, Tamez enunciated the chic fashion line theory ‘Top Hat Glam.’ As a milliner, she specializes in stylized version of hats we wish were made again, and now are; in felt velour, no less. Inspired by dandies, Tamez also reaches across genre to include noteworthy scarving accents in her collection of intricate nouveau twists on traditional design theory.
Saturday evening was in full effect with DJ Ella Fresh spinning the best live set ever heard to accompany runwalked stalking beauty. Ever. Tamarind Studio was accompanied in type by numerous individualities that will make any trendsetter photographer put the flash on - and keep it there.
TOP MODELS:::Coming off tour with the Black Eyed Peas, Suze Q graced us with an impromptu split onstage in one of Kucoon’s puffed sleeved, lace golden button backed neck collar leotards, placing a direct call to 1987, waiting for someone to pick up the phone. Loved Dior who complimented the style of every single line with her organic streamlined confidence matching DJ Ella Fresh’s music rashing stride for stride.
Photography by the talented Javiera Estrada.
