CdM Exclusive: FWLA announces brand new location in downtown Los Angeles

FWLA is the next Los Angeles fashion week event I'll be attending this season from October 15-19 and I can't wait to see what amazing designers they will have lined up for this season. Check out my articles from last season to read exclusive interviews with designers such as Cynthia Rowley here. FWLA is a unique event during Los Angeles fashion week because this event not only focuses on showcasing talented designers but also holds panels and networking events for fashion industry professionals attracting everyone from buyers to startups. This industry focused event is a great place to hear about the exciting up and coming direction and opportunities of the Los Angeles fashion industry. I got an exclusive update on some exciting news for FWLA today. According to Executive Producer Gio Ferrigno FWLA will be announcing a new 4 year partnership with the Ratkovich company to host fashion week in the heart of the LA fashion district at 700 West 7th street in downtown Los Angeles on Monday. FWLA is looking forward to this exciting new deal because according to Ferrigno the street has just undergone several million dollars in remodeling and is establishing itself as a cross between world famous fashion destinations such as Le Bon Marche, Avenue Montaigne, and Calle Serrano. Ferrigno also shared that FWLA will be hosting over 30 designers in less than 4 hours at their new location on Monday October 17th and Tuesday October 18th making it the most efficient runway show format. I am looking forward to the event and can't wait to see what they will do with the new space! Don't forget to follow Cerisesdumatin on Instagram and Snapchat for live updates from the events!

Exclusive interview with Alex Bolen Executive Director of Oscar de la Renta

                                  Image courtesy http://www.oscardelarenta.com/runway/spring-2017/

On Monday September 12 Oscar de la Renta brightened NYFW with glamorous designs and intricate detailing. The dresses uphold the telltale fit and elegance of Oscar de la Renta; this uniqueness is something easy to see, but harder to define. Today I had the chance to interview Alex Bolen, executive director of Oscar de la Renta, just a few days after the company presented their SS17 collection at NYFW. I was able to ask Alex about the show as well as the announcement of their new co-creative directors. We also talked about his not so traditional route to Executive director of a major fashion house and his advice for young fashion industry hopefuls!

The Oscar de la Renta SS17 collection debuted at the Morgan Library and Museum to an audience filled with the traditional fashion heavyweights as well as bloggers, influencers, and celebrities on Monday. I asked Alex how he thought social media has influenced their show in recent years. He explained that, while the collection itself wasn't necessarily influenced, the way they look at the room and the types of photographers and diversified types of media professionals they invite has definitely changed. Currently their shows include digital media reporters and bloggers, as well as the typical media representatives.  According to Alex, the company is cognizant of the power of social media and is always looking for intelligent ways to tell the world who they are. They believe it is important to know how other people perceive the brand and they adapt their message to each different platform.

Oscar de la Renta announced new co-creative directors Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia. I asked about the direction of the new creators and Alex expressed his excitement to see them take on this role. He knows them both extremely well and told me that they had worked closely alongside Oscar for many years. He said that while he likes to think he is a good business person, they were the dreamers.  He said that, while he doesn't know what this transition is going to look like yet, he is very excited to see how they will interpret Oscar's designs for their younger and more contemporary customer as well as their core customer. I am very excited to see what they will have in store for their younger customers!

After talking about all the new and exciting changes at the company I asked Alex if there was anything he felt that Oscar de la Renta had stayed true to over the years and today. He told me what Oscar himself used to say when asked about his inspiration for his current collection. Oscar de la Renta said that his inspiration was always to make women look and feel great with his designs. According to Alex this is something that the fashion house is sticking by.

Another thing that Alex believes is unique to the company and that they have stayed true to over the years is the company culture. Alex described that Oscar de la Renta ran his design studio so that anyone could express their opinion. According to Alex, while it's not a democracy, at Oscar de la Renta if you want to be an expert in something you can come to the company and do that with hard work and dedication. He also said that it is still a family owned business at its core and that even though not everyone is related many people have spent 30 or more years with the company and many had worked closely with Oscar for that time. They want to keep that spirit in the company.

Finally I asked Alex about his background in fashion and what his advice would be to someone looking to get into the industry. He explained that he came to Oscar de la Renta about 15 years ago from a background in finance.  He transitioned to the company since his wife Eliza is Oscar's daughter-in-law and has worked at the company for many years. He said that he believes there is no traditional career path in the fashion industry. He referenced Oscar de la Renta's background as an architectural student in Madrid who got into fashion after taking a job sketching to earn extra money. Oscar then got hired on at the design house as an entry level worker with a small job. Even though it was a small job Oscar became very good at it and was able to move up from there. That lesson is something he brought with him to his own design house and that the company still believes in today. Alex gave the example of Laura Kim who started out as an intern and quickly became a resident expert on buttons and trims. While seemingly a small part of the design process this important piece allowed Laura to work closely with Oscar and learn about his design process which will be valuable in her new position. Alex's advice is that if you are passionate about something no matter how small, you can make yourself indispensable and get noticed.

Oscar de la Renta has continued to honor the great designers legacy at the company and on the runway and I’m looking forward to seeing what they have in store for us next season!

Fashion Week Los Angeles Opening Day

Today was the first day of FWLA a fashion event for industry insiders held in downtown LA at Union Station one of the most popular venues for Fashion shows in Los Angeles. We got treated to several great collections on the runway as well as two panels. First we heard from the panel on buying with several interesting business people form all sides of the fashion industry.

We heard from Matthew James Boelk of Groceries apparel which is a 100% recycled and organic clothing factory in Los Angeles. We also heard from Charmian of DZNR chic boutique a company based in Los Angeles that helps start up fashion designers. They all agreed on one thing that Los Angeles is the place to be for anyone interested in the fashion industry. Los Angeles is on the rise as the next big place for the fashion industry so watch out New York!

The show opened with the Cynthia Rowley Sportswear and activewear line which was the most anticipated show of the day. Read about my behind the scenes interview with the womenswear designer Jessica here.

Next we saw local designers Saltwater Luxe. A fun flirty California lifestyle brand with fun floral prints and flowy dresses. I spoke with the two designers behind the brand Kristy and Christa.

Their line is based out of Long Beach and they design clothes that can be worn to a day at the beach and then out to dinner embracing the California lifestyle.

We also got to see Ro and De Noir the new collection by well known brand Ro and De. The designers wanted something minimalist and stylish and so they premiered their new Noir line for the first time at FWLA.

They also handed out free gift bags and I am enjoying my cute new crop top from the brand.

We also heard form the FWLA panel on the beauty industry called FACE IT where panelists discussed sustainability in the beauty industry. Lauren, founder of Plume cosmetics an all natural eyelash serum and Steve Nunez of the social cut a men's beauty blog as well as Tamara host of beauty on wheels all shared their knowledge on the upcoming trends in the industry.

They believe there will continue to be more natural and environmentally friendly products hitting the shelves.

The show closed with Los Angeles based brand Romeo and Juliet which is sold in stores such as Saks Fifth avenue. Read about the collection and my exclusive interview with CEO David Shamouelien here.

The evening runway show included menswear collections from Royal Majesty clothing a grunge collection that included menswear and womenswear and Robins Jeans.

Check out my interview with Robins Jeans here! I can't wait to see what else these great designers have in store for us!