BETHANY: DRESS - CURLY V, BOOTS - MODELS OWN. LATARA: SKIRT AND SWEATER - CURLY V, BOOTS: SOLE SOCIETY

BETHANY: SHORTS, VEST AND JACKET - ALANA HALE.

LATARA: DRESS, LEGGINGS, EARRINGS AND CUFF - MILA HERMANOVSKI. BOOTS - LOEFFLER RANDALL

BETHANY: PANTS, SHIRT AND NECKLACE - BRYAN HEARNS. LATARA: DRESS, SKIRT, SWEATER, JEWELRY AND SHOES - BRYAN HEARNS.

This February the Los Angeles Fashion Council are taking five talented designers to London, to prove once and for all, on a

global fashion platform, that we’re not all flip flop footed, Ed Hardy wearing fashion nobodies.

by Kelsi Smith.

The Los Angeles fashion scene has been a personal project of mine for awhile now. Whilst the rest of the world thinks we’re all flip flop footed, Ed Hardy wearing fashion nobodies - those who care, those who spend time in the right crowds, know that there is a fashion scene here that is alive and well and creating some of the most in-novative fashion this side of London.

The biggest problem with fashion in Los Angeles is that no one see’s it. At any given fashion week, aside from the handful of passionate fashion bloggers in attendance - there is maybe seven important people in the room. So young designers are pouring their hearts and souls into new collections, season after season - in the hopes that one of these seven people will take a shining to their work and feature it. And that’s if those seven show up.

“SO WHAT’S THE PLAN LOS ANGELES?”

Of course there’s lots of important journalists, buyers and celebrities residing in Los Angeles that could step up and support Los Angeles fashion. But given it’s reputation and it’s duck tape and fluorescent light reputation - it’s not exactly a desirable trip. Plus the complete lack of organization and multiple producers make Los Angeles Fashion Week - Los Angeles Fashion Month - and when that comes on the tail end of already a month of shows worldwide - who has the energy?

So what’s the plan Los Angeles? The fact is, nothing is going to change until the attitude changes, and that’s a project and a half. A project that Devon Poer of The

Stylist Handbook and myself have poised ourselves to take on.

“THE LOS ANGELES FASHION COUNCIL. A COLLECTIVE

EFFORT TO RE-ENERGIZE THE FASHION COMMUNITY IN

LOS ANGELES AND CREATE SOMETHING LONG

TERM AND SPECIAL.”

Earlier this year, immediately after, yet another, uneventful fashion week (where, by my calculations, designers spent col-lectively over $20,000 to show at just one of the productions to those seven important people) Devon and I sat down in sheer frus-tration and came out energized and with a plan. The Los Angeles Fashion Council. A collective effort to re-energize the fashion community in Los Angeles and create something long term and special.

With no effort being made by the fashion industry to even glance in our direction (with the exception of red carpet - which rarely, if ever, represent Los Angeles design-ers) it’s time to move Los Angeles into their gaze, by literally putting our designers under their noses.

“WHO NEED’S THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS WHEN

YOU HAVE THE CITY OF DREAMS?”

This begins with our first project ‘London Calling’ wherein we are sending five tal-

ented designers to London for a three day show room event. Four designers have been pre-selected - Mila Hermanovski (of Project Runway fame), Bryan Hearns, Alana Hale and Curly V. The fifth designer will be selected from a Facebook contest currently running.

We’re funding the trip and event through Kickstarter - an online crowdsourcing program. Those donating between $25-$1000 will receive rewards, from a recycled cashmere cowl scarf by Mila, a dress from Alana, sketches to jewelry from Bryan Hearns.

So let’s change the face of the Los Angeles Fashion scene and help these designer’s answer London’s call. Because who need’s the city that never sleeps when you have the city of dreams?

More information:

losangelesfashioncouncil.comfacebook.com/losangelesfashioncounciltwitter.com/LAFashCouncil

the list

Vermont Avenue, North of Hollywoodby Jenny Wu

Weltenbuerger1764 N Vermont AveA well curated boutique stocked with hard to find international and domestic labels, this Los Feliz newbie is a great representation of art meets fashion. The apparel selections are progressive, experimental and structural with an emphasis on prints and modern European styl-ing. The jewelry collection contains well-edited modern tribal pieces that perfectly compliments the store’s art nouveau vibe. If you’re look-ing for statement pieces at affordable prices, this is the place to get it.

Squaresville1800 N Vermont AveIf you’re ever on a vintage binge, come to this store! They have a great selection of vintage apparel, shoes and accessories that span the decades. The items are high quality, fairly priced and very well edited. And if you look hard enough, you may just find high end brands like Marc Jacobs and Prada hidden among sequined shirts, varsity jackets and 1970s boho maxi dresses. They also buy from you, but vintage only!

Popkiller Dept.1856 N Vermont AvenueThis Japanese owned clothing store offers a cornucopia of unique men and women’s street wear, quirky house made t-shirts, and funky and fun accessories and jewelry. They also have a killer se-lection of vintage apparel and sunglasses that are well-priced and one of a kind. Colorful and eclectic, this store is a must stop shop!

Una Mae4651 Kingswell AveUna Mae’s is a beloved clothing boutique that carries all things girly and charming. Upon stepping into this quaint boutique, you’ll feel like you’re shopping inside a fashionable girlfriend’s closet! From super soft cotton tees to delicate vintage dresses and coats, Una Mae’s has a great selection of high quality pieces from both emerging local designers and vintage. They also have a fun gift section stocked with beautifully packaged lotions and soaps as well as fun jewelry pieces and a great selection of Butter nail polishes.

Co-op 28 Handmade1728 N Vermont AvenueThis shop may look small from the outside but it goes deep and is filled with artisan handmade goods by local artists and designers. If you love shopping on Etsy, this is the store for you. They carry a great selection of clothes, jewelry, stationery, accessories, and home decor at very reasonable prices. This is a perfect browsing spot for those times when you want to treat yourself or a friend to something nice and unique. Don’t forget to say hi to Pretzel, the resident Dalmatian and the store’s number one salesperson!

Jenny Wu is a fashion lawyer and fashion blogger, living and loving in Los Angeles. You can catch her at goodbadnfab.blogspot.com or on twtter @GoodBadandFab.

“My favourite thing in Los Angeles is the Rosebowl Flea Market and Fairfax Flea Market. Perfect place to spend a Sunday bartering with the vendors and scooping on street style.”

fashionsalade.com/lusttforlife

bringing you the finest in non pedestrian style from los angeles’ finest pedestrians....

outofabook.blogspot.com

“Beach towns are my favorite thing in Los Angeles, there’s always ‘hole in the wall’ pizza places and thrift stores and I just love the atmosphere there.”

“I have a list of places to shop and places to eat. It makes up my perfect day in LA. Includes a stop by The Reformation, then a snack at Joans on Third and a little stop at Le Labo where you can mix your own perfume!”

tobruckave.blogspot.com

“I love the style in Los Angeles. Men in tight jeans with dress shoes. Women in premium ripped denim, $2,000 shoes and faux-fur vests adorning their shoulders in 80-degree weather. It’s eclectic, it’s bold, and whether or not other cities want to admit it, Los Angeles fashion sets global trends.”

theiconconcierge.com

bringing you the finest in non pedestrian style from los angeles’ finest pedestrians....