Rose La Grua FW15 at LA Fashion Council Collection Showings

Every season, I'm anxious to see what LA designer Rose La Grua has created, this year she showed her collection at LA Fashion Council FW15 Collection showings at Maker City LA. She has such a unique touch and flair about her line 'That's Totally Fine', and as I have been in awe of her designs in past seasons, she did it again for her Fall/Winter 2015 collection, "cream dream", inspired by vintage lingerie. This vintage theme also carried out with the glamorous wavy hair her models donned, as well as their opulent jewelry and pointed heels or flats. La Grua always finds some way to make even a slip dress or silk shorts interesting whether it adding bows or ties in different places, or mixing contrasting fabrics; my favorites included a square paneled vest and voluminous peplum coat. Her designs were classic, clean, feminine, and flirty, and she focused on all natural fibers, using wool, linen, and silk for her pieces all in a monochromatic palette.

OC Fashion Week Avant Garde FW 2015

My co-editor (Alpha/Omega Magazine) Andrew and I attended the 6th day of OC Fashion Week's show schedule at Anqi Bistro, South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, CA. The runway line up included mens and womens designers ranging in a wide spectrum of designs and creations. The first, Hidden Warriors showcased cancer survivors with a 'warrior makeover'; second was rave wear Conspire by Jessica Johnson, which I felt some well crafted, others looked a bit more 'home crafted' with the scraps of fabric or embellishments; third was Porter South, a menswear label that translated as ready-to-wear but still had stand out unique designs (dying over the leather studded jacket and drop crotch pants); the forth, Elizabeth Celaya which I thought was the most avant-garde and some pieces could also be assimilated into mainstream fashion but still maintaining its intriguing elements; and lastly Stevie Boi's eyewear collection which was bold and fun. The show was very high energy, once it got started (was delayed by 45 minutes); and leading up to the show was chaotic as guests had to wait in a long line outside for entry and once inside, trying to find their seats or tables was a messy situation with some expressing that their seats were taken; therefore signage on seating and a more thought out seating process would help facilitate a smoother check in. I feel like I have a love/hate relationship with this venue, as it peeves me that I can see models and staff walking back and forth behind the runway; but hey, the garlic noodles were delicious as usual.Thank you to runway coordinator Hien for making sure Andrew and I were taken care of! See the OC Fashion Week's video of the event at the bottom of the post!

Hidden Warriors - Therapeutic & Transformative Avant-Garde Designer featuring Cancer-Survivor Models Conspire - Rave Designer Jessica Johnson Porter South - Designer Miranda Amelia and featuring America's Next Top Model Will Jardell Elizabeth CelayaStevie Boi Eyewear - CR3AM Collection featuring America's Next Top Models Lisa d'Amato and Will Jardell

Rose La Grua's SS15 Collection at LA Fashion Council, Maker City LA

Floral Beauty, Raw, Organic, and Feminine | An LA Designer's take on Spring Style Designer Rose La Grua presented her label That's Totally Fine's "I'll Never Tell" SS15 Collection with LA Fashion Council a couple weeks ago at Maker City LA. I first experienced Rose La Grua's designs last season during LAFC's Media Preview for Fall/Winter 2014 collections. What is striking and the most intriguing about La Grua's designs are the innovative ways her pieces look constructed and can be re-configured, as well as the variety of shapes that she creates. For her SS15 Collection she played on the function and placement of slim pockets to place flower stems into, which created a refreshing and decorative way to showcase the natural beauty of spring. Beautiful roses seemed to glide down the runway as they poked out from pockets at the hem of dresses and coats; baby's breath seemed to create an aura as it extended from a model's shoulders and back. A new take on the traditional 'long johns' thermal underwear was presented as a dress or jumper with funky cut outs. Other eye-catching details included gauze like pants, dark denim-looking shorts, and a romantic blouse, all with fabric ties down the leg or across the chest. La Grua also presented pieces with an almost raw feel with unfinished hems, and a very impressive finale piece of chambray looking squares all linked together by chains to create a dress. I'm always in awe of Rose La Grua's designs and I can't wait for next season (I'm hoping to get to shoot this collection for Alpha Omega Magazine!)