event Archives

Taking a Dive into Hawaii ’s Fashion Scene

November 4, 2014/in Fashion Bloggers /by Luevo Team

On the heels of national recognition of Hawaii’s ability to incubate designers into full-on style stars with Kini Zamora’s third place finish on Project Runway, Hawaii Fashion Month is set to make its own splash. A whole month dedicated to fashion in one area might seem like a lot but, all November long, a variety of events will take place such as the first-ever Honolulu Fashion Week, pop-up shops, panels and presentations. What’s even better is the backdrop, beautiful scenario and exquisite clothing that’s synonymous with Hawaii Fashion Month.

The month aims to bring attention to up-and-coming and stalwart designers making waves in the Hawaiian and worldwide fashion scene. Unlike other fashion weeks where runway shows are the main focus, Hawaii Fashion Month hones in on some of the most important people involved in the fashion industry today: the community. It goes without saying that bloggers have become some of the most important people in the fashion community; they help to get new designers names out to the public, and they give the world a bird’s eye view into fashion that they might not otherwise get. Hawaiian bloggers are sure to make a showing during Hawaiian Fashion Month. Here’s who we expect will pop up at various events:

Summer Shiigi of Summer Style

Summer is a stylist, personal shopper, blogger and all-around Renaissance woman by anyone’s standards. She’ll surely be out at various events throughout Hawaii Fashion Month. We can’t wait to see what she wears (and which events she styles).

Photo credit: http://www.summerstylehawaii.com/

Natalie Schack of Lei Chic Blog
Natalie is the associate editor of Lei Chic, a daily blog that posts about the latest Honolulu fashion news, deals, and trends. She’ll be covering events like the Honolulu Fashion Week launch event on Thursday, November 6.

Malie Moran of Hawaii Red Style
Hawaii Red Style is bringing street style shots and fashion news from the Hawaii beaches and streets from island to island. Malie Moran, Hawaii Red Style founder, recently co-wrote a book featuring the unique fashions of Honolulu. Wear your best street style bait to, and you may be featured in a blog post.

Not sure of what events to attend? Be sure to follow the bloggers we’ve highlighted here and also don’t be afraid to take a dip (or dive) into the Hawaiian fashion waters to experience all that the paradise has to offer when it comes to innovative style.

This article was written by Kurie. Follow her on Twitter @kuriefitz

Are you looking for a new writing opportunity? Perhaps you have style tips that you would like to share with the world? We value new fashion trends and are always looking for talented guest bloggers. If you’re a blogger or writer, this is the place for you to get noticed. Can you see yourself as a part of our blogging team? Apply here!

Salute the Runway Kicks-Off NYFW by Giving Back

September 3, 2014/in Fashion News /by Luevo Team

New York Fashion Week is here – and we could not be more excited! We always look forward to seeing the fashions that will hit the runways but we are thrilled that the show that kick-starts NYFW is all about giving back!

Air Force Staff Sergeant Kayla Manthey. Photo from http://www.wwd.com

This year, fifteen female army veterans and active-duty service women will take to the runway to raise awareness for the difficulties faced when transitioning from the military back to civilian life.

Non-for-profit organization Fatigues to Fabulous and Little Black Dress Wines are the sponsors for the Salute the Runway show that is held today at the Lincoln Centre.

These 15 women will be wearing different variations of the iconic little black from top designers including Calvin Klein, Mara Hoffman and DKNY and will have their hair and make-up professionally done by the designer’s stylists.

Along with the runway show, historic war uniforms will be on display from the Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation in Washington.

To learn more about the organization and today’s event check out their Facebook page here.

ZOFF Review: Arts and Fashion Week Toronto

May 5, 2014/in Fashion Events /by Ana Cara

Heaven was walking on the runway on Wednesday evening at Fashion Arts Toronto 2014. Crisp white and basic black minimal pieces, and yet more elegant than ever, ZOFF’s effortlessly chic collection had us falling in love. Classic pieces with a contemporary twist, we are absolutely enamoured by the entire collection. Crusader capes, pencil skirts, pleated dresses; the mix of designs of this collection is endless.

Mesh is known for its athletic aesthetic, but there was nothing sporty about the white mesh skirts of this collection. We have seen the mesh trend take over the runaway, but ZOFF’s mesh silhouettes were breathtaking.

We also adored the metal wire sculptures aligned in the centre of the runway. Not only did they add an urban feel to the ultra-delicate collection, but also they nicely complimented the metal statement necklaces worn by the models. It is hard to narrow down our favourite piece from the collection because we simply loved them all, but there are two that stood out the most.

The first standout is a white, relatively loose dress paired with a mesh floor length skirt. Pairing the skirt’s transparent fabric with the dress’s solid white fabric, gave the perfect balance for a lady-like design. Adding a feminine touch to the ensemble is the bow at the front of the skirt. This piece is also a great alternative for those brides that want to steer away from the conventional wedding dress and wear a contemporary, yet elegant design on their special day. The second piece that left us speechless is the final piece; a romantic, pure white tulle gown.

Well-placed details and delicate fabrics, the ZOFF collection introduces the modern trends, but preserves the grace of the past.

This article was written by Eleni.

All images from zoffranieri.com

Memoirs of Melissa Nepton – WMCFW S/S2014

October 27, 2013/in Designer Interviews /by Ana Cara

It’s fashion week season and last week it was finally Toronto’s turn. We were so happy to be invited to Melissa Nepton’s show and I couldn’t ask for a better viewing seat! Armed with our passes we were sat in our front row seats. At that point I realized that I’ve never been on that side of the curtain before. Yes, I’ve been to runway events before, but I’ve always participated either as a model or as an organizer. Throughout the event, I couldn’t help picturing myself walking the runway in Melissa’s outfits and I was submerged into the concept behind her collection. You see, a show is not just about the designs, it is about the designer’s choice in models, in make-up and styling, it is about the music and the lighting, as it all comes together in those minutes on the runway.

The first model walks out and Melissa just stole my heart. Inspired from the Japanese culture and Nipponic fashion trends, her pieces reminded me of Kirigami, the Japanese art of paper-cutting. Cut-out dresses and tops are made for the confident woman that has nothing to hide. I also noticed a lot of playful geometrical patterns that bring out the inner child in the beholder. The models wore Kabuki inspired make-up and shoes that brought a pop of colour to the runway. It seems that the black and white trend will continue into next year’s spring and summer seasons, but be generous when applying that blush ladies!

Melissa created the perfectly balanced collection. Her wearable pieces are both minimalistic and bold with clean-cut lines and découpes. A glimpse of the designer at the end of the show and months of hard work were over just like that, but I am happy to have participated at one of the best shows that Toronto Fashion Week offered.

Melissa Nepton is one of the most promising Canadian fashion talents and she has proven it by winning The Target Emerging Designer Award earlier this year. You can shop Melissa’s current collection in over 60 boutiques across Ontario and Quebec and also on her own online store at https://melissanepton.com.

We hope that you enjoy our pictures! Please note that these images are the property of http://www.framestopper.com and you can’t use them without their permission.

LA Fashion Week: Bri Seeley Raises Runway Pre-Orders

October 2, 2013/1 Comment/in Designer Interviews /by Ana Cara

After moving from Seattle to Los Angeles, fashion designer Bri Seeley knew that she had to do something different to make her brand stand out. And with that, an idea was born— give the fashion world’s loyal followers exactly what they want: the chance to own it first.

“It just makes sense. If someone sees something on the runway, they should be able to buy it immediately,” says Seeley. “Fashion weeks weren’t created for normal people, they were created for buyers. But nowadays, they’ve become a chic and hip thing for people to do.”

Harnessing the buzz from LA Fashion Week, Seeley will be teaming up with Luevo to launch a 30-day campaign to raise pre-orders for her spring/summer 2014 collection. During the runway show, photos of Seeley’s entire collection will be shared on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, with a direct link to purchase any item from the collection exclusively on Luevo.

While larger brands like Top Shop and BCBG have incorporated pre-ordering systems into their shows, Seeley is one of the few independent designers to do so. After launching a successful crowdfunding campaign last year for her Style Fashion Week show, she realized how effective it could be.

“Last time I raised more than I had anticipated. I was giving out handwritten thank you notes to anyone who gave me money. This time it’s better— they get product with it,” says Seeley. “If I could sell out my whole collection before I go onto manufacturing, that would be an ideal world.”

With her spring/summer “Silence Collection” ready to hit the runway during Phoenix Fashion Week on Oct. 4 and LA Fashion Week on Oct. 10, Seeley is preparing to unveil a new line up of covet-worthy pieces reflective of her modern feminine design aesthetic.

“I didn’t move to LA to be like every other fashion designer here,” she says. “I’ve had a lot of people come up to me say, ‘We don’t understand why we can’t buy your stuff as soon as you put it on the runway.’ This is a good way to give people that opportunity. It’s instant gratification.”

Article written by Julia Eskins.

Julia Eskins is a Toronto-based writer and features editor at FAJO Magazine. You can follow her on Twitter at @juliaeskins

Montreal Fashion Week: Five Emerging Designers

September 24, 2013/in Designer Interviews /by Ana Cara

Montreal Fashion Week: Five Emerging Designers

Fresh off the four-day whirlwind of Montréal Fashion Week, it’s impossible to shake the anticipation for spring/summer 2014’s best pieces and trends. Even more so, it’s always exciting to see what Canada’s emerging designers have to offer – and what better launching pad than the MFW runway? From Sept. 3 to Sept. 6, over 20 designers unveiled their collections. We’ve picked five emerging designers that stood out among the rest this season.

Caroline Constas

Montréal-born, New York City-based designer Caroline Constas proves that a jet set lifestyle can be a major inspiration. After enrolling at Parsons The New School for Design and debuting her line in 2012, Constas experienced a meteoric rise to success. Her spring/summer 2014 collection is inspired by her travels to Greece and France. Using European fabrics and detailed finishes, Constas delivers impeccably tailored separates that beg to be worn on a Mediterranean jaunt.

Pedram Karimi

Pedram Karimi first caught the fashion world’s attention when he won second place in Telio’s Breakthrough Designer Competition during Montréal Fashion Week in 2011. Fast forward two years later and you’ll find him still garnering praise for modern designs reflective of his diverse background. This season, Karimi opened Montréal Fashion Week with the launch of his fusion line, PEDRAM. Inspired by the playful characteristics of youth, the collection features Karimi’s talent for creating fluidity, movement and volume.

Mélissa Nepton

Since being crowned the winner of the Target Emerging Designer Award in February, all eyes are on Mélissa Nepton’s next move. While her exclusive line for Target Quebec drew inspiration from the 1960’s, Nepton’s signature spring/summer 2014 collection turns the focus on Japanese culture. Exploring both traditional and contemporary elements of Tokyo, Nepton’s “Pikuseru” collection delivers pixelated prints and a playful approach to Japanese-inspired silhouettes.

UNTTLD

Praised for bringing a modern twist to the femme fatal, Montréal -based designers Simon Bélanger and José Manuel St-Jacques can be counted on for daring dresses and structured staples. After interning and working with renowned Canadian designer Denis Gagnon, the duo went on to form their brand in 2011. This season, UNTTLD uses mesh, strategic draping and a black and white print that was created from blown-up images of cigarette butts.

Martin Lim

Following the launch of their label in 2010 and Mercedes-Benz Start-up Competition win in 2011, design duo Danielle Martin and Pao Lim have continued to capture the hearts of strong striding city girls everywhere. The Central Saint Martins graduates refined their design skills while working with renowned international designers like Christian Lacroix. It’s no surprise that their latest spring/summer collection delivers the goods while blending seaside elegance with urban comfort.

Article written by Julia Eskins.

Julia Eskins is a Toronto-based writer and features editor at FAJO Magazine. You can follow her on Twitter at @juliaeskins

NYFW Spring 2014 Collections – Day 2

September 7, 2013/in Fashion Events /by Ana Cara

Day 2 collections showed the same trend as Day 1: very little in the bright & warm colors and more contrast pairings using pastels and bold hues of black and cool colors (think purples, greens, and blues). Beiges, rose and other flesh tones were popular across the board. Neon, which was so popular for a few seasons, seems to have run it’s course.

Nicole Miller / photographer Marina Marston
www.squareearthstudios.com

PRINTS – Stripes are still holding strong, and florals are always a popular choice for Spring. Instead of abstract prints with designs placed sporadically, prints for Spring 2014 are streamlined and concise, following exact lines and rows as seen in the Noon by Noor show. With this streamlining, prints are taking on a more geometric feel. Bold trimmings give the appearance of lines and geometric shapes, further cementing the movement to print conciseness.

Noon by Noor / Photographer Marina Marston
www.squareearthstudios.com

FIT – Welcome back length! From Rebecca Minkoff’s shorts to Nicole Miller’s knee-length skirts, the return of modest length to the female silhouette is a refreshing change after a season of (sometimes obscenely) short bottoms from yesteryear. Designers are also moving away from the skinny pant trend, and offering more options in pant leg fits from straight-leg (Noon by Noor) to palazzo pants (Argentine Designers)

Noon by Noor / Photographer – Marina Marston
www.squareearthstudios.com

Rebecca Minkoff / Photographer Marina Marston
www.squareearthstudio.com

MAKEUP & HAIR – Though a bold red lip was seen on the models in the Nicole Miller show, the continuing theme of “enhancing” natural beauty was the popular choice for the designers. The models were again styled with that beach-tousled, wavy hair and crown braids.

Report provided by our friends at Fashion Mingle, writer Shalanda Turner.

Sitting Down with Lois Laine – Part2

June 15, 2013/in Designer Interviews /by Ana Cara

This is part 2 of a two part interview with Toronto based independent fashion designer Lois Laine. Lois designs eco-friendly clothing with fabrics and labour sourced in Canada. If you haven’t already, check out part one of this interview here.

What do you hope your consumers see when they are attracted to your brand?
I want them to see that it’s unique, but not showy. It’s unique and subtle, just something that they want to grab on to every day.

What are some of your fashion goals?
You know I really know that I should have it more defined, but my main goal is to be able to keep doing what I do. I have envisioned a couple of different scenarios: I think generally people have to get bigger to sustain their job in this industry, for me that’s not the most important thing; if I need to get bigger I’m happy to do that. But if I can keep going like this where I have been up till now designing for the upcoming season, and I really enjoy doing that and I can take advantage of doing those limited yardages and I can be more on the season because its coming right up. But if I go into the wholesome market, which is generally how you get bigger then I need to be able to order a 100 meters of something and so I won’t be able to do some of these other nice little treaty things. So my plan is to do two fall/winters this year, so that I can get into the wholesome market and see how that goes. I’ve been in contact with Ana Caracaleanu from Luevo and I am very excited about their idea, the platform would allow me to keep going with the fabrics that I can just grab onto and do small scale or big. That is just very exciting to me. I’m still doing some artisan sales like: the Wearable Arts Show in October from the 24th-26th at 918 Bathurst St. Also, I’ve been invited into the Fresh Collective in the fall (August/September).

For more information on Lois Laine collections please go to the designer’s website: loislaine.com
Guest Blogger: Tiffany D’Souza, tiffanydsouza.com

FAT – Fashion Art Week in Toronto

May 7, 2013/in Fashion Events /by Ana Cara

A giant warehouse, an oversized lumberjack style plaid shirt, top-notch street style and great music could only be all at FAT Fashion Week. Well, that is what I have been led to believe since moving to Toronto. You see I’ve never had an opportunity to attend FAT being from the east coast, but so many people love this ‘alternative fashion week’. I was wholeheartedly not disappointed. I had the opportunity to attend the Thursday night events on April 25th and watch six runway shows out of nine.

What FAT really specialized in was bringing the art scene back into fashion. Of course that seems obvious by the name, but if you’ve ever attended other fashion events you would quickly learn that it is not the case. I had to notice that fashion and art here was really at its core. There wasn’t a ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ feeling of pretention and ‘that’s so last season’ that you may expect. Instead, it was a venue for people who love fashion as an art form and use it as an expression as ones self, not as a status symbol. It was everything fashion should be and it was beautiful.

The patrons at FAT for the most part did not wear high-end big brands, but really rocked the more rare pieces from smaller designers. I’m used to opening conversation with somebody during Fashion Week by commenting on a person’s newest big designer item, but at FAT, you would have instead asked where they purchased the item as so many people were wearing indie. Because of so many unique brands and styles being put together, FAT has amazing street style. Even between fashion shows, you were treated to unique pieces, wearable art and many beautiful combinations. When attending a previous fashion event earlier this year, I noticed that while yes, everybody had beautiful style and a chic way to wear items the event was lacking on the street style front. Where was the fashion and beauty that inspired street style blogs and popular photographers like The Sartorialist? Where are those people who love to mix high-end fashion from decades past with local favourites? If you don’t know Scott Schuman of The Sartorialist, you should check it out here. You won’t regret it. It was of course the shows themselves that displayed the most creativity, but the patrons attending were a close second. FAT bar-none had the best street style.

The runway shows were also a great mix of art and fashion. The first three shows of the evening had an edgy rocker and sometimes-gothic theme. Many of the pieces were wearable, but of the first three shows they each sported something that was un-wearable and simply for art. The next set of three shows featured more wearable pieces that focused more on beautiful tailoring. These shows made you anticipate what you would like add to your wardrobe more than shock value. Below is one of the better shots I had taken, evidently with my favourite piece of the night from the emerging independent fashion designer B.E. Shields.

For better quality images, have a look at the FAT blog on their official website and you’ll get an idea of the creativity that takes over the runway.

Guest Blogger: Bhreigh Gillis, Intern Community Manager at Luevo, Fashionista and sailor enthusiast.
Twitter @Bhreigh
Personal blog

Fashion Designers Apply Now to Fund Your Next Collection!

April 7, 2013/in Designer Tips /by Ana Cara

We are so excited to have seen a wonderful 2014/2015 season with so many amazing collections being funded on our platform!

Here is a short list of FAQs to prepare you for the application process:

Q1. I am fresh out of school can I still apply?

A1. Yes. Your acceptance depends on a combination of factors: experience, education, skills, awards received, uniqueness of products. We are looking for talented individuals that have the potential to grow when using our service.

Q2. I am a somewhat established independent fashion designer, what can I get from your service?

A2. As an established designer you can use the Luevo platform to test the market desirability of your new products. Better yet, you gain more followers, pre-sell your collections and further strengthen your brand!

Q3. Can I just post my design drawings?

A3. Unfortunately, no. Our customers want to see exactly the final product they will be buying. You will have to produce a sample and post high-resolution images that show the details of your product.

Q4. Is Luevo manufacturing my products once they are successfully funded?

A4. NO. You as a designer are in charge of your own production.

Q5. Do my products have to be handmade?

A5. NO. This is not a site for handmade products only. You can choose to make your own production or outsource. We encourage using local manufacturers and suppliers.

Q6.What happens with the returns?

A6. You are responsible for accepting returns and refund the customer.

Q7. Do I have to compromise on price because I am pre-selling my products?

A7. You are responsible for determining the appropriate price for your products, based on your costs and required profit margins. If your minimums are high then it makes business sense to reduce pricing accordingly.

Q8. Does Luevo own the rights over my designs?

A8. NOPE. You own full rights over your designs, products and brand.

Q9. Do I have to be based in North America to post my products on Luevo?

A9. YES. Currently we can only launch US and Canada based designers.

Q10. Do I have to pay to have my products on Luevo?

A10. NO. It is free to post products and request pre-orders. We only make money if you do, after you successfully fund your products.

If you are a fashion designer ready to crowdfund your next collection, please use our online application HERE. And if you’d like to learn more, don’t forget to check out our free tips and sign-up for courses and webinars.

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