Nick's Body Guard: Nick Verreos stands in front of a massive "Lucha Libre" sculptureLast weekend, I attended a fun event titled Vision: The Party, Fashion, Art and Music. It was also the "official celebration" for the Birthday of Alejandro Laguette, an acquaintance from the LA fashion and film "circles". There was going to be a Gallery Exhibit of very eclectic Mexican-inspired art, a DJ for dancing, plus a fashion show as well. Only five minutes away from my studio: Sign me up!
"Vision :The Party" guests and FIDM Debut 2009 designers Johnathan Webster and Adrian Manuel also pose in front of the Mexican Wrestler sculpture/statueThe party took place in the KGB Studio, located adjacent to the Chinatown area of Downtown Los Angeles. LA Chinatown is not exactly the Chinatown of, say a city like San Francisco. Let's just say it's not as iconic or postcard-perfect. This party, in fact, took place in an area not surrounded by Dragons and Chinese-food restaurants, but next to a slew of warehouses and other industrial buildings. It was definitely a place where tony types from Beverly Hills and the Palisades would be scared to leave their Mercedes Benz! Lucky for them, there was Valet parking.
Vivacious Couple: Web show hostess Melissa Chataigne and Nick Verreos at "Vision: The Party"As soon as I got there, I greeted the Birthday Boy and met his lovely--and very chic--parents, who hail from Mexico. The party was in full form, with over a hundred guests outside in the courtyard mingling, enjoying the Coca Cola and Rum--as well as the Tequila--bar.
Guests were already dancing the night away, under the Downtown LA skyline.
Crowning Moment: Nuestra Belleza Mexico '07 (Miss Mexico) and Miss International '07, Priscila PeralesI was happy to run into the sexy Melissa Chataigne of Vivaciously Chataigne and I even spotted Miss International 2007, from Mexico, the gorgeous Priscila Perales (she was very incognito, but I still recognized all 5'10" of her!).
Cantinflas Tortilla: Tortilla Art by Joe BravoInside the studio, my friends and I ventured into the Gallery Space and surveyed the unique "Tortilla Art" by artist Joe Bravo. He and his wife introduced themselves, confiding to me that they were both great fans of Project Runway (naturally!). I especially loved his "painting" of Mario Moreno Reyes "Cantiflas", Mexico's answer to Charlie Chaplin. And my favorite was the one of Mexican cinema Diva, Maria Felix (and inspiration for my Spring 2009 Collection). I was about to inquire about maybe purchasing it until Alejandro told me that he had just bought it. Oh well!
La Diva: Maria Felix on a Tortilla, art by Joe BravoThe "crowning jewel" of the party was a fashion show by LA-based XR Collection and designers Xavier Othon and Richard Bowman. They also are the owners of the Los Angeles boutique by the same name, located on Beverly Blvd. I have been friends with them for AGES--and they were one of the first "mentors" who guided me through my fashion career. As a young and cute (stop laughing!) FIDM student of fashion design, I was even a Dresser at some of their fashion shows, back "in the day".
Finale Tableaux: XR Collection models strike a poseThe designs on the runway were consistent with what XR Collection is known for: Lots of Glitter, Glamour and Fierceness; the perfect outfits to get your groove on--at a fun dance club, or at a house party in the Hollywood Hills!
No Carb Zone: XR Collection menswearThere was sexy menswear as well; everything tight and definitely not for the guy who eats. There was even a Drag Queen (or two) thrown in for the "fierce" factor. Those girls on RuPaul's Drag Race Show need to call up Xavier and Richard because some of those outfits were out-of-control!
XR Collection: One of my favorite looks from the show, a lemon yellow off the shoulder jersey dressMy favorite womenswear looks included a yellow off-the-shoulder jersey dress as well as the long white finale gown which featured a fishtail train (and you know how much I love a fishtail hem!). I could see a young Maria Felix in that gown for sure going to an event on Sunset Blvd--or to a fun party in the Chinatown Distric of Downtown Los Angeles!
