Emma's Edge
It was standing room only for the trendy crowd that turned out for the fashion show held at the Melrose Avenue boutique Emma Gold on June 20. The show featured some of Los Angeles’ bright new stars: Koi, Josh & He Yang, and Rebecca Rich. Mark Goldstein, owner of Emma Gold, said he decided to host the show with the help of Los Angeles-based public relations firm People’s Revolution so he could “introduce these new designers to LA.” Goldstein said he “shops the world for unique fashion,” adding that he recognizes the upcoming talent in Los Angeles and is buying more Los Angeles-based designers.
Koi’s collection featured beautiful cream-cotton and recycled-cashmere pieces with stark minimalistic lines. The pieces were accented with side cutouts, burnout patterns, trains and ruffle details that added a beautiful edginess to the stark simplicity of the designs. Koi’s “commitment to making garments with a special energy” was certainly reflected in the pieces displayed at Emma Gold.
“Consistently inconsistent” seems to perfectly describe Josh and He Yang’s singular pieces inspired by electronic music, trash and thrift stores. Their brilliant collection featured a funky mix of edgy yet very wearable pieces, including asymmetric sheer tops, bell-bottom jeans with asymmetric seaming, patchwork skirts and a stunning asymmetric one-shoulder dress with fabric appliqueacute;s. Their philosophy of “not following the rules” will keep them ahead of the fashion game.
Rebecca Rich’s colorful collection of one-of-a-kind, handmade, vintage fabric dresses and tops is truly for the woman who wants the most out of her wardrobe, according to the designer. Each of the pieces can be worn or wrapped an “infinite” number of ways and comes with its own instruction card to explain the various options for wrapping or tying. Rich said, “I like to appreciate all women, not just one body type.” The designer said her goal is to be “unique and modern, yet timeless.”
“Mark Goldstein allowed me to be my creative self and encouraged me as an artist by allowing me to create an area in the store of my own.” This remark seems to reflect the mood of Emma Gold and these promising up-and-coming designers. —N. Jayne Seward
