Two Designers Merge Visions for New Collection
Luxury is in the eye of the beholder. So say two Los Angeles-based designers who recently introduced a new, sophisticated high-end collection for Fall.
Much of the Johnny Wonder & Mirela Lomato collection was created separately by the designers—Wonder designed the bottoms half of the collection and Lomato, the tops. They then merged the two into a 50-piece sportswear and contemporary line catering to the active customer who is searching for a little bit of glamour in her daily wardrobe.
Both designers were previously students at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in the late 1990s. Lomato worked at Fox Kids Network for two years before launching her own fashion production, the LA Culture Show. Wonder has spent the past two years developing a womenswear line of leather and denim sportswear under the Johnny Wonder label.
Wonder’s pieces include ruffled leather slit skirts and pants, wool pants and stretch “couture” denim.
Lomato’s tops are classic feminine pieces made with stretch-silk chiffon layers. The line also features couture pieces inspired by the Renaissance period, including bishop-sleeve tops with slits and embellished with tassels.
“The concept was to unite both of our efforts into one company and cater to the same customer who is part sporty and sophisticated but has a little bit of socialite in her,” said Lomato, adding that many pieces in the line, such as the gold- and silver- stitched stretch denim, can be worn as a dressy day outfit or out on the town at night.
Wonder’s pieces range from $70 for a pair of denim pants to $290 for a pair of leather pants. Lomato’s collection ranges from $70 for a sleeveless V-neck silk chiffon top to $75 to $100 for a long-sleeved vintage Jacquard top.
The designers recently attended the Intermezzo show in New York, where they met with buyers from department stores and specialty boutiques. The two are optimistic about their debut, but both said they felt the pinch of economic downturn. “It was a little disappointing because there weren’t a lot of buyers there, but it was a nice feeling knowing we were prepared for them,” Lomato said.
Still, the new designer label did fairly well during its first trade show; the line picked up about 10 new accounts, Lomato said.
Wonder and Lomato said Los Angeles market week has become a launching pad for the designers, who debuted their collection at the California Mart fashion show in March. The two hosted their first solo runway show on June 1 at the Sunset Room.
The Johnny Wonder & Mirela Lomato collection will be making 8/30 deliveries to Dungarees L.A. and Queen Bee, a contemporary women’s clothing boutique located near Fashion Island in Newport Beach, which has ordered the line for fall.
For more information about Johnny Wonder and Mirela Lomato, contactthe Elizabeth French showroom in the California Mart, suite B536, or call (213) 488-5115.
