Los Angeles Fashion Week Fall '06: Chulo Pony
Vancouver, British Columbia–based Chulo Pony made its Los Angeles debut March 22 during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios. The company, backed by Nettwerk Music Group, a record/management company behind such musicians as Avril Lavigne, Dido and Sarah McLachlan, decided to show in Los Angeles because of the strong following of the line in California. “We thought it would be the perfect opportunity, and we sort of applied on a whim,” said Chris Kopeck, Chulo Pony’s creative director.
Following its whimsical approach to business, the line derives inspiration each season from stories created with imaginary muses. This season, “The Lost Letter,” a tragic love story about two sisters who fall in love with a fire-eating circus performer, inspired a collection that merged the look of Old World eastern Europe with the vintage style of the 1920s and ’30s.
“We usually go into long, detailed convoluted things that happen to these people,” said Art Director Crystal Heald. “That’s what we draw from when we’re talking about graphics and silhouettes.” Styles ran the gamut from casual to dressy in a palette of chestnut, antique rose, petrol, slate, winter white, old gold and dark red. Details such as lace, ruffles, bustles and original graphics helped create the unique character of the line. Standouts on the runway included a waist-length jacket with a draped hood paired with a cropped riding pant; a funnel-neck plaid jacket with velveteen yokes, cuffs and belt; a turtleneck tunic with a herringbone chest panel paired with winter-white tights; and a ruffled-yoke dress with petal sleeves. —N. Jayne Seward
