Designers Express Their Artistic Side At Concept L.A. Fashion Week
Skingraft's dark-edged installation at Concept L.A. Fashion Week, photos by John Eckmier
L.A. Fashion Week was full of opportunities for designers to showcase their work. For some that meant a runway presentation and for others photo and art installations served as a way to express their artistic side. At Concept, the newly formed fashion week that ran March 22 to 23, designers including Valerj Pobega, Indian Casino and Skingraft created installations which reflected their individual aesthetic.
For Skingraft designer Jonny Cota, creating an installation gave him the opportunity to express his dark side. “I needed to go there,” explained the designer. “I needed to go into the darkness so I could release it." As a response to the dark mood that has prevailed over the past year, the designer expressed his sadness by decorating a Gothic tomb-like chamber with skinned pig heads. Mannequins dressed in head-to-toe black wore the form fitting leather gear Skingraft has become known for. The clothing, which always features an armor-like barrier, included moto jackets, jeans and avant garde coats. Mixed with beautiful draped leather necklaces worn as shoulder accents and hair suitable for Johnny Depp in a Tim Burton film, the installation was an avant garde ode to the macabre.
Valerj Pobega said she decided to do an installation to showcase the details in her hand-made garments. “Every season my work is very detail-oriented,” explained Pobega. “I wanted people to get a close look at the painted fabrics and hand-dyed materials." The designer hand crafts each piece in her collection which is made mostly from silk organza, chiffon and charmeuse with leather accents. Uniqueness is key for Pobega who mixes original colors and makes custom pieces that range in price from $340 to over $2250. For the Fall collection she combined 1920’s flapper-like silhouettes with a British punk attitude. Think artsy sophistication with raw edges, irregular plaid stripes, Dr. Martens and Converse tennis shoes.
Here is a look at installations from the March 23 event. For more photos go to the L.A. Fashion Week slideshow gallery on ApparelNews.net.
Skingraft's dark chamber of fashion.
The art of the "do."
Creepy or cool?
Not for the faint at heart. Yes kids, it's real.
Skingraft's avant garde ode to the macabre.
Guests enjoy the gallery-like atmosphere.
Valerj Pobega's work illuminated in the gallery-like setting.
Pobega's hand-painted accessories.
A British punk attitude is reflected throughout Pobega's collection.
A hand-painted plaid pattern and leather detailing make this creation unique.
An avant garde look by Pobega.
