California Apparel News

Los Angeles designer Javier Vassallo draws inspiration from his Puerto Rican heritage and his 18 years of experience in the fashion industry, working with such well-known names as Oleg Cassini and Vera Wang.

Vassallo’s experience at Oleg Cassini and Vera Wang, where heserved as design director for the Vera Wang Lavender Label for nine years,taught himwhat women want to wear and how they want garments to fit.

Last February, the designer debuted his own Vassallo collection at New York Fashion Week.The high-end line offers feminine, classic pieces favoring an American sportswear feel. His collection favors a modern elegance with finely tailored dresses and coats, slimming pants, and embellished blouses.

Wholesale prices start at $125 for tops and go up to $550 for a wool coat with leather details. Vassallo is currently sold at Hu Wear, located in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C., as well as its online shop (www.husonline.com).

The collection includes a mix of structured and loose fits, with cinched waists and pleated, flared skirts. Vassallo incorporates leather and velvet trimmings with the line’s lace, silk, wool and chiffon fabrics. There is a regal feeling in his collection, featuring mosaic patterns with gold inlay pressed against red velvet, solid gold sequin dresses and pencil skirts, as well as a contemporary take on a Victorian-style riding suit.

“After a trip to Brittany, France, I was inspired by the traditional costumes of the region,” Vassallo said. “The rich brocades, the mixtures of fabrics, the elaborate embroideries, and the mixing of masculine and feminine [appealed to me]. I studied them and saw that if you peeled the layers, the women could be going to a party in LA or NY.”

Vassallo credits his business-owner father for his entrepreneurial spirit.

“He was a great boss and people loved working with him; it was like a family. I thought one day I could do the same,” he said.

But it was the women in Vassallo’s life who taught him the importance of style.

“Growing up in Puerto Rico, I was surrounded by women who loved to dress—my mother, aunts, girlfriends,” he said. “They were always put together and always elegant. Even something as simple as a trip to the market would warrant looking good. When you live in NY and Paris, that elegance is taken to another level. The streets become a catwalk. Then you come to LA and the elegance becomes more casual. So I try to design between the two extremes, where a gold sequin top can be worn with a gold sequin skirt or a tight pair of jeans.”

For more information, email sales@vassallortw.com.