MERCEDES-BENZ FASHION WEEK BERLIN offsite
JULY 18TH, 2008
SevenStarGallery, Mitte
WORDS&IMAGES JUDITH ECOCHARD
Pic of Mischa Barton courtesy of LaLa Berlin
Lala Berlin is HUGE in Germany. We found out why at the label’s Spring/Summer 2009 presentation at the achingly edgy SevenStar Gallery in the heart of the former East Berlin...an area buzzing with trendy shops, bustling outdoor cafes, and open markets.
WHO: Lala Berlin is the master clothing line helmed by the super nice/lovely Leyla Piedayesh-a one time MTV VJ (Germany).
She began with knitwear at the January 2004 Premium trade show (going on NOW-ah, so little time!!!!!!)..and has since expanded the line into an urban trendy label...that's street savvy for day or night.
Separates for Spring/Summer 2009 (50 pieces!) are made in luxe Italian materials of Cashmere, Silk, superfine Cotton and clingy Jersey exclusively made for the label.
For Spring/Summer 2009 -there’s also sparkly sequins in black and silver- in a bolero-ish bell sleeved jacket and embedded in black lacy knit oversized tops...that are subtle not glaring- one can wear them in the day too without stopping traffic.
BIG CELEB BUDDY: Mischa Barton who turned up at the presentation after we left...
INSPIRATION: “Rock and Roll and Art Deco…I design a hip looking line for a sophisticated women who knows what she wants…and is edgy everyday. She does not stick to one look and is ECLETIC!”
COLORS: Black (everyone wears BLACK IN BERLIN – even in the summer –and way more than NYC dwellers-which we did not think was remotely possible). Dark brown –in a seamed cropped leather jacket, silvery gray and creamy beige. Soft pastel prints in the light as air cashmere scarves in whimsical prints brighten up the basics..
ECO ALERT: Lala Berlin introduced a few luscious tops in renewable Bamboo.
REMINDS US: Think Catherine Maladrino, Lyn Devon.
WORN BY: Super Model Claudia Schiffer and lots of German celebs we do not know. (Anne Maia Muehe, Michi Beck, Natalie Avelon etc.)
RETAIL: Over 60 shops worldwide, including her eponymous boutique in Berlin, Ron Herman LA…and Woodley and Bunny Brooklyn.
WHERE: SevenStarGallery is a brick wall “renovated” art space/gallery (opened in January 2008) in the former East Berlin-now an always packed section of the city day or night. The high ceiling brick walls, wide paneled unfinished wood floors, and cast iron coal burning stoves in the winding multi-room building -took us back to the days when this 1920's former firetrap was a brothel.
We loved how we were smartly greeted, not given the one over (hello NYC) by smiling PR staff and waitresses procurring sparkling wine, water, and delicious bites.
Currently on exhibit are vintage gelatin B&W prints of Rock and Rollers and celebs like Jimi Hendrix and Verushcka.
INFO: LALA BERLIN
MISCHA BARTON in LaLa Berlin Scarf
