Text, Casi Densmore- Koon
Edited by Vivian G. Kelly
Images, Ming Han Chung and Peter Tsai and Casi Densmore-Koon
Time & Place:
Day 3 of LA Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios
Tuesday October 14th @ 4pm
Where: The Main Tent
Lana Fuchs debuted her couture collection as the 1st Las Vegas based designer to show at Mercedes Benz 7th Annual Fashion Week in Los Angles. Showcasing more than 50 looks she pays close attention to detail with her vibrant color, ultra feminine silhouettes and day to evening elegant dresses - even a wedding gown. The hand made embellishments got everyone's attention and made a lasting impression.
We were able to briefly catch up with her backstage before the show as she beamed with excitement holding her daughters hand, her "mini-me" before she took to the runway.
Lyra Mag: How does it feel being the first Las Vegas based designer to participate in IMG Mercedes Benz Fashion Week?
LANA: It is a huge honor!. Despite the fact that we do not have many resources for our industry here in Vegas, I love this city and hope that some day we will have our own Garment District, Fashion Mart and our very own LV Fashion Week.
Lyra Mag: What is your signature style?
My signature style would be best described as timely and timeless elegance, consisting of dresses in seductively feminine silhouettes and luxurious fabrics. These are pieces designed for women who collect beautiful clothes, not just buy them. Each Lana Fuchs Couture dress will hopefully be passed down as a family heirloom from one generation of women to the next.
Lyra Mag: How do you balance designing in addition to being a CEO for Billionaire Mafia?
It is certainly a challenge to wear so many hats, but I believe I have an advantage because I am also a mom, which means that early on, I learned how to juggle my responsibilities and budget my time, as all moms do. I try to adhere to a schedule, wherein one half of my day, usually mornings are spent on management and the afternoons, and very often evenings are dedicated to the love of my life, which is design. I also use the weekends to have some "quiet time" and work on my designs when my husband and kids have their own activities scheduled.
Lyra Mag: What was your inspiration for "Rhapsody in Bloom"?
I was inspired to use stunning floral prints after an unforgettable walk through the gardens of Claude Monet in Giverny, France. While traveling from Udaipur to Jaipur, I fell in love with the vivid colored saris, which inspired my spring color palette. Thus, Rhapsody in Bloom came to life in rich silks, delicate chiffons and embroidered lace, with delicious accents of handcrafted embellishments.
Lyra Mag: What can we really look forward to in this collection?
LANA: My debut collection for Spring 2009 is splashed with exuberant colors and prints, and is entitled, "Rhapsody In Bloom," It features elegant dresses from day to evening in an array of ultra feminine silhouettes. These timeless pieces are designed to enhance and adorn the beauty and femininity of the woman who wears them.
THE SHOW
The silk and hand embellished gowns and dresses showed of the exquisite detail of her collection. Here are a few we just couldn't help by mention because of their unique touches.
"Capri" - HAND PAINTED devore satin empire baby doll dress in aqua
" Madame Butterfly" - Silk Chiffon HAND PLEATED wrap dress in a white butterfly print
"Debutante" - Brocade butterfly V-NECK CUT OUT SLEEVE flared dress in black
"Ivy" - Organdy applique and chiffon halter BRAIDED empire dress in black/white
"Stella" - FEATHERED mesh halter shift dress in gray
"GiGi" - Feathered mesh and silk chiffon HAND EMBELLISHED empire dress in gray
" Angelique" - Silk Jersey braided tulip sleeve dress in black
For those planning to take a walk down the red carpet, three of the four finale gowns would be perfect choice. We couldn’t stop taking pictures backstage of the taffeta hand embellished mermaid gown in pink.
End note: Lana Fuch's debut received a standing ovation and the support of celebrities; Joel Madden, LA Laker Lamar Odom, Angela Simmons, Vanessa Simmons and stylist George Blodwell. Add to that America’s Next Top Model winners Nicole Linkletter and Salesha Stowers were among models that presented this very talked about collection on the runway.
For more information, visit www.lanafuchs.com
or www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyTrHCj96e4&feature=email
to watch the runway show.