Fashion

An Interview with Los Angeles Designer Lauren Elaine

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Pictured: A full length Lauren Elaine gown, the updated Little Red Riding Hood look, complete with wolf. (Photo, Press Photo- All Rights Reserved. Copyright Stefhan Gordon. LAFashionWeek.com, photo provided with permission by Lauren Elaine.)

I’m feeling very proud of our Los Angeles community of designers, bloggers and social media experts after attending the Los Angeles Chapter of Fashion Group International’s “What’s Next in Social Media?” meeting last night. Sometimes people forget how much great fashion and fashion collaboration is coming from the city of Angels.  That’s why I wanted to spotlight an LA Designer on the blog today, Lauren Elaine.  I interviewed Lauren Elaine following her recent LA Fashion Week show at the Key Club.  I loved all the vintage touches from her collection and the very feminine looks. 

Pictured: Lauren Elaine ‘s gold cocktail dress   
(Photo, Press Photo- All Rights Reserved. Copyright Stefhan Gordon. LAFashionWeek.com, photo provided with permission by Lauren Elaine.)

Lauren Elaine says her  overall mission as a designer is recreating the “princess-archetype” for the modern woman. For the Los Angles based designer, her Fall 2010 collection was a chance to explore a slightly darker, edgier side with a coquettish twist.  For her LA Fashion Week show, Lauren took inspiration from the classic tale of “Little Red Riding Hood.”  The designer worked to take traditional, very feminine looks and give them a tasteful, folksy edge. The new collection still features the classic vintage shapes of past collections, but in such bold fabric choices as black metallic animal print brocades, rich jewel-toned silks, antique laces, and in shapes with exaggerated bell sleeves, sharp asymmetrical ruffled necklines, and mini baby doll strapless cocktail dresses.  As with past collections, designer Lauren Elaine favors silks and silk chiffons.

Here’s is my interview with the designer.

  What is your design perspective?
  “My basic goal as a designer has always been to create uniquely feminine, regal clothing that enhances a women’s beauty and draws attention without being distasteful or revealing too much. Too me, there is nothing more alluring than a little air of mystery- and I always try to design pieces that catch the eye by enhancing the woman wearing them- not exposing her.  “

What are your price points for your Black Label line?
  The Black Label price range is very diverse- with more casual pieces ranging from $150 to $300 (US), and couture formal wear ranging from $400 to $600 (US) and up.  The Lauren Elaine label is entirely handmade in the USA, and employs vintage and couture sewing techniques to ensure exceptional quality and garment life.

 Where can we buy your clothes?
The Lauren Elaine Black Label is carried at select high-end boutiques across the country, as well as online stores.  Launched in Oct. 2009, the label first debuted in Southern California and is carried at such local stores at La Maison de Fashion, Muse, Let’s Go, Jane Doe, etc.

To get Lauren Elaine for less, look for the sales at La Masion de Fashion or online at Shopflick.com.  Check for Lauren Elaine by searching on eBay too, to find the look for less.

Pictured: The Rachel Tunic by Lauren Elaine is on sale at website Shopflick. (photo courtesy of Shopflick)

To learn more about Lauren Elaine, and see her entire LA Fashion Week collection, check out her Facebook page, by clicking here.

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Since 2008, Mary Hall has been the author of The Recessionista Blog, which is read by thousands of regular readers in over 160 countries. An internationally recognized expert on the art of the living the good life for less, she has been a commentator on local, national, and international radio and TV shows. Her advice has been featured in over 2,000 media outlets, including The New York Times, Reuters, Life & Style magazine, ABC News, NBC News and now The Huffington Post, among many others.

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