Los Angeles-based designer Louis Verdad has experienced some major ups and downs with his eponymous line. However, the newest collection to come from this creative mind literally wow’d us, and the rest of the audience. The designer opted for the casual setting of a West Hollywood art gallery to debut his spring/summer 2012 collection. He had quite the stylish turnout, because in all honesty it’s a smart a idea to host a fashion event well after the madness of fashion month has passed. Full of springtime hues, jeweled details, and colorblocked to perfection, his line boasted everything from red carpet gowns to everyday ready-to-wear.

In the past his pieces were slipped on by major celebrities including Madonna, Cate Blanchett, and Christina Aguilera and now Verdad is reviving his brand with help from his Latin roots to appeal to the luxury market. You don’t have to be A-list to wear his dresses either, as his garments are frequently spotted in department stores and high end boutiques across the country. Verdad says it best himself, “Fashion is emotional… it creates a cultural statement of status and taste, where style plays the leading role…”

Well… more than a few pieces from his show were leading role ready! A few of the standout looks included a gold leafed skirt, colorblocked brights, and a stunning gown with a pleated colorful surprise under a sheer floral print. Sorry fall knits, spring needs to come soon so we can add these looks to our closets.

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What do True Blood and Avatar have in common? Makeup artists from both films used Make Up For Ever products to create some of the memorable looks we love. Therefore, it’s about time Make Up For Ever had a presence in Los Angeles. Today (11/11/11) marks the opening of their Robertson Blvd flagship boutique, which is unlike any other cosmetic store I’ve ever entered into. Considering all girls (and some boys) love getting their makeup done, the store serves as a haven for cosmetic junkies. Their cosmetics are high quality and one of my personal favorites, but what’s cool is the retail shop boasts things you can purchase everywhere. For instance, you’ll find an abundance of huge sizes of their popular foundation, glitter, wild eyelashes, and blood (seriously, they have a few types to pick from too).

The staff is super friendly and their goal isn’t primarily to sell you products, it’s more about educating you on how to use them. Pro artists will help teach you which products are best suited for your skin type and face shape. Then with a minimum $40 purchase, you’ll be given a complimentary focus lesson on how to create your ideal eyebrow, complexion, contour, or one of their pro looks yourself. Taking this Make Up School concept a step further, the store is also equipped with a a smart board – a giant interactive screen – which allows artists to create custom face sheets and review application techniques with clients. If your memory is lacking, you can purchase one of their cutesy lipstick USB drives and step into their makeup instruction booth. Here a pro artist will walk you through the application process and you’ll leave with a recording of the session. It’s the first booth of its kind, and I think it’ll be a big hit.

For professional makeup artists, there’s a Pro Loft, which will open across the street. The loft will host seminars and serve as an open venue for shoots & makeup sessions. It’s an appointment only destination, but given there are so much pro artists in this city, I’m sure it’ll become a well-known spot industry spot.

Whether you’re a pro or a regular makeup junkie, the new shop is a must-see!

Visit the flagship at 132 S. Robertson Blvd and the Pro Loft is located at 101 S. Robertson Blvd

[images via RZ & MUFE]

Saturday evening Gen Art made an impressive return with its Los Angeles Fashion Week event, Fresh Faces in Fashion. The much awaited show was hosted by our very own MyFDB co-founder, Zoe Saldana, and took place at the former cathedral of St. Vibiana in downtown L.A. Fresh Faces in Fashion presented by MyFDB and Moroccanoil featured 11 of L.A.’s top emerging designers. The event ranged in styles and genres and included womenswear, menswear, swimwear, and accessories.

Stephanie Lampkin’s line Odylyne captured a Boho chic vintage feel. The models came out in airy garments ranging from bright yellows, to pale blues, to white dresses with a pop of slightly hidden color. The looks were paired with detailed headpieces, and big hair.

One of my favorite looks by 71 Stanton

71 Stanton was a favorite of the night, designed by Ellis Yu and best described as California chic meets high-class sophistication. The play on fabrics gives the designs an extra edge pairing materials like jersey with silk chiffon creating a garment so versatile it could be worn to an afternoon brunch or a night on the town!

Cat eyes and pouty lips perfectly complete this 60's vibe style for Dear Creatures

Another MyFDB favorite was Dear Creatures. Designers Bianca Benitez and Rob Sinclair created a whimsical line that is truly timeless. The models were styled perfectly for the collection giving off a 60’s vibe with cat eyes and pouty lips.

Funktional’s name says it all: a funky take on wearable clothing. Los Angeles based designer, Jennifer Park, pairs modern style with high quality fabrics. The models completed the Funktional look with tribal inspired make up and headdresses.

Stand and Deliver takes the cake for having the most out of the box runway show. The rock n roll couture line created by Grammy nominated musician Corey Parks included an intense make out session, a fistfight, and even a skateboarder or two! Corey got her start by designing her own leather jackets while on tour and has since designed costumes for artists such as Rihanna, Marilyn Manson, and Ciara (talk about range!). The collection included a lot of black and a lot of leather (Rihanna’s S&M song comes to mind).

The most artistic award of the evening goes out to Australian swimwear line, We Are Handsome, designed by Jeremy Jules Somer and Indhra Chagoury.  I don’t think I need to say much more because the designs speak for themselves.

Chambers Fall 2011 collection smells like Teen Spirit! Established in 2010 by Devin Carlson, Jake Denney, Matthew Goldman, and Jack Anderson III, Chambers is the epitome of 90s grunge. The models walked to a Nirvana soundtrack and sported styles full of flannel, varsity style jackets, and even had sweaters tied around their waists (if that doesn’t say 90s I don’t know what does!).

What is your favorite look from the show? For those of you who attended, what was your favorite experience?

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Having been designing since a young girl and then running her own shop at just 19, Suss Cousins is no stranger to the design game. Known for her intricate knitwear, this creative mind has a thriving women’s line along with a business creating costume pieces for Hollywood’s hit films. With the weather getting chillier in Los Angeles, we recently got cozy with Cousins and her knitwear collection.

At just 19 you were already making a name for yourself with a boutique in Sweden. As a female designer, what prompted you to start creating and selling

Fast forward to your life in Los Angeles, how did the creation of your women’s knit line come about considering it isn’t exactly cold in Southern California?
I started it in New York City, we moved here to Hollywood because my husband is an actor. Doing different weights and t-shirts create a variety of items sellable all throughout the years and different seasons. Also we do wholesale so our items are shipped everywhere.

From The Matrix to The Grinch, you’ve worked on costume design projects for some exciting movies; which film projects have been your favorites thus far?
How the Grinch Stole Christmas, it was an 8 months project. I made 250 pieces for the movie and the people I worked with were amazing.

As someone who as lived all over the globe how do different cities inspire you creatively?
I guess I was born with a vivid mind. Everything inspires me! I love to create! To think of designing something new every day. Every city has a different vibe, I get inspired by textures, colors and the energy.

What are some staple knit pieces every woman should own?
One of my 2 ply cashmere wraps in black.

Lastly, what advice do you have for aspiring fashion designers?
To believe in yourself…..and not to be afraid to go for your vision, if it’s meant to be it will happen

Fantastic advice and a huge thank you to Suss Cousins for taking the time to talk to MyFDB. For more about her, please visit her official website.

Saying we’re excited for the Gen Art Fresh Faces in Fashion event is an understatement since our co-founder Zoe Saldana will be hosting the evening. With her keen fashion eye she’ll be showing support for emerging industry talent. Through the years Gen Art has helped launched the careers of some of fashion’s biggest names including Geren Ford and Philip Lim. Their runway has become a platform for up and coming designers to showcase their work and this season guests will be introduced to an array of womenswear and accessory collections (including our pal TOMTOM) along with swimwear and menswear lines.

The fashion collective is bigger than ever as the premiere Los Angeles Fashion Week event coming this October 22nd.  Gen Art carefully selected the 11 designers listed below to participate and we can’t wait to see their collections. Grab your tickets for the event, pick out a killer outfit, and we’ll see you there!

Visit Gen Art’s website to purchase tickets and for more information.

Luckily, a few weeks ago, I had the chance to check out “Art in the Streets”, an exhibition including 50 of the most the famous street artist such as Banksy. The event takes place at Los Angeles’ MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art). I was there for 2 whole hours and was surprised at how believably realist the installations were, which only meant that my eyes always found something new to stare at every minute.

I loved the vintage photos and neon prints, as well as, the artists’ ability to organize something so huge (such as all these different collaborators) into something so much simpler yet still relevant: “Art in the Streets.” And Paper magazine caught on to the exhibit’s coolness because their latest editorial was shot there!

For more information on tickets and dates, head to their official website. I highly suggest you check out the exhibition before it leaves Los Angeles on August 8th. And don’t forget to check out the editorial shot by on Dan Monick on MyFDB!

Professional Credits:

If there is one thing I can say I have come to appreciate…it’s makeup. Usually a black liner, bronzer and red lip (when I want to be fancy) kind of girl, I have taken a major liking to playing around with colors and looks. So if you’re like me, then you’re in for a treat this weekend because the IMATS (short for International Makeup Trade show) are here this Saturday and Sunday at the Pasadena Convention Center. Saturday is sold out but tickets for Sunday will be available at the door.

For more information head to their official site.

They come out with a video shot by Tony Kelly…featuring mini hipsters in the heart of Downtown LA break dancing…to classical music…and of course, clad in all American Apparel. Kudos to the company and their creative team for featuring young, world renown break dancers Angelo Baligad (9) and Jalen Testerman (10). Although, I would be sad if I were Testerman because all he does in the video is sit on a chair, Baligad and his crazy headspins get all the attention.

The best part has to be their song choice,”Clair de Lune” by Claude Debussy, one the most influential French composers. Oh Dov Charney, only you could mix classical with contemporary/hip-hop culture and make it work brand-wise. Buy hey, it’s a “fresher” take on the usually naked and risque ads the company is so famously known for.

I personally find the video a little boring, but in this weird way it works for the company. What do you think?

Don’t be fooled, just because Kelsi Smith‘s purse reads, “My life is dull,” doesn’t mean this rings true. In fact her life is the opposite and as one of Los Angeles’ top fashion bloggers, she has become a noticeable voice in the local fashion community, which is why she’s this week’s Weekend Read feature. We recently asked Kelsi to weigh in on the future of Los Angeles Fashion Week and her blog Dedicated Follower of Fashion.

How did you decide to start a blog? And where did the idea for its name come from?
It’s a super long winded story, but, I had been making accessories and selling them via Etsy – I was an avid reader of blogs and decided that I should start my own as a marketing tool for my business – this was around 4 years ago – so it wasn’t the most normal thing to do. I really enjoyed blogging and wanted to write with a more fashion focus (as opposed to the handmade industry) and thus Dedicated Follower of Fashion was born in January 2009. The name comes from one of my favorite Kinks songs, it was supposed to be tongue in cheek but in reality the name was a harbinger of the future.

Are you a full-time blogger or can you tell us about your 9-5?
Well, blogging, and the world in which surrounds it, is my 9-5 (or 7-Midnight as it were) I currently live and breathe fashion.

Writing Dedicated (I try to post around 5 times a week) takes up a fair chunk of my time. After that I run an organization called Two Point Oh! LA for fashion, style and beauty bloggers in Los Angeles – we produce events almost monthly as well as work on great brand partnerships, educational workshops and run our own blog – so that takes up another chunk of time.

The rest of the time I focus on my other baby – Stylesmith – producing events (like the upcoming Los Feliz Fashion Fest), running PR, brand and digital strategy for small fashion clients and dabbling in photography and styling. I also spend my Sundays caring for a young woman with autism.

I’m pretty busy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Most days I’m thankful for my severe ADD.

As the creator/founder of Two Point Oh! LA, what made you want to bring together local LA-based bloggers?

In addition – at the time we started (and I don’t see this as being true anymore which means I achieved my goal – something I’m very proud of) being a blogger within the fashion industry here was very alienating. A blogger is very much a “one man band” – you do your own photography, videography, writing, PR…everything, so it’s nice to feel you’re “going it alone” as a group and if needs be, you can help each other out.

What are your thoughts on the future of Los Angeles Fashion Week?
A subject very near and dear to my heart, and not a question with one real answer. I think the key is to not emulate New York or London or Paris. If we wanted LA to be like any of them – we would just move there (which of course many do). LA is special in it’s own right and should be treated as such.

I don’t see one company ever taking over fashion week (or fashion month as we like to refer to it) but I do see more indie groups, like Concept, putting together shows celebrating what LA is. The further we can step away from trying to be New York, the better. I’ve come to enjoy the melange of shows and ambition of those who claim to have the solution to LA Fashion week. LA is a city that runs on dreams, and I’m not going to take that away from any one group. It is what it is – and we should enjoy what we have.

I’m currently working on a top secret fashion project that celebrates LA fashion all year round using the elements that already work here, entertainment, location, music. I’m excited about it, but the element of surprise is very important – so that’s all I’m saying and I’m aware that this makes me fashion week dreamer – but quite frankly, I don’t give a damn ;)

Please sum up your personal style in 5 words or less.
Girly, fancy, preppy, stupid, with a little bit of boho… (and my edge is reserved for my personality and the occasional “sharp” shoe)

Lastly, what is your perfect or ideal weekend like?
Free. Which is really, really rare.

Talk about a busy blogger, a huge thank you to Kelsi for taking the time to talk to MyFDB. Be sure to visit her blog Dedicated Follower of Fashion, Two Point Oh! LA, and follow her adventures on Twitter @stylesmith.