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Add this to your weekend agenda.
THVM jeans is having one of their coveted sample sales. Look for great deals from Kain, Wren, Black Crane, LD Tuttle, Alexnder Yamaguchi and more.
When:
Friday, May 30, 12 to 6 pm
Saturday, May 31, 10 to 3 pm
Where:
THVM
1317 Palmetto Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 617-0667
You inspired us all. Rest in peace oh, beautiful soul.
XOXO
When I attended Quest Magazine’s reception for designer Eric Raisina, my first impression was delight in the vibrant colors in which he crafts his collection. The designers exquisite handmade creations are a unique a blend of African, European and Asian influences combining his heritage and travels. Born in Madagascar, Raisina trained in Paris and developed his unique style by creating collections at his couture house in Siem Reap, Cambodia. I was lucky to have the opportunity to chat with the designer during the event at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills. He shared his multi-cultural inspirations, obsession with textiles and experience working with famed couture house YSL. Raisina's multi-cultural chic style can be seen in his beautiful silk dresses, crocheted sweaters and embroidered accessories. Vibrant colors and “Haute Textures” such as his “silk fur” are the designer’s signature. He continues to refine his skills while developing his collections in Cambodia and showcasing his collections on the runways in Asia. Here are some pics from the event. Scroll down for an in-depth interview with the designer.
Q&A WITH ERIC RAISINA:
My blog is called VeryVeryChic, what is Very, Very Chic to you?
VeryVeryChic is to have colors. And the right ones. Because color is very complicated and everyone is kind of scared, but I learned colors with YSL in Paris - with Loulou de la Falaise. And every color is beautiful, but it has to be the right one. And when it’s the right one, it’s so chic.
What was your inspiration for this collection and why did you choose these colors?
My main inspiration is between three continents, which is Madagascar where I was born, which is a part of Africa. And then I was in Paris for my studies. So, there I was learning much more about fashion and the lifestyle and how you use the beautiful pieces. And now I live in Cambodia where I’m producing everything and where I have my workshop. So, I have a feeling that my main inspiration today, to build all of my collection, is a combination of the three continents – Asia, Africa and Europe, which is Paris.
How do each of those influence your designs?
I like trends and I follow trends, but since I’m creating my own fabric and my own pieces, I must impose somehow the trends. The trends are really coming because we always open the magazines, we’re sensitive to what’s happening in fashion between different countries in the big cities, New York, Paris, Milan, but I have a feeling that I can also impose my own since I’m creating my own fabrics. So that is very important.
So you’re an originator – an innovator.
Yes, and I have a feeling that every time I’m touching colors or touching a fabric, that it’s reflecting the trends for winter or summer. So I’m very comfortable in that way.
How would you describe your style/aesthetic today?
I’m focusing on the texture, which is my brand. That’s the reason Eric Raisina 'Haute Texture' because of the texture and the textiles I design myself. So, today it’s Eric Raisina in a very simple shape, but with an unbelievable textile. That is my signature.
Your textiles are beautiful.
Thank you so much - I love them. We develop all of them. And I’m using different techniques from the weaving, the crochet and the embroideries. I like it the most when you are boiling pieces. You know, put them in a pot and add some recipes and then boiling them and keep them for one night .. and then the next day you turn them into other colors. My first specialty was culinary arts. I have a feeling that today my basis of working is like cooking to get those colors and to get those fabrics soft. I was literally the first person to be able to make silk soft in Cambodia. Because I’m doing this now for ten years in Cambodia….the lightest and softest silk in Cambodia is at my place.
Would you say these colors are representative of Cambodia? Or what inspires your palette?
Some of the colors that I’m using like purple, I had never known how to use purple before. But I really discovered it in Cambodia because they have such a deep purple – absolutely beautiful. Because in Cambodia they have colors related to the day like Monday, Sunday or Saturday. So purple I discovered in Cambodia.…they have such a beautiful amazing purple - it’s like deep purple which is very difficult to do.
It’s also a big color for Fall.
Yes… When I was commissioned at YSL Haute Couture to do fabrics for them and scarves and shawls, I had seen purple there, but I didn’t really catch how to do it. I really discovered it in Cambodia. It’s the combination of purple and black that makes the real purple.
When did you design textiles at YSL?
I was commissioned for almost four years. That was from 1998 to 2002 when they closed YSL Haute Couture. I started with samples and I sold my samples and they would do duplication, real pieces for a very small, and one-of-a-kind pieces. And then, they asked me to do shawls and scarves. My best experience with YSL was when I used the leftovers from Cambodian weaving. I [created] pieces of fabrics and they used it for an unbelievable shawl. And then they used the zibline fur around it and they sold it at haute couture. That was amazing. Zibline is the most expensive fur, the real ones. I walked by [the store window] one day and I saw my pieces. I love it because I used the leftovers from the villages where they’re doing the ikat processes in Cambodia. And I mixed every color, so they used it for the lining for the fur coats for very specific clients.
Where can people buy your clothes in the U.S.?
I sell my designs at Atelier360 in Greenwich, Connecticut. That is the only place where you can find my pieces. But I hope that one day I can pop up with something in New York, because my main customers are American. Whey they travel to Cambodia, they discover my workshop and they love it. And I have a feeling that they are really loyal. They love my pieces and then they order more and more and then they recommend it to their friends. So I have a feeling that the next step would be a shop or something in New York.
"How creative you can be, is really how far you can take it."
That's how I see fashion in the digital world. I was honored to be on FGI Los Angeles' "Fashion + Tech" trend panel last week. It was great catching up with many friends on the panel and meet some new faces. Kelsi Smith, founder of the Los Angeles Fashion Council, moderated the panel that included Nicolas Ullah, U.S. director of marketing for Trendstop, Kendra Gratteri, the director of merchandising for Beachmint, designer Rachel Pally and Alle Fister, principal with Bollare PR. We talked about technology, e-commerce, social media and blogging and how they affect fashion in the digital age. Apparel News' Executive Editor Alison Nieder wrote a great story covering the event. I posted the intro below, for the full story, go here.
Photo above courtesy of Apparel News. Scroll down for more pics from the event.
photo: Taste of Pace
phtoto: Kimberly Luu
photo: Alison Nieder
photo: FGI Los Angeles
"The only way we're going to see longevity in the [stylist] arena, is if it's done well. Every girl with a credit card can call themselves a stylist. [But} the trend for longevity is you have to do the research and you have to eat, sleep and breathe [it]." - Style2020 stylist
I love that quote.
As a stylist, most of my work is in fashion and celebrities - it's a skill that has been honed with years of study and practice. Simply buying clothes does not a stylist make. Last week, I was invited to attend STYLE2020's lifestyle and beauty forum and got a glimpse into another arena - the world of personal styling. The Orange County-based consulting company held an event in Newport Beach which focused on defining style and offering tips for the everyday woman. Let's be honest, creating a chic and functional wardrobe for women with everyday needs can sometimes be as challenging as styling a photo shoot. It was interesting to hear from executives from Sephora, LVMH and L'Oreal who joined the discussion and offered advice to attendees on fashion, lifestyle and career. I can't wait to see the video Style2020 created with the bloggers in attendance answering the question "How do you define style?" It will be interesting to hear everyone's diverse opinion on fashion and style. All in all, it was an informative and fun afternoon at the chic Island Hotel. And ... who doesn't enjoy champagne, lunch and the red carpet treatment?
Here are a few style tips from the event:
- When you walk into a room people will judge what they think of you [by how you look].
- A classic sense of style will always trump trend. Quality will always come through with the classics vs trends and throw away style.
- A smile and a great pair of shoes go a long, long way....
- Wear a simple, pretty dress - and you can go anywhere.
- When packing, bring the minimum. Stick to the classics and pack to the occasion. Choose a neutral color palette and pack accessories. Take only what jewelry you're going to wear - and what you're willing to lose.
- In Southern California, sunglasses are one of the hottest accesssories.
- Style and trends have to work for your life, or it's not going to stick.
The panel discussion, photo courtesy of STYLE2020
Black Starr Frost jewelry
*** Sponsored post ***
As any VeryVeryChic girl knows, it's all in the attitude.
We ARE fierce and 100% capable.
No saving required.
Today's inspiration courtesy of this chic sketch by my friend and fab designer Eduardo Lucero.
Hell yes ladies, we got this %#$@!!!!
