Project Ethos returned to Hollywood for the third time this year, with Twelve designers, 100 models, eight DJ’s, 10 artists, and a capacity crowd which filled Avalon Hollywood on Friday for a night of fashion, music, and art officially ending the 2010, “LA Fashion Week”.
Project Ethos presented by Carlton Hair is in its second season and has built a reputation for each showcase for the presentation of big lights, fabulous music, and unforgettable fashion and the return of anything less than spectacular was no exception.
Cardi Wrap by Kymaro
Project Runway icon, Nick Verreos graced the stage and ignited the crowd to present the start of the runway show beginning with Cardi Wrap by Kymaro. This simple garment is not the typical Cardi Wrap or a dress. It is an versatile yet elegant garment wrap that is multi-functional to over 60 different wearable styles.
Project Ethos presented by Carlton Hair is in its second season and has built a reputation for each showcase for the presentation of big lights, fabulous music, and unforgettable fashion and the return of anything less than spectacular was no exception.
Cardi Wrap by Kymaro
Project Runway icon, Nick Verreos graced the stage and ignited the crowd to present the start of the runway show beginning with Cardi Wrap by Kymaro. This simple garment is not the typical Cardi Wrap or a dress. It is an versatile yet elegant garment wrap that is multi-functional to over 60 different wearable styles.
B.Vika
B.Vika by AmbiKa Sanjana and Valerie Yael Mamane returned to the Project Ethos runway to show off their newest inspirations with a presentation of the 2011 Spring swimsuit collection.
Together, Sanjana and Mamane use inspirations from their native countries of India and Morocco to add elements to their line of women’s tops, hoodies, and swim wear to give their collection a unique collaboration of dual-ethnic beauty.
Chu-La Couture
Next on the runway is known for her boutique with trendy handbags, accessories, and her wardrobe styling talent, Chu-La Couture by Melissa Velia of Los Angeles showcased her "California Casual" with a presentation of delicate tones with a collection that is more cocktail suited with strapless, multi-colored, textured, elegant wear-to-wear, and casual evening wear suitable for a night at the club, a non-formal event, or semi-formal occasion. Her fashions have been seen worn by celebrities like Tyra Banks, Hilary Duff, Faith Evans, Kimora Lee Simmons. Expect nothing less than a name like Chu-La Couture to become a household name that will grow as a trendsetter to the celebrities for years to come.
Doctrine
Hard couture designer, Doctrine was also in the lineup which featured a series of street and casual wear fitting for everyday life for the more “harder” minded individual. Doctrines vintage wash styles are everyday wearable denim, button-ups, and the printed T’s that keep the inner rocker spirit alive. Doctrine Apparel has been seen worn by Jersey Shore reality TV star, Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino.
Doctrine's women's line was designed for the more confident and self-assured female with a desire for something different. Doctrine's styles are every bit an expression of individuality and freedom from the standard. Worn accessorized or plain, these tops in combination with Doctrine denim give the wearer the complete look.
Summer Titione & Janaration
The next showcase on the catwalk were a pair of designers with the Summer Titione collection and the Janaration, a jewelry collection created by Jana Camp.
Inspired through her creative genetic bloodline, Summer Titone grew up always wanting to be an artist. With her mothers visual artistic ability and her fathers artistmanship as a mechanic, Summer's ambition soon took her into fashion.
While her vision is unconventional, her artistic creations are none-the-less unique. This unique quality makes her collection impossible to mass reproduce, because each piece is personally custom made and hand crafted from original vintage materials.
Combined with the Summer Titione collection, each model was wearing a jewelry crafted by Janaration created by Jana Camp.
Jana Camp is not only a jewelry designer, she is an actress, and Yoga teacher originally from Atlanta, GA. Each beautiful creation she designs is an individual key to the secret into finding the wearers inner "Chi".
Annie and Jade by Annie Le
The sixth installment of Project Ethos was Anne and Jade by Annie Le. Interestingly, not only does Annie Le provide some of the most elegant evening dresses and cocktail couture collections for every formal occasion, every piece is eco-friendly.
In an era where the ecological friendly is at the forefront of many people's minds, Annie Le's collection offers confident looking luxury pieces with an eco-friendly alternative. Each piece is made from organic, natural, and recycled materials and fabrics.
Annie Le's collections are elegant as they are useful for any evening engagement that calls for a classy yet an unforgettable grand entrance.
GOGA by Gordana Gehlhausen
Nearing the midway point were designs from the stylish GOGA collection by Gordana Gehlhausen.
Not just recognizable from "Project Runway 6", GOGA couture and GOGA to GO collections are both innovative and modern, great for upper scale casual to club attire and cocktail engagements for those who want to make an impressive entrance that will make the other guests fill with envy.
Voxhaul Broadcast
Project Ethos would not be complete without a live band performance. After the models left the runway, the VIP seating was moved back and the floor was opened to let in the hundreds of people gather around the stage for the main event.
Voxhaul Broadcast took the stage and opened with the song "Timing is Everything" and the once empty floor was filled to capacity with instant fans.
Voxhaul Broadcast is known for their retro underground B-side rock style that compares to The Vandelles, but more importantly, they had a sound that captivated an entire crowd.
Marialia
Back to the runway show, the next designer was Marialia by Marialia Pacitto. Based out of Los Angeles, Marialia's fashion sense is an alternative concept. While she has no more formal training other than a basic knowledge of fashion backed by pure ambition and natural talent, Marialia showed that her designs can measure up with the competition.
Lamixx
Lamixx clothing presented their collection, which is a mix of the more casual and comfortable appeal, but without taking away from the feminine form and without taking away style for dressing comfortably.
Much of the presentation included outfits with leggings, a light cardigan sweaters, custom hoodies, and loose skirts to fit the many moods of the modern woman.
BritBoy Fashions
Next on the runway were the fun collection of BritBoy Fashions. Designs meant for pride of England, BritBoy Fashion makes a statement with bold colors and slim line and that statement says "...I'm sexy".
Jaq'D Wear
Jaq'D Wear created by Jacqueline Berry has a clothing line that expands to a broader range of styles from high fashion to fun to wear and her target audience is to make it available and affordable at the same time, but this showcase focus on the higher end collection.
Her models took the stage next and showcased an impressive line of cocktail, evening, and semi-formal apparel with materials that were hand selected and crafted by Jacqueline herself.
Hard Couture
Hard Couture founded by Christine Lopez was the final designer showcased on the catwalk at Project Ethos. Her spring collection was a stylish array of club attire, cocktail dresses for the more confident woman. As each piece was a touch on the more sexier side, it did not take away from the elegance.
ART
Upstairs, emerging artists and painters displayed their collections of fine pieces including art work by Jeff Tang, Allison Cortson, Erin Hammond, 12FV, Dani Goodman, Nick Denambride, Steven Lopez, and Andrew Behr.
Andrew Behr presented a display of his latest art that are conceptual art, abstract cartooning, children book illustrations, including some samples of branding artwork. His work was the most impressive, for his attention to detail and precision.
*All photos by Michael Jaramillo
Written by Michael Jaramillo