Italian fashion has always been one of the most sought after luxuries in the world amongst those who take pride in their appearance and status. Whether it be designer clothes, shoes or jewelry; Italy has had a long history of coming out on top for quality and refinement. So being a part of the Big four  “members only” club, it would considerably be a big deal for Los Angeles to establish a respectable relationship with brands that understand the nature of leading the way.

Last week, selected Blogger Babes got the chance to exclusively preview a few talented Italian designers in a private  downtown showroom. It’s been awhile since I’ve made my rounds with anything in regards to LA and the cluster of shows aligned with the idea of fashion week. Though when I received the “Invite Only”  showcasing designers specifically from Italy, I added my name to the list immediately.

I was unsure what to expect considering that you never know what you’re going to get in Los Angeles. Sometimes it’s a runway circus act, while other times it’s an explosion of confusion; but I knew that the execution with this presentation would be taken with more seriousness in the name of fashion.
I attended the event with fellow blogger and friend Lauren from The Leaux Project , as we made our way downtown where typically fashion week holds their events. Now as long as I’ve been living in LA, I forget that in certain areas, what some might think to be the “boondocks”, you find hidden treasures in the most unlikely spots. Amongst other businesses and posh restaurants, we were able to find our location in a swank loft style building. Along with other fellow guest, we were greeted with champagne, a cheese tray and racks of clothing.

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Sartoria Faricelli was one of the first designers I noticed displaying two suits on a mannequin. His work had an organic vintage essence that would appeal to a very specific customer clientele. I noticed a needle meticulously placed to his sampled look which allowed me to meet the designer himself off my curiosity. I wasn’t aware that although  the designers were Italian, they literally were from overseas, language and all. So there was a bit of a language barrier but that didn’t prevent us from finding a common interest in culture and creative art.

Photo credit Araya Diaz/Wire Image

Through an interpreter in a gorgeous gown who looked like she had just stepped off the runway herself, I was able to gain more insight into his work as well as the purpose for the needle.
The needle is a symbolic meaning that personalized the hardships of creating his work of art. Since being a designer for over ten years, he’s excelled by tailoring the traditions of Italy and designs with the novelty of Italian culture. Gaining inspiration from his dreams, like myself, he’s been able to realize that the color green brings all to his ideas through his imagination. I was curious about his fan base and clientele being that I found his pieces very unique from the average mens suit. Typically with vintage, there’s only one of its kind in this day and age. Thinking of all my vintage Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dress that I’ve collected while working at Nordstroms, it’s nice to own an ensemble that very few people will own too. That’s  when he explained that his work is based off of his customers personality as well as their tailored fit. Makes sense as to why his store is exclusively in Rome and not online for the everyday person.

As a child myself, I use to make clothing for my dolls as well as my own t-shirts. I never knew how to use a sewing machine so I taught myself how to delicately sew with a needle and thread while staying on course of stitching. I was accepted into FIDM my junior year of high school where I had to do a book of original designs that I never completed. So listening to him made me relive my love for the art of fashion; and I completely understood the symbolic meaning of the talent he possessed.

After our conversation and revealing that his personal customer happens to be a famous Bachata dancer, he showed me a few moves and I showed him what I could do. A very charming and ambitious man indeed who oozed culture and gave me all the more reason to want to take a trip to Italy.

It was nice to see the luxury of mens clothing for a change. Far too often this city repeats the chronic urban streetwear or underwear model look, but very rarely are there any representations of a man with class and style. While I do love a man who could rock a suit, this isn’t Wallstreet and far from it, so it was a mix of surprise and normal feeling when I came across Middle P Clothing

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Now, he had an interesting background. He’s half Puerto Rican and German, but from Italy. I found that very interesting because he was ethnically and culturally ambiguous with a thick accent. While his geographical background didn’t necessarily show through his work, he still had that same symbolic meaning for how it came about. Middle P isn’t just a name he came up with in a thought process but more of a historical concept that derives from Italy in order to represent the small town of where he’s from. Very similar in describing an uptown, downtown and in the middle concept when in a larger city.

Showing success through digital marketing and his online stores with over 25 brands, his work would be described as casual and street with a wide range of customers. As I’ve said before, LA is known for it’s street style, but his looks go for far more than the stores you’d find on LA Brea or Melrose. Think of a Kanye or Justin Beiber account which we all know is more than a pair of $50 jeans. After collaborating with a male instagram influencer online, I found many looks that would fit his style to where a business report could be in the making.

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While I loved the style of his clothing, the three of us spent most of our time taking selfies and snap chat videos that felt like a small circle of friends over a third glass of champagne.

Lauren and I continued to look around the showroom estimating the pieces we’d want to take home for ourselves. A blend of women and mens clothing, yet surprisingly more women filled up the room which is why I chose to focus on the apparel of the male designers.

As the Dj continued playing, our night was coming to an end. A few stylist and fashion bloggers had the opportunity to select items from the racks in order to use for their shoots which in the near feature, Lauren and I wish to do, but due to the fact that many pieces were only samples, we watched from afar not to get our hopes up. The night was personable and intimate like a elegant night out in Beverly Hills or Manhattan. While I still have my opinions regarding LA fashion week, hopefully Italy and other major fashion cities can intervene in showing us how it’s really done.

I said it!

Photo credit Araya Diaz/Wire Image

“La bella Figura”