LA + AUSTIN = THE FREE AGENCY SHOWROOM
Tonight I am heading out to East Texas for my annual vacation at our family lake house. I can’t tell you how much we all look forward to this trip and how excited I am that it is finally here. I talk about my Texas/Louisiana roots a lot in this blog, because I know how much they have influenced my interests and tastes in fashion, music, art and culture.
In keeping with the honky tonk theme of this week’s posts, I want to tell you about The Free Agency Showroom in downtown Los Angeles. I’m always out there looking for cool new things in the market, and this place sort of fell in my lap organically through some of my friends in Laurel Canyon. Theses friends are the ladies of Heyoka Leather, an amazing line of leather accessories that somehow manage to fuse the Wild West, Laurel Canyon and Native American traditions into their designs. While looking for a better way to showcase their collection to buyers, they partnered up with their friends from Bandit Brand which is a kick ass collection of vintage inspired tees and jewelry that has a similar vibe.
In an effort to showcase their aesthetic and have more control over their sales strategy, they decided to open a CO-OP Sales Showroom. By partnering with brands that have a similar aesthetic, they are able to create and sell a lifestyle to their buyers. This is a concept that has been brewing for awhile as an alternative to multi-line showrooms in the market.
With a multi-line showroom, collections are put together that might not necessarily compliment eachother and sales are controlled by several members of their staff. By creating a lifestyle co-op showroom, each collection is able to have control over what their merchandising presentation looks like by adding in fixtures and propping that suits their brand. Another bonus is that the cost of the showroom is divided amongst all the brands that are represented rather than having to pay a monthly fee as well as commission to the multi-line showroom.
As the apparel business continues to be challenged, everyone is looking for new ways of doing things. The business is not what it used to be and companies need to look outside of the box to find new ways of engaging their customer. The Co-op Showroom is a great example of this approach to the marketplace.
Heyoka Leather accessory wall
Heyoka Leather displayed on antlers, horns and skulls
The lifestyle of The Free Agency Showroom is a great combination of the western and vintage vibe of Austin mixed with the hippie canyon vibe of Los Angeles. We all know this aesthetic has been growing from a trending perspective and this showroom has everything a buyer needs to complete this look in their store.
Bandit Brand’s display
The aesthetic of the showroom was achieved by mixing together vintage elements, lots of wood, taxidermy, antlers, American flags, cowhide and lots of succulents. Walk into any house in the canyon, and you are going to see these elements mixed together. This is the lifestyle of free spirits, musicians, artists and gypsys and this lifestyle is being copied and coveted all over the world right now.
From a variety of vintage inspired tshirts, to studded denim cut-offs, sterling silver jewelry, apothecary, sheepskin boots, and leather goods, this showroom is a complete representation of this lifestyle.
Apothecary By Nieves
Outside of Bandit Brand, the showroom also carries several other distinctly different lines of vintage inspired tees for both men and women. Destination Pin-up uses pin-up designs from the 1940′s for both men and women. Werthan Brother’s Supply Company uses old feed bag art from the 1940′s to the 1970′s to create a unique collection of tshirts while Wairpaint and FilthMart design their own graphics and create a vintage feel with their styles.
Idylwild’s collection of knitwear and tshirts
Another added value to this showroom is that all of their lines are MADE IN AMERICA. Not many showrooms can say that, if any. I love all of the collections that they have and I love how they all support eachother’s aesthetic but each have their own unique thing that they bring to the market. This allows for stores to buy multiple brands in the showroom to fill their need and keep everybody happy.
If you have a store or want to learn more about the showroom, please visit their website to find out how you can be in touch.
Now I’m really in the mood for my Texas trip…I’m thinking cowboy boots and my bikini…and I think I’ll bring my cowboy hat this time.
See you when I return next week!
A SUNDAY IN TOPANGA
I had an amazing weekend on the Westside which included an intimate live set with Shelby Lynne at McCabe’s guitar shop on Friday night, an all day Malibu beach party followed by some great live music from local musicians at Revival Venice on Saturday, and on Sunday I took a journey to Topanga Canyon for a Banjo & Fiddle Festival followed by dinner at one of my favorite LA secret spots, The Old Place.
It was a full weekend of friends, sunshine and music- all the things I love about summertime in Los Angeles. The Banjo Fiddle Festival was an event I’ve wanted to check out for awhile now and I was happy to be able to go yesterday. It was out at Paramount Ranch and there were several stages and vendors set up all around with music playing everywhere. Basically, people bring their string instruments and there are impromptu bands playing all over the grounds, out in the fields and on tree stumps here and there. It was really cute and totally got me in the mood for heading back to Texas which I will be doing on Wednesday for a family vacation! Check out all the fun in my photos below.
I got tons of compliments on my Ikat printed dress by INDAH, hat by WKJW and shoes by F Troupe.
Sitting on a porch listening to the music
I found some fun stuff at the booths, always unique things at these types of festivals. To the average person, they might seem banal and typical, but I found some gems for sure.
LOVED these pillows made from old feed sacks
Amazing instruments made from Cigar boxes..so cool
Really loved these Crochet/Lace dreamcatchers…such a cute idea and so on trend for the summer!
There were cute little ladies weaving fabric; I love the look of this machine
The best thing I found were these gourds that this woman made art out of. She had all different types, but I was most drawn to the pieces that she created with yarns and felt. I was so inspired by them, I bought two! They are very reminiscent of Folk Art from the 1970′s, which I have a deep love for so I was all over them.
I love the sculpture form that they take on with the felting over it.
This one is my favorite, the yarns and the weaving is so special and reminds me of some of the sweaters we saw on the runways for Fall 2012, very macrame.
And the painted hawk was pretty darn cool.
I was soooo excited to find that one of the vendors was selling my favorite corn on the cob…prepared mexican style with parmesan cheese, butter, cayenne pepper and lime. Delicious!!!
The setting in the malibu mountains
As we walked around the property, people would be standing in circles and playing music together. They were singing and dancing and we would stop and listen and participate for a bit and then move onto the next little band. I loved it!
These guys called themselves PILGRIM, and they were awesome
Loved this girl and her Pucci printed dress and cowboy boots
On the front porch jamming
This guy had HUGE chops and this guitar is stunning
This girl was rockin out in the field..so cute
Here is a video of one of the impromptu bands playing together:
No banjo festival would be complete without some proper square dancing. All the kids were having so much fun, definitely a smile inducing activity!
Look at the smiles!
After the festival we headed down the Mulholland Hwy to one of my favorite hidden spots in the Malibu mountains, The Old Place. This place really gets me in the mood for my trip to Texas as the restaurant totally reminds me of our family lake house that I will be visiting this week with my family. I can’t wait to show you pictures when I get back. So excited!
The peacocks roam all around the mountains around The Old Place, what beautiful creatures they are!
Such an amazing weekend! Thanks Stephanie for being my photographer and partner in crime.
Come back to The Sche Report on Wednesday and check out another post dedicated to my journey back to Texas when I tell you all about the Free Agency Showroom in downtown LA that is a lifestyle showroom that also channels my cowgirl roots.
ONES TO WATCH: HERMIONE DE PAULA
This month, I started working with designer Emily Factor on her new collection that will be launching for Spring 2013. I’ve been helping her with her vision as a super talented print designer and we’ve been doing a lot of research in the market and what other designers are offering out there so that we can communicate to her audience in the best way possible. In this process, she turned me onto a designer that she knew when she attended Central St Martins- Hermione de Paula.
The designer
Like Emily, Hermione is also an amazing print designer that is on the rise. Still a relatively new designer, she spent much of her experience working for luxury labels such as Alexander McQueen, John Galliano, Giles and Christian Dior Couture. With her namesake label, she is known for her unusual floral prints with a twist combining traditional English craftmanship with playfulness and individuality.
Here are some pictures from her Fall 2012 collection titled “Marguerite’s Menagerie”. I am a sucker for crazy print combinations in bold color(see another favorite designer and client of mine, Corey Lynn Calter) and I’m loving the mood of this collection for Fall 2012.
With the rise of designers like Mary Kantrantzou and Peter Pilotto(some of The Sche Report’s favorites), print designers like Hermione and Emily now have a great platform for offering bespoke print design to a wider Contemporary market. Hermione has already collaborated on shoes with Nicholas Kirkwood and a collection with ASOS and I’m sure this is just the beginning for her. I look forward to seeing her line progress and I guarantee that we will be seeing more of both her and Emily for many seasons to come!
FLEA MARKET FINDS
Sunday, I headed over to the Pasadena Rose Bowl Flea market with some friends and had a great day of hunting for finds. I wasn’t looking for anything special, but knew I would end up finding a few things. I was very happy with my purchases!
The first item I bought was this hand on a lucite box. I am always in need of things to display my jewelry on and I thought this was perfect for my mantle in my office.
From the same vendor, I bought these antelope horns that I also thought were pretty cool to hang some necklaces off of. Although, there is something neat about the way it is sitting on a shelf with the antlers pointed straight up.
I love collecting colored glass vases and bowls for the cabinets in my dining room and I thought this green glass piece was amazing. It is some special type of glass that I don’t remember the name of 
I lost my friends within the first five minutes of being there, but I also ran into many fashion friends…Rodney Burns of Church Boutique, Simona Sabo and stylist Trish Summerville. They introduced me to a friend of theirs that is opening a Pop Up Restaurant on Melrose for the summer that is Southern inspired and has a rooftop! So excited about that!
Wearing Corey Lynn Calter mesh top, striped pants by November, sandals by F Troupe, bracelets by Indego Africa and bag by Costume National
I was super excited when I found this vintage Costume National bag from one of the best ladies booths at the flea market, Monica. She is European and used to be an amazing stylist in the early years and has a great collection of designer vintage that she sells to people from all over the world. This lady knows what she is doing and I admire her eye quite a bit. This bag is a great example of the killer stuff she sells.
Vintage Costume National bag
Vintage Chanel bag
I guess it was a handbag day for me because I walked out of there with three! LOVE this seafoam green little Chanel bag…so darn cute!!!! And the color is to die! I also tried this white bucket bag below but ended up not buying it. Couldn’t do it!
Vintage Chanel bucket bag
But I did walk away with this little gem below. Love this cute little bag..perfect for going out and the color and detail are so special.
And the last special thing I got on Sunday is this amazing hippie hand drawn book from 1973 about the sun. In it, the author teaches how to become closer to the sun, how to eat properly, breathe, and live a life that leads you to be one with the sun. I can’t tell you how AMAZING this book is!!! The drawings are spectacular and the things it says to do are so classic. This is a rare find, and one that I will be sharing with friends for years to come. See a few of the pages below.
“Being of the Sun”
A page on finding your soulmate
Yoga poses
Love the drawings, great graphics
It was a great flea market day! I could have bought so much more, but I spent all my money and we headed out till next time!
STYLE ICON: BOB MARLEY
Today marks the anniversary of Bob Marley’s death 31 years ago. I wasn’t aware of this date until I woke up this morning and saw a post on facebook by one of his daughters, Karen that I have recently had the pleasure of meeting. I thought it was quite a coincidence as I have been listening to Bob quite a bit this week to help keep my focus in the right place as I make my way through some challenges. A large part of Bob’s message is to live with a heart of gratitude and to be love. Pretty simple stuff that we might lose track of on occasion, and I’m always so thankful for Bob’s words to get me back there.
I realize that The Sche Report is a fashion blog and not a platform for my spirituality or beliefs; so I am dedicating my post today to Bob by reflecting on his personal style. Most people remember Bob for his music and his message and many might not know about the contributions that he made to fashion through his style. There are so many iconic images of Bob in the 1970′s in Jamaica and touring all over the world that people and drawn upon for inspiration for years.
When I think about what he contributed from a styling perspective there are a few major standouts:
- Track jackets
- All in one denim looks/patchwork denim
- Military jackets
- Berets and knit caps
All of these looks have influenced street wear for the past 30 years and they will continue to be relevant looks into the future. Take a look at some of my favorites below.
When I think about Bob and his influence on the world, I can’t help but see how he encompasses not only the PAST but also the PRESENT and the FUTURE. His music, his message and his influence on fashion will live on for centuries and that is a pretty remarkable achievement.
As you are dressing yourself today or for a night out tonite, take a little bit of inspiration from Bob in your style and celebrate the life of a legend.
All photos from mindxstyle.com, the uk mirror, and Bob Marley’s official site.
Like this:
KALEIDOSCOPE OF COLOR: HOLTON ROWER
I love Planet magazine for all of the artists that they share on their website. Because they are coming at the art scene from a different angle, I am always excited to be introduced to the artists that they feature.
I read about artist Holton Rower, and thought I would share with you as I am always a big fan of bold color and his work showcases color in a way that I think is very interesting.
“After five years in seclusion, Holton Rower is emerging with a solo show in New York City. His pour paintings, on display at The Hole through May 26th, are vibrant displays of acrylic paint left mostly to its own devices. Standing above large planks, Rower pours paint down thick wooden protrusions, allowing the paint to grow, or not, as wood blocks and other obstacles permit. Though at first the method seems simple, Rower has refined the process and his technical skills to an extent that intention and spontaneity are evident in equal measure in the work.”
See pictures of this new exhibition below and if you are in NYC, be sure to stop in the gallery.
All images from Planet magazine
This artist has some very interesting sculpture work as well. He has used human hair to create sculpture and other interesting medium. Check out his site here.
INTRODUCING OKURA ONLINE SHOP
Some of you might recall that I visited Tokyo last year and fell in love with the city. I have been obsessed with Japan for such a long time and it was amazing to be able to go there and experience their culture.
I knew going there that Japan was highly influenced by the United States, but as I strolled thru the city of Tokyo and their clothing boutiques, I soon found out how much they are obsessed with California style. I was mesmerized by the merchandising in some of the stores and their attention to detail. I loved the way that they interpreted the California surf culture, and quite frankly, I think they do a better job at it than we do!
One of my favorite stores in Tokyo was called The Hollywood Ranch Market.
This store had an amazing assortment of all things California: surf tees, vintage denim, Native American jewelry, red/white/blue, and everything else you need to get the Cali/Japanese look.
I loved the way the store was merchandised with stuff everywhere, but very thought out. The Japanese are so detail oriented and it really comes through in how they put together their stores. This store is so fun and there is so much going on in every little corner to see, it took me forever to make my way through there.
We all know that the Japanese know how to do denim really well and I loved all of the vintage interpretations that I found in stores over there. I love some denim patchwork, take a look at this amazing jacket and vest combo below!
I was so excited to get an email from the PR director of this store last week to let me know that they have opened a new online shop so we can now buy some of these awesome items online!! I took a moment to pick out some of my favorite things on the site that best represent this Jap/Cali look.
White overalls $312
Navy polka dot shirt $234
My favorite socks ( I bought 3 pairs of these!) $20
Amazing patchwork denim vest $1145
Peace hand ring $101
When you have a moment, go and visit the OKURA ONLINE SHOP. The mother company, Seilin, owns three shops in Tokyo: The Hollywood Ranch Market and Okura in the Daikanyama district and Blue Blue in Nakameguro. The website offers international shipping and their original blog, “LIFE IS A JOURNEY”, has also moved to this site. They stock many items from all three stores in the shop from denim garments to trinkets and bandanas. Also check out their Facebook page for updates. So excited that this market is becoming more global and we are now able to get the look overseas!
