With the sophisticated appeal of fashion, music, and art, Project Ethos presented a red carpet event featuring a fashion show for “Project Runway” collections on the first night of L.A. Fashion Week.
Walking up The Music Box @ Fonda Theater last Friday night music from DJ Mando Fresko could be heard blasting from inside onto the street, playing Lady Gaga, the Black Eyed Peas, and other upbeat, techno versions of the latest singles from various popular artists.
Girls in micro dresses and sky-high heels and guys with button up shirts and blazers lined the streets, awaiting their admittance into the venue.
At the red carpet, a handful of models, designers and actors posed for photographers and chatted with event coordinators for Project Ethos.
Project Ethos is “an incubator for emerging artists.” They produce red carpet events showcasing “all emerging Millennial Generation forms of creativity in one house, on one night,” according to their Web site.
In addition to the entertainment, the event’s charitable partner was Love Cures Cancer.
“Love Cures Cancer is an organization dedicated to benefiting children with cancer while raising awareness and working to find a cure,” Jill Queza, public relations representative for Project Ethos said.
Their name could be seen flashing on the screen throughout the fashion show, and was the underlying cause of the entire night.
“The goal is to furnish opportunity for featured artists, as well as arrange a truly invigorating experience for an event goer,” Queza said
Inside, Bruno Mars, best known for his songs, “Nothing on You” featuring B.O.B. and Billionaire featuring Travis McCoy, started the evening’s festivities, and got the crowd’s attention by singing both hit songs along with other original work.
Although missing B.O.B. and Travis McCoy, Bruno Mars and his band brought the audience to their feet within the first song, and soon the vast majority of the crowd could be seen dancing to the beat and singing along. The combination of Bruno Mars’ raw talent and high energy performance was enough to prep the audience for the upcoming fashion show and leave many new fans among the audience.
The fashion show featured 10 new designers including Gordana Gehlhausen (GOGA by Gordana), Jesus Estrada (Haus of Estrada), Rochelle Corino (Rumplemunkeh), Maria Peralta (Devious Damzels), Rachael Feigelson (Love Child), Michelle Liu (EMEL), Shant Der Ashodian (ARKA Clothing), Omatu Gottschlich and Sandra Sturm (Fulani), Marialia Pacitto (Marialia), and Seth Nobmann (Seth Wellington).
As the fashion show progressed, it was never short of a dull moment. A few models stumbled, a couple “wardrobe malfunctions” occurred, and a handful of unfortunate models were forced to walk to the catwalk without music due to “technical difficulties” with the sound system.
On the bright side, each collection was unique and trends were spotted by each designer. Futuristic material, embellished leggings, and sheer material were apart of each collection, and proved to be included in spring’s hottest new styles.
After the fashion show, the audience gravitated towards the roof of The Music Box, where an art exhibit took center stage.
Artists included Amy Bernays (paint), Lea Barozzi (graphic designand illustration), Michael Pukec (live painter), Jennifer Gutierrez Morgan (photography and mixed media installations), Claire Cetera (paint and photography), Arnold Randall (sketch, paint and mixed media), Nan Lawson (illustration and photography), Jeremy Asher Lynch (paint and video), Shane Pollard (photography, paint, design, and sculpture), Erin Hammond, and Tom Howarth (paint and sketch).
Overall the night proved to be not only productive, but inspiring. Witnessing a night dedicated to showcasing undiscovered artists and their talent was truly an amazing experience.
