Author: Marta Walsh

Lana Fuchs

Lana Fuchs is a Russian born fashion designer and the designer of Lana Fuchs Couture, the lifestyle brand Billionaire Mafia and the founder of Emerald Dream foundations, a charitable non-profit  organization. In this interview, Lana Fuchs chats with Marta Walsh about her trip to India and how it drove her to finally pursue her dream to become a fashion designer, her inspiration behind the Lana Fuchs Couture Spring/Summer 2009 Collection “Rhapsody In Boom” presented at LA Fashion Week, her dreams to dress Middle America and help women to feel good about themselves, how she would love to dress Cindy McCain, and her fascination with legendary fashion designer Coco Chanel.
When did you fascination with fashion begin?
My fascination with fashion began probably when I was eight years old, when I moved to the US with my parents from Russia. We settled in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn New York. We moved into a terrible studio apartment. It was the classic immigrant story, we all have them. I was an overweight child and didn’t speak English which led to a somewhat hard time in school. My uncle bought me a Barbie Doll for my ninth birthday. My life has changed. I began living my life vicariously through Barbie. I felt that Barbie’s clothes were not good enough for her. I use to cut my mom’s curtains and her vinyl table cloths and turn them into pretty clothes which I sewed by hand.  This is when I decided that when I grow up I want to be in fashion.  But when I grew up I wasn’t allowed to go to school to study fashion because it wasn’t considered a real education by my parents. They wanted me to be stable and have a steady profession.  I ended doing everything they wanted me to do. To make long story short, when I turned 33 I went on a trip to India for a month. I was at a good place financially and with my family but I didn’t feel I was fulfilled. When I came back from India I knew what I had to do. I quit everything and I told my family I was planning to do what I love, which is fashion. I never wanted to live with the notion’ I should have could have.’ I never looked back!What was the first garment you have ever designed as the Lana Fuchs Couture?
I first began making clothes for myself. Everywhere I went people used to compliment me for what I wore and asked where they can buy it. I ended up making one of a kind gowns and various outfits for others.  I have pictures of every garment I have ever designed. The first gown I designed was a beautiful ball gown in black and burgundy for a friend of mine. We were going to the same party in Europe through an organization called YPO, which my husband and I belong to.  It is a group of about 11,000 or 12,000 members worldwide. As a member of YPO we travel to various countries with educational programs during the day, and amazing and fabulous parties and formal balls at night. The fist dress I’ve designed was for a YPO woman.

“I would like to dress Middle America. There is a great need for affordable yet nice clothes. With just a few great pieces of clothes women everywhere can feel so much better about themselves.”

How would you describe the Lana Fuchs fashion line?
The Lana Fuchs fashion line is timely and timeless for the woman who has arrived.

Where do you draw the inspiration from for your designs?
I love to travel and I travel a lot. I have a fascination for exploring new courtiers and new cultures. Every time I leave a country I take something from it. What I have learned is that there are different standards for beauty in every single country.  But the most amazing thing I’ve discovered is that one common denominator for all these women around the world is their femininity. This is why many of the Lana Fuchs dresses are very feminine. For example my latest collection for spring 2009 “The Rhapsody in Bloom” was inspired by the sites of Giverny France from the gardens of Monet mixed with colors of Indian women working in the field. I observe and study how women are and what they wear to different occasions all around the world. Every woman is an inspiration to me.

 

Who do you see wearing the Lana Fuchs clothes?
The Lana Fuchs fashion line is for women from age 20 to 60 who are interested in wearing classic and elegant clothes as opposed to following trends. These are women who have developed their own sense of style, and know what they like and what looks best on them. She could be a woman from all walks of life: a homemaker, an attorney, or a doctor. In Hollywood, I would love to see Sophia Loren, Angelina Jolie, and Nicole Kidman wearing the Lana Fuchs Couture. I also would have loved to see Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in one of my dresses. And, Cindy McCain would be perfect. Cindy is so classy and elegant, always well put together.

What would be your biggest achievement as a fashion designer?
I would like to dress Middle America. There is a great need for affordable yet nice clothes. With just a few great pieces of clothes women everywhere can feel so much better about themselves. That confidence in women comes across and it is so evident.

Who are some of your favorite fashion designers?
My personal favorite fashion designer is Coco Chanel, I always used to look up to her even as a child. Coco Chanel has managed to achieve international recognition through so much adversity and obstacles. She left an important mark in the world which doesn’t end in just fashion. Coco taught women how to be independent and to think outside the box. She also taught women around the world to wear clothes that are comfortable and not fit into what is expected of them to wear.  I also like Armani, Valentino, Yves Saint Laurent, and Christian Dior.

How would you describe your own personal style?
I describe my personal style as timely and timeless pieces with an attitude.

What’s next for Lana Fuchs?
I would like my clothes to be available at department stores and specialty boutiques. And, hopefully next season I would like to show my collection in New York Fashion Week.

It was a pleasure to interview Lana you can find out more about her fashion line at her official website: www.lanafuchs.com/ and her other sites: Billionaire Mafia and Emerald Dream Foundation. 

TIME Style & Design November 2008 Issue

The TIME Style & Design November 2008 issue is on newsstands now.

Here’s a look at the new issue:

Time Style & Design PARADISE FOUND Australia’s Luxury Island Escapes. Plus: Globetrotters Reveal Their Best-Kept Travel Secrets.

TIME Style & Design’s Marion Hume traveled to several of Australia’s low-profile, far-flung islands to give readers inside tips on how to get to them, where to stay and what to do. Hume writes, “Less widely known is that [Australia] is surrounded by what are arguably the most diverse outliers of any country-from coral cays in the Great Barrier Reef to remnant volcanoes in the Pacific.”

Diane von Furstenburg tells TIME about where she likes to shop while traveling: “At bookstores. I buy books everywhere I go.” Her favorite city: “There are so many … I love Paris, Istanbul, London and, of course, New York.” Her best packing tip: “Travel light, very light, and take things that can work in many ways. When you figure out how to pack lightly, you figure out how to live lightly.” Her favorite hotel: “I love Claridge’s in London. Martin is the best concierge in the world, the sheets are the most luxurious linen, and the breakfast is perfect.”

Mario Batali on his favorite city: “Bologna is the best city in Italy for food.” The best nightlife: “Ho Chi Minh City. No other comment necessary.” His favorite restaurant: “Da Zaccaria in Amalfi, Italy, serves the purest form of linguine with clams on the planet.” A place he will never go again: “The Hamptons are usually filled with what I had hoped to leave behind in New York City.”

Maria Sharapova on what’s in her carry-on: “My Sony Ericsson phone charger-because if my bags get lost, I would be more upset about losing my phone battery than my new pair of Manolos.” Her packing tip: “Never overpack; you are always going to acquire new goods along the way.”

Miley Cyrus and Ashley Tisdale Get Hidalgo Matching Best Friend Rings

Horseshoes are a BIG hobby for real life best friends, Miley Cyrus and Ashley Tisdale who both collect any cool item they can find.

Miley Cyrus fell in love with Hidalgo’s horseshoe ring and ordered one for herself. She also picked one up for her best friend Ashley Tisdale so they can both wear together.

Hidalgo enamel horseshoe ring Retail for:

Horseshoe – $1417
Guard Rings – $415 each
Available at: www.Hidalgojewelry.com

Lamar Odom Spotted at the Lana Fuchs Couture Fashion Show

Lamar Odom was spotted at the Lana Fuchs Couture Fashion Show this week during LA Fashion Week.

In the photo below, Lamar Odom is holding my Blackberry, yes my!, talking to a my friend’s husband.

Lamar Odom is an American professional basketball player who currently starts at power forward for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association.

Continue reading Lamar Odom Spotted at the Lana Fuchs Couture Fashion Show

Lana Fuchs Couture Spring 2009 Collection at LA Fashion Week

I just got back from LA Fashion Week and remember the Lana Fuchs Couture Spring 2009 Fashion Collection as one of my favorite ones.

Among celebrity guests attending the Lana Fuchs Couture fashion show was Lamar Odom, a professional basketball player who currently starts at power forward for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association.

I loved 3 dresses from the Lana Fuchs Couture fashion show: Chloe which is a sequined mesh and lace once shoulder dress in ivory/gold (#28 in photos). Blaque which is a satin and embellished lace strapless bustier petal dress in black (#45 in photos). And the last dress (#49 in photos), Flora which is a silk chiffon, mesh and organza embellished petal bridal gown. I definitely can see myself wearing Lana Fuchs dresses!

Continue reading Lana Fuchs Couture Spring 2009 Collection at LA Fashion Week

Kim Kardashian and Kourtney Kardashian at the Caroline D’Amore Fashion Show

Kim Kardashian and her sister, Kourtney Kardashian, were spotted at LA Fashion Week minutes before the Caroline D’Amore fashion show on Tuesday October 14th.

Kim Kardashian looked beautiful in a fuschia dress and black high heels. Kourtney Kardashian was equally gorgeous in a white button down shirt and a black pencil skirt.

Kim Kardashian and Kourtney Kardashin look just as beautiful in real life! This is what I describe as natural beauty. Note: it was quite a challenge taking Kim Kardashian’s photos, I had to compete with lots of professional and somewhat aggressive paparazzi photographers.

Maggie Barry Spring/Summer 2008

Maggie Barry Co. proudly presents her new Spring/Summer 2009 collection. The event, staged within the walls of the historic Globe Theater located in Downtown Los Angeles, will in turn be theatrically presented to unfold before your eyes within the context of an exotic “Victorian Circus”.

Maggie Barry will not be alone on this stage. The show carries on with a virtual tour de’ force of key
players. Maggie Barry Co. has collaborated for the first time with Jacob of Shoes for the Stars to
create signature footwear. As well, hats are designed with Mark Mieja from Baron Hats. Integrated
into the show are fine jewelry pieces from brilliant|AD by Alexander and You MacBeth by Flynn.
Shown as a separate vignete: Barry/Savage, a line of voluminous and ethereal goddess dresses will
make it’s debut representing a design collaboration of Maggie Barry and fashion stylist Cory Savage.
Premiering that evening will also be a “green/eco responsible” luxury t-shirt and denim line branded
rock paper scissors a division by AD directed by designer Alexander. Beautifully crafted functional
scarves by Bernt Kuhlmann for XUBÁZ [xü-bazz] will be presented too.

Continue reading Maggie Barry Spring/Summer 2008