What destination, if any, inspired your collection?
It was a combination of destination and time period. The glamour of the “Hollywood” life in the 1920’s was
what really inspired me.
Where would you love to see your clothing travel to?
I would love to see the collection in London and Japan. I feel like it would be understood really well in both
of those places.
Your collection has a distinctive look, dramatic, edgy and often utilizing a monochromatic palette with
pops of color. What inspired you to present such a bold collection?
I was not so much “inspired” to present a really bold collection. I didn’t sit down and map it all out. It just
kind of came together that way. The only thing that I really tried to do was to really make pieces and use
colors that I really liked and could see myself and my friends wearing.
How much of your inspiration comes from travel? What other influences shape the way you create
your line?
Some of my inspiration comes from travel, but more of it really comes from periods of time. I love the 20’s,
the 60’s and the 80’s, so I think that there will always be a bit of a feel of at least one of those periods of
time in every collection.
If you could pick one destination (anywhere in the world) to travel to this summer, where would it be
and what would you pack?
I would go on an African safari with my husband. We LOVE animals and I think to be able to see them in
their natural habitats, not behind cages, just being real wild animals, would be awesome. I also think that
there is something incredibly romantic about being in such a real, dirty, authentic situation. I would
definitely pack pretty much everything from my upcoming Spring collection because it is all very comfy,
from dresses to skirts, shorts, and tops.
It was a combination of destination and time period. The glamour of the “Hollywood” life in the 1920’s was
what really inspired me.
Where would you love to see your clothing travel to?
I would love to see the collection in London and Japan. I feel like it would be understood really well in both
of those places.
Your collection has a distinctive look, dramatic, edgy and often utilizing a monochromatic palette with
pops of color. What inspired you to present such a bold collection?
I was not so much “inspired” to present a really bold collection. I didn’t sit down and map it all out. It just
kind of came together that way. The only thing that I really tried to do was to really make pieces and use
colors that I really liked and could see myself and my friends wearing.
How much of your inspiration comes from travel? What other influences shape the way you create
your line?
Some of my inspiration comes from travel, but more of it really comes from periods of time. I love the 20’s,
the 60’s and the 80’s, so I think that there will always be a bit of a feel of at least one of those periods of
time in every collection.
If you could pick one destination (anywhere in the world) to travel to this summer, where would it be
and what would you pack?
I would go on an African safari with my husband. We LOVE animals and I think to be able to see them in
their natural habitats, not behind cages, just being real wild animals, would be awesome. I also think that
there is something incredibly romantic about being in such a real, dirty, authentic situation. I would
definitely pack pretty much everything from my upcoming Spring collection because it is all very comfy,
from dresses to skirts, shorts, and tops.
We are seeing a lot of different shapes in pants these days. Do you prefer a fitted skinny pant or a tailored
voluminous trouser? Or do you believe we still need to hang on to both and why?
We are seeing quite a few different shapes and styles of pants right now, both very fitted and wide leg but I think
that we are slowly transitioning out of the “skinny” pant and into the wider leg. I wouldn’t go throwing out the
fitted pants just yet but I would start buying some bigger ones!
What show, movie, concert, or gallery event are you most looking forward this summer?
This summer I am most looking forward to going to “familiar friends” at project gallery in Culver City. It’s going
to be Lisa Alisa, Erika Yamashiro, and Lindsay Campbell’s take on the female form. It should be really cool!
If you could dress any woman or man living or deceased, who would it be and why? And what celebrity are
you dying to see front row and center at your next runway show?
I would say Bob Marley, Lenny Kravitz or Johnny Depp. I just think that they are all really beautiful people, really
cool and can pull off a rocker hippie look, which I’m really into at the moment. I would love to see Kate Hudson
in the front row of my next show because she’s that same kind of rocker hippie that the one I like.
voluminous trouser? Or do you believe we still need to hang on to both and why?
We are seeing quite a few different shapes and styles of pants right now, both very fitted and wide leg but I think
that we are slowly transitioning out of the “skinny” pant and into the wider leg. I wouldn’t go throwing out the
fitted pants just yet but I would start buying some bigger ones!
What show, movie, concert, or gallery event are you most looking forward this summer?
This summer I am most looking forward to going to “familiar friends” at project gallery in Culver City. It’s going
to be Lisa Alisa, Erika Yamashiro, and Lindsay Campbell’s take on the female form. It should be really cool!
If you could dress any woman or man living or deceased, who would it be and why? And what celebrity are
you dying to see front row and center at your next runway show?
I would say Bob Marley, Lenny Kravitz or Johnny Depp. I just think that they are all really beautiful people, really
cool and can pull off a rocker hippie look, which I’m really into at the moment. I would love to see Kate Hudson
in the front row of my next show because she’s that same kind of rocker hippie that the one I like.
Floral is huge this spring and summer, it
seems a lot of designers are utilizing such
prints. Fashion Q&A adores your take on it. Do
you think this trend will keep up all summer?
I think that floral and girly prints are always kind
of around for summer. I’m assuming that this
spring/summer won’t be too different. I do think
that they might be a bit more retro, which I think
can be kind of cool if it’s done the right way.
Your pieces are classically tailored with
strong, sexy, dramatic overtones and
wearable fabrics. We absolutely love it! Is this
a trend we can expect to find in your next
collection? And is there any other information
you would like our readers to know about your
subsequent collection?
My pieces are classically tailored and that is
something that you will probably always see in
my collection, so thank you for the compliment,
I’m glad you guys like it! Having said that, you
will see some similar silhouettes for Spring,
again in very wearable fabrics, mixed in with
some new really fun pieces that are not so
classically tailored because I feel that
spring/summer is a bit more relaxed - or at least
I’m more relaxed in the summer.
seems a lot of designers are utilizing such
prints. Fashion Q&A adores your take on it. Do
you think this trend will keep up all summer?
I think that floral and girly prints are always kind
of around for summer. I’m assuming that this
spring/summer won’t be too different. I do think
that they might be a bit more retro, which I think
can be kind of cool if it’s done the right way.
Your pieces are classically tailored with
strong, sexy, dramatic overtones and
wearable fabrics. We absolutely love it! Is this
a trend we can expect to find in your next
collection? And is there any other information
you would like our readers to know about your
subsequent collection?
My pieces are classically tailored and that is
something that you will probably always see in
my collection, so thank you for the compliment,
I’m glad you guys like it! Having said that, you
will see some similar silhouettes for Spring,
again in very wearable fabrics, mixed in with
some new really fun pieces that are not so
classically tailored because I feel that
spring/summer is a bit more relaxed - or at least
I’m more relaxed in the summer.
 |
What item from your collection is the ultimate getaway
piece?
The ultimate getaway piece from my collection would have
to be the cashmere “ponch Villa”. It is perfect to throw on as
a dress or a sweater and it is super comfy. It is perfect for
the plane, to run around town in summer or winter because
it is not heavy, so you are able to layer under it, make it
warm, or wear it alone and make it a little summer dress
and wear it to the beach.
piece?
The ultimate getaway piece from my collection would have
to be the cashmere “ponch Villa”. It is perfect to throw on as
a dress or a sweater and it is super comfy. It is perfect for
the plane, to run around town in summer or winter because
it is not heavy, so you are able to layer under it, make it
warm, or wear it alone and make it a little summer dress
and wear it to the beach.
Upon first glance at this emerging designer’s exciting
collection, it might be mistaken for something that would
grace the racks of Vivienne Westwood’s showroom.
However, after careful inspection, the designs of Alexis
LaMontagna are as individually unique as she is. I found
her creations to be of the finest tailoring, layered with
strong dramatic overtones, decisively feminine and from
a sexy strong point of view.
Her collection travels effortlessly to any major city around
the world. I have a feeling that women who wear Alexis’s
collection could easily be seen seated in first class. If any
destination could account for her inspirations, I would
say that spending her youth in the punk rock art scene of
downtown Los Angeles and Hollywood definitely lent a
hand to this collection's edge. Alexis debuted her line at
Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Los Angeles in March '08.
She brilliantly showcased the versatility of her designs. I
could vision a woman navigating her way from opening
night at the MET to a karaoke bar in Tokyo in one of the
pieces from her collection.
The use of traditional woolens, luxurious silks and
cashmere all render in a manner that gives them that
comfy "worn in" feeling, which separates this line from
the pack. Perhaps that's why her clothes are generating a
buzz in the industry. The appeal of her designs is broad,
spanning to the free spirit to the rocker style, and even
businesswomen can appreciate the luxury of Alexis' line.
Who wouldn't want to wear something that is both
elegantly tailored, unique and extremely wearable?
Alexis LaMontagna is making her mark with a look that is
classic yet challenges the norm, appealing to the
ruthless irreverence of a younger generation.
collection, it might be mistaken for something that would
grace the racks of Vivienne Westwood’s showroom.
However, after careful inspection, the designs of Alexis
LaMontagna are as individually unique as she is. I found
her creations to be of the finest tailoring, layered with
strong dramatic overtones, decisively feminine and from
a sexy strong point of view.
Her collection travels effortlessly to any major city around
the world. I have a feeling that women who wear Alexis’s
collection could easily be seen seated in first class. If any
destination could account for her inspirations, I would
say that spending her youth in the punk rock art scene of
downtown Los Angeles and Hollywood definitely lent a
hand to this collection's edge. Alexis debuted her line at
Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Los Angeles in March '08.
She brilliantly showcased the versatility of her designs. I
could vision a woman navigating her way from opening
night at the MET to a karaoke bar in Tokyo in one of the
pieces from her collection.
The use of traditional woolens, luxurious silks and
cashmere all render in a manner that gives them that
comfy "worn in" feeling, which separates this line from
the pack. Perhaps that's why her clothes are generating a
buzz in the industry. The appeal of her designs is broad,
spanning to the free spirit to the rocker style, and even
businesswomen can appreciate the luxury of Alexis' line.
Who wouldn't want to wear something that is both
elegantly tailored, unique and extremely wearable?
Alexis LaMontagna is making her mark with a look that is
classic yet challenges the norm, appealing to the
ruthless irreverence of a younger generation.
 |
Fashion Q&A was backstage with designer Alexis LaMontagna at her
first collection shown for Fall at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week LA
first collection shown for Fall at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week LA
 |
| Written By: Kristine Hartman, Creative Director, Beauty & Cosmetics |
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