To my mentors with love

Two of my fashion mentors are renowned in the fashion world: (1) Ike Rust, a beloved friend and former flatmate who taught me the basics of design and aesthetics; and (2) Simon Ungless, a dear friend who taught me much of my knowledge in printmaking and applied textiles. They are not your average fashion designers who have established labels in the fashion world, but their impact is seen through the skills and techniques that they bring to fashion in the academic world. Both are academic teachers who day-by-day have taught thousands of students from San Francisco to London. Ike (also known as Ivan) is the head of menswear at the Royal College in London, and Simon is the Director of the Graduate Program (M.A.) in Fashion at the Academy of Art University. Both were graduates of the famous Central St. Martins in London, England, whose graduates include the likes of John Galliano and the late Alexander McQueen—to name a few.


When I first moved to San Francisco in the mid-90s I first worked at the School of Advertising at the Academy of Art University (then Academy of Art College), where Ike was a recent transplant from New York City after working at Calvin Klein and Simon was recruited from London to teach applied textiles. The Academy had a small fashion and merchandising department. With the help of other transplants from England, the Academy has since devolved into a major player in the fashion world and now shows its students' work at New York Fashion Weeks. Every now and then, I come across graduates who are now professionals in the field and work in big fashion houses such as Ralph Lauren and Burberry. Much of their knowledge and skills could easily be traceable to both Simon and Ike and other teachers who unselfishly lent their own skills and knowledge for them to succeed in this world. My skills have been honed by both Ike and Simon. At the Academy, I met many a great friend and artist whose friendship remains until today. 


One thing that I know for sure, if and ever I will have a fashion crisis, I can always call either of them for their frankness and assistance. And forever, I am grateful.


I digress. The reason why I thought of Si and Ike today was because I also learned something new and I thought I would share it with you. I went thrift shopping the other day and came across a few labels that were unknown to me, but the design was very good and the fabrics were exceptionally tasteful. They are currently in our store.  One is a mod minidress from Karla Colletto, and the other is a cocktail dress from a label called Komorov. I thought the cut on the Colletto dress was very chic, and the embellished dress from Romanov reminded me of my lab days with Simon at the Academy, where I learned fabric-embossing techniques.  Well, who knew that both Colletto and Romanov are actually well known in the fashion world? We all learn something new every day. 


Here are photos of these two dresses (1) the mod dress in blue by Karl Colletto and (2) the python embossed cocktail dress by Shelley Komorov.  Both are in great shape and form and are ready for bidding in our store.

Eggshell, Ecru, Bone, Ivory, Cream: It's All White to Me

All Points Bulletin from the Fashion Police


Among the new fashion trends that came out of the recent New York Fashion Week is minimal white. White, ivory or eggshell colors in trousers, tops, blouses, and jackets require no accessories (yes, to remain minimal) with one simple rule--don't mix it with other colors. It does look fresh from the runway and everyone seems to be keeping it clean this season. 


I know some of you will find it difficult not to wear any colors, considering winter has just left us. The snow has not even melted in some places, and here we are thinking of wearing white again. Either you are a follower of trends or not, white is always fresh and clean. But for those of you who are strict interpreters of fashion, we have some items on stock that may be of interest without breaking the bank or your budget:


(1) Bruno Magli white open toe sandals, (2) a Trina Turk white blazer with ribbon closure, (3) an Oscar dela Renta Ikat patterned Ivory blazer, (4) a NWT double breasted military style blazer from Hawksley & Wright, and (5) a gorgeous vintage Moschino Cheap & Chic blazer, in linen circa 1980s for him.  


These are only a few of items and we sure have a lot more white items in stock. Whatever your size, style, and budget, our store has something for everyone.


Here are the photos of those lovely spring Bruno Magli shoes and the Trina Turk blazer:

What about Montana?

Cathy Horn in today's New York Times reviewed the collection for Thierry Mugler - a remake of some sort with the help of the artist Lady Gaga. Susan Menkes did a video interview with Gaga along with fashion designer Nicola Formichetti about his first women's collection for Thierry Mugler at Paris Fashion Week. Gaga and Mr. Formichetti were probably not even born at the height of Mugler's career in the 1980s. Collaboration or not, the show is about the resurrection of Thierry Mugler from the dead. Gaga as inspiration is a stretch, I think. The show obviously got a lot of press, and who knows if the Mugler brand will again be sellable for the masses. But what I remember about the Mugler brand in its heyday was his perfume and the muscle shirts that gay boys were wearing everywhere in the '80s.

Mugler was an '80s icon, but the enfant terrible who truly deserves a second look is my favorite fashion icon, Claude Montana.  Claude Montana ruled the '80s along with Mugler. He founded his own fashion house, the House of Montana, in 1979 but went bankrupt in 1997. He also ruled the House of Lanvin in the early '90s. Claude Montana is still alive and lives somewhere in Spain.

I am lucky to have two Montana garments in the store. One is a vintage '80s black blazer with big shoulder pads and gold buttons, and the other one is a gorgeous gold silk top with square shoulders. It was the '80s after all. Here is a photo of the latter item. Please visit our store for additional information on these two garments.

So with the help of Gaga and Mr. Formichetti, we can say that the '80s fashions are being revived to the fullest. But back in the day, Montana ruled!

Kenzo for Spring

Spring is just in the air; I can smell it when I pass by the cherry trees in my neighborhood where the buds are about to burst in colors of pink and lilac. It is also the moment when you can finally shed all the winter clothes--the heavy wools, scarves, gloves, the layered cotton and cashmere--and show some skin.

And I have just the perfect spring frock for you--a Kenzo original from his boutique in Paris waiting to be snatched by the lucky fashionista at our eBay store. Rich sumptuous chocolate brown, with an aubergine lining, evokes the richness of the earth at this time of year, just ready to burst with life. I know these are not your typical colors for spring, but why go with the rest of group when you can stand out in the crowd in a great looking dress. Get yourself a beautiful spring bud and pin it on the breast, and you're set.

Kenzo Takada, founder of the fashion house, retired in the late 1990s and left the Kenzo name and a thriving brand. It is currently owned by the fashion house LVMH, the same company who owns Dior. Here's a rare chance to own a NWT (new with tags) Kenzo dress for your upcoming spring soirees. Here are a few details:

• Size 38
• NWT
• Tags are written in Japanese characters
• Garment is chocolate brown and would look good with any type of skin tone - particularly red heads!
• It is lined
• The accent color underneath the arms and neck is a gorgeous aubergine/eggplant
• There are seven gorgeous buttons or closures in the front
• Extra button intact and attached with tag
• There are no pockets

And if you happen to wear this at La Perle in the springtime and some nasty fashion designer starts to sneer at you, blabbing incoherent racists remarks, tell him to stuff it!