Word Association with Vena Cava

Sophie Buhai and Lisa Mayock

We really can't say enough about Vena Cava. With the cool prints, fun shapes, and hardware embellishments, the line has been a staple at Feature since we opened. Since we are obsessed with both Vena Cava (the collection) and its creators Lisa Mayock and Sophie Buhai, we thought it might be fun to do a little Word Association type interview with them. Basically we gave them a bunch of random words and wanted them to come up with the 'Questions' to these 'Answers'.
Let's face it, these girls are pretty cool and creative. We thought if we threw some crazy words at them we could get some pretty funny responses.

The Answers:
Camping equipment
Safety Pins
Geometry
When lightning strikes
Neoprene
1962
Lucite
Station Wagon
Pink
Owls

Question:
Vena Cava Spring 2011 was inspired by this specific gear from the 1970's:

Camping equipment

Question:
What tiny contraption was first invented by Myceans in the 14th century BC and is used at the VC HQ every single day?

Safety Pins

Question:
Sacred "Blank" is used in the design of sacred architecture and sacred art?

Geometry

Question:
The Chick-lit author Meg Cabot is best known for her book, "The Princess Diaries", but also has written a book with lightning in the title called:

When lightning strikes

Question:
What kind of fabric is best to wear when wetting the bed?

Neoprene

Question:
The Cuban Missile Crisis happened in the year:

1962

Question:
What medium does sculptor Phillip Low use?

Lucite

Question:
On separate occasions, what kind of car did both Sophie and Lisa total?
(Sophie at age 16, Lisa at age 20)

Station Wagon

Question:
Pop icon with bleach blonde hair we are not a fan of:

Pink

Question:
These animals can't move their eyeballs, and have three sets of eyelids...

Owls

Pick of the Week: BY Malene Birger Maillot Bag

With summer practically here, it's time for some new bikinis, summer dresses, and perhaps a new summer tote? Feature shoppers have been freaking out about this BMB Maillot Bag not only because of it's extra large size and the handy shoulder strap, but also because it screams summer. Throw everything in it for work, or just the necessities and strut with it tucked under your arm. I mean, you gotta love the stripes!

BY Malene Birger Maillot Tote

$425

Face Behind the Label: Geren Ford

A few minutes with Geren Lockhart

Geren Ford has been a Feature favorite since we opened, and a personal favorite since the label launched. The face behind this cool LA based collection is Geren Lockhart. We have long been obsessed with her easy solid and printed shifts and silk slouchy pants. So for Pre-Fall we thought we would try and dive into Geren's mind and find out what drives her and the collection.

Featured:
'You reference travel a lot for inspiration: What has been the strangest place you've ever found inspiration?'

GL:
'The summer 2006 color pallet was inspired by municipal paint colors from around America. I was traveling a ton when I was working on the design and found myself staring out the window of town cars a lot…thus Chicago dump truck grey / green, or con-ed blue etc… '

Featured:
'And what specifically was your inspiration for your Pre-Fall collection'

GL:
'Jose Ignacio Uruguay – a journey I had the privilege of taking there with a few friends years ago at the end of a 3-month stay in Argentina working as a stylist for commercial campaigns. One of the friends is a journalist and had just written a story on South American Jet Set, so we got a bit of a view behind the curtain. It’s a wonderful beach culture that is easy and sophisticated at the same time. Craft always plays a big part in my inspiration, which is a core value of the culture in Uruguay. This comes through in the Pre-Fall collection through the color pallet, the fabrications, and the use of technique in furthering through subtle ways the use of fabrics, and hardware.'

Featured:
'Technically, it was a pair of pants that started your journey as a designer. But it seems like you're just as well known for your silk tunics and cool prints. How did one lead to the other?'

GL:
'I did begin with one pair of pants….I made myself a pair of drawstring pants to fill a need in my own life and just like those pants each garment follows the idea that form follows function, that most importantly it is about the choices you make. Therefore it’s all in the details, so it doesn’t matter what the object or garment is as long as the goals are the same, chic, effortless, sexy and lasting.'

Featured:
'What's your design process like: Do you work at night or during the day? Organized or a bit chaotic? Do you have any routines you do?'

GL:
'I design day & night, and especially while traveling. While at Parsons for a brief moment I took away some amazing tools, one of our instructors told us to always keep our eyes open, so for me that means it never ends. There is a constant collection of imagery and inspiration that is cataloged both literally and figuratively for use when the schedules and the pace allow for the actual design to happen. I spend a portion of the process in my own head and with a pad and pencil, then a collection goes up on the wall and it becomes a collaboration of choices between departments and vendors with the collections themes and goals providing the guide we edit too all of that leads us to what you eventually see at retail.'

Featured:
'If you hadn't become a designer, what field do you think you would work in?'

GL:
'10 years ago if you had asked me I would have 100% said travel, but now that I’ve got the bug I would say entrepreneur of some sort.'


Geren Ford Pre-Fall 2010
In Store Now

Linkage

Fashion, News, people to love- and occasionally laugh at- from around the web

The celebrate the launch of their new Los Angeles section, one of our favorite fashion news sites is having a Huge Tage Sale this weekend. Feature Sale included. [refinery29]

Fashion's most influential style bloggers - [fashionista.com]

The return of Sex and the City next week means more Carrie, more style,

and more product placement - [celebitchy.com]

Mary Kate and Ashley want to create a lifestyle brand - [The Cut]

Look Book Love: T by Alexander Wang Pre- Fall

Speaking of Alexander Wang, Pre-Fall T Collection is in store this week.
The pieces will go fast!

Spotted In: Beyonce In Alexander Wang

The Cochella music festival is known for not only being a three day binge of music, but also an intense festival of fashion. Everyone, and we mean EVERYONE, comes in there sartorial chic. In between shows, Beyonce was spotted in these Alexander Wang shiny shorts with overlay. A skort of sorts. We love it styled with a long loose tank and some cute gladiator heels.

We only have one left, so call the store to order! 310-826-6600

Look Book Love: Camilla and Marc

Camilla and Marc is the brainchild of brother and sister duo

Camilla Freeman-Topper and Marc Freeman. These designers from Down Under

are quickly becoming one of Australia's greatest exports.

Here's why we Love them:

1. Strong Shoulders

2. Statement pieces

3. Classic silhouettes

4. Just the right amount of sexy chic in each piece.

Pick of the Week: Hasan Cuff from Flutter by Jill Golden

Flutter by Jill Golden is the newest addition to our fabulous list of accessories designers.
This Hasan Cuff is one of our particular favorites! Part of the
Morocco collection, the piece is made from vintage West German stones and swarovski crystals. Customers have been dying over this piece worn high on the arm with a LBD, or stacked with an entourage of bracelets.

(click item to shop at featureboutique.com)

Pick of the Week: Jen Kao Thorax Bustier Dress

What's in Store Now: Wren Summer 2010

Shop NOW - https://featureboutique.com/products.php?pid=364

The Met Ball: Who We Loved

Kristen Stewart in Chanel Haute Couture

Kate Hudson in Stella McCartney

J. Lo in Zuhair Murad
Not a bad dress, not a bad dress at all.

Giselle in Alexander Wang

Alexa Chung and Phillip Lim

Blake Lively in Marchesa

Zoe Saldana, Diane Kruger, and Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein

Images Via Wire Image and Style.com