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BUENA VIDA

Style

Fashion Fashion

As toes are covered up and sleeves are rolled down, and as jackets come out of hiding, some of the world’s best new pieces are ready to shine. From elegant evening wear to structured silhouettes in everything from rich charcoal wools to deep purple chiffon, these stunning pieces, and their creators, are setting the standard for the season’s style.

Juan Carlos Obando
Juan Carlos Obando was already a highly successful art director whose ad work could be seen all over elite advertising platforms when he decided to explore high fashion. When he was a mere 27 years old, the Barranquilla, Colombia-born, L.A.-based designer showed his collection at Los Angeles fashion week. The high praise was immediate.
Titled Liz Goldwyn vs. Frank Miller, Obando’s Fall 2008/Winter 2009 collection was inspired by music, graphics and of course fashion, playing off of Miller’s dark graphics and fashionista Goldwyn’s fearless style. Dresses are his staple, though hemlines run the gamut, and colors are muted in shades of grey, black, beige and cream. Designs are available at exclusive boutiques.

Where to Buy:
Des Kohan
671 Cloverdale
Los Angeles, California
323-857-0200
www.deskohan.com

Angel Sanchez
Venezuela native Angel Sanchez actually started out as an architect before making the voyage into fashion design. After his design company made the move to New York, his ultra chic designs soon landed in some of this country’s most upscale stores. He then made the move to bridal designs, and his dresses graced elite and celebrity affairs. Eva Longoria chose an Angel Sanchez bridal gown design for her extravagant Paris wedding, and countless stars have donned his dresses on the red carpet.
Sanchez’ fall line is full of iridescent blacks and opalescent creams. When there is a punch of bold color, he prefers an all-over effect. Hemlines and proportions are modest, keeping the emphasis on line and shape.

Where to Buy:
Various locations throughout the United States and internationally. Available at Bergdorf Goodman, and select Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue stores, among others. For more locations visit
www.angelsanchezusa.com

Brian Reyes
When starlets are asked which designer created their red carpet frock, the answer is often Brian Reyes. Just ask America Ferrera and Rachel Bilson. Reyes’ elegant approach to evening wear was perfected during his tenure as a designer for Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren and Michael Kors, all before the tender age of 24 when he started his own line.
For Reyes, fall is all about classic colors: think camel, pewter, olive and hues mirroring New England fall foliage, not to mention classic black. And as for accessories, waists are whittled with belts wrapped around everything from dresses to coats. When legs aren’t bare, Reyes plays on dark-tone tights in blacks, grays and brown.

Where to Buy:
Various locations through the United States and internationally. Available at Barney’s Madison Avenue, Henri Bendel, and select Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom stores, among others. For more locations visit
www.brianreyes.com

Armand Basi
What began as a knitwear line in the late 1940s has today matured into Armand Basi, an upscale fashion label with an air of avant garde design, complete with a menswear, womenswear, footwear, leather goods and fragrance line. The iconic Spanish label’s women’s collection is the creation of Markus Lupfer, whose work is much loved by celebrities.
For fall 2008, Lupfer brought big prints and bold colors such as oranges, violets and magentas to fall’s traditionally subdued color palette. Shapes were voluminous and geometric, and textiles veered from fur to fringe to faille. Lupfer also developed his own self-titled label as well as an accessories line.

Where to Buy:
Armand Basi Store
Passeig de Grácia, 49
08007 Barcelona
34-93-215-14-21
www.armandbasi.com