The fashion and design world gathered for an exclusive VIP Preview of the best of L.A.’s emerging, artistic talent at the Tastemaker Gallery at the Hollywood and Highland Center. The exhibition, presented by Los Angeles Magazine, will be open to the public March 19 – 30, 2008 and is an interactive display of the eclectic and diverse talent that has become synonymous with Los Angeles’ art scene.
As defined, a Tastemaker is “a designer or artist whose work or personal style sets a new standard or trend.” Los Angeles Magazine’s Style Star of Tomorrow brought out Los Angeles-based artists, stylists, architects, and designers on the rise who made their way to Los Angeles Magazine recently to audition for a panel of judges.
It was thier chance to show the world how they are making waves in the art, music, photography, design, and style industries.
Some of our Style Star of Tomorrow auditions aired on The KTLA Morning Show on Wednesday, March 12 and viewers voted for one of three finalists. The last Style Star of Tomorrow standing was named on The KTLA Morning Show on Friday, March 14 and joined Los Angeles Magazine Tastemakers at this VIP Tastemakers exhibition and Kick-off party.
The recently inducted “Tastemakers – Class of 2008” includes trendsetting “tastemakers” across a variety of style, design, and art disciplines. The influence behind this celebratory event is Los Angeles Magazine Style Director Laurie Pike who since 2006 has developed a monthly column profiling L.A.’s best and brightest in trendsetting talent. This event is an amazing showcase of all their remarkable talents.
The “Tastemakers – Class of 2008” includes: Undefeated owner and sneaker designer James Bond; Rosemary Brantley, mentor and founder of Otis College of Art + Design; White Trash Charms jewelry designer and retailer Brooke Dulien; 10 Eleven showroom owner Betsee Isenberg; Society for Rational Dress designer Corinne Grassini; Joel K, designer of menswear line K.Z.O.; goldsmith and jewelry designer Melissa McClure, owner of Jewelry Alchemy; designer and Resurrection vintage boutique owner Katy Rodriguez; furniture importers John Brady and Willard Ford, owners of FORDBRADY; home accessories and fragrance designer Douglas Little, owner of D.L. & Co.; Reiko Kondo, owner of Eenie Meenie Records; Machine Project gallery owner Mark Allen; invitation designer Marc Friedland, owner of Creative Intelligence; and architect/fashion designer Elena Manferdini, owner of Atelier Manferdini, who was named a tastemaker in two categories.
For further background information on each Tastemaker click here.
Guests delighted their taste buds as they were treated to an array of exquisite culinary hors d’oeuvres prepared by executive chef Eric Greenspan of The Foundry on Melrose and tasted Metal Mulisha Drinks new line of beverages (metalmulishadrinks.com). The marriage of food and artistic excellence made for a wonderful evening. Each tastemaker display was a collaborative interpretation between the artist and fashion students from FDIM.
Additional sponsorships included, Audi, Glabman Home, InterContinental Hotels, Onitsuka Tiger, Van Cleef and Arpels.
Following the conclusion of the exhibition, be sure to pick up a copy of Design L.A. 2008, a coffee-table style book published by Los Angeles Magazine, which showcases several Los Angeles tastemakers and influencers, including those featured at this event. All proceeds from Design L.A. 2008 will benefit Gen Art, a non-profits arts event company in Los Angeles.
The Judges were:
Gen Art:
Jen Egan
VP of Business Development
Los Angeles Magazine:
June Miller Richards
VP, Marketing
FIDM/ Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising:
Nick Verreos
Instructor and Project Runway season two alum
Creative Intelligence:
Marc Friedland
Creative Director
Otis College of Art and Design:
Tony Young
Professor of Design.
