Style Discoveries at Unique LA
grenniMEDIA at UNIQUE LA 2009
Unique LA, the Los Angeles Independent Design & Gift Sale, happens twice a year. grenniMEDIA paid a visit to the city’s upcoming uber-creative designers, and discovered some rare and eccentric finds. And, here they are:
Gräf & Lantz: Luxuriously Simple Tote Bags
First off, I want to introduce everyone to Gräf & Lantz. Yes, it’s Gräf with an umlaut! That’s because Holger Gräf, designer #1 in the team, is from Germany (my awesome home country, by the way). Gräf, together with his design partner Daniel Lantz, manufactures the most amazginly puristic and Japanese inspired tote bags from 100% merino wool. Here’s what the designer duo says about their line: ” Our goal is to create products that are luxurious, aware and functional. We have chosen to primarily use high quality 100% merino wool felt which we have produced and imported from Germany. By combining felt with other natural materials we highlight its deep rich colors and unique texture. Our high density felt not only makes a very durable and pill resistant product but also lends a sculptural quality that influences and inspires the structure and form of our designs. Each piece is handmade in the USA.” I was just blown away by their chic and luxuriously simple tote bags! Check out their 2 fresh models named Jaunt and Scoot.
Spiders and Caviar: Yummy T-shirts on Eight Legs
Tricia Tanaka, designer & owner of Spiders and Caviar, presented me some of her super soft tees made from 100% supima cotton. Let me tell you, these t-shirts are softer than the softest baby skin and more yummy to the eye than any caviar to the palate. According to Tricia, “each t-shirt goes through an enzyme wash and receives a silicone finish to make them buttery soft”. I could not resist and bought 2 of Tricia’s tees, printed with environmentally friendly water based ink, and I haven’t taken them off since. No kidding!
7Lightningbolt*: Fashion for the Anti-Fashionista
7Lightningbolt* are creators of experimental clothing that will inspire every anti-fashionista out there. Their handmade pieces are made from deconstructed and revamped vintage clothing. Every piece shows its unique qualities through a variety of decoration techniques – from sewing, screen printing, and cut/sew to stenciling, painting, and airbrushing. Bringing a different spin on the mundane fashion traditionalism, the creators’ eccentric clothing line has already found fans in such celebrity style devotees as old rocker Gene Simmons, GRAMMY® nominated electronic music duo Crystal Method, Dutch trance producer and DJ Armin van Buuren as well as actor David Arquette. 7Lightningbolt* is also sponsoring the Rock’n'Roll Fantasy CampTM, and their pieces will be featured in the new Nicholas Cage movie. Yep, and YOU can wear their progressive, revolutionary, and anti-establishment pieces, too! Just be bold!
How to Save the Planet in a Sack
Fun and Functional – that’s what the ideal environmental friendly fashion accessory should be. And, it is with PLANET SAVER SACKS! Made with natural, prewashed unbleached cotton canvas and waterbase inks, these green totes are “endorsed by Mother Nature”. And the best of it all? Planet Saver Sacks carry an important message printed right on the tote – for everyone to see, and for the carrier to educate his fellow planet-friendly earthlings. Cindy McGrath, the woman behind the sacks, would even go so far and customize a bag for your company or event. Sounds too good to be true? You better check out the Planet Saver Sacks and start toting your own green conscience around!
Wow, interesting selection, thanks for sharing! LA is just too cool when it comes to fashion.
Karin