Silk inspired haute couture dresses

Touted as the first Ukrainian designer to present a collection in the United States, 28-year old Veronika Jeanvie’s fall couture line debuted at this year’s Mercedes-Benz LA Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios in Culver City.  The room was filled with press and photojournalists.  Sponsors range from Mercedes-Benz, Fred Segal Beauty, Smashbox Cosmetics and Photogenics.  In addition, fashion critics, distributors and celebrities such as R&B/Hip Hop recording artist Kelis and actress Dania Ramirez came together to see the Ukrainian designer’s latest designs.  Also, tapped to be a model for the show was America’s Next Top Model Cycle 7 contestant Eugena Washington.

Eugena Washington (America's Next Top Model Cycle 7 Contestant) struts the runway in an elegant eye-popping Jeanvie original

As the lights go down, with nothing left but Jeanvie’s signature name luminating in a fuchsia colored background, rock/alternative inspired music, chosen masterfully by Kelly Cuthrone and Alexandre Boulais, help set the mood and ‘fashion’ the energy of the event as models stomp the runway with intense body language and sex appeal.  Jeanvie’s designs range from an outrageously sexy gold skin tight body suit with a matching poncho, to a vintage ‘60s inspired metallic aqua blue diamond-shaped dress as well as an elegant haute couture signature fuchsia gown lined in silver guaranteed to create a stir when worn on the red carpet.  The use of silk and lace adds a soft and sleek appeal to some of Jeanvie’s garments.  Each outfit is accompanied with simple accessories as an accent feature.

Jeanvie goes outrageously sexy with these gold inspired outfits

Jeanvie does a throwback to the vintage style

Jeanvie enlisted the help of an amazing group of individuals in the beauty industry to create this eye-popping line.  Her attention to detail from head to toe on each of the designs was evident.  Lori Taylor’s makeup on each of the models along with Paul DeArmas’ (of Fred Segal Beauty) hair designs were polished and simplistic which coordinated and complimented each outfit beautifully.  The outfits were completed with shoes by Michael Antonio and accessories by Veronika Jeanvie herself.  Jeanvie’s show conveyed an amazing range of styles.  Each design definitely had a commonality:  symmetrical cuts and basic shapes which made for a simplistic, albeit sexy collection.  What really worked for Jeanvie is the fact that each of the basic shapes, whether it was apparent in her elegant evening wear or her modish and chic style, she made the shapes work to her advantage and created a theme that stood out from your average ordinary designer.  With the added use of vibrant colors, each signature piece of Jeanvie’s stands on its own. 

Silk and lace embody the models as if they have the appearance of floating on air

At the end of the show, Veronika Jeanvie took to the stage wearing a black dress with a rounded sculpted skirt outlined in silver.  She is joined with one of her models, wearing what appears to be the piece de resistance (or the icing on the cake, if you will) of this fine collection: an elegant blue dress outlined in her signature symmerically cut style.  Jeanvie is all smiles as she takes the stage receiving accolades and thunderous applause.

Veronika Jeanvie takes to the stage along with a model wearing one of her fabulous designs receiving lots of applause from the crowded room

One thing can be said for sure, is that Veronika Jeanvie presented a variety of styles from different periods and created a collection worthy of attention.  She prides on high-quality fabric, great accent and detail as well as stellar technology in making each design, and it definitely shows in her work.
 
For more information about Veronika Jeanvie’s past and present collections, as well as her fashion background, visit her website at (http://www.jeanvie.com).
 
For a schedule of events and designers appearing at Mercedes-Benz LA Fashion Week, visit (http://www.mbfashionweek.com).

All photos are provided by Mercedes Benz LA Fashion Week