Chloe Dao & Elaine Turner
How lucky am I? I was asked to join the girls (Chloe & Elaine) and their teams as they did the style-out for their upcoming joint venture, a fashion runway presentation for our town’s, Fashion Houston event at the Wortham Theatre Grand Foyer next Wednesday, October 12.
How much fun we had, definitely the highlight of my week!
First question from me, of course: How did this happen? After a long giggle from each, they revealed that they had discussed it about a year ago, but these two Rice Village-ites made the BIG DECISION over dinner and maybe a little wine at Benjy’s about three weeks ago!
They said that for them they thought it would be a great way to show support for each other (ahhh, that’s sweet!). No product crossover here! They also expressed passionately that they wanted to show their support for the city that has supported them and saw this collaboration for this event to be a great platform on which to do that (thank you, ladies)!
Now a sneak preview of what Spring 2012 will be for each of these designers that you will be seeing on Wednesday night…which I must say, is very much on a similar track. No wonder this show collaboration will work so well. The two images above show Chloe’s use of bright color with ethnic trim for day, highlighted by Elaine’s lighter Spring version of metallic in the clutch and the python peep-toe Shoetie, which her customers love. Also, maxis dresses are staying around and Chloe’s bright kaleidoscope print, which she has built several pieces around, accented by Elaine’s platform dress sandal shoe and metallic and straw bag.
Chloe Dao: Her collection is still evolving into what is potentially her largest collection to date. She has stepped outside of her comfort zone and done lots and lots of different kinds of prints…kaleidoscope, as shown above, neon, tribal, batik….you name it! The mood is mod and the colors are hot…green, pink, cobalt, assorted brights and touches of color-blocking. She even has some ethnic prints and trims….truly a taste of it all!
Elaine Turner: Global village is her main theme and her fashion icon for the new Spring season is a 60’s/70’s era Elizabeth Taylor. Each delivery has a new feel starting with neutrals and working into brights such as magenta, lime and turq. There will be plenty of metallic and python & snake, two fashion ideas that have become Elaine Turner’s signature now for several seasons. They are neutrals that go with everything and her customers cannot get enough of.
Both ladies will be focusing their runway show, primarily on Resort or Early-Spring which will be in stores in November and followed by Spring/Summer for Jan/Feb in store.
Another Chloe/E.T. trivia is that they both started their businesses the same year, 2000 but have each taken their businesses in different directions….Elaine is building her wholesale line and can be found in approx. 300 stores nationwide, including an exclusive line she is designing for Neiman Marcus for Spring. Chloe, who had her taste of wholesale, is focusing on her own store, Lot 8 as her laboratory and main selling location. Both ladies have great hopes of building their online businesses going forward.
To see more of their collections for Spring, you must see their one-time collaboration for Fashion Houston on Wednesday night, October 12 at 8:00 p.m. For ticket info for their show and all the happenings for each night, visit www.fashionhouston.net. You can also visit, www.thechicsheet.com, for total line-up.
Thank you ladies for sharing with me…..it was so fun to just be a part of your great positive energy! Good luck on Wednesday.