L.A.M.B. Spring 2011 collection at New York Fashion Week
After more than 6 years of success at the front of L.A.M.B. it's clear that Gwen Stefani is not just a "singer wannabe fashion designer". The No Doubt front-woman has an undeniable fashion sensibility that, since the beginning of her musical career and even more so in her years as a designer, has distinguished Gwen from other celebrities turned into fashion designers.
In the early days of L.A.M.B. Stefani revealed her vision and hopes for her fashion brand. "L.A.M.B. is a fashion line that - fingers crossed - will just get more and more sophisticated. What's different than what's out there is the way I put things together. And, if you look inside the pants, you'll find secret details in there." she said. And added, "I will stand here for a while", advising that her time on the runway was far from over.
Over the last few years, L.A.M.B. has stood apart from the crowd and outlives the numerous celebrity brands that see the light every year. Gwen has a sense of style that goes way beyond her celebrity status. This is probably her key to success of the L.A.M.B. fashion line. The brand has become so popular among celebrities that it is difficult to find one who doesn't have some of Stefani's designs, whether it be L.A.M.B clothing, shoes or accessories.
Gwen's personal and unique style is always present in all her creations. Each season she manages to surprise and delight fashion editors, L.A.M.B. fans and potential costumers with new, unexpected and exciting influences.
In September 2010, New York city experienced a blast of color and fun during the vibrant presentation of Gwen Stefani's fashion line. The L.A.M.B. Spring 2011 collection closed New York Fashion Week with its fun, daring and African inspired looks. Tribal was the main influence on the last L.A.M.B collection. Stefani recognizes "I've always wanted to do the tribal thing but it's pretty hard to get right. I think we've got it." With enormous support for the new L.A.M.B collection at the prestigious fashion event, indeed they seemed to "get it right".
The day before the fashion show, Gwen said in an interview that she was really nervous yet excited about the new spring collection. Some of the looks of this bright collection needed last-minute changes. "Prints are hard to pull off and do well….they're scary, sometimes you just want to be black and be safe." states the artist in an interview made in her showroom right before her tribal collection walk along the runway. You can watch the entire interview on http://www.highsnobette.com/news/2010/09/17/gwen-stefani-l-a-m-b-showroom-interview/
Gwen, however, is a brave designer and fulfilled her spring collection with mixed prints, tribal looks, animal prints and mosaic patterns. The bright yellow, orange, green, blue and red of vibrant ethnic prints, and some punk plaid patterns too, were wisely combined with "safe" black and grey.
The top looks of the night were flirty chiffon dresses with African prints, cropped tops in bright colors, pleat-front pants, low-slung fitted pants and plaid tailored pantsuits.
The animal print, leopard, ocelot and zebra appeared mostly on L.A.M.B.'s handbags. Protagonists of this tribal party were also the platform shoes, with straps and details on raffia continuing with the African motif, and the African-bead necklaces.
The L.A.M.B. show became a big party, with the models strutting their stuff along the runway to the rhythm of reggae music, including songs of Sean Paul, Santogold and M.I.A.).
Among the many celebrities in attendance who came to see Gwen's latest collection were the guys from No Doubt, the ex-Spice Girl Mel C, Russell Simmons, Christian Siriano and Debbie Harry, lead singer of Blondie.
Her husband Gavin Rossdale, leader of the rock band Bush, and their two children, Kingston and Zuma, cheered Gwen from the front row while she walked down the runway to take her bow with the No Doubt hit "Hey Baby" as the perfect soundtrack. She was wearing pieces of her collection with a daring combination of prints and a rock star chic look. Her 4 year old son Kingston joined Gwen for the grand finale.
"I love doing a fashion show. It's more dramatic, more theatrical. ... It's great." admits Gwen. L.A.M.B.'s spring 2011 collection was definately a stellar fashion show and it was the perfect end to New York Fashion week.
What surprises does L.A.M.B. have in store for us in its next collection? Since Gwen is well-known for her classy eclecticism and exciting, spunky and unexpected influences we can expect almost anything. And there is no doubt that it will be anything with lots of style!