Tag: kevan hall

Interviews from the Kevan Hall Fashion Show at Universal Studios Backlot, October 17, 2009

October 17, 2009 was the chic fashion event of the season. The luxurious setting at Universal Studios backlot was the perfect backdrop for Kevan Hall’s couture fashion show. With a bevy of top models, diamonds, luxury handbags, high fashion eyewear, and beautiful footware, Kevan Hall created a coveted collection of fashion art in its most perfect form. I had the opportunity to interview some of the key players that evening—Gregory Arlt (MAC Makeup), Tod Hallman (runway show producer); and celebrity guests Tammy Farrell (Miss California 2009), and Natasha Henstridge.

Interviews by Kaylene Peoples (bolded)

Miss California 2009 Tammy Farrell (Pre Show)

What designer are you wearing tonight?

Kevan Hall naturally. I love his designs! I’m really looking forward to the show.

What was it like as your reign as Miss California?

I stepped into controversy with Carrie Prejean. It’s been a huge honor with all the media attention. It has helped me in so many ways than it would have had I won on my own. I was able to be an advocate for causes that I really believed in. For the first time we had world news. The world was watching what was going to happen with this pageant.

What are your plans now?

I just finished my screenplay and I’ve been shopping that around. I am working on my second one now. I’m also an actress. I started filming my first movie, and I hope there will be more to come.

Gregory Arlt – Director of Makeup Artistry for MAC

What are you doing for the Kevan Hall show?

It’s really based on the 40s. She’s sort of a well-traveled woman, ultra chic, absolutely perfect. And she might have been driving in her convertible. So she has a little bit of a wind-swept look. The hair might have gotten a little shape from being in the car. The makeup might have gotten a little stronger. So we gave her a really chic cat eye and a very strong, deep rich blood-red lip.

Any makeup trends for this winter coming up?

Absolutely! There are so many that we’ve seen. Two of the strongest trends I think are definitely a lip. We did see a lot of reds on the runway, a lot of burgundies, wines, sometimes bright orange lips . . . definitely a stronger mouth, sort of 50s—a cleaner eye. And then the opposite direction, we thought definitely a smoky eye. But it wasn’t your typical black eye. It was a little more sort of gray. We saw almost a metallic gray or ashy gray, kind of light your beautiful eye shadow, which I love. But it was a little bit more undone—it wasn’t perfect. Kind of like a smoky eye but still really chic.

Runway Show Producer – Tod Hallman

I’ve known Kevan, going back to when he was at Halston in New York. And when he came back to Los Angeles, he did his first show, and I was a guest. I was like, “I want to work with Kevan!” So I have been producing his shows since 2005.

What is the inspiration for this show?

Since we’re at the Rusnak reveal of three North American luxury cars—the Rolls, the Porche, and the new 4-door Pandemera . . . it is just breathtaking—I spoke to Kevan and I said, “Since we’re going to be working on the show, we needed to combine your inspiration in the end to the auto theme.” So he decided on Elizabeth Parke Firestone. She was the daughter of the son of Firestone Tires. She was a magnificent dresser, breathtaking. And she felt it was important for her to look great because she was always on her husband’s arm. Kevan has moved forward the classic look that she wore back in the 50s, 60s and 70s for today’s modern woman. And when Kevan comes up with his inspiration then my wheels start churning, about what I can do visually. I am a concept person, so it’s always great working with him.

Interview with Natasha Henstridge (Post Show)

What did you think of the show?

I’ve always been a fan of Kevan Hall’s work because I think he cuts so beautifully for the figure of a woman, which I have. I loved all the opalescent, iridescent, classic, gorgeous, unusual colors that he used in this season. Colors, that I’d never even seen before, but in a beautiful, classic, subtle way. I think it’s a fun, nice thing to see come back. What I really enjoy about fashion are things that are classic with a modern twist. I saw a lot of that in this collection.

I kind of agree with you, the way that he does design for women with curves.

You don’t see A-Line in Kevan Hall’s stuff, and I’m a big fan of A-Line things, flapper things. But you have to know what works for your body, and his fashion and his styles work for a woman’s body.

Do you have other designers that you are a fan of as well?

I do have a few. I love Zac Posen; Versace also cuts for a woman’s curves; Dianne Von Furstenberg. Again, these are just designers that work for me. There are so many designers that I adore that don’t work for my body.

Tell me what you’re working on now?

I just finished a movie. It’s a little sweet family movie, a Hallmark movie called You Lucky Dog. I’m kind of trying to be “Mommy and Me,” but on a much lower budget (she laughs). It’s very sweet. Kind of like a dog bringing its family back together. Before that I did Eli Stone, Crazy Keeper for a couple of years. Crossing my fingers to do another TV show. I like to just kind of stick around and be in town.

Kevan Hall’s Spring 2010 Collection “The Getaway” – Once Again Earning His Title as “The Red Carpet Designer”

Kevan Hall presented his Spring 2010 evening and ready-to-wear collection during Rusnak’s “Night of Luxury” in the grand plaza of Spartacus Square on the Universal Studios Hollywood Backlot, Saturday, October 17, 2009. The feeling of privilege and opulence abounded as I scanned the sea of elegant tables, smelled the aroma of fine food and drink, and took in the distinguished guests dressed to the nines. Rolls Royce revealed its newest car, the “Ghost” for 2010, among other couture vehicles, including the unveiling of Porche and Jaguar. Miss California, Tammy Farrell, among other celebrities (Haylie Duff, Nick Zano, and Natasha Henstridge) were in attendance. Before the main event, I spoke to the head stylist and runway show producer to get a feel of the night’s upcoming main event. They hinted at the smoky eye look and thecarefree essence of the heiress, driving in her convertible sports car with her hair in the classic up-do, in this case, a classy beehive with a slightly windblown look. The producer emphasized his desire to bring to life Hall’s vision. In my opinion he succeeded.

As with every Kevan Hall collection, the clothes were breathtaking, bringing me back to old Hollywood. Well, the Spring 2010 collection was no different . . . ahem . . . except, dare I say, “evolved”? Each beautiful gown and elegant suit embodied nostalgia reminiscent of Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Lauren Bacall, etc. The show was indeed bigger than life. The white jersey jumpsuit with black silk organza touring duster was one of my favorite pieces. Another signature piece in Hall’s collection was the azalea pink silk taffeta siren gown with bow. In keeping with the one-shoulder trend as seen on many a catwalk this season, the white chiffon one-shoulder gown with black lace crossings was also a favorite. And let’s not forget the attention to detail that Hall gives his creations. The indigo stretch georgette crisscross dress was finely crafted to accentuate a woman’s curves—another Hall trademark.

It would be unfair to point out only my favorites, since every piece in this collection is beautiful and truly embodies Hall’s ode to the iconic woman. With clean lines and tastefuldiamond accessories and a palette of unusual spring colors, Kevan Hall’s Spring 2010 collection can only be described as other-worldly.

What was the inspiration for your collection?

The inspiration was Elizabeth Parke Firestone, who was the Firestone heiress; and I figured since we were doing this in this venue with the beautiful automobiles, to look to this incredible icon that collected couture. So, with couture, thinking about her life, thinking about the 50s all the way to the 70s . . . just beautiful couture-inspired gowns and suits.

I loved everything about it. I loved the styling that went along with it. What I noticed particularly—and you did this in most of your collections—were your choices of iridescent colors. Can you tell me a little bit about some of the fabrics you used?

We used a satin-based organza. It’s a fabric that I hadn’t used in many, many years. It has a very light, airy kind of feeling to it, and then again back to my color sense. People are really responsive to colors. The iridescence is something that I always do. I love soft, luxurious fabrics.

Why did you choose Universal Studios?

We had the opportunity to partner with Rusnak group. When I saw the setting, I thought it was just perfect to take it out of a white box and put it into this really wonderful open-air ambience and create a whole great evening.

Initially, I saw your very first collection as the creative director for Halston. I’ve been in love with your talent ever since. I have seen you just catapult into this amazing iconic—I know a word you use for your own inspirations to your collections—designer. What’s next for Kevan Hall?

What’s next for Kevan Hall? I am continuing to branch out on my brand. We do have a new collection called “Kevan Hall for Paul Stanley,” where I have a partner and we’re doing day dresses. Of course, we’re selling more mainstream. They’ll retail at specialty stores and in Bloomingdale’s, and then I also just launched a collection called “Kevan Hall Studio,” which is cocktail dresses at a great, affordable price for women that would love to own the clothes that they can’t really afford, the couture pieces.

For women like me. (Both laugh)

So we’re branching out.