Lois Preps for a Runway Show!
Interviewed by Adrienne Borgersen Photos: Lois Eastlund, fitness photo: Steven Vandervelden
The glamour, the camera flashes, the crowds on the edge of their seats. I love fashion shows—the blossoming creativity, the new possibilities. They are a lot of fun, from the perspective of the spectator.
LE: I’m introducing a new fitness line this fall, so I’ll be showing some of those pieces mixed in with my regular dress line, as well as men’s tops. It’s amazing how cohesive it turned out to be!
It’s a very different story for the designer in the show. Our very own Lois Eastlund is a veteran of many fashion shows. But, this is her first year with Atlantic City Fashion Week, coming up this November. I’m excited to be attending as well, to cover the event and help Lois set up, backstage. As a stylist myself, I love helping her! Of course, a lot of hard work goes into AB: What is your process for preparing a prepping for a show, and Lois tells us a bit new line for a fashion show? about the journey from the sketch pad to LE: I decide on the fabrics/colors first. I sit the runway. with them for a while and let them “speak” to me. Then I’ll decide on what looks will Let’s raise the curtain and find out! tell the story I want to present, and go from AB: What is the inspiration for your de- there. signs? AB: Why do you want to show at Atlantic LE: I see inspiration everywhere and in ev- City Fashion Week? erything around me, but my main inspiration comes from the mod style of the 1960’s, LE: Well, I am a “Jersey Girl” (I grew up in North Edison, although I’ve lived in NYC for mixed with 1980’s punk. a long, long time now). So, I think it’s great to go back and show my collection where AB: What kind of fabrics do you use? it all began! LE: All cotton, or cotton blends, mostly knit AB: What’s next for you? jersey. AB: Do you design for a particular type of LE: As I mentioned, I’m launching a new fitness line, mostly printed cotton lycra legperson or lifestyle? gings, with matching tunic tops, so that is LE: It’s hard to say exactly. It used to be keeping me very busy. I’m also showing my a person, but now, it’s more of a lifestyle. line at a cruelty-free fashion show in NYC in Fashion trends (cycles) have changed so November. And, of course, continuing to much over the years, with more clothing co-edit LA Fashionista Compassionista! becoming seasonless, and definitely more casual. I’ve evolved as a designer and also Thank goodness for that! Stay tuned for our next issue, where I’ll report back on the adapted to what my customers want. show and Lois’ new looks. AB: What do you have in store for this show? LAFCNYC 48