Fall / Winter 2009 Collection
"Being the Fabulous"

Photography by Erik Sear

From her design studio in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Gibson has called LamanBlu’s™ debut collection “Being the Fabulous”. It is a sportswear based collection in a sumptuous and silky eco-friendly bamboo knit fabric. “The color palette of this collection has deep expansiveness and muted tones with a subtle richness,” says Gibson. “In many ways, this collection was inspired by the frozen surfaces of winter, from the smooth, soft snow blanketing the hillsides, to the positively brilliant snow crystals which sparkle in the moonlight, as brilliantly as any diamond. I always crave fabrics with a soft, sumptuous hand to curl up with in the winter, and the bamboo knit of this collection fills the bill perfectly, along with the cashmere tam to top everything off.” To accent against the soft knit, there is a sparkle organza and an embroidered and beaded lace. According to Stahl’s Color Forecasting service, “Unexpected Poetry moves into the mysterious realm of hypnotic dark colors, colors that are strongly reminiscent of the long dark evenings to come as winter progresses. However, other aspects of winter, snow, ice and frost lead to a panorama of colors that are timeless and even seasonless.” This is an apt description of LamanBlu’s™ debut line.

Fabrics: The core fabric of this collection is a silky, sumptuous eco-friendly 11 ounce bamboo knit with a touch of lycra. There is also a 14 ounce 100% bamboo fleece, which is hand printed with eco-friendly mica pigments in iridescent colors of kiss, pewter, barberry and aubergine. Bamboo is a very renewable resource that grows fast without chemicals and pesticides. It is highly absorbent and bacteria resistant. Accent fabrics include a nylon sparkle organza and a nylon/spandex embroidered and beaded stretch lace.

Trim: The quintesscential trim for Being the Fabulous is a dyed to match foldover elastic with sparkle. It is both a trim and finishing touch which adds sheen to the garments and is in keeping with the comfort focus of soft knits with elastic properties. Many of the garments in this collection feature varying types of hand-controlled machine embroidery in shiny rayon yarns, as well as hand embroidery and beading. Coverstitching, roll hemming and lettuce hemming are also accent details. All buttons are authentic natural shell. At the time of publication of this document, glass beads adorn several of the garments. LamanBlu is dedicated to meeting CPSIA standards. We are currently testing the beads for compliance. Should this become an issue, freshwater pearls will be substituted to ensure compliance. We give as many trim/color options as possible to the retailer so they can effectively and uniquely create their merchandising floor presentation.

Accessories: A collection of accessories is important to any look, and LamanBlu™ has created an offering of various hats, socks and purses to complete your retail presentation. We feel this is an important part of the line, to provide wardrobe options to the consumer and and add-on sales for the retailer.

Aruba
White and pink sand, Caribbean waters so blue they make your soul ache to explore beneath them. And the eternal hunt for seahorses, those elusive gentle creatures hidden in the reef that hold you spellbound. What better beachwear than washed linen in Dutch and sun faded colors. “We’re using inspired finds from the beach, including natural shell buttons and freshwater pearls.”, says Holli Gibson, designer for LamanBlu. The colors are translucent and a reminder of being castaway on a desert island. Fabrics are crinkled and cool to the touch. The garments have a feeling of linear aesthetics to strike the right balance. Details and finishings are perfect reminders of a demure and prim gentility. Harking back to Victorian vintage, with haute couture precision and radiant elegance. Nothing is left to chance, nothing is vague, everything is pretty, harmonious and graceful. A revival of the finest which is enchanting and precious.

Viva la Couleur
Color Amplified. Inspired by the colors of Isla Mujeres, bright bold fiesta colors. Citrus brights offer a therapy of color in a surprise explosion. Cool stretch cotton sateens are the rage of the day, or night. Vibrant, brilliant colors across the spectrum are combined in a wild imagination of playfulness, humor, energy and optimism. Structured details and playing with construction give a vision of exciting and surprising flamboyance. A world immersed in fashion, effervescent colors with sheen personify total perfection, a realm of hope in a global playground. “I love the energy of Mexico, particularly the way they use bright colors, which just radiate in the luminously warm sun. This theme mingles beautifully with our Eco Couture trend.”, says Gibson.

Eco-Couture
“Of course, we’re continuing with our highly successful bamboo knits, with a tropical twist.”, says Gibson. Ecological, innate couture. Vibrant aqua, cool white and tangerine remind us of lush terrain and cool breezes against a backdrop of ethereal views. Subtle stitching and precise edges exist naturally, yet overtly and without pretense. Shades of the piñata mingle festively. Intricate embroidery exudes bountiful joy and lightheartedness. The fiesta girl is reminiscent of youthful days gone by.

"Our world is a rich mosaic, born from varying elements that create a whole. Mosaics can reflect cultural, geographical and political differences, yet still coordinate all these disparate themes. Mosaics are a practical and eco-efficient way of integrating previously used elements or materials to create something new and unique." - Pantone

While mosaics are a record of the past, we continue to re-invent them for the future. LamanBlu™ has old world charm, but yet is not vintage. We provide timeless "vintage alternative" styling with an eco-chic sentiment.