Designer Laurel Berman, of Black Halo
Designer Laurel Berman, of Black Halo
Taking the famous Jackie Kennedy quote "I never leave my house unless I am suitably dressed" to heart, designer Laurel Berman launched her line, Black Halo, with flawless construction, impeccable tailoring and a heavy dose of sex appeal.
Black Halo, the fashion line by Designer Laurel Berman is known for its popular "Jackie O" Dress that helped to transformed the way women dress today with the simplicity of a single dress, inspired by Jackie O's timeless silhouette.
JH - Tell me a little about yourself. Where are you from?
LB - I grew up in Washington state, studied at the San Francisco Academy of Fashion, then moved to LA and started Black Halo with my partner/husband in 2002.
JH - What does fashion mean to you?
LB - It's an expression of my mood on a given day, chameleon-like, always changing and evolving.
JH - When did you realize you wanted to become a fashion designer?
LB - After I graduated from Washington State with a Political Science degree I took a look within and asked myself "What is it in my heart that I wanted to do with the rest of my life" and I realized at that moment that fashion was the thing that always mattered in my life so I set off to pursue that dream.
JH - What was the first article of clothing you ever designed?
LB - A pair of Gaucho's I made in 7th grade.
JH - How long does it usually take you to construct a piece? Describe the general process you go through to design and realize a piece of clothing.
LB - My design process always starts with fabrics and inspiration images, then my team and I sketch and create silhouettes, that evolve into groups, that in turn become collections.
We are constantly designing dresses/collections as we have 12 deliveries every year.
JH - Who are some of your favorite designers?
LB - Haider Ackermann, Ricardo Tisci for Givenchy, and Alber Elbaz for Lanvin.
JH - How do you select your models?
LB - My team and I come up with a particular "look" that we are going for then set up castings with the top agencies in town, narrowing down our selection until we come up with the exact line up/combination which we are seeking.
JH - Do you consider yourself an artist?
LB - Not really, I prefer to consider myself a creative entrepreneur blending art AND commerce.
JH - What matters to you most as a fashion designer?
LB - Proportion and fit are key for me. I review in great detail the fit of each individual garment to ensure that the specs are correct for production before shipping to our stores/customers.
JH - How do you prepare for a fashion shoot or show?
LB - My team and I find our specific inspiration for the the shoot/show in terms of art direction and follow that through from hair and make-up through castings, through the actual shoot itself.
Jh - What advice do you have for aspiring fashion designers?
LB - Never give up no matter how many "Nos" you receive - persevere and stay true to your course.
JH - How would you define the style your line exemplifies?
LB - I take great pride in that my Point-of-View is so strong that people can easily identify my brand.
JH - Where do you get your inspiration?
LB - From museums, to travel, to vintage shopping
JH - What are your favorite fabrics to work with and why?
LB - Stretch Gabardine because of its recovery and it's forgiving nature - easily covers up a woman's imperfections
JH - Future Plans?
LB - We are hoping to eventually expand into shoes, sunglasses, and fragrances.
You can follow Designer Laurel Berman & Black Halo
facebook
www.facebook.com/BlackHaloStyle
twitter
twitter.com/BlackHaloStyle
Visual Guide - Black Halo
Silver Jackie - Houndstooth 3/4 Sleeve Jackie
Fitted sheath dress made of our classic black and white houndstooth from Turkey, featuring drape neck detail and ¾ length sleeves with rolled cuffs. Made in USA
Visual Guide - Black Halo
Jacket Dress -
Classic sheath dress with a contrasting bodice that gives the illusion of a cropped jacket. Bodice is made of our black and white boucle houndstooth fabric from Italy. Corset waist and pencil skirt are made of contrast black durable, finely woven gabardine. Dress features fold over collar, cap sleeves, and a genuine leather belt.
Visual Guide - Black Halo
Jackie Jumpsuit -
Wide leg jumpsuit made of our finely woven gabardine. Fitted "Jackie" style top with drape neck detail, cap sleeve, and invisible center back zipper. Jumpsuit features a high waist seam for the long-legged look every girl craves. Slash pocket detail at hip on front seams.
Laurence - Laurence Color Blocked Dress
Our stand out sheath made of our French rose printed stretch cotton and imported stretch gabardine. Dress features geometric starburst neckline and triangle cut out at back neck in our black gabardine. Dress has seam at natural waist to accent your waistline, along with a slit at back hem and center back invisible zipper.
Lola Mini -
Long sleeve mini dress made of our durable viscose blend knit that has a hint of shine. Dress has great flexibility and holds its shape, begging for a girls night out! Mini dress features sexy contrast French coated lace panel at the left waist and right sleeve.
Taking the famous Jackie Kennedy quote "I never leave my house unless I am suitably dressed" to heart, designer Laurel Berman launched her line, Black Halo, with flawless construction, impeccable tailoring and a heavy dose of sex appeal.
Interview with Designer Laurel Berman of Black Halo
Black Halo, the fashion line by Designer Laurel Berman is known for its popular "Jackie O" Dress that helped to transformed the way women dress today with the simplicity of a single dress, inspired by Jackie O's timeless silhouette.
JH - Tell me a little about yourself. Where are you from?
LB - I grew up in Washington state, studied at the San Francisco Academy of Fashion, then moved to LA and started Black Halo with my partner/husband in 2002.
JH - What does fashion mean to you?
LB - It's an expression of my mood on a given day, chameleon-like, always changing and evolving.
JH - When did you realize you wanted to become a fashion designer?
LB - After I graduated from Washington State with a Political Science degree I took a look within and asked myself "What is it in my heart that I wanted to do with the rest of my life" and I realized at that moment that fashion was the thing that always mattered in my life so I set off to pursue that dream.
JH - What was the first article of clothing you ever designed?
LB - A pair of Gaucho's I made in 7th grade.
JH - How long does it usually take you to construct a piece? Describe the general process you go through to design and realize a piece of clothing.
LB - My design process always starts with fabrics and inspiration images, then my team and I sketch and create silhouettes, that evolve into groups, that in turn become collections.
We are constantly designing dresses/collections as we have 12 deliveries every year.
JH - Who are some of your favorite designers?
LB - Haider Ackermann, Ricardo Tisci for Givenchy, and Alber Elbaz for Lanvin.
JH - How do you select your models?
LB - My team and I come up with a particular "look" that we are going for then set up castings with the top agencies in town, narrowing down our selection until we come up with the exact line up/combination which we are seeking.
JH - Do you consider yourself an artist?
LB - Not really, I prefer to consider myself a creative entrepreneur blending art AND commerce.
JH - What matters to you most as a fashion designer?
LB - Proportion and fit are key for me. I review in great detail the fit of each individual garment to ensure that the specs are correct for production before shipping to our stores/customers.
JH - How do you prepare for a fashion shoot or show?
LB - My team and I find our specific inspiration for the the shoot/show in terms of art direction and follow that through from hair and make-up through castings, through the actual shoot itself.
Jh - What advice do you have for aspiring fashion designers?
LB - Never give up no matter how many "Nos" you receive - persevere and stay true to your course.
JH - How would you define the style your line exemplifies?
LB - I take great pride in that my Point-of-View is so strong that people can easily identify my brand.
JH - Where do you get your inspiration?
LB - From museums, to travel, to vintage shopping
JH - What are your favorite fabrics to work with and why?
LB - Stretch Gabardine because of its recovery and it's forgiving nature - easily covers up a woman's imperfections
JH - Future Plans?
LB - We are hoping to eventually expand into shoes, sunglasses, and fragrances.
You can follow Designer Laurel Berman & Black Halo
www.facebook.com/BlackHaloStyle
twitter.com/BlackHaloStyle
Visual Guide - Black Halo
Silver Jackie - Houndstooth 3/4 Sleeve Jackie
Fitted sheath dress made of our classic black and white houndstooth from Turkey, featuring drape neck detail and ¾ length sleeves with rolled cuffs. Made in USA
Visual Guide - Black Halo
Jacket Dress -
Classic sheath dress with a contrasting bodice that gives the illusion of a cropped jacket. Bodice is made of our black and white boucle houndstooth fabric from Italy. Corset waist and pencil skirt are made of contrast black durable, finely woven gabardine. Dress features fold over collar, cap sleeves, and a genuine leather belt.
Visual Guide - Black Halo
Jackie Jumpsuit -
Wide leg jumpsuit made of our finely woven gabardine. Fitted "Jackie" style top with drape neck detail, cap sleeve, and invisible center back zipper. Jumpsuit features a high waist seam for the long-legged look every girl craves. Slash pocket detail at hip on front seams.
Laurence - Laurence Color Blocked Dress
Our stand out sheath made of our French rose printed stretch cotton and imported stretch gabardine. Dress features geometric starburst neckline and triangle cut out at back neck in our black gabardine. Dress has seam at natural waist to accent your waistline, along with a slit at back hem and center back invisible zipper.
Lola Mini -
Long sleeve mini dress made of our durable viscose blend knit that has a hint of shine. Dress has great flexibility and holds its shape, begging for a girls night out! Mini dress features sexy contrast French coated lace panel at the left waist and right sleeve.
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