‘Buddy’ Hoody-Shirt Event
On Saturday, Nov. 22nd, designer Violet Valen will be showcasing her latest line of one-of-a-kind cut and sew woman’s hoody sweatshirts that center around a teddy bear that she refers to as Buddy.
This private event will take place at Downtown Art Center Gallery on 828 South Main St from 7 PM-11 PM and will also feature Stones Throw ’s Peanut Butter Wolf and Banana Split’s Mike B. It will be her first show since last December’s holiday party, which she co-produced with Fader Magazine.
Background: Born and raised in East L.A., Violet credits her current work to have stemmed from watching her mom sew everything from curtains to costumes as a kid.
As a high school senior, Violet interned for the L.A. Music Center’s art dept., where she painted sets and steamed costumes. Throughout college, Violet worked as a teacher’s assistant for a private elementary school that allowed her to teach sewing to 4th graders. Through this, Violet fell into nannying for extra school cash to a doctor to the stars. She soon found herself visiting Neverland Ranch, and sitting for Karis Jagger. Meanwhile, sewing in her spare time, Violet began selling her pieces to folks in her circle and she soon became known as “Designer Nanny”.
In 2001, Violet moved on to work as an art director apprentice to Sidney J. Bartholomew (of Farrelly Brother films). Working long hours, Violet’s wardrobe evolved into mainly sweatshirts. “I figured if I could spruce up all my hoodies enough to wear them out on the town, then I wouldn’t have to sacrifice their comfort.” This is what gave birth to the first Buddy sweatshirt. A few years later, Violet went full time into Buddy and produced her first runway show in 2005, which featured the winner of “Project Runway”.
For now, Violet is mostly working on creating more Buddy collections. Her pieces are all done by hand using mainly vintage fabrics she’s collected over the years. The average piece takes her about a week to create. Violet’s next step is to find a manufacturer so that she’ll be able to expand the Buddy line.
Saturday, November 22, 2008 - 7-11pm
Downtown Art Center Gallery
828 S. Main St
Los Angeles, CA 90014
INVITE ONLY: rsvp - buddybyviolet@gmail.com
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