Published
Sep 28, 2022
Reading time
3 minutes
Download
Download the article
Print
Text size

Ciarra Pardo, president of LA Fashion Week: “We really want to attract the younger crowd”

Published
Sep 28, 2022

From October 6 to 9, the new edition of LA Fashion Week will be held in Los Angeles. A format now driven by the event agency N4XT Experiences, and its co-founder Ciarra Pardo, also president of Los Angeles Fashion Week Enterprises and former Creative Director of Fenty. 


Ciarra Pardo, co-founder of N4XT Experiences and President of LA Fashion Week Enterprises


FashionNetwork.com: The history of LA Fashion Week has seen many twists and turns, what are your ambitions with this new edition?
 
Ciarra Pardo: Considering the cultural boom happening right now in LA, we really wanted to create a space that allows for this creativity to flourish, in a limitless and daring environment. The expressive and diverse nature of Los Angeles has led us to offer an opportunity where the brand or designer can realize their creative universe in all verticals, constructing a playground with endless opportunities, with an emphasis on how Tech, Fashion and Beauty intersect. 

FNW : For the first time, LAFW will be registered on the CFDA calendar, does this mark an important step in the credibility of LA FW?
 
CP: Of course, for us, it has always been really important to become a relevant and competitive fashion player in the industry and we are really grateful for the support of Steven Kolb, CFDA CEO, during this process. Considering our shared collective visions for sustainability and inclusivity as core values in LAFW, it is ever more rewarding that this will be observed and appreciated on an official level. We also hope that this cohesive fashion festival experience can expand, allowing creatives to combine different industries with the aim of innovation in fashion, thus this visibility is hugely exciting.
 
FNW : Your tagline is mixing fashion, beauty, tech, sustainability, why this positioning?
 
CP: In such a fast developing world, in which Tech dictates so much of what we do, from the gaming industry to basic communication, to manufacturing garments and tracking carbon footprint, a world where we don't utilize these intersections in fashion, does not exist. With this comes the ways in which Beauty and Fashion can be enhanced by Tech, innovating new experiences for the future of sustainable fashion and technology.
 
FNW: Levis and Guess will be part of the program, what can we expect ?
 
CP: We will be celebrating with Guess, they have a special presentation in store for us! Levi’s are also presenting us with a sustainably focussed private event, reminding us of the importance of being mindful and responsible when consuming fashion.
 
FNW: How many shows are on the program ?
 
CP: We are currently keeping it at a conservative 10 shows on the program, with Maxwell Osborne's An Only Child opening the event. Alongside a host of different panels, masterclasses, our gifting suite, curated pop-ups, and beauty collaborations. We are excited for this teaser, and lots more to come!
 
FNW: Among the young emerging designers, who can we discover?
 
CP: Sami Miro Vintage, an LA homegrown brand will be showing, and Chris Nick is another interesting designer to keep an eye on. An Only Child, an emerging brand will be debuting its new collection with a fully immersive experience, digital mapping and 3D simulation. 
 
FNW: What kind of audience are you targeting? 
 
CP: We really want to attract the younger crowd, Gen Z creatives, through our focus on tech platforms, like TikTok, Snapchat and Ray-Ban stories, amongst the 300-400 guests. That being said, we are also very keen on the use of these platforms with real-time content to make our event inclusive to all the people around the world that cannot attend. Diversity has also been key for us since the beginning, so with the host of followers from Gypsy Sport during Latin X month, and the LAFW Launch of An Only Child, we hope to see some new faces amongst the frequent fashion crowd.

Copyright © 2024 FashionNetwork.com All rights reserved.