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Fashion and music go together like peanut butter and jelly, or is it ham and cheese?
So it’s about time dance clubs began mixing fashion shows as an added bonus
for clubbers who want more than high-priced drinks at a sweaty dance hall.
At Circus Disco in Hollywood, Saturdays are devoted to the artistic interpretation
of fashion designer Levon Mouradian. Unlike other designers who like to plan,
sketch and organize months in advance, Mouradian likes to design spontaneously,
figuring out what he likes and doesn’t like an hour or two before the start
of his show.
"I’m an expressional designer. I don’t go with whatever is ‘today’
in fashion," says Mouradian.
The only two things Mouradian will obey are his feelings and emotions. Calling
a recent Saturday-night collection "Mercy," as a political anti-war
statement, Mouradian chose vibrant, loud colors like fuchsia, gold and blue as
his personal subliminal message of freedom and hope.
"I’m trying my best to bring out more colors to make things more beautiful,"
says Mouradian.
Attention grabbing colors are only secondary, though, compared to the actual finished
designs. Working with giant-sized shears, the 40-year-old designer likes to drape
his models in sheets of fabric before snipping and shredding his way (á
la Edward Scissorhands) into different styles and varieties of dress.
World and historical influences could be seen in Mouradian’s collection such
as a yellow and black empire style dress, which had a renaissance look with a
modern twist. The dress was paired with tight black pieces of fabric that crisscrossed
tightly on both arms, bringing to mind naughty thoughts of bondage and S&M.
A bold fuchsia dress with layers of western-style fringe clung tightly to accentuate
the curves of one model, while a matching birdcage-like piece perched uncomfortably
on top of her head.
Mouradian likes to accessorize by utilizing common household items such as Saran
wrap, duct tape, spray paint and even thinly cut strips of plastic. Nothing is
off-limits for this Armenian designer who went so far as to attach a giant shell
on the back of a model’s head.
Although his finished creations are certainly imaginative, they are also a bit
amateurish and unpolished. It’s almost as if Mouradian is trying too hard
to create art.
The fashion show got off to a slow start, and a temporary blackout inside the
club only delayed the show further, forcing Mouradian to work with candles and
flashes in the back room. Unfavorable weather conditions may have accounted for
the low turnout inside the club, but a handful of curious onlookers and dancers
– who were able to put down their glow sticks for two minutes – were
able to enjoy a fashion show that was pure spectacle. And, according to Mouradian,
that’s all he could ever hope for from his audience.
"Just a beautiful couple of seconds. If I get them that much, that’s
enough for me," says Mouradian.
Levon Mouradian’s live art fashion show is featured every Saturday night
shortly after midnight at Circus Disco, located at 6655 Santa Monica Blvd. in
Hollywood, two blocks east of Highland. Tickets are available at groovetickets.com.
For more information, visit circusdisco.com or call (323) 462-1291.
Article posted on 12/13/2004
This article has been viewed 3105 times.
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