How many designers have launched a collection and, in its very first season, found it hanging in between Celine and Rick Owens at Barneys? Exactly two that we know of: Laurence Nguyen and Brian Tamborello of the L.A.-based, not yet year-old label Les Aperizes. “We were there to look at shoes last week, and we wound up introducing ourselves to a woman who was trying on one of our sleeveless blouses,” explained Nguyen. “She asked us, ‘What do you think?’ We told her she looked beautiful, but of course we’re biased.”
The fiancés and former New Yorkers have good reason to be. Les Aperizes, named after a dream Tamborello had not long after they met in which he saw the word “aperyznotic,” is remarkably well crafted and well conceived for a debut. Nguyen, who hails from Double RL and Levi’s, and Tamborello, who was a drummer for the Psychic Ills, chalk up the brand’s quick success to its “masculine/feminine point of view.” They describe the collection in dichotomies like “formal/informal, Victorian/Samurai, and embellished/industrial.” As those divisions imply, the debut collection is a smart mix of sharply tailored menswear-influenced jackets and pants and high-necked, pillowy-sleeved blouses and dresses, many with hand-embroidery done in Vietnam (the line is L.A.-made). For Fall, they’ve expanded on those concepts, adding leather detailing to tops and skirts and increasing their coat offerings. This delicate camisole and bias-cut skirt is one of the highlights.
The duo may be back in New York come September for fashion week. Then again, they may opt to open a small store in Los Angeles instead. Either way, we’ll be watching. The label is also sold at Ikram in Chicago and Montaigne Market in Paris.
How many designers have launched a collection and, in its very first season, found it hanging in between Celine and Rick Owens at Barneys? Exactly two that we know of: Laurence Nguyen and Brian Tamborello of the L.A.-based, not yet year-old label Les Aperizes. “We were there to look at shoes last week, and we wound up introducing ourselves to a woman who was trying on one of our sleeveless blouses,” explained Nguyen. “She asked us, ‘What do you think?’ We told her she looked beautiful, but of course we’re biased.”The fiancés and former New Yorkers have good reason to be. Les Aperizes, named after a dream Tamborello had not long after they met in which he saw the word “aperyznotic,” is remarkably well crafted and well conceived for a debut. Nguyen, who hails from Double RL and Levi’s, and Tamborello, who was a drummer for the Psychic Ills, chalk up the brand’s quick success to its “masculine/feminine point of view.” They describe the collection in dichotomies like “formal/informal, Victorian/Samurai, and embellished/industrial.” As those divisions imply, the debut collection is a smart mix of sharply tailored menswear-influenced jackets and pants and high-necked, pillowy-sleeved blouses and dresses, many with hand-embroidery done in Vietnam (the line is L.A.-made). For Fall, they’ve expanded on those concepts, adding leather detailing to tops and skirts and increasing their coat offerings. This delicate camisole and bias-cut skirt is one of the highlights.
The duo may be back in New York come September for fashion week. Then again, they may opt to open a small store in Los Angeles instead. Either way, we’ll be watching. The label is also sold at Ikram in Chicago and Montaigne Market in Paris.
