With a cult following comprised of both indie and A list celebrities, power player super models, (Irina Lazarenu modeled for her mood book), and a slew of fashion savvy downtown New York girls, Electric Feathers dresses are a must have for spring. I finally made it out to designer Leana Zuniga's studio last week to pull some pieces from her latest spring collection.
The low ceilings and concrete floors of the industrial Williamsburg space are warmed up by vintage rugs and elegant couches, a coffee table artfully stacked with photography books and fashion mags, a sewing machine and work table in the center, and of course rack after rack of her ubiquitous, voluminous dresses, not to mention Leana herself. It's the kind of space where you immediately want to strip down to your skivvies, dive in, and try everything on. Which is exactly what I did!
The dresses, organized by color, provide a spectacular rainbow of cotton gauze and silk noil draped on the hangers in various flowing shapes. My eye was immediately drawn to the hand dyed pieces in a color palette of neutrals and black -- the perfect take on the tie dyed print so prevalent right now. One of the genius things about her collection is most of the fabrics come in various shapes, and vice versa. You can do a little bit of the old mix and match. I love this fabric and I love this shape, and more than likely you'll find the exact combination of what you are looking for. Pilfering through you eventually stumble upon certain one of a kind pieces which are as equally alluring in their exclusivity -- often times hand painted upon request!
Previously Electric Feathers Leana owned a well-known vintage store in the East Village for several years and was also a stylist. I think having that eye and ability to look at a garment, know how it's going to fit, and think creatively about its possibilities has transferred to her collection. The woman is a genius in giving girls options; I watch as she illustrates how to wear one of her dresses 4 different ways! Talk about a great plus point during this economy. Don't we all want a little more bang for our buck?
I ended up leaving there with a great selection and the Circle Shoulder Silhouette in the light hand dye for myself. Though I think I want it in Navy silk as well, and I'm going to be dying for the Y-back jumpsuit come August when the sweltering NYC heat is in full force!
Electric Feathers is sold at Rogan and No.6 in the city and now online at La Garconne. Check out their site for other stockists!