| Accessibly Exotic
Since 2002, DA-NANG has become
a favorite with celebrities and fashionistas alike, thanks to the
brand’s successful convergence of high-end “ready-to-wear”
details and deliciously “lived in” fabrics. Though their
elaborately embroidered and astonishingly flattering cargo pants
put them on the map, the DA-NANG design team – spearheaded
by France-bred, L.A.-based Albert Dahan -- is now looking to expand
its global influences with a newly unveiled menswear-inspired collection,
separates in refreshing tropical patterns and colors and an emerging
children’s line that made a big impact at L.A. Fashion Week
this past April.
Tastemakers who have incorporated DA-NANG’s wares into their
fashion arsenals include Halle Berry,
Sarah Jessica Parker, Jennifer
Lopez and Alicia Keys. Lisa
Rinna was not only an early fan, but has proudly stocked
her destination boutique Belle Gray with DA-NANG as well as Albert
Dahan’s more uptown (but equally versatile) Rangoon
collection of silks and dresses (stay tuned for more on this gorgeous
new development). Although quick celebrity adaptation can be cited
as one reason why many designers call L.A. home, for Albert Dahan,
DA-NANG is the kind of special, creative thing that could only arise
from L.A.
“The DNA that forms the backbone of our company is the L.A.
lifestyle, which demands clothing that combines elements of richness,
softness, rebelliousness and relaxed-but-well-defined shapes,”
he notes. “For years, the fashion world was all about New
York, which represents more conventional, structured and even uptight
styles. However, thanks to the weather, lifestyle and creativity
defining our lifestyle here, L.A. has emerged as a real fashion
force, where there are so many ways to dress down and yet still
look elegant. Though DA-NANG is growing, we will never lose sight
of what the company is about or what our customers want.”
While DA-NANG continues to turn up at the best boutiques like Ron
Herman, Theodore and H.
Lorenzo, and the team is gearing up for a major web site
launch, Dahan recognizes that the pleasure of his work lies in the
journey as well as the destination. He beams when he tells you that
the kids’ line, in just a few months of existence, is the
fastest-growing sector of his company, and that European sales are
far exceeding expectations. “L.A. is really coming into its
own now,” he observes. “I have even seen European buyers
hitting Los Angeles before they hit their own markets. It’s
great to be a part of this major change.”
The Book L.A. is giving 2 lucky readers
a taste of DA-NANG’s lived-in luxury. For more interesting
ways to get in gear for summer and fall, experience the DA-NANG
line at www.danang.com.
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