Rocking the runway and opening with a bang
Lee Hershey
Issue date: 2/4/10 Section: Arts & Entertainment
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The fashion show was a charity event for the organization Second Chances. Second Chances is a group that helps deprived children by taking them either camping or fishing. Wonderbar accepted donations of articles of clothing for its clothes drive.
The make-up was done by Nadia Spada. Each of the five models wore three different looks from Lola's Urban Vintage, featuring either a piece of jewelry or handbag designed by Nicoletta Lyons.
The looks ranged from urban grays to retro luxuries like the mod dress one model featured. The styles were contemporary and cool, modern chic which meets the street.
Lyons had in mind when styling the show to not only display items of the store which were unique and haute-couture, but also to fit the show to the audience's taste. As Allston is heavily student populated area, fashions were budgeted and trendy. Something any college student or twenty-something would wear on a night about town.
Which is what makes Lola's a hot spot: eclectic fashion pieces can be found there, and on the cheap, too. Lyons regularly checks out fashion tradeshows or boutiques, and Goodwills, both in Boston and New York. Some of the clothes come as far as Los Angeles or Japan, or as regional as designs from local artists.
The store had its opening in Nov., but the fashion show at Wonderbar (across the street from Lola's) was as celebratory as a grand opening. As the designer said, "Opening this store has been a life- long dream. I still can't believe it!"
Lyons went to school at the University of Massachusetts Boston, The Museum School, and the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Her credits include working on many seasons at NYC's Bryant Park Fashion Week with such designers as Abaete, Rock and Republic, Baby Phat, Alexandre Herchovitz, Ishii NYC, Zamfornia Industries, Blanc de Chine, Marie Galvin, and Monique Rancort Jewelry.
As a stylist, Lyons works to reconstruct articles of clothing, a skill from her training in Theatre and Wardrobe costuming. Such a background as a costume designer has influenced her understanding of fashion from a historical perspective. The designer muses, "What was old is new again and the cycle continues."
She wants to carry merchandise which is both hand-made and ready-to-wear. "There is something for everyone and it is important to me that fashion is accessible and affordable," Lyons says. "I want my customers to say, 'I bought this at Lola's Urban Vintage!' I want them to return, and to bring their friends, too. I think this location is perfect for Lola's and I hope to become a very positive fixture in the neighborhood."
And at Lola's, anything goes. Browsing through Lola's is like discovering a treasure chest in the attic full of costume finery. Looks can go from the Michael Jackson jacket and bleached pants that model Nadia Spada wore at the fashion show, to classier and more refined looks.
Lyon's own handbags and necklaces are on display, as well as other accessories like Corazon de Melon's handbags imported from Mexico or headbands made by Lyons' mother.
While fashion always seems to be more about the clothes than about the money, Lola's keeps in mind that most of student's paychecks are going toward books and other necessities. But if the appetite exists, even for a tiny splurge, Lola's will satisfy that urge; affordably, uniquely, and fashionably.
Because at Lola's, if it fits, it is meant to be.
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