The Not-So-Evil Morgane Le Fay
"The collection is an exploration of...I won't say the dark side, but that side we all have..."
NEW YORK: Monday, March 14, 2005
Some clothing lines have a fairy godmother. Liliana Casabel’s has an evil sorceress: Morgane Le Fay, to be exact.
This week, the 22-year-old line enters its very first Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, and The Daily is there for all the details. The Argentinean born Casabel (5’4, Leo) gives us an exclusive interview, and talks about her newest collection, her label’s name, and the impossible task of going vegan.
Let’s start with the name – who is Morgane Le Fay?
She is an enchantress from the King Arthur books. We named the line after her because the work I do is about that ideal of beauty that’s not conventional—it’s hard to be discovered, and mysterious. Morgane Le Fay is really an archetype of that beauty. But in the stories, she’s usually evil—she gets bad press! She needs a better publicist!
You live in New York, and your flagship boutique is in Soho. Why are you having your first show in LA?
Many reasons. We have two stores in LA and we’ve had them for many years: our Santa Monica store is 10 years old! And I like LA very much, and it’s very inspiring to me.
The city is inspiring?
It’s a vibration that you cannot put your hand on, maybe because there’s more nature here. Nature in LA is an extreme beauty, and there’s a vibration here that’s very special.
Morganw Le Fay is 22 years old. Why are you finally having a fashion show?
Well, this collection is very powerful. I’ve been working with extreme devotion, and I have the need to show it this time because the passion and the love for the work that I have is very special this time. I’ve found new love for my work and I want to show it!
It sounds like a very special collection.
It is! This one is about a poet, Baudelaire. The collection is an exploration of…I won’t say the dark side, but that side we all have. We try so hard to bury it, and not acknowledge it, but when we do it’s very liberating. It’s dark, powerful, soulful, melancholic but joyful at the same time.
What does that dark side look like on the runway?
We’re going to have some plaids, some classic Harris Tweed, which is very new for Morgane Le Fay! The collection is dark and somber, but it has this beautiful color we call lagoon that’s a bright turquoise. For the first time, we’re introducing two looks for men, and we’re using some Argentinean boots on the girls. It’s what the gauchos use in the north; they’re very rough. I like the mix of chiffon with the rough boots. Plus, they’re very comfortable. I’m going to carry them in the stores!
Are you nervous about your first show?
I’m not very fearful these days, maybe because I practice yoga. Yoga works at a very deep level of your spirit and it helps you overcome negative emotions like fear.
What’s the difference between NY and LA fashion?
I like the mix of country and city life, and there’s a lot of fantasy going on here, and I like that here—freedom for imagination. Freer than NY even!
What about the LA lifestyle?
Oh, it’s different. I’m staying with a friend and she’s a strict vegetarian. When I’m with her, it’s strict and healthy food only, which is pretty LA. And I’m Argentinean, remember! It’s hard for me not to eat meat!
What did you eat today?
No meat! I had toast with sprout spread, and it has no carbs whatsoever. It was with coffee that’s not really coffee, that’s also, you know, different herbs? It was “coffee!” And that’s it! I’m really hungry, but it’s so busy here, we’re doing casting while I talk to you!
Morgane Le Fay will show on Thursday, March 17 at 3:00 pm, Stage One, Smashbox Studios, Los Angeles.
FARAN KRENTCIL
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