The 2nd Annual LVHRD Fashion Duel: Fighting Fashionistas & Villainous Vixens

LVHRD’s The 2nd Annual Master-Disaster Fashion Duel was nothing short of sartorial glory. For all the sleek stylishness of the personalities that showed up at Rock Candy on Monday, November 21, the thematic apparel produced by dueling designers Rebecca Turbow and Corey Pak captivated and impressed the event’s attendees. It was, in short, a fashion spectacular.

Given a limited set of tools, a curious set of fabrics, a scantily clad model, and one hour’s time, fashion designers Rebecca Turbow of Safe Clothes and Corey Pak of American Eagle Outfitters were challenged to create high-speed couture that spoke to the theme of “Villainy.” Judges Robert E. Lee of Kenneth Cole, Piera Gelardi of Refinery29, and Maya Singer (formerly of Fashion Week Daily) took the bench to share their expert opinions and determine the winner.

After a nail-biting match, Corey Pak received the nod from the judges, making her this year’s LVHRD Champion of Fashion. Stay tuned for more from this designer when her upcoming line, Middleburgh, debuts next fall.

Seen in the above photo: models Julia Voth and Angel Pai strike poses while wearing Corey and Rebecca’s completed designs. (photo by Gary Sloan)

Model Julia Voth, foreground, arrives shortly after designers Rebecca Turbow and Corey Pak, seen in background. (photo by Leo Zacharias)

The night began with an air of quiet glamour, as DJs set up, designers prepared mentally, and models sat down for hair and makeup. While staff members moved about putting things in place, a line formed outside in the rain as friends of designers and judges arrived early to show their support. LVHRD members mingled, beer and cosmopolitans flowed in generous proportions, and excitement became palpable as the crowd patiently awaited the approaching showdown.

Soon enough, LVHRD kicked off the night’s couture battle. Photographers and bloggers quickly positioned themselves, models stood ready, introductions were made, and the 2nd Annual Master-Disaster Fashion Duel was suddenly in motion. Designers Rebecca Turbow and Corey Pak began to cut, sew, staple, and rip with focus and ferocity. But why waste words to describe the spectacle? See the pictures below for a play-by-play recap.

Photographs by Leo Zacharias unless otherwise noted.

Event director Ben Nabors goes over the final details with hosts Dan Zalevsky and Chris O’Connor of Fearsome.

Editor Jeralyn Gerba of Daily Candy chats with friends before the event begins. (photo by Chris Ahn)

Sketch comics Dan Zalevsky and Chris O’Connor hosted the Fashion Duel, joking their way late into the night. Models Julia and Angel stand robed and ready as Dan and Chris introduce the event and its participants.

From left to right: Alix Winsby, Rebecca Turbow, Stephanie Tran, and Corey Pak.

The models disrobe. The designers leap into action. Let the battle begin!

Rebecca Turbow lays out her materials. (photo by David Snetman)

Model or mannequin? One can hardly tell in this photo. Team PAK discusses their stylistic approach to “Villainy” while Julia stands stock-still for their consideration. (photo by David Snetman)

Julia gives the camera a saucy half-smile. Welcome to LVHRD.

Angel glances at the camera while Rebecca pins her dress in place.

Some serious material manipulation — Team TURBOW created this necklace out of one of their provided materials.

Independent designer Yana Gorbulsky and Alisa Richter view their own shots of the fashion action. (photo by David Snetman)

The DJs of No Data provided music throughout the evening.

LVHRD representative and liaison Chantal Strauss takes a moment to talk with a friend. (photo by David Snetman)

thehappycorp Founder, Doug Jaeger, greets stylists and first-time LVHRD attendees Kemal and Maria. (photo by Chris Ahn)

Judges Robert Lee, Maya Singer, and Piera Gelardi watch and discuss the designers’ work.

Time to accessorize! Team TURBOW gets closer to the end as Rebecca positions the fabric necklace on Angel.

Julia, wearing Corey’s skirt, awaits the matching top as Corey and Steph race to create their interpretation of “Villainy.”

Team PAK chooses to villainize Julia with horns and equally conical breasts. Corey affixes one with some pins.

Time’s almost up — the crowd gathers round to observe the finished designs.

Corey’s design on Julia is nearly complete. Pictured here: the rear view. (photo by David Snetman)

The one-hour time limit is almost up — Rebecca applies some finishing touches to Angel’s outfit. (photo by David Snetman)

The judges come forward to take a closer look before they make their decision. (photo by David Snetman)

Angel Pai models Rebecca’s creation for crowd.

Piera takes the mic to express compliments, criticisms, and the logic behind the judge’s selection. (photo by Chris Ahn)

Ultimately, Corey Pak’s design on Julia — seen here in stages — is chosen as the winner of the Fashion Duel. Congratulations, Corey!

Matt Spangler, thehappycorp Partner, congratulates villainized model Julia, who’s been standing in heels the entire night. (photo by Chris Ahn)

The LVHRD audience moves in still closer for one last photo-snapping opportunity. (photo by Chris Ahn)

While the LVHRD crowd parties a bit longer, Julia and Angel go through a second round of preparations for a post-event photo shoot. (photo by Chris Ahn)

Nora Kirkpatrick, stylist for the Fashion Duel, deftly touches up Angel’s makeup for more bright lights and camera flashes.

The event reached its very fabulous conclusion as the models channeled the night’s energy into photogenic displays of Fashion Duel attitude. The photo shoot was conducted by Gary Sloan. (photo by Spanglervision)