NYLON - April 2008 - (Page 62)

EAST MEETS WEST BY COLLABORATING WITH L.A.’S THRIVE, NEW YORK CITY’S BENJAMIN CHO MAKES BICOASTAL MAGIC. BY RAJNI LUCIENNE JACQUES. PHOTOGRAPHED BY JULIE ADAMS Turntablist and downtown artsy designer Benjamin Cho just got a brand new gig. As guest designer of the Los Angeles collective Thrive, Cho––who will design for a few seasons before they appoint someone else––works his edgy East Coast charm into a quintessential West Coast brand. “We like introducing new talent to create for the line, because they bring new features while we stay consistent and true to what Thrive stands for,’’ says Rob Meadows, who with Ali Shahriyari created the collective back in 2005. “We love acting like an incubator for fresh faces.” Cho’s ﬁrst collection infuses classic shapes with intricate detailing. A sophisticated linen cargo jacket with hanging strings, chiffon polka-dot bib blouses with rufﬂe accents, silk high-waisted trousers, grey rayon jersey dresses with button features, and pencil stylist: chris melendez. hair and makeup: rebecca plymate at see management using cutler nyc/redken and make up for ever. model: alex p at ford models. dress and top by thrive. skirts embellished with satin panels are a few of the standout pieces from the spring line. “I wanted something super feminine, something very coquettish,” says Cho. “But I also wanted sexy, tight, strict, and bold. I wanted that ﬂirty girly-girl to be toughened up a bit.” The outcome is what he describes as, “early ’90s sex appeal.” Moving forward, he recently put the ﬁnal touches on a fall collection for Thrive, in which he collaborated closely with Diane Martin, one of the collective’s other designers. “We are trying to bring a European feel to an L.A. line, and thus far we’ve succeeded,’’ says Martin. With his outgoing personality and complex designs, this fashion scene darling––who originally hails from San Jose, California–– has deﬁnitely put Thrive on the map, especially for the East Coast clientele he’s so used to pleasing. “Right now I’m trying to raise the level, so it’s a good thing that I know people in the industry,’’ says Cho, chuckling. “The press is just starting to come, and we are doing things differently by taking an atypical approach.” Clearly, he knows that in the cutthroat world of fashion, only the cool kids survive. For more information, see thrivela.com. http://thrivela.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of NYLON - April 2008

NYLON - April 2008 Contents Editor's Letter Par Avion Behind the Scenes Contributors Happily Ever After Mass Appeal: Punk Mass Appeal: Retro Mass Appeal: Glam Mass Appeal: Watches Haute Stuff Mass Appeal: Denim Private Icon: Shampoo Jeans of the Month Cult Of The Price is Right East Meets West Nesting: Flower Power The Observer Factory Girl: What a Girl Wants Hall of Fame Social Studies Poetry in Motion Beauty Street Style Fashion News Mania: Bottoms Up Directory: Somewhere Over the Rainbow Bella Donna Private Icon Counter Culture 'Tis the Season Beauty News Some Kind of Bliss Rocking Horses The Story So Far Personal Effects And This Bird Can Sing Young Offenders Geek Love Eyes Wide Open The Graduate Film Strips Culture Club En Route: In Vino Veritas Three of Hearts Head Trip The Shape of Things The Great Outdoors Star Maps Shopping List Bag Check

NYLON - April 2008

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