Fashion + art have always maintained an intertwined relationship, particularly when it comes to street fashion and graffiti art. On March 15^th during the wrap-up of a busy LA Fashion Week, Label Networks debuted its first LABELLAB EXHIBITION at Crewest Gallery in downtown Los Angeles featuring live fashion art installations created by THELABELLAB members’ Cardboard Robot, Andrew Hanson, Miss Wax, and Original Hip-Hop Chocolate. The Exhibition marked the first live incarnation for emerging street fashion brands to depict their independent style through artistic installations in a unique gallery in downtown Los Angeles.

By teaming up with Crewest Gallery and legendary street and graffiti artist ManOne and his crew of selected artists who also showcased live screenprinted posters, paintings, and sketches, the gallery turned into a vibrant location for both art and fashion, and provided THELABELLAB Exhibition with the necessary backdrop to showcase street fashion in completely refreshing dimensions. Fashion artist Andrew Hanson, creator of the original artcore fashion label "Andrew Hanson's F Clothing That Speaks," created his "Up and go D.I.Y. studio" with original one-of-a-kind hoods utilizing his technique called "Toxic Printing" that requires printing with spray paint. Each piece also included screenprinted "Inside Stories" much like a certificate of authenticity about the event or collection insignia, plus date, title of the special collection, care instructions, and of course a poem. Andrew Hanson also debuted his Muslin Wall Pieces to compliment the original collection, and offered up samples from his See-Lief, City of Devils, and Black or White collections.

Other highlights included Miss Wax and her acrylic jewelry and accessories collection showcased on a self-created robot. Key pieces included her recent collaboration with legendary artist RETNA from the Seventh Letter Crew, and an eclectic video backdrop of random inspiring images that aided her process of creation. Cardboard Robot which is also known for their amazing cardboard furniture showcased their massive rotating cardboard wheel along with highlights from their popular collection of hoodies, T’s, jackets, and pants, and an original custom-made bicycle. With Original Hip-Hop Chocolate, it was one of the first times that people could see chocolate sneakers boomboxes, and turntables—edible chocolate goodies shaped with original street culture icons.

“I think it was an excellent debut for THELABELLAB Exhibition,” said Tom Wallace, President and co-founder of Label Networks and THELABELLAB. “By the diversity of the crowd here and the excitement from the fashion artists, I think this is fulfilling a niche in the fashion and art industry that’s needed. Along with the pop-up retail aspect that allows designers to sell their pieces for the rest of the month, it keeps the brands that we selected with an economically viable option also.”

A Live DJ set was provided by DJ Akaider throughout the evening along with artwork provided by Crewest’s select global street and graffiti artists.

Surprisingly, a large number of industry press arrived to shoot the scene and video interviews of the fashion artists on site, including of course, Label Networks TV, VIMBY TV, and the Los Angeles Times, plus various industry players from leading-edge trade shows.

THELABELLAB Exhibition will be featured monthly every ^rd Saturday of the month (next event on April 19^th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.) featuring select brands from THELABELLAB members and Crewest graffiti and street artists. For more information, contact info@thelabellab.com. For more information about THELABELLAB go to www.thelabellab.com or for Crewest, go to www.crewest.com.