Parachute Market mixes design and fashion in downtown LA fair

Parachute Market debuted its new space in downtown Los Angeles this past weekend with a design fair hosting local vendors for artistry, design, and fashion. The “Ad Hoc” pop-up fair took place on Saturday and Sunday this past weekend.

The event was curated by Coryander Friend and Mallery Roberts Morgan and located in the Arts District. The biannual, conceptual design fair and marketplace offers a platform for local designers to gather and explore new and upcoming products. Emerging exhibitors for the fair include those from all different trades: furniture decor, artists, fashion designers, jewelry makers, and more. As the event’s first year at One Santa Fe, the event included over 45 exhibitors. The fair was developed by Friend in order to produce a local market platform for those who enjoy a cultural experience centered on design.

Parachute Market hosts urban design fair for locals

The inside of the event was stylized to represent a modern, architectural feel. In the walkthrough near the entrance of the event, art vendors had tastefully placed their artwork including posters, text art, fixtures, and more. Walking down to the right side of the space, the middle of the fair is immersed with wood fixtures and artsy decor. Towards the end of the space, a decorative white rose and a golden-specked wall reflect a modern deco feel for the event. At the end of the massive space, the bar is decorated with a light-up sign that reads “24 HR PSYCHIC.” The entire venue emphasized chic, urban design to highlight and mesh with the exhibiting designers.

Exhibitors for the event included Good Goods, House of Blu, Fanny Penny, Artless, Please Do Not Enter, Alchemy Works, The House of Yes, Wolfum, Mau, Lianne Barnes, and more. These participants varied on their work of trade categorizing them into either apparel, jewelry, art, and more. The vendors came together for the biannual event in order to bring more exposure to their brand as well as built a community among designers.

Los Angeles artists mix design and fashion for local fair

“[I was] very excited about Parachute because it’s great exposure,” said Mara Carrizo of Mara Carrizo Scalise Jewelry. Carizzo’s jewelry line is all curated and handcrafted in Los Angeles jewelry. The local artist stated the fair showcased raw talent in a way that can benefit the Los Angeles design circuit. “[It’s an] amazing group of super great people that work together in the same city [that have] all come together to show our work,” said Carizzo. Mara Carrizo Scalise Jewelry can average in price to about 4,000 dollars.

Laurel Consuelo Broughton, owner of handbag and accessories line Welcome Companions, loved the idea of seeing all different types of design work brought together in the space. “It seemed like a fun thing to do because [the fair] emphasizes design,” said Broughton. Broughton’s line Welcome Companions is a playful take on accessories proving that accessories don’t exclusively have to be “utilitarian.” The fair was an innovative way for fashion vendors like Welcome Companions to show off their creative, design side of their lines.

Parachute Market produces conceptual art fair in Arts District

Local fashion designers such as Jasmin Shokrian also joined in on showcasing various pieces at the fair. The idea of intermixing design and fashion made Shokrian excited to be a part of the event. “I’m proud of what Parachute Market is doing,” said Shokrian. “It’s something that will allow these clients to get to know my brand a little more--design people love fashion and so it makes perfect sense,” said Shokrian. Intermixing the two concepts, Shokrian was able to display her apparel at her booth in order to add growth and exposure for her brand. Pieces range loosely in price from 119 to approximately 678 dollars.

Gabriela Artigas of Gabriela Artigas & Company agreed with the sentiment that the fair brings together unknown crafters to the Arts District. “It’s just part of growing the business in L.A. to support the community,” said Artigas. Artigas is the co-owner of a jewelry line that she established with her sister six years ago. All of their work is handmade in Los Angeles and of high quality material. Prices for the fine jewelry line range from 195 to 950 dollars.

The conceptual locals’ market design fair happens two times a year in downtown Los Angeles. The weekend event was expected to reach over 3,000 visitors over the course of the weekend. The design fair also took place in the Art’s District soon-to-be One Santa Fe, a new apartment living center for downtown locals.