The Rebirth of Louis Verdad

Designer Louis Verdad stepped out of hiding and onto the red carpet last week to showcase his latest collection, Louver, at a Downtown LA Fashion Week (DLAFW) event held at MOCA. Tequila was on tap (shout-out to newly imported Real de México) and celebrities a plenty (Rose McGowan, Nicole Richie). Verdad's all-black line proved his love for cutting-edge fashion and ability to overcome hurdles. 

Verdad was well on his way to becoming one of the biggest names in fashion—he designed the groom and bride suits worn by Madonna and Britney Spears at the notorious 2003 VMAs where they locked lips—but was hit by a serious blow to his name (literally). He partnered with someone who didn't have his best interests in mind, which consequently cost him rights to design under his own name. He's come out of his struggles a stronger soul, giving back to his community by advising students not to make the same mistake.

"Never sign your name on a document without knowing what it says first," Verdad, who started out designing Quinceañera dresses, told a class full of budding designers at Long Beach City College recently.

I was fortunate enough to lay my eyes on the Chicago-born/Mexico-raised/LA-based designers' all-black line, which he chose to display at the DLAFW as an art exhibit on mannequins instead of on the runway. Accompanying the hardcore fashion exhibit—that included spiked gowns—were photo illustrations by photographer August Bradley. White tights, pigeons, barbells, and turbans? Check! Check! Check! Check!

I caught up with Verdad to get the chisme on his legal woes, but more importantly, find out what inspired his kick-ass new line.

On his business hardships: A year and a half ago I partnered with someone and our vision was completely different. I'm a typical artist. I've always believed in building a brand and making my designs really big, which takes a lot of thought, but I think I achieved that in a very crazy way. He wanted to make money. I gave him the authority to change the name to Louis Verdad Inc. and...I'm so tired of telling this story.

On Louver: There are twenty pieces, all of which are black. Black is the color of hope and strength. If you want to talk politically, it's because of Obama. Physically, it's a beautiful color. It's rebellion. There are a lot of spikes; a blend of hard and soft. My statement for this collection: fashion is emotion.

On future plans: I'm working on small projects here and there. People want to know where I am, what I'm doing. I have editors calling me and saying they want to support me any way they can. All human beings go through peelings. This one's mine.