Curated Fashion-Art Arrives on Melrose: Alethea Spectacle

Alethea (Pronounced Ugh-Lee-Thee-Ugh): A German philosophical term for ‘Truth’
Spectacle: A visually striking performance or display
ALETHEA SPECTACLE: The truth in aesthetics

The couture collections of famous fashion designers have long been considered pieces of art, not just clothes. The current “Bernhard Willhelm 3000: When Fashion Shows The Danger Then Fashion Is The Danger” exhibit at the MOCA Pacific Design Center is a wonderful example of that. And, now up-and-coming fashion designers from all over the U.S. will have that same opportunity to showcase their designs as works of art at a new concept shop Alethea Spectacle, opening on April 4, 2015.

Five years ago, Alexx Shaw (owner and creator of Alethea Spectacle) left the art world behind to focus her attention on her personal obsession – fashion – and began styling for magazine editorials and representing small clothing and jewelry designers in order to grant their product some visibility. She worked in large fashion houses; helped run retail locations; and personally styled celebrities while toying with the idea of opening her own store.

As a former curator, critic and artist manager, Shaw has helped many artists with marketing and branding, and she hopes to do the same by highlighting the work of emerging U.S. designer. She hand picks each featured designer and enables them to make their mark in the fashion world by producing a collection under their own name, thereby launching their own brand.

Women’s fashion and accessories will be the focus at Alethea Spectacle. Each design in the store is limited to a quantity of six to eight handmade pieces, U.S. sourced and produced. Once sold, the pieces will never be reproduced. The theory is that each garment acts as a truly unique piece of wearable art that hopefully increases in value as the designer’s reputation develops and the brand gains popularity. The price point will be $200-$1200 per piece.