HELLZ BELLZ INTERVIEW ON FORMAT MAGAZINE.

The last time the fashion industry experienced a female liberation movement was during the "bra burning 60s." Bras, high heels, make-up and other items supporting the unattainable, standard of beauty, were lit aflame in a "freedom trash can" to symbolize opposition to sexual oppression.

Traditionally, the women's wear industry has been flooded with hyper-feminine pieces with low-necklines and bias cuts leaving females to pursue the male dominated streetwear industry. With little to no options, females were only recently given quality alternatives including a leader of the female streetwear pack, Hellz Bellz.

Since 2005, Hellz Bellz has provided edgy, trendsetting females with graphic tees, jackets, denim and accessories that feature everything from a gun-toting Minnie Mouse to studded hand cuff belts and AK47s. Designer Lanie Alabanza defies all the rules of conformity and any fashion entity that claims a woman's style cannot breach strength, individuality and feminine flair simultaneously. As Hellz Bellz approaches its four-year anniversary it continues to provide fashion alternatives for the bold fashionista. A streetwear liberation is upon us, become a part of the movement.

Format: How are you?
Lanie Alabanza: I'm good thanks. I've been busy as hell with all the trade shows that just passed and traveling back in forth between NY and Cali. It's been a bit stressful but everything is starting to settle down again so I actually time to breath and relax a bit, but not for too long.

Format: What have you been working on?
Lanie: Right now I'm working on getting my Holiday collection ready to ship, making adjustments to the Spring I & II line, finishing up Summer 08, and putting together some special projects here and there. Sounds like a lot but luckily I have my husband, Bam on board now to take care a lot of the business end of the brand and helping out with design for the denim collection, which is a huge weight lifted off my shoulders.

Format: What theme have you developed for the winter collection?
Lanie: When designing a collection, I basically make what I want to see in my closet. This didn't fall short for my Holiday '07 collection, which is set to deliver mid-October to early November. I've always had an interest in the early 60's mod/punk scene in London so I developed a collection with a mod influence but gave it a military twist through the cuts, details and graphics. The military-mod theme isn't completely literal but its influence is apparent.

I really can't wait for this line to drop. I have to say that this collection is by far my favorite so far. I designed the collection right after I left my previous job. So I was able to put so much more into it and it shows.

Read more here.

- Hektik

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