Fashionably Spirited Women Designers
- Galina Sobolev & Gretchen Bonaduce
One of the advantages I have working and living in LA is meeting many fabulous women entrepreneurs. Since I have an affinity towards fashion, I’ve been fortunate in developing friendships with a handful of women designers in town. I love hearing their stories of how they got started, what inspired them and what trends they see in upcoming fashion. I had a chance to catch up with two spirited women in fashion – Galina Sobolev, celebrity designer for Single Dress and Gretchen Bonaduce of Countess Couture.
When I asked Galina what makes her a Spirited Woman, she replied, “I think my confident, positive nature and my over-energetic personality, combined with undeterred drive for success, and happiness in all aspects of my life! I give to everyone as much as I can and truly want all my friends around me to be happy. I like to inspire and lift my girl friends spirits.”
One of Galina’s most notable accolades was starring as one of the Celebrity Designers on Bravo’s newest hit show, Launch My Line. Fashion and style run deep in Galina’s blood. As a child in her native Russia, Galina learned how to sew and crochet from her grandmother, a well-respected dressmaker who had her own atelier, just steps away from the Opera House, in a glitzy neighborhood in Odessa. Even today, Galina cites this as a profound influence in her life, recalling the supple garments and colorful fabrics she used to play with.
“I’ve infused fun, spirited colors and bold prints into our spring assortment. I love color! And soft watercolor florals and bright animal prints. Everyone can use a little fun in their life and wearing color makes women look beautiful,” said Galina.
Many famous females wear Single dresses from Eva Longario Parker, Jennifer Lopez to Fergie.
Speaking of women who rock, reality show star of the recently canceled Reinventing Bonaduce and front woman for the band Ankhensenamen, Gretchen Bonaduce launched her own fashion line aptly named Countess Couture. “What makes me a spirited women is I don’t take crap from anyone,” she chuckles and continues to say, “I am all about helping others in this city because nobody else will. I’m very generous and have a big heart but I am careful as to who I help walk through their challenges.”
Growing up in a small town in Tennessee, Gretchen’s first inspiration to fashion was rock-n-roll. She was always ahead of the trends and the first girl to wear a Go-Go’s type mini skirt to school but was sent home. Nobody in the early 1980′s in Tennessee was wearing punk inspired fashion except for Gretchen. For her collection sold at Hot Topic, she’s using bright pinks and purples for her dress designs. “I think the person who wears my line is young or at least young at heart. My motto has always been…if you can wear it, you should!”
Both women have a can do attitude and do it all from being a fashion designer to a mother, a wife, a friend, and philanthropist. Galina sums up with this, “Confidence is the hallmark of the woman who wears the Single brand. She is a Spirited Woman, not afraid to walk into a crowded restaurant by herself and command instant attention. She embraces her femininity and knows how to use it. She is a leader and loves to have fun with fashion. She doesn’t take herself too seriously, yet people find her interesting, passionate, and intriguing.”
Maria von Losch Rohloff, eatcakehaveshoes.com
