MICHAEL KULUVA OF TUMBLER AND TIPSY

Michael Kuluva is no stranger to the spotlight.  As a professional figure skater, he spent years performing for audiences all over the world.  So it’s no surprise that he was perfectly at ease when his debut collection for Tumbler & Tipsy debuted at L.A. Fashion’s Week Emerging Designers runway show.

Michael Kuluva’s journey to the LA Fashion Week runway began about two years ago, after he retired from professional skating after a 20-year career.

“I always had an interest in fashion,” Kuluva told us.  “I love classic designers, and true pioneers who I currently enjoy are brands like Marc Jacobs, Heatherette, and Karl Lagerfeld.”

Since launching the Tumbler & Tipsy label in 2009, Kuluva, an alum of the prestigious Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) has quickly established himself as a “designer to watch” among celebrities and fashionistas all over the world. “Our approach at Tumbler & Tipsy is completely unconventional. I have a great creative team and we’re all artists in our own right.  We really take what’s around us and our vision stems from that.”

Inspired by the electric Tokyo nightlife, the Spring/Summer 2012 Tumbler & Tipsy collection translates urban bright lights and energy into silver, mesh, and translucent textures that you can see across the room.  It’s clear that style mavens are taking notice.  The glitzy, glamorous brand has already been featured in 100 publications and media outlets including WWD, Apparel News, Paper Magazine, Fashion News Live, Bravo Television, The Today Show, MTV and VH1, to name a few.

“My goal for Tumbler & Tipsy is for it to be a true day-to night fashion label that clients can wear to work and out to the club,” Kuluva said. “It’s fashion that everyone can wear – whether their sensibilities are over- the- top or more classic and tailored.”

For the Fall/Winter collection, Kuluva and his team are tapping into some of the more traditional fabrics and pallettes of the season. “We’re experimenting more with tweeds and plaids,” he shared. “There will definitely be more sparkles and sequins –which are signatures of the Tumbler & Tipsy label.  And we’re also selling cork necklaces and items featuring Swarovski crystal embellishments through our online store.”

The collection Fall/Winter collection will ode to iconic brands such as Chanel and classic Louis Vuitton, and will feature lots of tweed jumpsuits and suits.  “Clients can expect to see a lot more contemporary design,” he told us. “Overall, the collection will be higher end, with higher price points, as well.”

The Tumbler & Tipsy collection is currently being sold internationally, and is available at Patricia Field New York, and via online stores at: www.tumblerandtipsy.com  and www.tumbler&tipsy.net.