WALTER MENDEZ waltercollection FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contract: Gary Lopez Email: info.waltercollection@gmail IN CONTINUATION OF LAST NIGHT concerning Ms. Mikey Koffman of The Gallery LA and LA Fashion Weekend at Sunset Gower Studios...this is the same woman I called out 2 years ago regarding copyright issues of photographers intellectual property and the desire to own their footage. She is now at it again. PLEASE PASS THIS PRESS RELEASE ON... FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS RELEASE MIKEY KOFFMAN, LA FASHION WEEK BULLY Designer Walter Mendez gets bullied, removed from fashion show and told his last name is too ethnic for the fashion industry. In the fall of 2012 Mikey Koffman reached out to CSULB with an opportunity to be a judge at the annual Campus Couture fashion show. Koffman offered that she would select a student with the best collection to showcase at her production of LA FASHION WEEKEND. However, there was a twist. She asked for $3,500 from the school for the showcase. Eager to not pass this opportunity, the fashion design students were asked to pay an additional $100 each to showcase, and that collection of money would go towards the $3,500 to sponsor the winning student. On the night of the show, May 10th 2013, Koffman, joined by 5 other industry judges, selected not one but two winners for the grand prize. When announced by Koffman, she stated that due to the tie she would “comp” the other prize for the second designer. She also selected 3 runners-up that would have the chance to have a booth at the LA Fashion Weekend event. Upon the first meeting with Koffman, she had stated her change of terms for the grand prize. Koffman was not awarding two prizes; instead she was splitting one award. Walter Mendez and the other winner could only showcase 7 looks each instead of the 15 looks they were promised. Koffman proceeded to tell them that she would make a “deal” with them so that they could showcase their entire collections. Koffman asked Mendez to create 3 custom suits for her personal wardrobe and the other winner to create 3 custom gowns for one of her sponsors. Mendez and the other winner were left with no other option, then to comply with Koffman. Koffman asked Mendez if he would consider changing his last name so his brand would appeal to a bigger audience. She stated “Walter, sounds rich and Caucasian… and well, Mendez…. it would stop certain people from buying your line.” When Mendez told her he would not be changing his name she stated with a voice of disgust, “Okay… you don’t have to listen to my 12 years of experience.” Her demeanor towards Mendez after not complying with her suggestion changed for the worst. Preceding this meeting, designers showcasing were told the following. -Designers were NOT allowed backstage the day of the show, nor were they allowed to select their own music. -Fittings and model selections were only allowed by Koffman and The Gallery LA team. Absolutely no designer or representative was allow to at the fittings. -Designers order of looks would ultimately be decided my Koffman and The Gallery LA team. -Designers had absolutely no say in the production of the show and anyone who would questioned Koffman’s rules and run of show were quickly humiliated and reminded that she ran the show and it was her way or the highway. Mendez was willing to let this go and play by her rules. He stated that he was going to trust her experience and would hope for the best. On Oct 17th 2013, Mendez showed up to the Gallery LA offices to have a fitting for Mikey’s Personal Suits. Koffman loved the pants, however, as soon as she saw the blazers she stated, “I hate princess seams” a personal taste that was never mentioned. That same day around 2:00 pm she emailed Mendez an ultimatum of either recreating the suit blazers or paying $1,500 to showcase and demanded a reply by 5:00pm. Mendez replied by stating that he was deeply sorry for the circumstances but no clear direction was ever provided. Mendez offered to fix the issues regarding the suit blazers but stated that the time frame given was unrealistic. No reply was sent to Mendez and no calls were returned on behalf of The Gallery LA or Mikey Koffman (Oct 19th). The email with Mendez’ response was resent the next day (Oct 20th) to which the Gallery LA replied demanding that Mendez paid $1,500 in cash. Mendez showed up to Sunset Gower Studios with the suits in hand, and collection ready to showcase fulfilling his part of the contract. Upon Arriving at Sunset Gower Studios Koffman would not even have a conversation with Mendez. She stated the fact that she was busy with a “facetime” call and said “how dare you interrupt my facetime call, I cant just stop what I’m doing for YOU!” Mendez and friend Michael Costello who witnessed the entire incident were escorted out of the venue by security upon her request. The Gallery LA and Mikey Koffman are in breach of contact by not allowing Mendez to showcase when he clearly met his end of the contract. Koffman’s bullying methods have not only affected Mendez but also numerous designers who have showcased with her in the past. Mendez spent a lot of resources to create his couture collection. An event with over a year of anticipation and high expectations was quickly shattered by Koffman. Koffman’s bullying methods should not be allowed to continue. We would like to warn any future designers, schools, photographers, and sponsors of her narcissistic ways. “I learned a lot from this experience but I still have a beautiful 15 look collection that I would like to showcase. I am currently looking a venue, sponsors and people who are willing to help me showcase my collection” - Mendez Designer Bio Walter Mendez is one of Los Angele’s next top designers, with an eye for texture, silhouettes, and timeless style. His work is regularly featured on celebrities, television and red carpets. He has also been featured in many publications such as WWD, Apparel News and has showcased at LA fashion week for the last two years. Walter is a proud recipient of the Designer of the Year award by the World Networks; and has also been one of the featured designers for the Go Red Fashion Show benefiting the American Heart Association. Walters talent was acknowledged early on by the fashion industry, as his quality, style, and technique have put him far ahead of the competition. Throughout all of this Walter remains humble; generously granting an audience with clients whenever one is possible. Walter lives for his work and will continue to create, as his inspiration will never dwindle. The desire to make the body appear striking, eye-catching, and spectacular, is a calling that will never go away. If you would like more information or to book an interview with Walter Mendez on this topic please contact Gary Lopez at info.waltercollection@gmail
Posted on: Tue, 22 Oct 2013 05:48:01 +0000
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