The Perfect Pair Two Collections Under One Roof: 944 Magazine

The Perfect Pair

Two Collections Under One Roof

Written by: Carina Calhoun | Photography by: Jonathan Ho

As young emerging designers and a happily married couple, Laguna Beach locals Warren and Briana Ellison have created two very distinct, though cohesively balanced, collections. Briana, who spent her college years working at clothing stores and merchandising, constructs handmade men and women’s jewelry. Warren, a South African native who has worked in graphic and print design, designs a line of men’s and women’s T-shirts and tank tops. After they launched their lines together in a fashion show at Mozambique Restaurant in Laguna Beach last November, it became clear there would be no stopping this duo from marking their territory on the fashion scene.

Briana’s jewelry line, named Briana Rene, consists of one-of-a-kind pieces of gunmetal, antique brass, sterling silver and 14-karat gold, tailored to her own style. “I don’t make anything that I wouldn’t absolutely love to wear,” she says. From feathers to jewels, chains to leather, her collection includes a mix of elements. “My heart and soul really go into every piece. A lot of the pieces come from my travels, so it’s really hard to part with those, but it’s nice to know someone else is going to be wearing a piece of my story.”

If Briana’s collection is a tad whimsical, Warren’s clothing line, Pretense, exudes similar touches, combined with edgy, contemporary Southern California style. “I want the line to feel like when you look at it, that it sparks your imagination or evokes some kind of emotion,” Warren says. His first collection, Wonderland, utilizes a dreamy color scheme that balances subtlety with bold graphics. The entire men’s line is 100-percent organic and non-toxic. He says, “From a fabrication side, the organic fabrics tend to be a lot more comfortable and softer to wear. They’re better for the environment, and the people who deal in organics tend to be more forward-thinking, often embracing creativity and fresh ideas.”

The Ellisons’ contribution to society does not end there. Briana plans to design specific lines with the goal of donating a portion of sales to a different designated chairty each year. For instance, the Egg of Hope collection was inspired by a trip to South Africa and supports the Children’s Hunger Relief Fund.

This twosome understands how to play together and work together. Of last year’s Mozambique fashion show, Briana says, “It was good, but stressful. I think it’s easy to work together ... It’s cool to have someone to share it with.”

The couple says it’s pure coincidence their collections pair well. Their individual styles, though original, are artistically enhanced by their travels and observation of each other’s creative instincts. These two represent the rewards of working hard and cultivating inspiration. “We’ve just been making products for so long, and now we get to show it off,” says Warren.

Pair together www.brianarenedesigns.com and www.onepretense.com

Pictured above: Briana and Warren Ellison

Title: 944 Orange County March Issue

Lines: Briana Rene Designs, Pretense Clothing