Lanie Alabanza-Barcena

Lanie Alabanza-Barcena AKA Miss Lawn (born September 26, 1979) is an Asian American graphic/fashion designer and Co-Founder/Creative Director of the female Streetwear brand, HLZBLZ ^[1] considered a pioneer of the women streetwear movement.^[2]

Career

At age 22, she moved from California to New York City to start her career in fashion design. In 2004, after a year at the street clothing line, Triple 5 Soul, she left to take on the position of graphic designer turned Art Director for Hip Hop legend Jay-Z’s label, Rocawear Juniors, designing collections within the label for the likes of Patricia Field & Rihanna.^[3]

Known for her progressive designs, Miss Lawn decided to pursue the launch of her own label, Hellz Bellz in 2005. Catering to the burgeoning women’s “street wear” culture, the label, which predominately began with explicit, edgy & thought provoking graphic T-shirts, presented the first of its kind.^[4] In Fall 2006, HLZBLZ presented a complete women’s ready-to-wear collection, pushing the label to the forefront of women’s “street wear” creating a movement of independent, fashion forward, strong women.^[5]

Projects & collaborations

Since the label’s inception, Miss Lawn has collaborated with the likes of Stüssy, Vans,^[6] G-Shock,^[7] Reebok, Sanrio,^[8] Mosley Tribes and Warner Bros. to name a few. Her lines are now stocked globally in more than 200 stores worldwide.

In addition to HLZBLZ, Miss Lawn has also launched Belle of the Brawl, a women’s contemporary brand, LABISM (LanieAndBam-ISM) a concept store located in the heart of Manila, Philippines and JUNYA MAFIA, a uni-sex label alongside her husband, Bam Barcena & brother-in-law Ryan Barcena aka RIONISM, all the while continuing to push herself as designer, stylist, and artist.^[9]

References