L.A. Fashion Week
After nine days of a very feeble Los Angeles Fashion Week three major events stood out: Skin.Graft at Box Eight, What Comes Around Goes Around Fall 2009 collection and California store opening, and The 3rd Annual Avant Garde fashion show.
To kick off fashion week Box Eight put together a three-day weekend showcase of shows in downtown at the Los Angeles Theater. On Saturday March 13th Skin.Graft opened with a very dramatic dance performance that set the mood for their Fall/Winter 2009 Collection. Designers Katie Kay, Jonny Cota and Cassidy Haley's collection is inspired by "neo-Victorian royalty and overly tarnished motorcycles smashing into each other at high speeds." While leather ruled the runway, jackets had raw edges and zippers, slim fitting corsets, and turn of the century evening gowns with lots of layers, tulle, ruffles, and feathers. There were also touches of fur detail. "This new collection is for men, women and everyone between." Said the designers. In attendance was fashion designer and season two Project Runway contestant Nick Verreos and comedian Margaret Cho.
In Hollywood at Space 15twenty What Goes Around Comes Around celebrated the launch of its California store and Fall 2009 collection on Wednesday, March 18th. With a young Hollywood crowd of celebrities like Nicole Richie, jewelry designer Irene Neuwirth, Dancing with the Stars Lisa Rinna and CW's Privileged star JoAnna Garcia filling the crowed store. Designers Gerard Maione and Seth Weisser fall collection is inspired by turn of the century Victorian and a little bit of 80's punk. This vintage inspired line launched in 2006. To create more of an intimate experience the models were staged around the store. "A runway show is so typical . . . were not typical" said Gerard Maione WCAGA creative director and buyer. About 40% of the store is there own collection. The rest is filled with vintage pieces Gerard had bought through traveling all over the world. The store furnishings are also vintage. Gerard bought original molding and shelving to go around the store from an 1890's 30,000 sf estate. There's a lot to choose from the collection with printed silk skirts, black and white striped dresses and studded tuxedo jackets. The store has a strong celebrity following with clients such as Jessica Simpson, Zac Efron, Mischa Barton, Lindsay Lohan, Kevin Bacon, Hayden Panettiere, Victoria and David Beckham, and Nicole Richie. "I'm a shopper at their New York Location...now I will be shopping here," said jewelry designer Irene Neuwirth.
At Boulevard3 in Hollywood Roberto Cavalli Vodka presented the Third Annual Avant Garde Fashion Event hosted by Vivica A. Fox on March 19th bring out a lot of famous faces in the entertainment industry. The fashion show presented the Spring 2009 Just Cavalli collection. There where elucidating Roberto Cavalli Vodka ice sculptures at poker tables with guest playing poker. The Runway was set up in the middle of the dance floor with bars on each side. With live musical performances by Chaynge and Merlinmoon and KISS FM's DJ Shy spinning mixes on the ones and twos keep guest entertained. The fashion show didn't end up taking place till after midnight. Pieces featured Cavalli's staple cheetah print designs, flowy colorful dress in a very lady like manner but still sexy at the same time. Men's featured blazers paired with jeans and satin suits for evening.
To wrap the week up L.A. fashion week it's pathing its own way to becoming a strong stable fashion week. Even though there wasn't really a flow to the week there was definitely a love for the designers who showcased. Lauren Howell of Vogue said, "Despite all the hiccups and pitfalls that L.A. Fashion Week has faced over the years (not to mention the current state of the economy in general), what remains is a city that loves its glamour, and an industry that supports and pays tribute to those that have brought that same glamour to it."