The Quest for "it"

TONIGHT: City of L.A. Fashion Week - Opening Show - Eksempel

Hi!

OMG! We almost forgot to post this, kind of like how someone forgot to remind us that Mercedes Benz Fashion Week at SmashBox Studios is NOT happening this season. In any case, LA Fashion Week must go on and TONIGHT is as good a time as any to get with it. 

The Lady Liberty Building will be buzzing at 7:30 pm when Eksempel will be doing their Fall 2009 Presentation. Apologies, the official RSVPs should have been submitted by March 18th,  but MAYBE if you are extra hip, fly, or whatever you refer to yourself as, maybe you can score entry.  Hey, it's worth a try, people often press their luck here in New York on these matters.....

Happy Fashion Week!

Catching Up with Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2009 Days 3- 4

                                             Hi!

Looks like Days 3 and 4 of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios proved to be BIG...VERY BIG.  On Day 3 Model Caroline D'Amore was front row and center to watch her own new premium swimwear collection aptly titled D' Amore by Marceau.  Celebs*** came out of the woodworks for the sexy swimsuits.  Other shows included: Viridis Luxe, Lana Fuchs, Joseph Domingo, Crispin & Basilio, and the  Lauren Conrad Collection.  Notables? Viridis Luxe who promised to raise awareness for sustainable fashion as a viable and exciting alternative to mainstream textiles and to provide a forum for fashion as social commentary.  Rhapsody in Bloom, a line with a major ode to beloved floral prints drew inspirations from breathtaking views during a romantic walk through the gardens of Claude Monet's house in Giverny France and the myriad of vivid colored saris seen while traveling from Udaipur to Jaipur, India.  Lastly, who would have thought that The Hills star Lauren Conrad would produce a collection NOTHING short of spectacular? The celebs show their curiosity and respect via a HUGE turnout to see her collection which featured ladylike silhouettes in eye-catching prints and new fabrications while feeling comfortable, yet effortlessly chic for any occasion.

Day 4  proved a bit quieter with only three shows: Eco-Ganik, Debra Davenport, and Christian Audigier.  Eco-Ganik --the eco-friendly line-- gave way to Spring/Summer 2009 with their "Fresh Start" Collection.  Mallone relaunches the line showcasing neutral earth tones of primarily greys and browns as well as pale yellow and white etc., emphasizing both tailored and free-flowing looks.  Designer Christian Audigier closed the day with "American Lord" inspired by traditional aristocracy and reconstructed with rebellious design. A diametrical collection consisting of more than a few versions of red plaid came complete with a performance by Brit Singer/Songwriter Dave Stewart and his Rock Fabulous Orchestra to round things out.

***-celebs included Mena Suvari, Kim Kardashian, Adrian Curry, Donal Logue, Angela and Vanessa Simmons, Roger Cross, Tracy Bingham, Slade Smiley, Terry Crews, Joe De La Rosa, George Gray, ANT, Shar Jackson, Carmit Bachar.

*photo by IMG/Getty Images

 

Checking in on Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Los Angeles SPR 2009--Days 1-2

                                             Hey There!

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Los Angeles kicked off Days 1 and 2 with fun and flirty looks for Spring that are "Oh so LA".  Day 1 shows included Kevan Hall, Suh-Tan Sheiki Jeans and Whitley Kros.  Whitley Kros the one to watch this season showed a fresh  spring line with heavy emphasis on prints of the floral and geometric variety. A muted color palette of pale pinks and purple intermixed with black and white seemed reminiscent of a London catwalk.  Day wear consisting of casual separates were a bit more casual than one might expect (ripped 3/4 length jeans matched with a draped top with cut out shoulder) but still wearable just the same.

Day 2 Ed Hardy, Julia Clancy, Beachbunny Swimwear and Elmer Ave. were shown.  Notables include Elmer Ave.'s group show, a combination of male and female models, gave way to tailored, yet edgy retro looks for men ie. pairing black suits with a deep red shirt and black skinny tie or un-bottoned long sleeve white shirts accentuated by a black scarf tied at the neck against a bare chest.  Other looks included button down vests and faux military attire ranging from a nautical grey pea coat to a Army Captain's jacket. For women less means more, inlcuding makeup.  On the runway were striking short shorts and matching knotted bikini tops or fro instane and black and white striped bustier with barely there micro-mini black shorts. A scenesters wardrobe for sure.

*photo courtesy of IMG/Getty Images

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Los Angeles 1 Day Away!

                                             Hi!

This season Los Angeles label Whitley Kros*** has been chosen as the "Mercedes Benz Presents" Designer for the Spring/Summer 2009 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios from October 12-16.  Comprised of Designers Marissa Ribisi and Sophia Colomo, Whitley Kros' Spring 2009 Collection will be presented Sunday, October 12 at 8:00 pm in the Main Tent. 

This season notable collections include celeb favorite Kevan Hall, the rough and tumble Ed Hardy,  Lauren Conrad Collection (from the Hills star), and Christian Audigier (as if showing under Ed Hardy isn't enough). There's also a return of the Green Initiative Humanitarian Show to close out the week on Thursday, October 16th--we LOVE LA!

***The brand's name Whitley Kros is a fictionalized character named after a street in Ribisi's hometown of Los Angeles and Coloma's in Sydney. Ribisi and Colomo created Whitley Kros to embody their vision and design aesthetic and act a s muse for the label.

*photo from IMG/Getty Images

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Los Angeles Fall 2008 Begins Today!

                                                                 Hi!

Never a shock at how quickly Los Angeles Fashion Week rolls around...is it? This season promises to be a bit EXTRAORDINARY.  For Fall 2008 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Los Angeles @ Smashbox Studios will be graced by Designer great Paco Rabanne. Paco Rabanne who reached the pinnacle of success during the 1980's comes out of retirement, after 28 years, to oversee a newly created line by the lovely and talented Veronika Genvie. 

The new line by the Ukrainian designer will showcase a fusion of Rabanne's revolutionary techniques with Genvie's own silhouettes and shapes to create edgy feminine designs.

Day 1 designers scheduled to show include: Imasu, Orthodox, Julia Clancey and Whitley Kros. Gone are the the usual suspects who show season after season at Smashbox Studios (Heatherette, Dina Bar-El etc.) where are they hiding?  Interestingly celeb socialite Nicky Hilton is back with her Nicholai line, but you will have to wait for Day 3 for that one.

Lastly, look out for Robin Antin's The Pussycat Dolls whose collection is set to close out the final day. Tres magnifique!

*photo from IMG/Getty Images

Checking in on Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Los Angeles SPR 2008--Days 2 & 3

                                           Hey There!

There was a fashion frenzy at Smashbox Studios with an increased number of shows for Day 2 -- Ecoganik, Coco Johnsen, Kevan Hall, Elsie Katz Couture, and Joseph Domingo. Day 3  shows included -- Juan Carlos, Obando Craft (presentation), Gregory Parkinson, Jenny Han, Christian Audigier, Dina Bar-El, Grey Ant, and Whitley Kros.

On Day 2  Kevan Hall's Spring 2008 collection was a feast for the eyes, exotic multi-prints done in earth tones clearly inspired by the environment were standouts. Later looks embraced the bright colors of spring which included both the knee length dresses and full length gowns in red, lime and yellow. Show stopping evening wear also done in earthy prints were both sexy and playful while maintaining the Hollywood glamor Mr. Hall is known for. Day 2's final show ended with a bang from Heatherette with supermodel Lydia Hearst returning to their runway. Attendees included: Aubrey O'Day, Kim Kardashian, Brittny Gastineau, Lisa Gastineau, The Pussycat Dolls among others.

Day 3 highlights included the colorful carefree collection of designer Gregory Parkinson, the English born designer who has been based in LA for over 10 years now.  Mr. Parkinson's deep colorful shades are done as lightweight layered pieces--a must for spring dressing. The layered looks are slimming and body conscious while still allowing for movement. Day 3 ended with the 8:00 pm show of Designer Whitley Kros in the Main Tent. The Whitley Kros afterparty sponsored by Peroni was held at Smashbox Studios and notably included: Rocker Beck, Juliette Lewis, Jaime Pressly, and Giovanni Ribisi.

Checking in on Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Los Angeles SPR 2008--Day 1

                                        Hi!

Things were off to a brilliant start this season at Smashbox Studios on Day 1 of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Los Angeles.  Sue Wong made her debut as the first show of the day with whimsical spring frocks in brilliant tints of blue, red, yellow, black and white. Several multi-print looks were accessorized by cleverly matched hats--atypical in comparison to the opulent headdress she frequently matches to her evening gowns. Colorful lightweight silks gave way to formal wear that included both cocktail and full length gowns.  The show ended with truly ornate pieces--matching headdress, looks that were adorned with sequins, perfectly chic bridal looks done in off-white.  Notably, Ms. Wong's use of bright lavish accessories that included earrings, sunglasses, shoes, and handbags made this show a standout.

Nicky Hilton's 6:00 pm showing of Chick gave way to clean simple classic looks reminiscent of the 60's and 70's with a modern edge. Flirty mini-dresses, in the palest of blues, black and white followed by crisp reds signify Spring.  As accessories are the forte of Ms. Hilton, belts, pocketbooks and large totes are worth the mention.  A nautical theme (always a sure sign of Spring) was present in the button detailing on both a white swing coat, as well as several pairs of pants--a subtle welcome addition to the collection.

Randolph Duke's closing show turned out a number of earthy day looks done in cream as opposed to white, skirts and dresses and tops bearing gold feathers both in the form of applique and print.  Evening wear included stunning black gowns--some that carried the same theme of the printed feather. Other gowns done in navy, deep greens, etc. were accentuated by chunky necklaces bringing out the grandeur of the gowns. Cocktails dresses ranged from sexy metallic looks to various prints.

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Los Angeles SPR 08--UPDATE***

                                                                                   Hi!

Just a quick update, as we await official photos from Mercedes Benz Fashion Week SPR 08...we wanted to report the following: actress Bai Ling,  actress Jaime Pressly, TV host Tamika Ray, socialites Chudney Ross and Rick Hilton have all been spotted thus far attending the shows.

Designer Sue Wong completed her Mercedes Fashion Week Los Angeles debut. Other shows for Day 1 included Chick by Nicky Hilton and the collection of former Halston Designer the renowned Randolph Duke.

Stay tuned!

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Los Angeles SPR 08 -- Less than 1 Week Away!

Well, well, well, how quickly the time rolls around.  For sure as the dust has just settled in New York, from the Spring 08 shows, it's time to pick up and  do it all over again on the West Coast via Los Angeles (Culver City).  The only true difference of course is that well, Mercedes Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios (October 14-18) is ... DIFFERENT!  Instead of socialites and fashion experts showing to the tents of Bryant Park, look for MAJOR celebs -- primarily actresses...young actresses to vie for front seat time at Smash Box Studios.  Instead of heavy doses of jaw-dropping couture, expect racy (outlandishly racy) Ready-To-Wear with a sprinkling of select couture.  That said, the SPR 08 designer line up includes: Sue Wong, Chick by Nicky Hilton, Yves Castaldi, Elsie Katz Couture, Joseph Domingo,  Jenny Han, Grey Ant, Whitley Kros, Voom by Joy Han, The Gallery, Evidence of Evolution, Monarchy Collection, Samora, Oligo Tissew,  JC  Obando, Jeremy Scott, Coco Johnson, Tart and Kevan Hall (off-site).

This season will refreshingly bring about an eco-friendly theme,*** an appropriate stance for the Los Angeles shows.  "California is on the forefront of green initiatives, and we are excited that we will be taking the lead here."  "This is a great first step for the Fashion Industry here in LA," announced Smash Box Studios co-founder Davis Factor.

Can't wait to see what comes down those runways...can you? ... also note that Whole Foods Market, the world's largest retailer of natural and organic foods is also one of the event's sponsors...yum, yum!

*** - in keeping with the eco-friendly theme Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios will partner with The Carbon Neutral Company to measure and reduce the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of the event, the inevitable remainder will then be offset.

Checking in on Los Angeles Fashion Week--The Final Day

                                      Hi,

How quickly does Fashion Week come and go? Los Angeles Fashion Week is just about over! The days are shorter than New York's, but the end result remains the same...blink and you may miss something.  Closing out Day 4 was designer Chistian Audigier showing for a second time during this Fashion Week--this time with the label that bears his name.  Mr. Audigier's Fall 2007 collection entitled Sexpensive showed strong, bold colors--many of which were metallics-- that illuminated the runway.  A mix of both womenswear and menswear, Christian Audigier steps up the game for his Fall 2007 collection.  Notably a belted dolman sleeve, print mini dress worn by model Caroline D'Amore made quite a statement.  As did several other looks including multi-color ethnic prints ranging from long flowing halter dresses to shorter cocktail length pieces.  Separates included cropped jackets, skinny pants, and more deep hued printed shirts.  Menswear was also print-laden with several light pieces meant for layering, including various t-shirts, dress shirts, and jackets.

Day 5 closes fashion week with the designs of Charlotte Solnicki, Thrive, Oligo Tissew and Kevan Hall.  Charlotte Solnicki's collection was notable with truely flattering fall looks that included whimsical dresses--girlish babydoll cuts done in muted adult colors. Prints were austere, 70's inspired and were in perfect contrast to Ms. Solnicki's many solid blacks and winter whites.  Lastly, Kevan Hall a favorite amongst the celebs for his couture gowns showed a rather large collection ranging from day to evening wear.  Premiere pieces being colorful cocktail looks in lavender, slate, garnet etc... all sexy silk dresses for the woman who wishes to make a subtle yet serious statement.  Mr. Hall's very elegant collection attended by actress and former model Garcelle Beauvais, Danica Mc Keller, Tisha Campbell, and Sofia Milos.