Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Los Angeles Fashion Week

LA Fashion Week Spring 2008: Sweats, more Trucker Hats...and BRADLEY!!!!

You might have not known this, but after NY, after Milan, after London, after Paris....comes Los Angeles Fashion Week. For the last couple of weeks, many fashion shows, parties and events have been occurring throughout Los Angeles. Events held in different venues, such as Mercedes Benz Smashbox Fashion Week and BoxEight, showcased the good--and some bad--of what makes Los Angeles such a unique fashion capital. For a long time, we tried to compare ourselves to other style metropolis' such as the aforementioned cities, but I think we are finally getting slightly more comfortable with our "quirky" skin.

For years now, I have been saying "What is the point of showing jeans and t-shirts and sweat pants with models such as adult porn stars like Jenna Jamison on the runway?". It makes us, Angelenos look tacky and cheap, and you wonder why a lot of industry professionals, at times, did not take "Los Angeles Fashion Week" seriously. For a great article on this, which was featured in Los Angeles Magazine's August edition, click HERE.

There was still a lot of that this season, but there was also some wonderful, true Southern California designers doing their thing. I attended only a handful of these, including Single, a line of brightly printed tops and dresses. I absolutely adore its designer, Galina Sobolev and just found out that my buddy, Andrae Gonzalo is designing for them as well. So you know I had to show up to support! I actually attended with my old friend--and best girl-date, former "Miss Universe" , Brook Lee. She just had a baby 4 months ago and looked wonderful (of course she wore something from my line!)

And last Friday, I went to the debut show of Season 3's Bradley Baumkircher, held at the wonderful Besant Lodge in the Hollywood Hills below Beachwood Canyon. Model Amanda Fields(just about walked every damn show--except this one), came with me, wearing one of my Spring 2008 Duchesse backless dresses, as well as my partner David. It was a wonderfl show,I have to admit. All Bradley. Quirky yet lovely dresses, perfect for that oh-so-chic boutique on Third Street or Abbott Kinney. I met Bradley's mom, who was the nicest woman you'd ever meet, dressed very elegantly I might add. And I also ran into Season 3 designer, Vincent Libretti, who could not have been any nicer, saying something to the effect of "You are a great guy Nick, and it's so good that you come and support..."

This Friday Los Angeles Fashion Week will conclude with the LA Fashion Awards, which will honor Project Runway. I will post info on that next!