Last season Los Angeles witnessed the intense catwalk rivalry between Mercedes-Benz and Smashbox Studios. In a bid to secure a significant role in the West Coast fashion scene, the Factor brothers (descendants of celebrated Max and owners of Smashbox cosmetics) masterminded a heavy-duty offensive against the German automobile Goliath. Putting together an impressive production that featured the innovative collections of New York design mavericks like As Four and House of Field, the dynamic duo, Davis and Dean, proved that they were a force to be reckoned with. While the clashing schedules of the two venues created much confusion and chaos, in retrospect the Smashbox confront to Mercedes-Benz's super-production engineered by Fern Mallis spawned a spectacular panache feast. Thanks to this battle of flair West Coast fashionistas reveled in a seven day long indulgence of style, characterized by dashing clothes, dazzling celebrities and scandalous gossip. This year however, following the surprising merger of the two former arch rivals, the City of Angels reverted back to a more subdued yet consolidated celebration of chic clothes and elegant design. Nonetheless, true to form, Hollywood's version of "subdued" was still larger-than-life.
Saks Fifth Avenue marked the eve of Fashion Week with a glamorous party. An elite group of household names and industry professionals mingled on the accessories floor of the luxurious Beverly Hills store that was transformed into a night club booming with energizing vitality. Eduardo Lucero, Daniella Clark, Pegah Anvarian, Louis Verdad and Rebecca Rich were the LA designers in attendance, happily toasting to anticipated success.
On Monday morning, Lloyd Klein, talented man not to mention superb individual, jump started LA Fashion Week with a stunning collection that paid homage to dazzling African motifs and graceful Parisian sensibility. Actress Janice Dickinson, Rod Steward's willowy daughter Alana and white screen icon Charlie Chaplin's grandbaby Kiera walked the runway for this arresting exhibition of élan. Angela Bassett, Bai Ling and Nicky Hilton, were all sitting front row applauding Klein's creative genius and speedy recovery from a horrible car accident.
Jenni Kayne, heiress to the FAO Schwartz fortune, has distinguished herself as a brilliant young designer, whose shows attract more celebrities than the annual Vanity Fair Oscar bash. This year was no exception. Jack Osbourne, Anthony Kiedis, Jared Letto (Cameron Diaz's former-half wearing a funny fur hat), Dustin Hoffman (accompanied by his entire clan) and last but not the least Lara Flynn Boyle (looking surprisingly healthy), showed up to support the 21 year old sweetie pie, who can cut a mean dress.
Needless to say the after party that followed Jenni's exquisite procession of elegant ensembles was a star studded affair enjoyed by the select few.
Actresses Dominique Swain (ubiquitous and ever present throughout the week) and Monet Azur made an appearance at Coco Kilks, while Ben Stiller's beautiful wife Christine Taylor distinguished by her poised and refined behavior sat front row at Monah Li. Surprisingly the notorious Paris Hilton was absent from the festivities. Merle Ginsberg, the ghost-author of Paris' upcoming novel, Tongue-in-Chic, a much needed literary magnum opus
that will school us on the intricacies of an heiress' life, confided to fellow fashionistas that, "In ten years, Paris Hilton will be on her sixth husband." Then again much to the relief of the paparazzi Paris's less scandalous sister, Nikki, held down the fort (posing for photographs with adoring fans and fellow celebs) while the blond hell on stilettos filmed the second season of her reality series, "A Simple Life."
Judith Ripka and Evian both glamorized Fashion Week LA with their respective exclusive parties. While the Ripka bash revolved around the company's bedazzling jewels-- long time favorites of the rich and the famous-- Evian chose a giant flower pyramid as its central ornamentation.
Irresistibly cute, unconventionally eccentric Israeli designer, Noni Tochterman once again wowed her A-list guests with a parade of delightfully vivid creations. Among those who applauded the inimitable artist's sheer brilliance were, Paula Abdul, Lisa Loeb, Ali Larter and Lindsay Lohan, all of whom were dressed in multi hued cute little Petro Zillia dresses.
Sheri Bodell's Spring 2004 collection was a daring reinterpretation of 80s over the top glamour epitomized by hair bands, head to toe leather ensembles and irreverence. Bodell's white biker jackets, zippered skin tight pants, knee high boots and red lace pieces were so slinky and smoking that even the infamous siren of the big screen, Sharon Stone, was swooning over them. Sitting right next to the blond knockout were Katy Griffin and Angie Harmon.
Most people agree that Richard Tyler is LA's most widely recognized and highly revered designer. In the past Tyler's shows were grandiose spectacles superceded only by the magnitude of the fame of his guests, but this season master chose to showcase a small collection true to classic sophistication. Regardless of the fact multitudes of
authenticated fans including, Carrie Otis, Kelly Rowland, Jaime Pressly and Lisa Rinna, still came to give a standing ovation to the man that has been the fashion ambassador of LA for decades.
Louis Verdad's fantastic show was undoubtedly the brightest highlight of the entire week. Designer to Madonna and Cate Blanchett, Verdad, magnetized a mob of luminaries. Buyers, editors, directors, starlets and seasoned icons alike filled Smashbox studios up to capacity, while many desperately waited in endless lines hoping to catch a glimpse of LA's hottest designer's latest. While waiting for the affaire spectacular to commence I had the pleasure of chatting with the lovely Noni Tochterman and her husband who happened to be seated next to me. This coincidence afforded me the long awaited opportunity to ask what Petro Zillia means. Upon my inquiry the wonderfully charming couple laughed and replied, "Petrozillia, in one word, means parsley in Hebrew. We were in search of a tag that had nothing to do with us, so we came up with something completely random, but it ended up sounding like an Italian name. So today people are shocked when a pink haired woman walks out after the shows instead of a tall handsome man. " As our conversation came to an end the lights dimmed and out came Verdad's 40s inspired tour de force.
This year the overall the volume of gifted designers showcasing beautiful creations in Los Angeles was considerably reduced in size, but the sugar and spice of Tinsel Town was still pungent and clearly detectable in the essence of Mercedes-Benz Fall 2004 Fashion Week at Smashbox. One needs to keep in mind that LA is a new comer compared to mega productions like Paris and Milan and already the magic of Hollywood is seeping through the seams. In fact Dean Factor's prophecy to Fashionlines, "Soon Fashion Week LA will become the most spectacular event of year," is already in the making.
Last season Los Angeles witnessed the intense catwalk rivalry between Mercedes-Benz and Smashbox Studios. In a bid to secure a significant role in the West Coast fashion scene, the Factor brothers (descendants of celebrated Max and owners of Smashbox cosmetics) masterminded a heavy-duty offensive against the German automobile Goliath. Putting together an impressive production that featured the innovative collections of New York design mavericks like As Four and House of Field, the dynamic duo, Davis and Dean, proved that they were a force to be reckoned with. While the clashing schedules of the two venues created much confusion and chaos, in retrospect the Smashbox confront to Mercedes-Benz's super-production engineered by Fern Mallis spawned a spectacular panache feast. Thanks to this battle of flair West Coast fashionistas reveled in a seven day long indulgence of style, characterized by dashing clothes, dazzling celebrities and scandalous gossip. This year however, following the surprising merger of the two former arch rivals, the City of Angels reverted back to a more subdued yet consolidated celebration of chic clothes and elegant design. Nonetheless, true to form, Hollywood's version of "subdued" was still larger-than-life.
