New York Fashion week? Been there, done that. Several times. Once, I even snuck into the tents at London Fashion week. But this was the first time I been presented with an opportunity to attend Los Angeles fashion week. This was unfamiliar territory. L.A. fashion week? I knew not what to expect.
First off, the ambience at Smashbox Studios in Culver City, CA deserves an A+++. Dim lighting and ample seating (plush charcoal couches to be exact) made waiting for the next show to begin MUCH easier. If you missed any collections, previous shows played on several flat screen TVs (thus keeping everyone from becoming super bored). Cherubic “angel” models (male and female) paraded half-naked around the lobby and posed for pics. Two Mercedes-Benz coupes were available for group photo-ops and up for grabs in a raffle. Booze flowed freely – everyone's cup runneth over with Peroni beer and cocktails (if you were over 21 of course). If you were hungry/thirsty for ANYTHING other than an alcoholic beverage, cappuccinos, lattes, Ahi tuna salads and grilled chicken & swiss sandwiches were made fresh to order. And you could even valet your vehicle (for a pricey $15). What more could you ask for?
I'll tell you. A-list celebrities. Where were they??? None of the big names came out to support! I mean, it's L.A. – I was expecting to see Demi and Ashton. Gwen and Gavin. Justin and Cameron. Paris and Nicole. Hell, I would have even settled for Hilary Duff and Joel Madden. Anyway, although L.A. fashion week lacked major star power, we did manage to catch up with a few famous names: Cindy Margolis, Robert Verde, Mischa Barton, Melody and Carmit of The Pussycat Dolls, Niecy Nash, Melinda Clarke, Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon and Stacy Kiebler. We also spied the following pseudo-celebs sitting front row and roaming around the VIP room: Tracee Ellis Ross, Chudney Ross, Samaire Armstrong, Shar Jackson, Morgan Fairchild, Gary Shandling, Jillian Barberie, Heidi Montag, Janice Dickinson, Tangi Miller, Taryn Manning, Vanessa Williams (from Soul Food the TV show, not the movie or Ugly Betty), Zooey Deschanel, Samantha Mumba, Natasha Henstridge, Maggie Grace, Hayden Panettiere, Dayanara Torres and Michelle Trachtenberg. Angela Bassett also made an appearance – I think she may have been the biggest name there, aside from Mischa Barton.
On to the clothes. Over 30 designers showcased their spring 2007 collections. Here are my favorite six:
Tart – I fell in love with their sexy, colorful jersey dresses.
Candice Held – Her vintage scarf dresses are simply gorgeous.
Jennifer Nicholson – A toned-down Betsey Johnson meets a watered-down Heatherette. Sort of. But the models wore the SEXIEST platform shoes I've ever seen.
Collection Bebe – Think Versace in the late 80s, early 90s. The brocade capri pants and wide shoulder jackets with matching visors brought back many fashion memories.
Frankie B – I saw the cutest backless denim mini dress ever made come down the runway.
Elsie Katz Couture – As if the
