L.A.'s
Delusional Mayor:--He thinks LaLaLand is the capital of world fashion!
(But we had a good time viewing some of the goods anyway)
L.A.'s
Delusional Mayor:
--He thinks LaLaLand is the capital of world fashion!
(But we had a good time viewing some of the goods anyway)
Late Summer/Fall 2000 notes
"Dubious" best describes my reaction to a recent public-relations oriented runway show introduced by the Mayor of Los Angeles (Richard Riordan) to an audience of mostly press (some in town for the Democratic National Convention) and retail store buyers. The prepared speech alleged that Los Angeles is now the fashion capitol of America and, indeed, the world... Not so fast, your Highness!
L.A. has beaches, trendy Melrose Avenue, Hollywood and lots of casual living. It's become the capital of THAT. And, correspondingly, it's become the capital of THAT kind of fashion and more. But, if the Mayor's speechwriters had intended to suggest that L.A. is the capitol of High Fashion or Haute Couture (which is to say "serious" fashion), the proposition remains laughable.
(photo: courtesy of apparelnews.net)
L.A. has become the center of the kind of merchandise you and I buy. It's accessible, affordable and often laid-back. And that's been the case as a growing trend since the early 1980's when more Fashion Business (manufacturing and marketing) started coming from the West, supplanting New York's traditional style dictates and business grip.
But make no mistake, the Art of Fashion remains focused in Paris, Milan, New York and Tokyo. Los Angeles remains a mere suburb to THAT scene with, I grant you, a growing design community and some serious innovators that make it an up-and-coming contender. With that said, here's some of what I saw:
The well produced "This Way L.A." runway show took us on a virtual fashion tour of some of the cool pockets we all associate with L.A., featuring current and Fall offerings.
Beach ball tossing models in La Blanca swimwear (top picture) favored polka dots in beachy blue, pistachio and peony. DAWLS (not shown) did graphics and retro-flowered baby Tees and print capris. BC Ethic did guys in straw bowlers, linen capris and 1950s-inspired shirts.
Designer/manufacturers David Dart and Barbara Lesser brought an environmental feel to their category.
Naughty male models in the "Melrose Place" segment dropped their robes (by Canyon Group) to show off nearly nude torsos. Delicious.
I also especially liked the serious
young deconstructed looks of
Private Circle.(photo: courtesy of
apparelnews.net)
"Olvera Street" groupings(not shown)
included racy lingerie by White Rose.
"Sunset Plaza" knocked-off the couturiers
of Milan and Paris with goods from locals
Melissa M and Poleci.
The "Hollywood Studios" segment featured the cool floor length gowns of
Tadashi and brilliant newcomer Claire's Collection (below).
(photo: courtesy of
apparelnews.net)
Designer Dinesh Chandrasena
(of Claire's Collection)
introduces his proud mother
to collegues.
As more and more of America's clothes emanate from "The Angels" of L.A. we'll expect to see more and more events like "This Way L.A." offering staged previews of "wasssssup" and what's coming to a store near you, virtual or otherwise.
The diversity and energy of what L.A. is, offers an enthusiastic image and seldom dwells on the snobbery and elitism of traditional fashion centers which are, in many ways, remnants of European class structure.
But let us not get confused for all the spin and flash of the L.A. runway...
none of it is "fine art."It's all Business. Our business.
Until my next patrol,
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