Los Angeles Fashion Week kicks into action
It may only be the earliest weeks of fall in Southern California, but events showcasing spring and summer 2014 collections as part of Los Angeles Fashion Week appear to be blooming everywhere all at once like a springtime field of California poppies.
Things got underway last Wednesday and Thursday with a two-day slate of Los Angeles Fashion Council shows held in the park at the Grove shopping center. They included runway presentations from familiar brands such as Odylyne, Bohemian Society and Linden as well as fresh faces Amabelle Aguiluz and Rose La Grua (the winners of this summer’s Open Runway competition). The whole affair wrapped up with a runway show by Katharine Kidd. Meanwhile, Sue Wong put on an independent show for her spring and summer 2014 collection (titled “Jazz Babies”) at the Cicada Club downtown last Wednesday.
There are many more events, presentations and fashion-themed parties than you can shake a wire hanger at this season, which stretches to Oct. 20 — a good bit longer than a normal “week.” The first few days included Africa Fashion Week Los Angeles, Haute Curves L.A. Fashion Week and even a Karaoke Runway Gala (really) planned for Sunday.
Concept Los Angeles, whose 3 1/2-year participation in L.A. Fashion Week practically confers elder statesman status, planned a one-day slate of runway shows, presentations and installations at Quixote Studios in West Hollywood on Oct. 12, showcasing Jen Awad, Mike Vensel, JBurgos, Kittinhawk, Nuvula and new brand Yoze.
And that’s all before things really even kick into high gear. The upcoming week will find Style Fashion Week L.A. relocating from its longtime home at the former St. Vibiana cathedral to the event deck at L.A. Live for a five-day run that kicks off at 5:30 p.m. Sunday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by runway shows by Ina Soltani, Malan Breton and Michael Costello. Other labels on the docket include Bettie Page Clothing, Octavio Carlin, XCVI and Furne One.
The inaugural season of Men’s Fashion Week L.A. is set to debut in the penthouse of the California Market Center on Monday for two days of presentations and runway shows that include Noral Apparel, My Vice Sweats, Krammer & Stoudt, Paulo Succar, F.R.E.D., Kenneth Nicholson, Control Sector and Vlado Footwear.
Though most events (including the above) are only open to invited press, buyers and guests, there are a few open to the fashion-loving, ticket-purchasing public. One of them is Fashion Business Inc.’s “All Aboard ... L.A.’s Fashion Platform” annual benefit for emerging designers, which is scheduled for Tuesday and once again will take place in downtown’s Union Station.
Hosted by “Extra!” weekend co-host Renee Bargh and comedian Brett Walkow (who has co-hosted the gig for several years now), the evening is set to feature collections from Shay Todd, Johnny Was, Liberty Sage, Maison Castel, Jet Age, Quynh Paris and Rosario as well as the presentation of the Moss Adams Fashion Innovator Award (a.k.a. the MAFI, which in 2012 went to Cerre). Cocktails start at 6, runway shows at 7:30 p.m. at 800 N. Alameda St. Tickets ($50 or $25 for FBI members) are available at fashionbizinc.org.
That’s the same evening the also-open-to-the-public Project Ethos returns to the Avalon Hollywood with its hybrid music, art and fashion showcase. This year’s event, a collaborative effort with Scion and French Tuesdays, kicks off at 8 p.m. Tuesday with fashion showcases at 9 and 10 p.m. at 1735 Vine St. (Additional information and tickets are available at projectethos.tv.
Perennial calendar closer L.A. Fashion Weekend at Sunset Gower Studios is preparing for a three-day run that will showcase swimwear on Friday, contemporary collections on Saturday and couture on Oct. 20. A new wrinkle this year? The event will also include one-of-a-kind designs inspired by the Nobu Hotel Caesars Palace — the event’s title sponsor.
