L.A. designer to know: Amber Sakai

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L.A.-based designer Amber Sakai has come up with an idea for the woman who hates to check luggage: the Weekend capsule collection, with eight easy pieces to pack and go.

But don’t expect shapeless, packable jersey dresses a la Travel Smith. Sakai has parlayed her experience designing lingerie into pieces ($70 to $500) that are as seductive as they are practical, including a black lace T-shirt and bra, white long-sleeve T-shirt and button down, black ponte knit dress and leggings, faux leather mini skirt and lace overcoat.

Sakai grew up in Santa Barbara and moved to L.A. to work in fashion, first as a model, then a designer for the lingerie company Brighdie, and the surf brand Four Girls. She launched her own eponymous label in the spring of 2009, with items such as lace-back sweaters, lace shrugs, bodysuits and loose T-shirt dresses with attached bow-ties.

‘I love lace,’ said the lanky designer, who lives on Mulholland with her producer husband Richard Sakai and their two children. ‘I never knew that about myself.’

She test drove the Weekend collection on a mini break to Napa Valley and gave each piece a cheeky name: the Liason skirt, Nightcap jacket and Rendezvous top.

Sounds like all you need for a romantic getaway.

Amber Sakai is available at ambersakai.com and at Church in West Hollywood.

-- Booth Moore

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