Sure Signs of Fall: Fashions Previews, Store Openings

Leaves don’t change color much in Los Angeles to signal the arrival of fall. Instead, invitations arrive for new store openings and designer clothing previews.

This week, New York designers Mark Badgley and James Mischka celebrated the opening of their first-ever store. The multilevel boutique at 2 Rodeo Drive features their entire collection, including shoes and luxury sportswear. At 346 N. Beverly Drive, upscale maternity clothing designer Liz Lange (who is seven months pregnant with her second child) offers expectant mothers sophisticated, tailored clothing in her first West Coast store. And champagne maker Pommery unveiled its new zip-on bottle wrap designed by Thierry Mugler at a Beverly Hills Hotel party.

Next week is one nonstop fashion preview. On Monday, L.A.’s best-kept secret, Peter Cohen, unveils his spring 2001 collection with help from model Carmen Dell’Orefice and perhaps some of his celebrity fans, such as Anne Heche, Carrie Fisher and Angela Bassett. On Tuesday, Frederic Beausoleil, a luxury eyewear designer from Paris, will preview his spring frame styles at the Standard Hotel, and Eduardo Lucero will present his spring evening wear collection in conjunction with the Latin Grammy’s pre-party. The style parade continues Wednesday, with the first-ever broadcast of the Latin Grammy Awards on CBS (Channel 2) from 6-8 p.m.

The week’s highlight is Thursday’s unveiling of the revamped Rodeo Drive Chanel boutique (designed by architect Peter Marino), expected to be celebrity-laden.

By Friday, the fashion pack will have decamped for New York, where the spring 2001 runway season will already be underway followed by the Milan shows starting Sept. 28 and the Paris collections on Oct. 7.