LAFW Returns with a Standout LineUp of Designers in Hollywood

This season LAFW returned for the second time under new ownership by N4XT with a standout lineup of designers and additional programming as well as experiences open to the public. The fashion week incorporated similar elements from New York fashion week such as the designer discovery shopping area open to the public while adding programming that was specific to LA such as a film screening and panels highlighting LA talent and sustainability. For NYFW veterans the event felt familiar while also adding a signature LA vibe to the week with a more relaxed and open vibe for networking and mingling. According to designer Maxwell Osborne of An Only Child, LA brought a unique perspective to the fashion week experience. He said, "I think LAFW is different from New York or Paris or London because it's its own thing and its people based and less editorial based. It's a community and a vibe and its a great place to hang out and that's why its great to di it here berceuse its an all day thing with panels and shows and everything's is very intimate and intertwined and it has a space in entertainment and it feels like it should be entertaining. Like they are doing movie screenings panel talks, shows, and presentations so that's what I think LAFW brings to it that's different."

Designer Sergio Hudson echoed this sentiment backstage at his show later in the evening telling me, "It's relaxing very much more relaxing than New York I mean but that's LA it's relaxed you don't really have to have all the extra I really love the feeling of it and I had a great time." 

The week kicked off with the IMITATION OF CHRIST show which brought out fashion lovers form all over as well as influencers and celebs based in LA. The iconic brand showed their collection against the backdrop of the Hole Gallery on La Brea in West Hollywood. The crowd dressed accordingly with denim, rhinestones, and vintage LA inspired looks taking center stage amongst the street style. One of my favorite looks was this vintage DIORANGELES jacket worn by one of the guests. 

Even the art was on the theme of LAFW with the gallery featuring California inspired pieces such as a photograph of JUICY sweatpants set against a vibrant sunset. 

The show featured live musical performances as well as dancing from the models and at the end the audience was encouraged to join in and everyone got a chance to participate in the show. The show featured rituals from religions around the world and according to the designer behind the brand Tara Subkoff the collection was meant to represent the need for community and connection in today's digital world. The collection started off with dark colors using veils of tulle and draped fabrics to represent how we can be pulled into darker thoughts while alone with too much media, and then slowly morphed into lighter tones featuring bright floral prints, light pinks, and delicate ruffles as well as long silk maxi dresses in neutral tones. The evolution represented how being out in the world and part of a community can brighten our thoughts and feelings according to the designer. The poignant theme of the collection resonated with the audience especially during a time saturated with bad news and tensions in the media that we get delivered directly to our phones and personal devices all day long. 

After the show fashion's in crowd gathered for a cocktail hour to officially open the LAFW campus in Hollywood. On Thursday the first official day of the campus, guests could experience the Lancome Beauty Days and the SAP shopping experiences that were open to the public starting at noon. In addition to the brand moments there were also tons of photo ops and free coffee sponsored by Arabica coffee where attendees could relax in between events. The Lancome beaty days experience offered a futuristic photo shoot as well as a complimentary skin test. There was also a nail bar sponsored by dazzledry nails and giveaways from Khalifa Kush. 

Thursday's opening events included several panels as well as a film screening. The Ice Cold: A History of Jewelry in Hip Hop panel was especially popular as it brought together music and fashion lovers to hear from the hottest trendsetters in the jewelery industry as well as music journalist and hip hop historian Vikki Tobak. The panel featured Maxwell Osborne who also spoke on an earlier panel in the day about design, jewelry designers David Tamargo of Alligator Jesus, Lillian Shalom jewelry designer to the stars, and Essence Ventures stylist Corey Stokes. 

The panelists spoke about the evolution of hip hop jewelry as well as the personal meaning and identity aspects that artists represent using jewelry choices. Afterwards there was also a cocktail hour for mingling where guests could buy the newly released book directly. 

Shortly following the panel was the film screening of fashion film "Fashion Reimagined" presented by Otis College of Art and Deisgn. The film's creator Becky as well as the star of the film Amy welcomed the audience and introduced the sustainability focused film which featured the British brand Mother of Pearl. Sustainability is still a thorny topic for the fashion industry and this film aptly described the production chain issues that brands face when trying to implement sustainability initiatives. LA has always been a hub for sustainably minded designers but in recent years Otis and other fashion colleges have been working diligently to make sustainable design a core part of the design curriculum. 

Finally, it was time for the highlight of the evening with the Sergio Hudson presentation that drew the biggest crowd of the day. The designer who regularly shows at NYFW created a special presentation experience showcasing his Spring/Summer 2024 collection in an ethereal candlelit backdrop featuring signature Sergio Hudson cocktails as well as upbeat jazz music and decadent floral centerpieces. The presentation had an intimate feel to it that was distinct from the NYFW shows. After the show, I spoke to the designer about the all white and neutral colored spring collection. He told me, "The inkwell black society wealthy black people that was my first point of inspiration and then it was my client and my customer what would they need in the summertime what would they need when it's really hot and you know they still wanna wear their suits but they can't wear heavy suits." He also told me about his process for creating the collection saying, "The simplicity of it and the smallness of it, it was very concise and very short and very enjoyable. I think the lightness of it and the airiness of it is where I am going next." 

And that's a wrap for Day 1 of LAFW! Check out my recap video on Instagram or visit the LAFW to find out more about the rest of the programming! 

LAFW Recap Video

 Check out my celeb interviews, behind the scenes coverage and more in the video below! 

Day One of LAFW Featuring Red Carpet Designers

"Fashion is back" -Designer Oliver Tolentino

LAFW kicked off this year with an exclusive opening gala on Thursday night. Friday night was the first official day of shows featuring red carpet designers including: Ronaldo Arnaldo, Frisk Me Good, Ria Victoria, and Oliver Tolentino. 

The evening began with celebrity arrivals on the yellow carpet including stars such as model Christie Valdiserri who walked in the opening night shows. 

Apl de Ap of the Black Eyed Peas, as well as some real life frontline healthcare workers who were honored for their life-saving work during the pandemic. Guests returned the the Petersen Automotive museum and enjoyed the reception before the shows held in the "Cars and Fashion" exhibit. There was a tasting booth by Stella Artois featuring a custom engraving station where guests could engrave a personalized Stella Artois beer glass. 

As the sun began to set everyone headed out to the terrace to get ready for the first runway show of the night. Before heading to the catwalk guests could also grab a Seltzer tasting by Fruit Smash. The all natural fruit flavored hard seltzers were the perfect refresher to enjoy before the shows. And their playful "#SorryforSeltzering" photo station was the perfect photo op! 

The show opened with a colorful collection by designer Ronaldo Arnaldo with MC2 productions. The collection featured a salute to frontline workers and addressed the last year of pandemic challenges with a line of loose fitting matching sets designed for healthcare workers. The designer even brought a few real life healthcare workers out onto the runway to close the show! It was a great way to honor their work as well as bring hope for the future. 

Next up was Frisk Me Good by designer Cierra Robinson. This inspiring show featured models of all shapes and sizes wearing the stand out designs in bright colors and unique cutout silhouettes. This collection was also all about sustainability and was designed using repurposed material for the ultimate sustainable fashion statement. 

Following Frisk Me Good was Ria Victoria. This collection featured a grunge beauty look and moody deconstructed designs in a dark color palette with pops of red and lavender. The draped dresses and printed suiting set the tone for the effortlessly cool style of this collection. 

Finally he night closed with red carpet designer Oliver Tolentino who showcased an amazing collection of fun and elegant dresses fit for the red carpet. The gowns were made of voluminous material in classic colors like red, black, white and royal blue. Many of the designs featured ruffles, bows, and distinctly feminine details that added to the fun and flirty designs. I spoke with designer Oliver Tolentino after the show who told me about the inspiration for his collection saying, "Hollywood Glamour. Clothes that you can relate to that when you see the clothes, I can ear that. It's very sophisticated and when you see the details in the clothes you will feel that there's a lot of love in making the clothes." 

The designer was so excited to present at a live show. He told me, "I've been waiting here for a long time. Its so nice to see a lot of people. Fashion is back. I'm so happy its been a long time that designers are not doing fashion shows. And this is the better way, LA fashion week."

After the final show the night wrapped on another evening of talented designs and trend setting moments. 

LAFW Returns With a Focus on Diversity on the Runway

After a long hiatus during the Covid pandemic LAFW has officially returned with in person shows this October at the Peterson Automotive museum. With a line up of exciting up and coming talent as well as some established Hollywood names the runway shows this year are making a splash in the LAFW comeback season. This season the runway also has a special focus on diversity with the, LAFW Diversity & Disability initiative. This year's events feature current and former Paralympians and athletes who will be closing out the season with an exclusive runway sports show unlike any other. Led by Disability & Diversity Advocate Steven Tingus, this promises to be a highlight of the entire season. 

 "LA has become the streetwear & Red-carpet fashion capital of the world. As part of this cultural renaissance, we're excited to be leaders behind this movement into a premier hub for fashion, art, design and entertainment. That's why the event has become more experiential than ever before," says Arthur Chipman, Executive Producer of LAFW.

The season promises to be an exciting return to in person events with partners such as Stella Artois, L'Oreal, and held at the iconic Peterson Automotive Museum. You can find out more at www.lafw.net

 

Closing Night of LAFW at the Petersen Automotive Museum

This year LAFW held their Spring/Summer 2019 showcase at the Petersen Automotive museum. I attended closing night to see their all star lineup of designers including Irina Malchuk, Irish Latina, Nor, and Bohemian Society. The runway was on the second floor of the msueum and models walked down the catwalk with the amazing vintage cars and specialty models from brands like Porsche, Ford, and Infiniti in the background. I headed to the lounge where there were so many high fashion photo ops and fun displays.

They even had a makeup station where guests could do touch ups to look runway ready and I loved using my new Shiseido lipstick in my favorite fuschia shade that matched my dress perfectly for the night! 
 I loved this garden inspired art by XO Bloom.



I also got to attend with my friend the owner of Rsolute Boutique who came all the way to LA from Alaska! It was so much fun showing her fashion week! The star studded guest list for LA fashion week included Elie Madi who recieved the Moss Adams design award and has designed for A-list celebrities such as JLo, Gwen Stefani and Katy Perry. Former NBA player Kibwe Khari and an America’s Next Top model contestant were also in the front row right next to yours truly!

The first show of the night, Irinia Malchuk kicked things off with a glittery 70s inspired collection. The runway really had a shine to it with these beautiful gowns and fun flirty styles. This pair of lace boots was a crowd favorite and totally unique.

Next, Irish Latina, an eco-friendly brand made of recycled t-shirts kicked things up with an exotic dance performance right on the runway. The models followed strutting down the catwalk in the flouncy and brightly colored designs. Each design had a fun style on the back such as bows or lace up corsets. The collection had a hint of retro style to it as well. I loved all the bright colors and feminine details from this collection.

Then we got a special treat from Nor, a brand from Norway that brought beautiful simple Nordic designs to the runway. My favorite was this simple yet elegant blue dress. The fabric was draped in the middle to form a snowflake pattern and the dress reminded me of something from the Frozen movie!

Finally the show closed with a rockin performance from Bohemian Lifestyle, a fun and loud brand with an artistic flair. The show was also designed to be a story in itself and each model played a character. There were so many interesting things to watch including a model who even skateboarded down the runway! There were also models who took pictures of the audience. The surrealist quality of the show made an artistic statement about the current state of the fashion industry. The reversal of roles from the audience taking pictures to now having the models take pictures of the audience was a reminder about our social media obsessed society. The audience loved it and everyone participated posing and photo bombing the pictures. There was also a set of models coming down the runway posing and shooting like in a photo session. The models looked like they could be acting out the life of a blogger or influencer and made an important statement about the changing fashion marketing trends today. The model and photographer looked like they were almost in their own world and moved seamlessly down the runway changing angels and poses as they walked. There were also several other talented models on the runway including a set of dancers who gave a beautiful performance in matching turquoise dresses that flowed with the dance. 

All in all it was a great show and a fun night with friends and amazing designs!

LAFW Announces Fall 2018 Venue

A post shared by LA FASHION WEEK (@lafw) on Jun 26, 2018 at 8:51am PDT

LAFW is one of LA’s most recognized fashion event brands and they are known for putting on some great shows. Each year the group changes it up and always has a new and interesting theme that keeps guests coming back. The show has taken place at some of LA’s most exclusive venues including, the rooftop lounge at the W Hollywood Hotel, Union Station, and many more. This year LAFW is going all out and has announced the Petersen Automotive museum as their fall 2018 venue. The LA museum is a popular attraction for automotive enthusiasts since it houses some of the world’s most elite cars from brands like Ferrari, BMW and more. It also has several classic models for those who love retro styles. With its unique architecture and backdrop of rare vehicles this venue is the perfect place to host a fashion show. Is this a hint at the lineup for this Fall’s designers? Perhaps we’ll be seeing some mechanical influences on the fashions coming down the runway this year. Either way it will no doubt be a success for the LAFW brand. 

CdM Exclusive Interview LAFW Edition: Behind the BADBUTERFLY Collab with Project Runway Star Candice Cuoco and TV Host Vanessa Simmons

On Thursday night Project Runway Season 14 contestant Candice Cuoco and Centric TV host Vanessa Simmons hit the red carpet for the opening Gala of LAFW. The pair showed off their style at the exclusive party held on top of the W Hotel in Hollywood.

The Gala kicked off the Los Angeles Fashion Week Spring 2017 season with live performances and runway previews as well as an Andy Warhol inspired art installation. Everyone turned out in their most stylish looks for the event showing off daring accessories and sparkling outfits.

I had the chance to interview Cuoco and Simmons on the red carpet about their highly-anticipated collaboration BADBUTTERFLY scheduled to hit the runway this Sunday at the finale of LAFW in Hollywood. According to the pair known as #girlbosses in fashion circles the collection all started with a pencil skirt. Both women, who were dressed in sharp and stylish businesswear, are entrepreneurs who have supported women’s empowerment throughout their careers.

“I’ve hosted LAFW for the past few seasons and now, this season I’m presenting a collection with Project Runway finalist Candice Cuoco.” Vanessa, who also hosts the business competition show #queenboss on CentricTV told me.

“Vanessa introduced me to LAFW because I’m new to LA so my girl has been showing me all around.” Added Candice excitedly.

“I asked her to design me a pencil skirt and I just loved the way she made it.” Explained Vanessa.

“And that was the beginning of the BADBUTTERFLY collection.” They both said in unison.

“It’s a lifestyle collection for the woman who is looking to conquer anywhere in her life.” Vanessa told me.

“We were really inspired by women’s stories.” Said Candice who’s Instagram bio reads “#WomenRunThisHouse”

And their vision for BADBUTTERFLY doesn’t just apply to the clothes either, the model casting call for Sunday’s runway show read “Where my girls at? Tattoos, tall, short, curvy, BRING ‘EM OUT!!” These two are on a mission to make their show stylish and feminist. They are definitely catching the eye of the LA fashion industry with their collaboration. 

LAFW S17 Opening Gala at the W Hotel Hollywood

"One word, Amazing. Love my team, love the city, and love LAFW." is how Executive Director of LAFW Arthur Chipman described their opening gala held at the rooftop pool and bar of the W Hotel overlooking Hollywood boulevard on Thursday night.

The event was full of fashion industry influencers as well as some of the designers scheduled to show during the LAFW S17 shows this weekend.

I got the chance to interview Candice Cuoco and Vanessa Simmons who are showing their BADBUTTERFLY collection this Sunday at the finale of LA fashion week. Check out my article on the interview here.
It also included art installations from their partner Sur le Mur Gallery. The art was inspired by Andy Warhol and photos of the artist as well as these amazing dresses by Soniaete Couture featuring portraits of Warhol decorated the room.



There was also a live portrait installation where guests could get their portrait done in Charcoal by artist Robert Vargas. The theme went well with the amazing rose decorations throughout the room giving the whole night an avant garde garden party feel. Guests turned out in their most fashionable outfits and many opted for a metallic look. Everyone (including moi) enjoyed the multiple photo ops including this fun sparkly backdrop.

The gala also showed feature presentations from a few designers and a live performance by the Anaheim Ballet. It was a great way to kickoff the season and celebrate the LA fashion industry in the heart of Hollywood.

Norweigan Rain x T. Michael launch party on Sunset Blvd.

This Thursday I was invited to the official launch party for Norwegian Rain's California debut, sponsored by a team from LA Fashion Week. LAFW welcomed international designers Alexander Halle and T. Michael.  The party was held at the exclusive LA boutique H. Lorenzo on Sunset Boulevard.  Voices from the crowd spilled out onto the sidewalk on the unusually warm November night and a friendly hostess greeted me straightaway as I walked into the party.  Antique Norweigen furniture decorated the modern space and the beat of techno fashion music played in the background.

I was greeted by the designer himself, Alexander.  It was clear the quiet wellspoken Norweigan was excited to be in L.A. The tall designer sported a Norweigan look with his blue suit and hat, punctuated with a red feather.  

The Norwegian Rain brand was founded in 2009.  Alexander and T. Michael partnered to make outwear with a Japanese influence; their brand was inspired by living in Bergen, the rainiest city in Europe. Thursday night they brought their designs to LA with the help of LAFW to, according to T. Michael see what would happen when they put all the best things they knew of together. The raincoat design incorporates the newest waterproof technology and traditional men's tailoring.  In my exclusive interview with Alexander, I learned how the brand was born.  Alexander told his story of perseverance. When he first pitched the idea to T. Michael, Alexander said, "Of course he said 'No.'" But he continued to visit each time it rained, and with the frequency he finally got his chance. T. Michael acquiesced saying, "Let's talk, because you're just going to keep coming back." Alexander had a less traditional route to his career as a fashion designer starting out studying business, but with this project he got to live his creative dream by launching his raincoat designs.  In the collection he described how they use Japanese material to incorporate the latest in sportswear technology.  They tailored the coat with the idea of hidden functionality; the smooth designs with perfect symmetry hide interior magnetic clasps and adjustable fit. He pointed out the unisex black raincoat on display at the front of the room as one that can be adjusted for personal preference.  

He also hopes to set a trend of sustainability and always designs consciously.  He gestured to a chic gray plaid cape that is made with recycled materials. 

As I walked around the room I noticed the interesting accessories including scarves, satchels, and shoes placed throughoput.

  I interviewed designer and tailor T. Michael about his brand new release of eyewear. 

The bold curvy design of the glasses was very unique. T. Michael explained that they were made from buffalo horn from Asia which allows them flexibility to form to your face.  He also chose this material because it is very durable and can last for years. According to T. Michael,"The glasses are a bold look for a bold person so that you can walk into a room and say, Noted, it's me." 

The collection was a hit with the L.A. fashion crowd that attended the party.  Many guests tried on the raincoats and glasses and some bought scarves and accessories.  As the team from LAFW said, "There is plenty of room for international designers in L.A."  This collection is especially timely with the approaching El Nino. This collection might turn out to be for more than staying in fashion after all in our usually sunny city.