L.A. Fashion Week: Yes, It's Happening
IMG. GenArt. BoxEIGHT. Yeah, those guys are gone. But that doesn't mean L.A. Fashion Week — that amorphous, homeless fashion celebration that happens twice a year — isn't still on the books. Plenty of local players are planning invite-only runway shows and presentations for the coming week; and a few of them even claim to be wearing the crown of the "official" L.A. Fashion Week.
But let's face it — this is one beast that can't be tamed. And maybe it shouldn't be. Instead of trying to hammer the bi-annual "Week" into the muffin tins of the New York, Paris and Milan shows, maybe we should just be happy to get a free Red Bull and reusable tote. Think about it.
In the meantime, here's the plan, Stan:
The Millinery Guild's “Hollywood Legacy” shows, Oct. 15.
It's anyone's guess who will be comprising the "12 new designer collections" set to be exhibited at this one-night event at the Millemium Biltmore Hotel. But one thing's for sure — our fave designer on the current Project Runway, the pixie Mondo Guerra, is presenting a collection. Which makes the crap parking automatically worth it.
Concept Fashion Week, Oct. 14 through 17
The Concept shows are back for a second season at the Spring Arts Tower, touting many of the same stalwart locals designers, including Elmer Ave., Valerj Pobega and MartinMARTIN. We predict a few moments of greatness interspersed with many "eh" moments.
Fun While it Lasted, Oct. 14 through 16
We've written about International Playground, the downtown Manhattan import that set up shop in Echo Park this past summer. And for their first L.A. Fashion Week in town, the shop is producing their own version of spring/summer 2011 market in a warehouse space two doors down from their store. Featured lines include Blood is the New Black, Leila Shams, Chromate and Ernest Alexander. Best of all, the all-day-long festivities are open to the public. Also open to the public is a 7 p.m. Thursday night performance by Papercranes, the band fronted by Rain Phoenix. 1102 Mohawk Street, Los Angeles. internationalplayground.com
L.A. Fashion Weekend at Sunset Gower Studios, Oct. 15 through 17
Swimwear and eco-fashion will be featured at this season's Gower shows, which will be capped off by a runway show from Richie Sambora and Nikki Lund's White Trash Beautiful line. Yowza.
Project Ethos, Oct. 22
Bummed about not being invited to any shows? This open-to-the-public event's for you. We're entirely unsure what the fashion will be like, but we know it's at the Avalon in Hollywood and it has something to do with art and music, as well. Head to the bar and see what happens.
Sue Wong, Oct. 15
Sue Wong, who usually goes it alone, flies solo again with a joint Spring-Summer 2011 runway show. The Wong stands alone.
Exchange LA + Cotton Inc. present Anthony Franco, Skingraft and Ashton Michael, Oct. 20
This one-night-only set of shows will go down at the Los Angeles Stock Exchange Building. Leather-heavy brand Skingraft just might make the trek worth it.