Twenty-six year old designer Simone Gonzalez (who I profiled in this month’s Entrepreneur magazine) held her very first runway show at The Bay, a lofty, downtown industrial space just a few steps away from the studio where she crafts her trademark bandage skirts. The audience consisted of close childhood friends from Gonzalez’ native Pasadena, family (including the parents of said childhood friends), retailers and potential investors who traveled from China to check out the line. And despite a rumor that Rhianna and Charlize Theron were on their way, celebrities were nil. Also missing was any hint of door drama or attitude.

The clothes were a departure from PDB’s usual fare. Sure, there were bandage skirts. But instead of the solid and striped colors that  put the line on the map Gonzalez showed metallic patterns of chevron stripes and lightning bolts, delicate florals that looked like a wrapped Ace ankle brace and solid pieces of what appeared to be neoprene with futuristic markings. Straying away from the strict body con designs of her last collection, other elastic skirts were frilly and swung away from the body. And in addition to skirts, the line now includes bandage dresses in both muted colors and metallic animal prints as well as corset tops.

But some of the offerings didn’t use any of PDB’s usual material of choice. Mini swing skirts in pleather, sculptural jackets made of faux fur and faux snakeskin and a velvet and polka dot dress that looked like it could have been worn to a Bat Mitzvah circa 1987 were just a few of the looks that were a venerable fabric store swatch book.

While the collection wasn’t completely cohesive, it did the duty of blending Gonzalez’ commerce (the elastic, which is currently and will likely continue to be the brand’s bread and butter) with her art—not an easy feat for a brand that is recognizable by a single distinctive item.

Most of that art was a pleasant, unexpected surprise that will likely become more polished as Gonzalez continues gaining experience. And judging by the post-show smiles on the potential investors and the rush of fans scrambling to get one of the black metallic skirts being given away, the commerce will continue to do just fine.

Related Posts from The Spiel:

1. Pleasure Doing Business hosts first-ever sample sale on Friday
2. Pleasure Doing Business launches bandage dresses
3. Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week fall 2010: A numbers game

Concept

Sponsored by Smashbox Studios and Toni&Guy, the shows are meant to capitalize on both L.A. Fashion Week and the local market week (when retailers from all over come to L.A. to check out the new collections from brands). Which is smart, since L.A. Fashion Week hasn’t historically targeted buyers–the people who actually put collections into stores.

The roster of brands showing is pretty eclectic; a mix of familiar and new names: martinMARTIN, Skingraft, Elmer Ave, Fremont, The Battalion, Valerj Pobega, B.Scott, Mike Vensel (co-organizer for the event with downtown advocate Brady Westwater), Chelsea Rebelle, Farm Tactics, Otto Gates, Jen Awad and John Sakalis.

Photos: Looks from L.A. brand Skingraft’s Spring 2010 collection.

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1. The Shows: L.A. Designers Start Strong at NY Fashion Week
2. L.A. Fashion Week Spring 2010: Sked for Downtown L.A. Fashion Week
3. James Galanos to Attend FGI Fashion Week Kick-Off Tonight

A few memorable moments…

DUFF STUFF: The Shipley & Halmos guys with Hilary Duff.

GAL PALS: Designer Tara Subkoff with Confederacy co-owner Ilaria Urbinati.

SERIOUS FUN: Confederacy co-owner Danny Masterson with Ben Foster.

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1. Prime Finds: Vena Cava on sale at Confederacy
2. SoCal Fashion Illustrator Danny Roberts Delves Into Footwear
3. Danny Glover’s jihad against Hugo Boss at the Oscars: Will anyone defy it?

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Confused.

That about sums up my feeling on Yotam Solomon’s Fall/Winter 2010 presentation Thursday night. The confusion started with the location: a private residence tucked high up in the Bird Streets section of the Hollywood Hills. After zig-zagging through a massive line of traffic on stick-thin roads, I pulled up to the valet only to be turned away.  So I went in search of street parking. And during the 15 minute, uphill trek, girls had to remove their heels. Eventually, though on the brink of an asthma attack, I arrived with a smile, hoping to see some great fashion to match our travel efforts and the excellent jetliner views.

Then came a second round of confusion.

In lieu of a runway, models would be “milling about near the couches.” Uh, ok. And judging by my eavesdropping, it seemed I wasn’t the only bewildered guest: This is ridiculous… Wait, where is the runway?…  Did we miss the show?… Is there a show?…

But even more confusing than the lead up to the presentation was the collection itself.  A lack of cohesion made it difficult to discern Solomon’s designs from a random party-goer’s ensemble. Between a complicated satin mini, a fringed jersey dress and what looked like a skirt-suit for the club, I was left, dare I say it again, confused. On the upside, Solomon is only 22, which leaves plenty of room for growth. And his collection of shoes on display were promising.

Overall, the event fell victim to the typical evils of L.A. Fashion—lack of attention to design and detail for an excuse to schmooze and booze.

But at least I got a good workout.

Related Posts from The Spiel:

1. Los Angeles Fashion Week Spring 2010: Yotam Solomon Brings Sexy Back
2. New York Fashion Week Fall 2010: Band of Outsiders and Juan Carlos Obando do Los Angeles proud
3. Los Angeles Fashion Week Spring 2010: Kevan Hall

Rachel Chandler

T magazine recently caught up with Chandler and chatted about her no-fuss style:

Chandler’s personal style is as eclectic as the tunes she spins: a Ralph Lauren cable knit sweater that once belonged to her mother, a men’s Dries Van Noten overcoat stolen from an ex, Adidas track pants, her signature blue Belgian loafers. “Well, of course I love Rei, Junya and Yohji,” she says, “but without my parents footing the bill anymore, I have to be resourceful.”

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We’re not in the habit of writing about non-SoCal brands, but I was so baffled by the look-book from a label called New York Couture, I had to share.

The label’s toddler-cum-hooker look (intensified by the old-school Patricia Field-esque styling) is so early-90s club kid, it’s sorta spooky. Could “Party Monster” Michael Alig be pulling the strings from his sparkle-strewn jail cell? Or perhaps his sidekick, James St. James, has taken up sewing?

Because these are clothes made to drop ecstasy by…in the back of a U-Haul decorated with glo-sticks. I’m just gonna go hunt for my mini backpack now…

Related Posts from The Spiel:

1. Santa Monica Place Pumps Up Its Retail Stable With Juicy Couture, AllSaints Spitalfields, Etc.
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Recently, I found myself confronted with quite the quandary as I tried to pick out an outfit for a first date. We were going to a very low-key sushi spot in Little Tokyo, so I thought flats—paired with a sexy dress, of course—were appropriate.

Hell No, said my roommate. You’ll feel stupid in heels, said one of my best college friends. Guys don’t get flats, said another close friend, a noted local stylist.

And man was I torn.

I try not to listen to others when getting dressed as I usually trust my own judgment (even when Joan Collins-esque pearl drop earrings are involved) and frankly, don’t usually give a shit what anyone else thinks about my clothes. But this time, every outside opinion stayed in my head as I sorted through my wardrobe in search of the perfect first date ensemble.

When the opposite sex is involved, I usually like the contrast of flats, which conveys sweetness, with something a bit sexier such as a mini skirt and sheer chiffon blouse that shows a hint of lingerie. And while most girls like to feel taller, I actually tend to feel beastly when I go above my 5′5 frame.

What’s your opinion—heels or flats on a first date??

PS- I went with heels. We’ll see if he calls.

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I thought he was wearing some sort of Nom de Guerre or Rick Owens contraption. Turns out it’s an American Apparel white button-down and a leather harness from Rough Trade. He also wore a foxtail keychain hanging from his back pocket. While getting my trim I asked him how the harness…worked exactly, then blushed five seconds into the explanation and dove into email on my iPhone. But love the look, L.

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Since taking over the creative direction at the label in 1996, “A lot has happened in the world of fashion… the players have changed, everything has changed,” Missoni told Style Section L.A. “So for an independent, family-owned brand like us, it is an accomplishment to still be around and to be relevant.”

The collection is “very closely related to the California lifestyle… it’s very relaxed but sophisticated,” she said. The last several years have seen the collection expand on its classical platform by developing a young, contemporary energy, with a ‘Gypset” layer of cool that combines layered prints and colors in a modern way.

London-based design team Kinmoth Monfreda designed both the interior and exterior of the building, which incorporates painted aluminum from just outside of Milan that wraps the building exterior in a woven manner—evocative, perhaps of the way any Missoni garment sublimely wraps the body. —Hellin Kay

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3. On days like these…