LOS ANGELES (LA ELEMENTS) 3-16-2016- “We want to change the game” says Fashion Week Los Angeles Executive Producer Michael Gio Ferrigno. “I think the way that we have to do it is we have to see from the attendee’s side of things, from the business aspect. How do we make a show that is conducive to creating content for bloggers, influencers, press, etc? We felt we had to answer to that. So that was our inspiration, making an efficient and compact show format where you as press could come here, sit for one hour and a half, and get four months worth of content so you continually have lots of stuff. Instead of coming here and spending an hour and 45 minutes in line and then seeing one designer who has fifteen looks and you don’t like any of those looks, and you kind of wasted your whole evening. So, what we wanted to do was create a show format that was conducive to creating content.”
From left to right: Jerry Mathis, Mathew James Boelk, Chamian Renee and Caitlin O ‘Connor
The first show of Fashion Week Los Angeles 2016 was held at the landmark Los Angeles Union Station on Sunday, March 13. The prelude to the actual runway show was the panel discussion, “The Coveted: Buying and Selling Wholesale” hosted by actress Caitlin O’Connor. Mathew James Boelk of Groceries Apparel, Jerry Mathis of Tory Burch and Chamian Renee founder of DZNR Chic Boutique served as panelists.
Styles showcased on Day 1 of Fashion Week Los Angeles were varied, ranging from surfwear sporting vivid splashes of color, to minimalist chic separates that would fit easily into a corporate setting.
The first designs on the runway were from Cynthia Rowley. Rowley was not in attendance; nonetheless guests were treated to the signature vibrant colors and patterns that one is used to seeing in her ready to wear collections, in the surfwear/swimwear/activewear that came down the catwalk.
Following the Rowley collection was Saltwater Luxe, the label of design team Christa Bischofberger and Kristy Kalsman. “Every season we try to stay focused on making clothes that are versatile, that you can wear,” says Bischofberger “We’re definitely a luxury beachwear line.”
Breathable fabrics, separates and maxi dresses in earth tones, elements of Boho chic sprinkled here and there, all made for the defining look of this new beachwear line.
The Ro & De Noir executive and creative team was out in full force at Fashion Week Los Angeles. CEO’s Jenny and Billy Kang and designer Shannen Ko were on hand to watch models stroll the runway in their Fall/Winter 2016 collection. “Minimalist with a little bit more edge and detail,” says Ko of her latest designs.
Classic monochrome, surplice necklines and asymmetrical hems were a strong presence in this line giving the collection a trendy yet polished appeal.
“Well it comes from many different things,” says Romeo + Juliet Couture designer and CEO David Shamouelian of the inspiration for his 2016 Fall/Winter collection. “What’s happening in the world, basically. There are a lot of changes happening a lot of designers are not evolving so we like to push the envelope and introduce new trends and new calibers as you saw. The difference between our collection and others is that we like to push the envelope.”
Romeo + Juliet Couture has long been described as “urban trendy” and that essence was on full display on the runway. Black was present throughout the entire collection but then there would be bold accents of color such as royal blue or even bolder accessories such as an indigo faux fur jacket or an Aztec print vest.
The reception from attendees for Romeo + Juliet Couture was perhaps the most enthusiastic of the evening and it wasn’t difficult to see why. After all, this is a fashion label that for almost two decades has been able to anticipate the desires of a notoriously fickle teenage/young adult clientele. To do that successfully and for so long is indeed pushing the envelope.
Refreshments were provided courtesy of The Natural Mixologist, which specializes in creating organic, vegan and gluten free cocktails.
For more information on Fashion Week Los Angeles and the designers mentioned in this article, please visit their websites.
Cover Photo: From left to right the fashions of RO & DE noir, Cynthia Rowley Activewear, Saltwater Luxe and Romeo + Juliet Couture
All photography by Albert Evangelista. Instagram/Twitter @aarree
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