L.A. Story

FASHION ALERT!!! Hot New Denim Hits American Rag in Fashion Island (Newport Beach) and other stores! LA STORY HAUTE Denim Blog!

NEWS FLASH! NEWS FLASH!! NEWS FLASH!!!

This blog has moved to a new location! You can now find it at www.la-story.com.

American Rag is a store based here in LA, that's a hallmark of California and LA style.  If you are wondering who/what/where/why about American Rag and want to know more, check out the podcast/blog featuring Marks Werts, the owner of American Rag. It's a HOT LA store on LA with outposts in Fashion Island (Orange County), San Francisco and other stores dotting the country and the globe.

While skinny denim seems to be populating the magazine, let me give you a a style alert --direct from  the  American Rag denim buyer (it's nice to have friends in the right places) -- of a hot trend that is popping up across Southern California  and moving a select style of denim out of her stores FAST.  It's been featured  in some fashion magazines and it's been seen on the runways but it's already selling here across California. The trend:  higher waisted denims and wider leg denims. In American Rag --whether it's in Fashion Island in Newport Beach,  American Rag's  World Denim Bar on La Brea in LA or in San Francisco -- several pairs of the wide legged, higher rise  styles are selling out each week.  It's moving fast.  

What's so hot about high waisted denims and wide leg denims? It's more figure flattering. Here most women can't wear skinny jeans well.  A majority of the email that I get about how to find the best fitting denim is about not being able to wear skinny jeans because they are size 8 or larger or have hips or have thighs etc. Turn to straight leg jeans for the skinny effect if that's what you want.

HOWEVER-- if you are you wanting to be fashion forward, a trendsetter and  on the cutting edge, start watching out for-- scratch that-- GO LOOK FOR wider leg jeans and also ones with higher waists. Typically they will come as entire design-- the higher waist jeans  will feature a less fitted, wider  leg. Think Katherine Hepburn style, think Cate Blanchett style, think runway trends because you can see it in the fall 2007 shows.

Now what's the hottest seller right now at American Rag?

   

Here is a photo from American Rag featuring the Jenny Jen High Waisted, Wide Leg jeans.

Jenny Jen High-Waisted, Wide Leg Jean is featured in the "Dark Donna Wash". Retailing for about $180.00, it's currently sold in Fashion Island,  Newport Beach, LA and San Francisco. The Dark wash is the best seller in all three stores. It also comes in a Light Grey Jackie Fit . It is also a high waisted wide leg.  In LA alone, ten pairs have sold in the last two week. It's also selling briskly in Fashion Island and also San Francisco.

So consider that you heard it here first, and go check out the Jenny Jen jeans or go online and start looking for brands that are showing them. Level 99, Brown Label, Paige Premium, Denim of Virtue, Thirteen Denim, Fidelity Denim, and Freedom of Choice all have a wider leg, some have a higher waist, some have both! (Not all brands carried at American Rag or the World Denim Bar) Check it out!

Stevie Wilson

Merlin Castell, LA's Secret Fashion Designer to the Stars, Debuts His Newest Collection " Mysteries of Atlantis" Fashion Show -- A Journey into the UNKNOWN! LA STORY EXCLUSIVE SHOW 411 Blog

FRIDAY APRIL 20, 2007   MERLIN CASTELL   -Fashion Designer To The Stars-

Designer Merlin Castell is best known for his Haute Couture
tailor-fitted jackets crafted from highly unusual fabrication.
Mr. Castell's extraordinary pieces are highly sought after by celebrities in the televsion, film and music industries.

The Merlin Castell line has  major hip factor ranking
and has become the most talked about designer collections.
From Castell's Metro Wear ranging in prices from $150-$1,000.00
to his custom made and couture garments that sell for tens of thousands of dollars, Castell creations have been seen on shows
like THE O.C. and on numerous  celebrities including Lenny Kravitz and Paris Hilton.

This cutting-edge designer has recently been voted
"One OF The Top Ten Designers To Watch" by The Pool Trade Show.
Born in Honduras, Castell  has an innate affinity for fashion and
a keen eye for style.Castell never dreamed that he would be so fortunate  as to craft a career out of what he loves doing the most. "My journey has been extremely magical".

Castell started off as an architecture major in college, but was then redirected by a professor who recognized young Castell's true talent and he chose to follow his passion.

"I studied fashion in Mexico, where my style was compared to Frida Khalp.I the continued my studies in Italy where my specialty was working with leather, but there were times I couldn't afford it. I then started applying my ideas to fabric, which became the beginnings of my signature style.

*******************************************************************************************

During the late 90's Castell, finishing his studies and his  work in Milan was proving to be quite talented. Moving to the United States, Castell landed a job at Hot Kiss, then moved to the "hot" store Red Balls as head designer. Castell designed for celebrities Paula Abdul, N'Sync. Marilyn Mason
and the magic keeps flowing.

 

See Merlin Castell and his magical collection at

Montmarte Lounge Hollywood
6757 Hollywood Blvd.  Hollywood, CA 90028
Cross Streets Hollywood and Highland
DOORS OPEN 9:00PM
OPEN BAR 9:30-10:30PM~
SPONSORED BY  SILK VODK
Castell Show starts: 10:30 PM

Red Carpet Arrivals,
VIP Bottle Service Available
~For Celebrity or VIP Services Please Call: 323.465.5369~


www.merlincastell.com    www.myspace.com/merlincastell

Stevie Wilson

Spring Has Sprung and So Have the Sample Sales. Catch it at DD PUSH

The Spring Clearance Parking Lot Sample Sale---Speggtacular Savings!

Where:
Ma Du Zi (parking lot)
7959 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA  90046
*1 block West of Fairfax.....right next to Agent Provacateur*

When:
Friday, March 30th    11-7
Saturday, March 31st  11-7
Sunday, April 1st         12-- till it's gone!

Dear Fashionista,
DD Push, Ma Du Zi and Kelly Nishimoto are coming together to bring you the clearance sale of the season. All inventory will be reduced 50-90% off retail prices. We have to do our spring cleaning to make room for new merchandise.
All of the merchandise is overstock and samples from various different designers and retailers.
We must get rid of it all!!!

We accept cash and all major credit cards.

Spring Clearance Parking Lot Sample Sale-- find dramatic savings on these designers:

A Common Thread
Barbara Bui
Burning Torch
C & C California
Chloe
Costume National
Denim Birds
Development
Dondup
Ernest Sewn
Frankie B.
Indigo Hand
Jaidan
Jean Paul Gaultier
Joie
Juicy Couture
Kelly Nishimoto
La Rok
Levi's
Lotta Stenson
Loy and Ford
Miguelina
Moschino
Nieves Lavi
Nudie
Paige
Paper, Denim and Cloth
Paul Smith
Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti
Rozae Nichols
Twelfth St by Cynthia Vincent
Velvet
Wyeth by Todd Magill

***There is a limited selection of some designers.
So HURRY!!****

Treat yourself....you deserve it!   Happy Shopping-

DD Push--AKA Designer Discount Push.
Where everything designer is always on sale!

COUPON ALERT COUPON ALERT COUPON ALERT COUPON ALERT COUPON!!!!

FREE black jeweled tank top with this coupon
One coupon per paying customer.
Clip this coupon to receive a free black jeweled tank top with a purchase over $100. While supplies last. Early arrival is strongly suggested to receive this offer. This coupon is transferrable.

*You must have this coupon with you to receive this offer*

  Good for the Spring Clearance Parking Lot Sample Sale March 30th- April 1st.

Stevie Wilson

LA Fashion Week: Joseph Domingo Presents Haute Chocolate-! LA Story LA FW Fall 2007 Blog

A moment after the first model with her eyes taped shut strutted casually on the runway at Joseph Domingo’s March 20th LA Fashion Week show, it was clear to us that the designer had intended the models to appear like walking mannequins.  We got it immediately and we thought it was very clever.  In fact we are sure that this particular effect was designed to grab the audience’ attention and rivet their focus.  So, we just had to applaud the playfulness of this maneuver since we are fashionistas and adore pure audacity. 

We were advised that the show was themed as Black+Red=Chocolate, so we knew in advance that Domingo was going to seduce us through our favorite addictions:  fashion and chocolate and we were prepared to see if this collection could in fact titillate our fashion taste buds. Here are our favorites ---

First of all, this collection had an abundance of wearable clothes.  But more importantly we were suddenly excited by the appearance of pieces in a passionate, bold red and willingly surrendered to a case of high fashion “scarlet fever” as an allergic reaction to the cool muted pastels and metallics in every other collection.   

A chic double-breasted wool coat with black buttons and piping looked very street smart for those chillier nights in LA, and any time in London or New York.  The craftsmanship reminded us of our orders from the better bespoke Saville Row tailors that we visited when were in London. So, it was no surprise when Domingo confided to us privately during a backstage interview that, “London is one of my favorite cities… and of course… I worked for a company that manufactured jackets and coats many years ago.”

The coat paired with the matching sleeveless dress made sense in Los Angeles and will easily do double duty over skinny jeans and boots in New York.  Either way, this ensemble is almost inseparable. Today, the red dress has truly evolved from a Valentine’s Day staple.  It is a bona fide fashion statement about flare and confidence and as Domingo explained, “aside from the little black dress these days the little red dress is emerging as the new MUST HAVE.”

Our list of the best of the black begins with a sweet scoop necked brocade sleeveless “little black dress” with black ribbon that would well both day or night with the right coat and a change of accessories.

Domingo makes night dressing easy and comfortable with the black satin pairing of a loose fitting top cut to reveal smooth shoulders with loose fitting trousers belted with a satin bow cut low enough to reveal the tip of your six pack, if you have one.

A satin charcoal gray mini evening dress adorned with black beading hinted at Domingo ‘s Pilipino heritage, which he says, “puts a drop of Spanish influence into every collection.”

And, was fully realized in a glorious black lace evening dress with a tail fit for a Tango or a VIP After Party at a bull fight.   Ole’

Marie Bargas

Clear the Skincare Decks. Shu Uemura San Francisco Schedules a SKINCARE Special Event! LA STORY Beauty Blog Alert!

SHU UEMURA SPECIAL SKIN CARE EVENT WITH MISUMI KITANO 
             (APRIL 5-7)

Skin care update for San Francisco Bay Area beauty addicts! 

Here's your chance to receive a super pampering beauty lesson and learn more about the reformulated Depsea and B-G skin care lines.

Hand-selected by Mr. Shu Uemura himself, the expert Shu Uemura team will be led by the talented Education Manager Misumi Kitano. Under Ms. Kitano's careful guidance, they will perform an elaborate series of skin care techniques tailored to your personal skin regimen, followed by a comprehensive makeup technique tutorial.

Nibble on tasty apps, sip on some bubbly, and get your goody bags!
Raffle prizes will be drawn each day (Grand Prize: Master class for 10 people).

This is HOT-- so call to reserve your spot!

By Appointment Only - Call (415) 395-0953

Thursday, April 5 -- Saturday, April 7  (11am - 6pm daily)

1971 Fillmore Street, San Francisco

www.shuuemura-usa.com

Tami Yu

Hit Studio at Fred Segal for a TIMELESS Secret! Get the SECRET of Gorgeous Skin From TIMELESS SECRET Skincare at Studio Fred Segal !! LA STORY Secret of Gorge Skin Blog

Everyone wants to have fabulous skin-- one that glows with health and resists lines, spots, aging. Some say there is no magic cure out there-- but we might have just found a line that might bring us a couple steps closer (or more) to the real anti-aging secret -- by way of a special Asian tea called Pu-Erh Tea.

What's so special about this tea? Well you it's considered to be a very special tea and bricks of this aged tea are often used as currency much like gold bullion is  treated. Why? Because of it's secret anti-aging properties that can make you healthier  overall. Considering that I met the two women behind the  Timeless Secret skincare  line-- a mom and daughter operated company-- one can see that truly this is a   timeless secret that should not be ignored as the mother has no lines, wrinkles and has the same gorgeous skin as her daughter and it radiates with health and is without sun damage despite living here in Southern California.

Key ingredients to this line include are 5 advanced cosmeceuticals:

Patented intelligent ceramides
Specifically treat and target only dry areas for intensive hydrating benefits without over moisturizing normal skin.

Madecassoside
Derived from the herb Centella Asiatica ingredient with anti-inflammatory properties. Immediately and dramatically firms the skin.

Alpha-Arbutin & tri-active brightening complex
Alpha-Arbutin is clinically proven to inhibit melanin production to brighten the skin.

Tri-active complex of blackberry, grape seed and saxifrage extracts to even imperfections in skin tone while visibly reducing dark undereye circles.

Ameliox™
A powerful combination of carnosine, a naturally occurring dipeptide, and Milk Thistle extract, help stop the stiffening of collagen fibers, a major reason for formation of lines and wrinkles. It improves the overall texture and smoothness of the skin.

Patented collagen peptides
Support skin at the structural level, promoting ideal cell adhesion and improvement in collagen synthesis, resulting in firmer, fresher looking skin.

Plus it provides COMPLETE SUN PROTECTION AGAINST HARMFUL UVA/UVB RAYS with a water resistant formula retains SPF after 40 minutes of water activity.

It is free of artificial fragrances, parabens and is allergy tested and does not involve animal testing.

This multi-product line is effective (I have used it with great results) and reasonably priced based on its ingredients

This is a unique line and you should check the website thoroughly  because it does do everything it says it does. I personally loved the tin of tea and it ages well. It gets better as it steeps and I loved the taste. Not only did my skin look better, I actually slept and felt better.

Got more questions? I bet! If you are in the LA area, head over to Studio at Fred Segal in Santa Monica from 12-5 on Sat, March 31, 2007 to get the best info you can from the founders of Timeless Secret

Definitely worth the time to get over there and check out this amazing line of skincare. I am totally impressed with it and it's a chance for YOU to check it out and ask questions. Don't miss this opportunity. You want the TIMELESS SECRET To great skin too!

See you at Studio at Fred Segal in Santa Monica

Stevie Wilson

Steve & Barry's & Sarah Jessica Parker's Bitten Clothing Line VS The Budget Fashionista? Attorneys Hit on the Freedom of the Press & Blogosphere

While I have come into this late, I must say I support  The Budget Fashionista's running of the photos and commentary on the "less than special"  BITTEN line designed by Sarah Jessica Parker to be marketed by Steve & Barry.

While these photos have been online a while now-- at least a month-- at what point does a leak mean pointing a finger at one particular blog  that ran the photos and screaming at them when there are OTHER blogs and spots that ran them too?

Methinks they doth protest too much. While we in LA don't have a Steve & Barrys store  out here (do we? I haven't heard of it.) I agree with Lesley Scott's post and blog about this egregious use of legal muscle against Kathryn Finney, The Budget Fashionista.

From Fashiontribes' Lesley Scott's post

Wanna see more photos of the collection? Steve & Barry's doesn't want you to. CLICK HERE to find out why.

CLICK HERE to hear the Fashiontribes 5 Min. Podcast about this from Lesley Scott

Good Grief People, it's only a clothing line and it's not that stellar a collection at all -- it's nothing that one is going to queue up around the block for--whoopee. SJP shows that she really gets her style courtesy of her stylist-- and that it doesn't really carry (or Carrie) it off well without the help of stellar stylists and killer designers. In other words-- she's just like you and me and she doesn't get that  to put her name on it, she should be very careful what she puts out there because people expect someone who's supposedly a fashionista type to put it together better than anyone at the Gap

So a suggestion-- if you agree with Kathryn Finney's right to  freedom of the press and feel that she's the little "girl"/guy being picked on by the behometh attorneys being all mean and nasty, feel free to weigh in at The Budget Fashionista site with a few well-chose words of support

Stevie Wilson

Getting the Most Out of Being a New Mom-- Amasala Baby Boot Camps! LA STORY-- Beach Bound Babies and Moms Blog

If you are a new mom, then the only thing in your life being recharged is probably your cell phone.

It might just be time for drastic measures – like, say, boot camp. Don’t think drill sergeants and mandatory push-ups. Amasala’s After-the-Baby Bootcamp is a new rejuvenating retreat on the sandy beaches of Tulum, Mexico, where the focus is on health, wellness and finding harmony as a new mother.

Also on offer is the Babymoon, which is designed for expectant couples or new parents to get away for relaxation and of course some romance.

The emphasis at Amansala, which you may have heard about from their famous Bikini Bootcamp, is not to force you into anything you don’t want to do or set up a competitive environment. It’s about listening to your body and getting in tune with yourself.

Starting at $1,575, the retreats are available with or without baby and include lodging, meals, excursions and spa treatments.

After-the-Baby Bootcamps and Babymoons are starting in March. For more info, see www.amansala.com.

- Julie Haire

JUICE BOX COUTURE-- For Moms, Dads, Grandaparent - ANYONE Dealing With Kids! LA STORY FAMILY TIME Blog!

If you’re a a parent  (or grandparent, sibling, aunt, or have any sort of relationship ) with younger kids, juice boxes are a regular part of your life. Two moms in Boston decided to put all those empty containers to good use – and voila! – a fashion business was born.

Melanie Peddle and Tiffany Brown started Look at Me Designs in 2003 using recycled materials around the house (they also make purses and accessories with things like buttons and fabric).

We like these big, bold beach totes – cute and different. And waterproof!

Totes start at $35 and can be found online and at some boutiques across the country. For more info, visit: www.lookatmedesigns.com.

- Julie Haire

TAKE 5-- For Cosmetics and Beauty on the Run! LA Story Hot Beauty Line Review Blog

Take 5 Cosmetics – A fabulous face in less than five minutes?

Yet another makeup artist has created their own cosmetics line—Emmy-nominated Judy Twine, former model turned makeup artist turned cosmetisc entrepreneur has come up with a selection of products designed to show women that there is a celebrity in everyone.  The line has been used on the hit ABC show, “Ugly Betty” and now it’s available to make us regular folk “red carpet” ready.

The premise of the line is that it should only take five minutes to create a fabulous look.  I’m all for that—but don’t get the idea that this is a minimalist line. 

The selection of products is very impressive—four different types of foundation, five different highlighters/bronzers, ten different lip products just for starters.  The word is that this cosmetics line is a make-up fanatic’s paradise—and I would have to agree with that assessment.

I was able to sample only  a handful of the products, but here’s the 411 on a few items from this extensive line:

Shimmer Tints – I sampled this in the Soft Gold shade.  This silky feeling, silicone based highlighter lives up to its name imparting a soft golden shimmer.  This product was designed to be worn alone to accentuate cheeks, eyes and lips or mixed with foundation for a subtle glow.  I tried it both ways—sweeping a bit across my eyelids for a bit of polished glimmer one day and another day mixing it with my sunscreen to give my complexion a golden glow.  It’s a very subtle look—not glittery or fake.  .5 oz. retails for about $19.00.

Lumi-shine - A brush on lip gloss with a hint of sparkle, I tried this in a shade called “Belladonna.” It is a nude, sheer shade that reminded me of MAC’s Lust.  This gloss is soft and non-sticky.  Like most glosses this needs frequent reapplication, but unlike most gloss, it feels soothing and moisturizing to the lips instead of drying them out.  Retails for about $13.00.

Indelible Eyes eyeliner – Waterproof, automatic pencil.  I tested this in a classic shade called “Brownie.”  It goes on very smoothly—no pulling or dragging.  The smudge-tip on the end of the pencil is quite useful.  And while it’s not “indelible” it is fairly long wearing.  I give this product a big thumbs up.  Retails for about $14.00.

Color Release w/ Vo-lip-tuous Lip Enhancer  - A ceramide-enriched lip color to define and plump lips.  I tried this in a shade called “Runway”—a sheer blush of pink.  Like most of the Take 5 products tested, this also was infused with a bit of shimmer.  The twist up delivery system coats the sponge tip no-muss, no-fuss application.  I didn’t notice much in the way of plumping, but it was a very pretty, wearable lip color.  Retail is about $14.00.

There are many, many more products to play with from cream eye shadow quads to complete face palettes.  To indulge your inner starlet, check out Take 5 at http://www.take5cosmetics.com/

LA Fashion Week: Imitation of Christ: NEO-GOTHIC COUTURE PROCLAIMS BELA LUGOSI IS DEAD… BUT NOT FORGOTTEN. LA STORY LAFW Blog

Amidst Monday nights fashion media circus of LA Fashion Week angels waited patiently in the lobby for refreshment…

…while inside the subterranean lit Main Tent the catwalk was being carefully strewn with human bones for the LA Premiere Designer Tara Subkoff’s Imitation of Christ.

Subkoff has returned to her Goth Club roots with a sophisticated spin on club wear now tailored for the more grown-up Brides of Dracula.

Countess Dracula clad models swathed in dagger emblazoned silk frocks talked casually on cell phones perhaps planning an intimate dinner for 100 members of the Armies of Darkness.

Femininity spiced with a hard edge was emphasized all the more by black leather stilettos on every outfit stating that underneath it all that these women meant business.

 
As the strains of classic Bauhaus serenaded an audience of smiling onlookers we detected a fang or two glinting in the half-light and were pleased with the stylishness of the undead…

Meanwhile, signature black leather swam amidst a parade of beaded white, black and gold dresses, deconstructed blouses and a hooded black cape with high-waisted velvet pants that evoked a grown-up Little Red Riding Hood smiling provocatively through vampire black lips in search of her next “wolf.”

A fitted black sweater framed by a heavy metallic collar worn with high-waisted skinny rocker jeans seemed fit for a fatal attraction.

   

By far the most provocative pieces were the see-through evening and cocktail dresses highlighted by a gold-beaded cocktail sheath accented by a huge black cross hanging down the model's back and an especially sparkly revealing white gown with “A-N-G-E-L-I-N-A J-O-L-I-E” written all over it.
Front row actress fans included Elisha Cuthbert, Ali Larter, Ginnifer Goodwin and Ione Skye next to musician Ben Lee. Fave gift bag swag was Smashbox’s caviar cream eyeliner with brush for ancient Egyptian eyes a la Queen of the Damned.

Marie Bargas

LA Fashion Week: Oligo Tissew Brings Denim And a Lot More to the Catwalk! LA STORY LAFW Report!!

There were a few great shows at LA Fashion Week. One of them was a stand-out because where in previous seasons, denim lines dominated the runway, this season there was hardly any denim on the runway as a collection.

The sole denim line featured was Oligo Tissew line has always been about denim as a fabric piece and not the raison d'etre for the line-- meaning it has a full formed collection of tops and bottoms that have serious fashion sense.

Here's a collection of shots that shows you that Christopher Enuke knows what he is doing-- not just with jeans but knits, jackets, pants, denim treatments so that they aren't just your basic jeans-- but he creates unique -- and wearable-- fashion that would work on both coasts!

Photos Courtesy of IMG Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.

What you can't see close up is the pinstripe on the pants.. and the jacket is a nicely tailored piece that could be layered with a pencil skirt over a long cashmere sweater.

Waxed denim treated with metallic color suddenly loses the denim effect and becomes something else-- something unique and definitely wearable both day and night-- particularly in LA. Dress it up for holiday with a velvet jacket or some shimmering iridiscent halter top or drop a casual tee to tough it up as Enuke has done here.

A great coat-- while I personally don't love plaids, this one works with the tucked in jeans and it sets off the print tee. It's about fall and Enuke clearly has a collection that shows all aspects and not just mini-dresses

Pieces work together or separately.. and he's married colors that others might think won't work but they work beautifully because of the contrast of the textures.

Perfect fall textures and colors-- even though it's yellow, it's an LA vibe.

Yummy oatmeal sweater sweetened with horizontal stripes and a dusty lavender tee

Oligo Tissew at its best.. one of the most autumnal collections that actually work day and night with a true wit and inspiration that makes it practical for Angelenos and those on the "right " versus the "left" coast.

Stevie Wilson

LA Fashion Week: The Overview of the Week. LA STORY LAFW blog

With LA Fashion week now over, it's time to give you the soundbites and general impressions of the Fashiontribes writers who were flung across the city --from Smashbox/IMG in Culver City to Boxeight to Kitten Shows at the Standard in Downtown LA and other collections being shown at trendy hot spots across the "scene" of West Hollywood and Beverly Hills.  There are shows still being shown at the California Mart (Single for one who was much missed at Smashbox)

What's the "down -lo " on LAFW? Please note that these are opinions and feedback from not only me but from other writers who were covering the scene. The IMG/Smashbox show schedule was the thinnest schedule seen in many a season-- despite the inclusion of t-shirt lines that don't have a full collection to show and there weren't the numbers of denim lines hitting the runway seen in previous year.

IMG/Smashbox decided to bring the design suites onsite and thus it cut into the number of venues available from 3 to 2 and also cut the number of chairs  available by 90-150 less per show than previous seasons. While designers were asked to cut the number of non-essential guests (D list celebs etc) to allow for press, PR firms were hard pressed to get media into the shows because of the number of celeb  "friends" and the number of press covering shows was greatly increased because there were fewer shows on site.  Unfortunately-- the media lost and even I didn't get invited to shows like Collection Bebe despite my print and online coverage overlaps. Not the PR firm's fault that they ran out of seats. Another Fashiontribe writer was turned away from the Joseph Domingo show because it was full and no standing room available. *sigh*..

However, there was no lack for off-site locations if one wanted to head down to the Standard for the Kitten Shows which were launching a slew of new designers

While it never rains in LA according to my east coast contacts, it did rain in LA on Tuesday of LAFW and that made people scarce during the day and thus one could actually find onsite parking without having to valet the car or hit the parking structure almost 2 miles away and wait for the shuttle bus.  However the amount of available street parking  was a bad sign for attendance at the daytime shows which started at 1 PM. Even the design suites weren't getting the traffic one would have expected .

What happened to this Fall 2007 LAFW? I can't say. By cutting down on the number of chairs available and limiting standing space from extremely limited to nil in some shows. It was tough running from Culver City to Sunset and across to downtown if one was attending the www.kittenfashionweek.com

At Kitten Fashionweek, there were many new lines but 2 I knew of were KushCush-- a swimwear line that's sweet and sassy that's branched out to ready to wear that shows off in metallic side of things. ( Will Robinson where are you?).

Octavio Carlin was interesting.. but needs seasoning.

Krel is a line I am familiar with and it's a great knitwear line that's got unique ideas and textures.

However the same problem that I saw with  IMG's LAFW in most lines was also evident in Kitten Fashionweek which was a lack of actual clothing that had fall in mind (trousers, pants, jackets, sweaters, coats) and not just shorts, minis, crop jackets and mini-dresses. As one stylist said "what were they thinking? This is Fall 2007? It's just mini dresses. Where is the clothing for fall?".

Another spot downtown running shows that were competitive in timing and location to the kItten shows and the other non Smashbox locations, was Boxeight.

There were a number of shows for 3 nights running: Sat was Eduardo Lucero (he never disappoints); Jared Gold the next evening and then a compilation night of several brands all in one evening-- then a slew of after parties replete with an assortment of genre specific bands.

As another site indicated, how is it possible to be at 2-3 locations at the same time? However the highlight of Box Eight was Eduardo Lucero, a LAFW staple who really should have been at Smashbox to underscore what Kevan Hall and Oligo Tissew showed---that  real fashion does exist here in LA. While it's the land of jeans and mini dresses and shorts, we also have serious fashion lust for great designers and they exist here in LA. While  it was disappointing to see Cynthia Vincent and Rodarte bypassing LA for the NYC catwalks, it's nice to know that some designers believe that there's no place like home-- and home is Los Angeles.

Stevie Wilson