CaliforniaApparelNews.net

Factory by Erik Hart shown at last season's BOXeight Fashion Week presentation

Los Angeles’ turn on the catwalk kicks off this week. L.A. Fashion Week will celebrate the City of Angels’ design talent with a number of events and presentations happening around town.

(From left: Photo by Photo Agency; Photos by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Yesterday afternoon’s threatening rain clouds hanging over L.A. parted because Mother Nature wouldn’t dare rain down on Hollywood’s equivalent of the Super Bowl—the 82nd Academy Awards, held at the Kodak Theatre at the Hollywood and Highland complex.

Karmaloop chief Greg Selkoe (left) and Leandrew Robinson, manager of Karmaloop’s forthcoming site PLNDR.com

Boston–based streetwear and contemporary fashion e-tailer Karmaloop.com has moved beyond simply selling clothes to become a community-oriented, globally conscious lifestyle brand.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer Greg Selkoe recently escaped the cold back East and made his way to Los Angeles to get face time with some of the California labels Karmaloop carries.

Looks from the Jeffrey Sebelia-designed Fluxus line (Photo courtesy Fluxus)

Los Angeles-based fashion merchandising and trend-forecasting consulting firm Directives West will introduce FIRST.LA—a runway presentation to highlight local L.A. design talent.

My virtual self likes to pile on the accessories but I kept her from going overboard.

Visual search engine site Like.com recently launched Couturious, a site where users get to play stylist and dress up virtual avatars.

Couturious operates much like similar dress-up site Looklet.com, which launched last year.

non plus one final from Tracy ANTONOPOULOS on Vimeo.
 

Ultra-hip, multi-line retailer Opening Ceremony enlisted burgeoning filmmakers Gia Coppola and Tracy Antonopoulos to create “Non Plus One,” a digital short starring actors Kirsten Dunst and Jason Schwartzman.

Hello Kitty better hang on to her hair bows because there’s a new girl named Pucca coming up the cuteness block. Pucca is a spunky, pigtailed girl who stands for both love and power and is the niece of three Chinese noodle-house owners, in case you didn’t know. She spreads hugs and kisses much to the chagrin of her male counterpart and love, Garu the ninja.

Photo courtesy the Google Blog

There always seems to have been a separation between the logical realm of technology and the Web and the romantic, creative nature of the fashion world, but with the proliferation of fashion online—from style blogs to social networks—it’s beginning to bridge the gap between geek and chic.

Google is taking the next step in tech-fashion with the debut of a designer line featuring pieces inspired by the search engine giant.

From left: Photos by Jason Merritt/Getty Images, Kevin Winter/Getty Images, and Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Lady Gaga followers were buzzing on what the reigning diva of both song and outlandish style would wear to the 2010 Grammy Awards, held last night at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles. 

The singer went with custom designs by Giorgio Armani—the venerable designer went fashion forward and beyond with Lady Gaga’s futuristic outfit choices.

Los Angeles–based retailer Forever 21 celebrated the grand opening of its newest store at the Los Cerritos Center shopping mall in Cerritos, Calif., with a weekend party filled with shoppers, Sprinkles cupcakes and plenty of bumping music.