L.A. Fashion Week Fall '04: Maria Bianca Nero

The Maria Bianca Nero collection took its Fall 2004 inspiration from the boulevards and cafeacute;s of Paris, where sophistication reigns supreme.

Designer Maria Wojciechowski, who spent five years working as a model in Milan and Paris, said the ambience of the French city has always infused her lines.

“Our inspiration is a week in Paris,” said the tall blonde designer, who ends each fashion show with a walk down the runway with her two sons. “We tried to create the perfect wardrobe for Paris, for things from sipping coffee in a cafeacute; to going to the flea market to going dancing.”

The dresses and skirts that debuted on March 29 at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios in Culver City incorporated the easy swing of chiffon, jersey, charmeuse and velvet. Lines were sleek and unencumbered by ruffles or extravagant trims.

The collection’s colors included earthy chocolate brown, wheat, camel, charcoal and brighter burgundy, mauve and silver-blue tones that were easy on the eyes.

“Our special niche is that we do a lot of built-in bras in the dresses, so if you are wearing a sexy, low-back dress, you don’t have to worry,” Wojciechowski said. —D.B.