Los Angeles Fashion Week Spring '05: Karanina
Santa Barbara, Calif.–based designers Kara Smith and Nina Firestone showed how inspirations from the 1950s and 1970s blossomed into the Spring 2005 styles of their Karanina collection on Oct. 27 at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios in Culver City.
The 25-look show began on a bohemian 1970s note with floral keyhole tops and denim bottoms reworked from vintage jeans.
Smith and Firestone confirmed their confidence in the 1970s with kimono and halter tops but took imaginative leaps with the “me generation” look in styles such as an aqua chiffon dot cape and green hot pants that were more mod than hippie.
The designers time traveled to the 1950s with convertible halter dresses inspired by Marilyn Monroe’s iconic gown in the 1955 film “The Seven Year Itch.” They also presented classic eveningwear, including an aqua chiffon chandelier dress and a two-tone chiffon frock.
For their second season, the designers added dresses and denim looks to the line, previously known for its tops. Smith said to expect more denim next season. —A.A.
