Los Angeles Fashion Week Spring '05: Paul Hardy
Paul Hardy’s Spring/Summer ’05 collection, revealed Oct. 28 at Mercedes- Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios in Culver City, was inspired by the movie “Mary Poppins.” The Canadian designer said his escapist theme, “Mary Poppins Goes to New Delhi,” came from the scene in the movie in which Poppins jumps through a painting to take the children to the fair. “What if she goes somewhere more exotic, like India?” he asked.
Hardy combined a tweed coat and canvas dress accessorized with an ascot; layered a hand-knit shrug with a caviar-beaded vest, chiffon tunic and taffeta skirt; and paired a canvas corset with a ballet skirt in rose tulle and chiffon. The designer juxtaposed English tweeds, ascots, fedoras, ruffled collars and cuffs, and handmade knits with Indian beaded fabrics, iridescent chiffons and sari-like wraps.
The feminine and romantic collection featured soft shades of ecru, taupe, white, pink, peach and light blue. Hardy used silks in various forms, including chiffon, charmeuse and jersey mixed with cotton. It was fitting that materials— including beading from India and silk and handmade roses from England—came from the two countries that inspired the line.
Hardy accessorized the collection with long beaded necklaces by Dean Davidson and with belts created for the collection by Los Angeles–based Virgin Saints and Angels. Calgary, Canada–based musician KC Styles added ambiance to the show with a mixture of sitars and classic violin. —N. Jayne Seward
