Los Angeles Fashion Week Spring '05: Deborah Lindquist

Los Angeles–based designer Deborah Lindquist used the corset as the foundation of her namesake collection, now in its third season. It was familiar territory for Lindquist, who had co-designed the costumes for local burlesque troupe Pussycat Dolls in 2000.

At her Oct. 29 runway show, part of the P. Ka Bu fashion event at the Blu Pinstripe Warehouse near downtown Los Angeles, the designer featured bustier looks, bikini tops and cashmere sweaters.

Lindquist reconstructed her bustiers and bikini tops out of vintage kimono and sari materials featuring embroidered nature scenes and geometric designs, giving her pieces a classic and somewhat exotic look.

Another inspiration for Lindquist’s collection was the idealism of the 1960s and 1970s. Bottoms included tie-dyed pants and long hippie skirts. Cashmere sweaters were cut like T-shirts and featured peace-sign and dove appliqueacute;s. The designer also revealed a playful side with a skull-and-crossbones appliqueacute;.

But the collection wasn’t all starry-eyed hippie looks and smoldering lingerie-style outerwear. One of her pieces was a modest preppy cashmere sweater with flowing green ribbon details. —Andrew Asch