L.A. Fashion Week Fall '05: Maggie Barry
It was retro-Asian fusion at the Maggie Barry show, which kicked off the P. Ka Bu independent fashion show series at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood. Barry looked to 1960s Tokyo for inspiration for the March 14 event—and then punched it up with a rock ’n’ roll aesthetic that was pure Hollywood. Small wonder: The Los Angeles designer is based in the city’s unconventional Silverlake district and divides her time between styling and designing her own collection.
The collection featured plenty of vintage kimono fabrics and referenced kimono shapes and obis. The designer even took a few lessons to learn how to tie an obi before the show. “I love vintage kimonos—I finally found a way to use them in my line,” she said.
The Japanese influence turned up in the obis, which fell into dramatic trains on sleek satin cocktail and evening dresses. The designer played with the kimono shape, expanding it to an oversize tunic paired with a leather miniskirt. She also experimented with a lantern shape for knit jersey skirts and dresses. The blouson shape was made from strips of fabric that offered a glimpse of contrasting color underneath. A floor-length dress in day-glo pink had lace godets and a ring of fabric flowers around the neckline, reminiscent of a Hawaiian lei.
There were also plenty of Barry’s ’80s-inspired looks, including stovepipe jeans, skinny leggings and off-the-shoulder tops. Barry’s ruched dresses made from layers of contrast-color sheer fabrics were offered in sexy and slim ’80s silhouettes, as well as flirty and full-skirted ’60s styles.
The designer also featured a few streetwear looks, including her “Neighborhoody” top, a hooded, ruched jersey top; a color-blocked “Op Art” skirt; and a pair of black denim capris with pink corset lacing. —Alison A. Nieder
