L.A Fashion Week Fall '07: Juan Carlos Obando
This season Juan Carlos Obando was inspired by the word “sincerity” when he began to design his Fall ’07 collection. “I wanted to be sincere,” said the designer. “I wanted to produce a feeling and communicate with people and to touch people’s emotions.”
The show kicked off Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios in Culver City, Calif., on March 18. Obando kept the guest list to an intimate 60, who were seated in a circular format while a camera crew filmed the presentation. “I wanted them to feel like they are invited to be part of something,” said Obando. The presentation gave guests an up-close view of Obando’s detailed, yet simple and tasteful, sense of style. Romantic music added a sensual feel to the collection in his signature somber color palette of ivory, black and shades of gray. Fabrics were simple but luxurious in silk chiffon, organza, cashmere, waxed cotton and linen. He played with variations on oversized tailored jackets, the shift dress and his staple silhouette, the “Hanger Dress,” which drapes elegantly on the body when worn. He focused on the fine workmanship of each piece by delicately stitching large architectural folds on a cuff or hand-sewing folded layers on the hem of a dress. “I wanted to show the attention and dedication to each garment. I tried to do simple and clean, but at the same time you can see the hand touch,” said the designer. Obando plans to use the footage from the show to create a broadband Web site where people can view the collection and the design process and better understand how his clothes are made. —N. Jayne Seward
