L.A. Fashion Week Spring '09: Debra Davenport
Debra Davenport’s first collection, shown Oct. 15 at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios in Culver City, Calif., offered a full wardrobe of swimwear, Spring suits, cocktail dresses and evening gowns for the professional or society woman. The Scottsdale, Ariz.–based designer started designing clothing three years ago and outfits socialite clients with custom garments. She also works as a business consultant for entrepreneurs and is a contributing editor for U magazine, a luxury fashion publication based in Jordan.
Davenport’s first full collection reflected her clientele’s sophisticated, conservative taste. “I would like to see women start dressing like they did back in the ’40s and ’50s, where they wore suits and did their hair,” Davenport said.The show, titled “Modern Elegance,” presented what women in Davenport’s world could wear to a weekend lunch, work, trip to the pool, afternoon or nighttime cocktail party, or evening gala. That included silk noil sheath dresses and feminine vintage-inspired suits in neutral hues. A strapless evening gown dotted with covered buttons down the back came in chic gray. Crisp button-down shirts were worn with capri pants or a flouncy gathered skirt. Chiffon print dresses came in artsy floral prints and happy colors.—Rhea Cortado
