FGI-LA Kicks Off L.A. Fashion Week
Fashion Group International helped kick off Los Angeles Fashion Week with its second annual “The Designer & Their Muse” event. The Los Angeles fashion community gathered for a red-carpet VIP cocktail reception on March 17 at The Standard Downtown.
The overwhelming success of last season’s event inspired the second edition. The fashionable event was originally inspired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Gala in New York, where designers attend with their fashionable celebrity and model muses. “Fashion Group International is all about connecting people and connecting the fashion business,” said John Arguelles, former regional director of FGI-LA and founder of the West Coast event. “I thought what better way to celebrate L.A. fashion designers—from jeans to couture, from bridal to lingerie—than to bring the muse that inspires you. hellip; Let’s come together to honor our L.A. fashion designer community to kick off L.A. Fashion Week.”
The event feted more than 40 of L.A.’s designers from some of the most prestigious to those just emerging on the design scene. Legendary designer James Galanos attended the event along with couturier Lloyd Klein and his celebrity muse, Natalie Cole. Designers walked the red carpet with their muses each wearing a spectacular creation. Cole wore a stunning green gown by Klein, and Vanessa Williams wore a vibrant purple frock by Charlie Lapson. Nick Verreos’ model was perfectly polished in an aqua-blue sheath, and Jesus Estrada, a recent contestant on “Project Runway,” dressed his muse in a red gown decorated with an elaborate spiked arm accessory. Designers in attendance included Petro Zillia’s Nony Tochterman, Sue Wong, Michael Costello, Valerj Pobega, Kelly Nishimoto, Mike Vensel, Mik Cire’s Eric Kim, Maggie Barry, Michele Bohbot for Bisou Bisou, Eva Franco, Raissa Gerona for Brigid Catlis, Jenny Han, Sue Stemp, Yotom Solomon, Kimberly Ovitz, Deborah Lindquist and Elizabeth Mason.
The event, which raised $9000 for the FGI-LA scholarship fund, included a special performance by Australian singer/songwriter Katie Cole.—N. Jayne Seward
