L.A. Fashion Week: A Glimpse of Exchange LA
Los Angeles Fashion Week is underway with a lineup that is—so far—approaching 70 events, including runway shows, presentations, parties and pop-up stores.
(For those who say “L.A. doesn’t have a fashion week,” I say “HA.”)
EM Productions (veteran L.A. Fashion Week event producers from way back), sent over a little taste of what we can expect from their event, set for Oct. 20 at Exchange LA, the former Los Angeles Stock Exchange Building in downtown Los Angeles.
Sponsored by Cotton Inc., DEX New York and Jessica Simpson shoes, the event will feature a cocktail party, runway show and after party.
On the runway will be Anthony Franco, who will be showing a 1930s boardwalk-inspired collection of men’s and women’s styles.
The designer says: “I fused together two types of people—the ones who walk the boardwalk as passers-by taking in the sun and scenic views and the rebel youth who hang out below and breath new life into the world—two existing types of people that co-exist but view their experiences differently. I…chose bold color to show different moods of refinement and grittiness. The men and women’s suiting is very tailored and I’ve used soft and light-hearted fabrics like cotton and hand-beaded laces. I’ve also blended cottons with cashmere and silk to show how comfort can meet chic.”
Franco has been blogging about the designing—including giving readers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to create a collection—on his Behind the Line blog with Cotton Inc.
The Exchange LA event will also showcase the latest collection from Skingraft. The company’s dramatic and highly detailed designs have been a mainstay on the L.A. Fashion Week runways in recent years. This season, designer Jonny Cota took inspiration from “African Tribal body modifications and the ghosts of our ancestors.”
Designer Ashton Hirota, creator of Ashton Michael Black Label collection rounds out the runway with his eco-friendly rock ’n’ roll collection, which bowed on runways in New York earlier this year. What started as custom items for the Black Eyed Peas evolved into a complete collection made from recycled and green materials. Hirota parterned with Reth?nk Fabrics, which provided fabrics made from recycled plastic water bottles, bamboo, Tencel and organic cotton.
Here’s a little hint of what’s to come at the Exchange LA event.
Anthony Franco
Anthony Franco
Skingraft
Ashton Michael Black Label
