Hot Dates: May's fashion Forward Events

West Hollywood Green Weekend Citywide Yard Sale
May 14 15 / West Hollywood

Style conscious consumers looking to score designer duds on the cheap may want to head over to the famously fashionable West Hollywood this coming weekend for WeHo's first-ever city-wide yard sale.

Patchwork Indie Arts Crafts Festival
May 15: Long Beach / May 29: Santa Ana
There's a cool little indie fest coming to Southern California this month, but this event is not about music. Produced by Delilah Snell, owner of Santa Ana's eco-friendly boutique Road Less Traveled, and her niece, Nicole Stevenson, the entrepreneur behind Just Nicole art-infused apparel, the Patchwork Indie Arts Crafts Festival spotlights creative local apparel makers, handbag designers, craftspeople and artisans. The event happens twice annually and also includes craft demonstrations, a food court and live music. The fest's website has all the details and includes information on how local designers can apply to showcase their original work.


'A Star Is Born' Vintage Fashion Show

May 16 / Autry Museum, Griffith Park
L.A.'s Autry museum is hosting a fashion show at the Griffith Park venue on May 16, featuring vintage designs inspired by the timeless styles of the first Academy Awards in 1929. Goodwill is providing the vintage wear for the "A Star Is Born" Vintage Fashion Show, and the event also includes a luncheon and silent auction.


Dita Von Teese: 'Strip Strip Hooray'
May 17 / Roxy
Dita Von Teese, the fierce fashionista who Vanity Fair has dubbed "a Burlesque Superheroine" for bringing vintage burlesque style out of the shadows and into the global entertainment spotlight, is headlining the Roxy on Sunset with her sexy stripperific showcase on May 17. The MAC spokesperson, Wonderbra designer and sometimes print and runway model for Jean Paul Gaultier and Vivienne Westwood will strut her stuff along with equally stylish guests like Raja of Rupaul's Drag Race and fellow burlesque beauty Perle Noire. Tickets are $35.


Japan Relief Benefit Fashion Show
May 20 / EM Co. Boutique

Three Japanese designers -- Ahrniimura, Tsubomi and Mayumi Bradshaw -- will showcase their new styles at L.A.'s EM Co. boutique on May 20 during the Shin Koyamada Foundation's Japan Relief Benefit Fashion Show. The event will also showcase Japan-inspired styles by Tatiana McLane and organic jewelry by Preco. Ticket and T-shirt sales, a silent auction and part of the boutique and designer sales will support the Japan Emergency Relief Fund of America. Tickets are $20.


'Illumination': UCLA's Tenth Annual Spring Student Fashion Show
May 25 / Ackerman Grand Ballroom, UCLA

Illumination, UCLA's tenth annual spring fashion show, will be featuring 11 student designers and benefit the non-profit organization Food on Foot. Admission to the public event at UCLA's Ackerman Grand Ballroom is free with a clothing donation.

Cal State L.A.'s May-Day Senior Fashion Show
May 26 / California Market Center

California State University, Los Angeles' Fashion Association of Design Students presents its May-Day Senior Fashion Show on May 26 at Downtown L.A.'s California Market Center. Admission is free for the afternoon event that will also include live music and refreshments.

*Also, be sure to check out Apparel News' Trade Show and Sample Sales Shopping Events Calendars.