L.A. Fashion Week Spring '04: Esteban Cortazar
Esteban Cortazar, a 19-year-old designer who resides in Miami, opened Mercedes-Benz Shows L.A. on Oct. 28 to a receptive Los Angeles audience.
Cortazar began his career at age 13 by designing a nine-piece collection, which he stapled and pasted together, for his elementary school talent show. He has come a long way since his early childhood success.
For his Spring 2004 collection, the young designer was inspired by the idea of a confident, worldly woman who travels to exotic locales such as Cuba, India and the islands of the Amazon, finding fashions and mixing them into her own personal style. The results are a colorful-yet-wearable designer collection for daytime and exotic gowns for evening.
Looks were strong and sexy in vibrant colors such as red, raspberry, fuchsia, tomato and black, while fabrics such as silk chiffon and silk jersey added a feminine touch. Daytime looks were simple but chic, with colorful separates paired with pieces in earthy golds, multicolored silk jacquards and natural silks. Swarovski crystal buttons added sparkling details to the evening looks, which included gowns as well as ball-gown-skirt and pant ensembles. A colorful silk chiffon caftan and “Amazona” silk chiffon gown were standouts on the runway. —N.J.S.
