Apt. 3
Underground fashion was alive and well during Los Angeles Fashion Week at the King King, a loft-like nightclub in the heart of Hollywood where Apt. 3, a relatively new retailer, showcased eight independent designers stocked at the store.
“The idea started as a Halloween party,” said Apt. 3 owner Kristin Knauff, whose store on La Brea Avenue is decked out like a 1970s-style apartment. “But I wanted all the designers I carry to be able to show their collections.”
These indie designers must be popular because 700 people lined up to get into the fashion show on Oct. 29. Maybe it had something to do with the event being sponsored by Absolut vodka, which kept the booze flowing. Because the club only holds 400, hundreds of disappointed partygoers were left standing in the brisk evening air. Those who muscled their way in included musician Beck, No Doubt guitarist Tom Dumont and actor David Spade.
While deejay Jennifer Otter, known as Otterpop, spun records, models wearing designs by Ayanna Henderson, Corey Braetan, Angel Quintana, Kay Lim, Rory Edelman, Kim Jenson, Annie Oksnes and Robyn Kessell paraded down the catwalk to blasting music. The fashions varied from sexy dresses to sporty casual looks that ran the gamut from Fall to Spring.
“We want to do this every fashion week,” said Knauff. —Deborah Belgum
