Los Angeles Fashion Week Spring '05: Kevan Hall

An air of sophistication reminiscent of the 1930s and 1940s wafted through the air during Kevan Hall’s Spring 2005 fashion show on Oct. 25 at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios in Culver City.

The Los Angeles–based designer, known for his spectacular, red carpet–ready gowns, said he took his inspiration for his latest collection from Millicent Rogers, the stylish heiress to the Standard Oil Co. fortune.

“This particular collection was solely inspired by her, but throughout my career, I have had her aesthetic in my collection,” explained Hall, the former design and creative director of Halston. “It is luxurious but in a nonchalant way. It has things that are super-glamorous and super-luxurious and [puts] them with things that are less precious.”

Hall said he took his colors from the artistic palette found in the hand-tinted photographs of Cecil Beaton, the British portrait photographer who died in 1980.

Shades of alabaster, light yellow, mango and muted aqua showed up in designs that included flowing skirts, cinched-waist skirts, halter dresses and empire gowns. And fabrics ranged from chiffon and taffeta to cashmere and charmeuse. —D.B.