Los Angeles Fashion Week Fall '06: Oligo Tissew

Oligo Tissew designer Kristopher Enuke played to his strengths at his March 23 show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios. Showing sophisticated denim, quirky knits and urbane leather, Enuke did not disappoint.

At a time when denim seems to be all zippers and rock ’n’ roll, Enuke showed dark, skinny Japanese denim that was more reminiscent of James Dean than Robert Plant. A corduroy collection based on the line’s denim added a pop of color to an otherwise black-and-white palette.

Enuke created a medieval overtone with high collars and shiny leather sleeves worn over thin knits. Long pony skin trench coats featured dramatic collars and extra-large buttons. A collection of long, slouchy cashmere sweaters added a modern touch, with art-inspired graphics and asymmetrical shapes. Two floor-grazing sweaters featured whimsical spool-shaped buttons.

The collection’s leather pieces ran the gamut from technicolor yellow bombers to matte black overcoats with contrasting buttons and moss-colored, vegetable-dyed pony hair jackets. —Erin Barajas