L.A. Fashion Week Spring '07: Gen Art
Gen Art introduced 12 young designers to Los Angeles’ fashion movers and shakers with its ninth-annual Fresh Faces in Fashion showcase, held Oct. 13 at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif., and sponsored by BlackBerry Pearl. Selected by a panel of editors and retailers, the designers showed their work on the catwalk and in installations. Gen Art is a nonprofit organization founded to support emerging talent in film, fashion, art and music.
Anzevino & Florence, a contemporary line by designers William Anzevino and Richard Florence, showed its quirky menswear line. Traditional button-up shirts were reworked with bib panels, and pants were fitted and cropped. The duo also showed a double-breasted allover-print hoodie.
Designers Nansi Aluka and Katerina Gabbro revealed their contemporary line, Ziji. Packed with easy-to-wear sack dresses, jumpers and separates, the line stuck to a serene palette of navy, black, sand and gray.
Fremont designers Devin Carlson, Brittany Pham and Jessica Loria created a line for summer lounging. Easy shapes and playful prints combined for a young, sophisticated collection. Standouts included a strapless wide-leg jumper, demure denim shortalls and pretty party dresses.
Vintage retailer Katy Rodriguez, owner of the Resurrection boutiques, debuted her eponymous line of silk linen and peau de soie cocktail dresses. Strapless bubble dresses featured twisted silhouettes, and trapeze gowns floated away from the body. A long-sleeved, drop-waisted number with a tiny bubble skirt drew applause from the crowd.
Augustine, the luxe knitwear line from designers Mitzi Guidry and Kelly Lynn Jones, played with layering and mod silhouettes. Tunics, wrap tops and dresses were paired with black leggings for a ’60s beatnik feel.
Swimwear designer Haverhill Leach showed her Haverhill line of chic bikinis and sexy one-pieces. Vintage-inspired cuts and prints felt young with a color palette of blue, melon and aqua.
Former menswear designer Donny Barrios bowed Crispin & Basilio, his elegant new contemporary line. Feminine without being girly, the line included jumpers, slouchy shorts, wispy embroidered coats and pretty dresses with slash pockets.
Trasteverine designers Michalyn Andrews and Brian Frank showed sedate and sexy dresses in black and gray and whimsical dresses in cream and lavender. Details were kept to a minimum. Large box pleats added interest to an otherwise somber shift, and sheer ruffles added volume to a boat-neck peasant dress.
In addition to the runway show, Hollie Velten showed her Hollie Ten line of jewelry; Mollie Culligan showed Jack Rabbit, her line of leather belts and jewelry; Tiffany Tuttle and Richard L.D. showed their line of shoes, L.D. Tuttle; and Kerry Clarkson Valdivia showed her Marcello Toshi Creazoni shoes. —Erin Barajas
