L.A. Fashion Week '08: Reiss
Reiss aspires to be the British icon of affordable luxury fashion, but it is serious about making a splash in Los Angeles fashion.
On March 6, the London-based store produced a runway show of its Spring and Summer 2008 fashions to coincide with Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios in Culver City, Calif. The show, which featured more than 18 looks, took place at Reiss’ two-story boutique on Los Angeles’ exclusive Robertson Boulevard. The store debuted in May 2007. Its last fashion-week party took place during the October fashion week.
The show’s looks were culled from Reiss’ Spring and Summer 2008 collection. Women’s styles ranged from a loose-fitting jumpsuit called the “Budda” to tailored, business-like pant suits. Men’s styles featured tailored blazers with peak lapels and athletic-looking woven shirts with a brown-and-white plaid.
The show also offered some Reiss family star power. Debra Reiss, the 26-year-old daughter of founder David Reiss, took in the show clad in Reiss’ perky “Benoite” dress. The West Hollywood, Calif.–based Reiss scion works as a brand manager for the company.
Reiss is also a company on the move. It hopes to open 50 stores in the United States in the next five years. After its American build-out, it has a goal to open more than 250 stores internationally. —Andrew Asch
