L.A. Fashion Week Fall '08: Orthodox
Somber tones were some of the distinguishing traits of the Fall/Winter 2008 collection of Orthodox, shown March 9 at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios in Culver City, Calif.
Los Angeles designer Eric Niccoli launched Orthodox three years ago with just menswear. But recently he launched a women’s line to expand on his creativity and bank on that female customer.
“We took the men’s aesthetic and feminized it so the two collections would be seen as a sister-brother collection,” said Niccoli, a Southern California native who said his muse this season was modernity.
Both the men’s and women’s lines gravitated toward blacks and dark grays for a consumer who is high on intellect and sophistication and wants a sleek, contemporary look. Niccoli sees his customer as an educated individual who is into the arts, architecture and fine food and has a blend of uptown/downtown personality.
Plaids and prints had their place in the line, which encompassed simple cuts and few frills or adornments. Asymmetrical details were seen in blouses, sweaters and pants. Cropped pants ruched at the bottom were also popular.
Menswear had its share of dark plaid shirts that came in oxblood and gray and were worn with black ties. —Deborah Belgum
