L.A. Fashion Week Fall '08: Veronika Jeanvie, consulted by Paco Rabanne

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios in Culver City, Calif., chose Ukrainian designer Veronika Jeanvie as its “Mercedes-Benz Presents” designer this season.

Jeanvie, who was mentored by legendary French couturier Paco Rabanne for this debut collection, is the first Ukrainian designer to show on the runway at Smashbox Studios.

Many of the pieces in the custom line were featured already on the runways in Paris during the Haute Couture shows, according to the designer.

Jeanvie, who said she had dreamed of showing in Los Angeles, designed special pieces in the collection with Hollywood celebrities in mind.

The March 10 show itself was nothing short of shocking as Jeanvie selected colors from the Barbie palette for her dresses. A celebrity could definitely not be missed in Jeanvie’s electric blue, turquoise, green and candy pink gowns decorated with enormous rhinestone belts and sequin straps. Daring cutouts and sheer fabrics left little to the imagination.

As an homage to Rabanne’s 1960s-era chain mail creations, the designer showed a series of metallic Lycra dresses with chain overlays and knotted chain jewelry. A gold metallic catsuit featured a cropped chain top and knotted belt. Bright colors and rhinestone bling were Jeanvie’s nod to the red carpet.

According to her communications director, Oksana Baliasnikova, the collection was made “for girls who like to be shiny, who like to be bright.”—N. Jayne Seward