L.A. Fashion Week Fall '08: Li Cari

Jazmin Whitley presented her sixth Li Cari collection on March 13 at the furniture gallery Poliform in Los Angeles. Overflowing with bold ruffles, blood-red hues and black lace, the Fall ’08 collection was inspired by the Los Angeles–based designer’s recent Spanish vacation. The “Passion of Spain” was fused with Whitley’s continued influence from classic vintage silhouettes akin to what prim ladies in “old films in black and white” would wear.

“It’s the elegance,” Whitley said. “In Spain, in Italy, everyone is so put together. They’ll have their stockings, their shoes and their whole look. It’s definitely that chic vibe that I love.”

A black mod shift dress with a ladder of black bowties up the front had a bubbly youthfulness. Sophisticated coats were simple and classic in shape but featured texturally rich fabric, such as an ivory tweed car coat and an embroidered white cape. Folded fabric tiers gave a spicy red ball-gown skirt a softly elegant touch. —Rhea Cortado