L.A. Fashion Week Spring '09: Maggie Barry

Los Angeles designer Maggie Barry presented a Victorian circus-themed collection on Oct. 13 at Club 740 in downtown Los Angeles.

“We are inspired by the people around us,” Barry said. “Everything is unique, and everyone has an inner talent. It was a lot of fun collaborating with artists and personalities.”

The show featured a cast of characters including a weight lifter, a hoola-hoop girl, a violinist, a belly dancer and Flamenco dancer Timo Nuntilde;ez. Barry incorporated several collections into the show, including Baron Hats, Maggie Barry Shoes for the Stars, scarf dresses by Cory Savage, scarves by Xubaz, denim by Rock Paper Scissors and eveningwear by Tal Sheyn.

Maggie Barry’s eponymous collection was inspired by today’s concept of layered dressing. There was a sexy lace body suit, a flirty yellow dress with layers of ruffles and a recycled “green” dress made from parachute fabric. Some pieces were especially innovative, such as the skirts that were actually belts and leggings made from tiny strips of leather sewn onto mesh. Barry also created a group out of slinky metallic jersey including a lavender tracksuit, “just in case you want to feel glamorous in the morning,” Barry said. —N. Jayne Seward