L.A. Fashion Week Spring '09: Viridis Luxe
Viridis Luxe, one of several green lines highlighted during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios in Culver City, Calif., bowed on Oct. 14. Company co-founder and lead designer Hala Bahmet is in her fifth year of business, offering not only clothing made with eco fabrics but incorporating sustainable business practices. The designer, who has also worked as a Hollywood costume designer (“House of Sand and Fog”), showed a mixture of boho and sophisticated silhouettes. Although she usually uses lots of hemp in her collection, she went lighter for Spring ’09, with organic cotton, bamboo and cashmere. Bahmet used some fruity and spicy fall colors—greens, oranges—and a smattering of prints. The designer also employed plenty of unique constructions with fluttering and flouncy sleeves and cutout midriffs, shoulders and split-tops. Looks included bias-cut tops and flouncy cardigans with plunging neck lines as well as cashmere-blend ponchos, fitted caftans, long halter dresses and boyfriend sweaters. —Robert McAllister
