Los Angeles Fashion Week Fall '09: Skin Graft
Skin Graft, known for its dark gothic–meets–rock ’n’ roll aesthetic, was featured in the Fashion Institute of Technology’s “Dark Glamour” exhibition last fall and made an impressive runway debut on March 14 at BOXeight Fashion Week.
Designers Cassidy Haley, Katie Kay and Jonny Cota showed a range of ready-to-wear and custom-couture pieces for men and women. This season they referenced classic equestrian style, making it over in the dark Skin Graft world of Victorian-era glamour with a slick gothic edge. Women’s silhouettes were fitted or bound to the body, nipped in at the waist and exaggerated at the shoulders. Ready-to-wear looks included fur-trimmed leather moto jackets paired with skinny pants, Victorian blouses paired with jodhpurs and sexy-but-sweet leather jumpers with distressed edges. Men’s styles were tailored but edgy, including suits with gothic flourishes and plenty of leather such as harnesses, vests and metal-trimmed moto jackets.
The couture line also gave a nod to the classics but in the irreverent style of Skin Graft with embellished leather jackets, ruffled ballgown skirts, corseted feather-adorned minis and sexy metal-trimmed corsets. —N. Jayne Seward
