L.A. Fashion Week Spring 2011: Directives West 'First L.A.'

Directives West presented “First L.A.,” its take on the Spring 2011 trends on Oct. 15 with a runway show that included looks from Champagne & Strawberry, Matty M., A. Mullier, R.P.S., gwenedds, Whitley Kros, Boyfriend/Girlfriend, The Sinclair MFGRP., Moon Collection, fraiche, Ai For Ai, Yana K., and Couture by W.

The show, held in the California Market Center’s courtyard, veered from romantic details such as lace and gauzy fabrications to minimal and utilitarian basics mixed with exotic prints and classic Americana staples. According to Directives West, the must-haves for Spring 2011 include pretty silk tops, maxi skirts, soft pants in woven and knit fabrics, open stitch knits, high-waist and wide-leg pants, cropped pants, rompers, and shorts.

Whitley Kros, the Los Angeles contemporary label by designers Marissa Ribisi and Sophia Banks, shuttered its doors earlier this year but returned for Spring 2011 as a T-shirt collection. The new Whitley Kros takes its inspiration from art and music. —Erin Barajas