One of my favourite things about Concept Fashion Week is their use of emerging designers, each of which feature their own art driven works. House these artistic creations in an art gallery as installations and the line between art and fashion becomes blurred further.
The following designers all showed at Concept for the Fall/Winter 2011 season. Each were impressive in their own way. It's this kind of treatment of fashion Los Angeles that I'm beginning to appreciate more and more and definitely see it as something that will only develop further in the seasons to come (we can't help it – Los Angeles is one of the most creative cities in the world)
Curly V
This was Curly V's second season showing at Concept. Last season we saw primary colours, vinyl, hearts and cutesy faces mixed with almost a pop fashionista appeal (see here) whilst I'd appreciated the "concept" (pun intended) the overall execution hadn't been quite there for me. This time around, it's love.
The overall setting was perfection, like feisty fashionista's sitting in the clouds, the execution was cute but sleek, and the clothes were avant-garde for sure, but totally wearable and utterly desirable. I think the dresses were adorable and the fluffy cape/sweater with the cartoon face needs to be mine. Curly knows how to inject fun into fashion in a big way.
MILA
If you didn't know by now, MILA (Mila Hermanovski) is one of my favourite lines, and favourite people. Mila stayed true to her minimalist aesthetic with these amazing blocked pieces made from recycled cashmere (we got a preview at the Two Point Oh! LA Pre-LAFW party – so I already knew I was fan!) hung from the ceiling like the works of art they are.
The work that goes in to each MILA piece is phenomenal and is far beyond even my comprehension of sewing, how she works the fit of each garment from these small pieces of cashmere is truly amazing. As always I cannot wait to see what she does next.
Ashley Paige and Melanie Mills
I wasn't exactly sure what was going here, Ashley Paige being a swimwear designer, there was swimsuits going on, but unfortunately for her they were very much upstaged by the pretty stage and quite epic body art which I presume is where the collaboration with Melanie Mills (a make-up artist) came in. I can't really say I got a good look at the swimwear, but the body art was quite beautiful and altogether produced a very pretty scene.
L'Une by Anh Volcek
I first came across Anh Volcek's line, L'Une during the LAFW scandal of last season, wherein Two Point Oh! LA stepped up to give her a show at the last minute. It was a quick visit to the collection this time around as I was running out the door to the Project Ethos show.
From what I saw, and looking back over these pictures Anh stayed true to her aesthetic. Jersey dresses with special touches of artistry, like sequin collars and these fantastic skirts and headpieces (made from what?!) Easy to wear but incredibly effective. The styling was impeccable.
Skingraft
Photo: Gina McFinch
I didn't get to see the Skingraft installation in person, but the lovely Gina McFinch attended and snapped this pic for me. As per usual they brought some dark and well crafted drama to the Los Angeles fashion scene. They're definitely becoming Los Angeles fashion super stars, recently dressing Britney Spears for her latest music video. One of these days I'm actually going to make it to a Skingraft show, my attendance is apparently ill fated, last season I was called away, two minutes before showtime, to deal with the other LA Fashion week fiasco…!
So much more to come on LAFW, thanks for bearing with me and my birthday/busy tardiness!