LA Fashion Week in Summary: Our list of high fashion highlights
- A review by Keara Norton
“Sometimes the most absurd or unexpected things blend just right to make a superior serving. “
It’s been so long since I’ve been able to attend fashion week. Between full-time mommy life, building a business of my own, and the last 18 months of ‘pandemic attire’ it’s safe to say that I’m sometimes feeling fashion frumpy. So I must stress how excited I was to spend a few evenings with old friends and new fashion. My personal style is quite simple, so in preparation for the Friday shows, I donned a soon-to-be-released dainty slip dress from my own line, a vintage embroidered leather jacket, Rubber LIDO Bottega mules, and Brandon Blackwood ERS Tote. When creating my own look (complete with a long pony braid and natural, everyday makeup) I like mixing big houses (Bottega Vaneta) with new designers (Brandon & myself) and a little piece of history (vintage). This gives me the feeling of well-rounded but high style. While I loved my look, the cull in the air on the roof of the Peterson Automotive Museum truly called for a good knee-high boot (shoulda, woulda, coulda)!
LAFW debuted at the iconic museum located in the heart of the city. This premier venue served as the perfect backdrop for high fashion, VIP sections, and plenty of social media moments. With over 400 unique automobiles and the rooftop runway, sitting front row definitely felt like an episode of Sex And The City. And while LA might not be the first city you think of when you hear ‘Fashion Week,’ the production value was off the chart: from the setting, to the sponsors, to the food and drinks, to the music/lights/visuals that accompanied the shows, and everything in between.
Red wine in hand, DJ spinning EDM, I settled into my seat with the eager crowd. Photographers snapped pictures of influencers owning the runway before the shows just as the lights started to dim. Protests, healthcare workers, and the pandemic flashed across the big screen at the top of the runway, followed by an image of calm. . . and then, the show began.
MC2 and Ronaldo Arnaldo
When you think of essential healthcare worker uniforms, fashionable may not be your first thought, but the creativity between MC2 and Ronaldo Arnaldo was able to conquer the task. This unique collaboration was complete with pops of colors, peasant and bishop sleeves, and artistic prints. Shirt dresses with pockets, playful suiting mixed with Bermuda shorts, and bucket hats all paraded down the runway. The message of “look good, feel good” rang through the collection in greens, purples, blues, and crisp whites which adorned tunics and matching masks as they celebrated the efforts of frontline workers. These transcended the assignment; I could picture certain items for a brunch, the ever classic Polo match, or a fashionable night out.
A true highlight of the show had to be the moment when actual essential workers and healthcare providers took centerstage. The true heroes of our time were able to walk proudly while the audience gave them a standing ovation. My favorite piece was the men’s cream jumpsuit!
Frisk Me Good
The high-energy, sustainable fashion brand Frisk Me Good certainly made an impression with its one-of-a-kind up-cycled pieces at LAFW! The models were literally laced in exclusive corsets, chaps, and even feather-like detailing. The styling had a retro feeling of the 90s mixed with futuristic details. Now, these pieces can be layered with body-con dresses and tees if you’re seeking more coverage, but we do love the translucent jackets – the designer’s goal is to make a statement! Wearing these pieces will require you to have the confidence, the swag, and the wax to wear it. (No seriously, go get a wax if you want to don one of these items).
Some of my favorite looks were the Gold FMG dress, The Green Saint Chap set, the White dress with the gloves, and the feather babydoll dress. The designer’s ability to transform football pads, sneakers, and even jockstraps into sexy, one-of-a-kind pieces that are genuine show stoppers had me completely mind blown! I love a sustainable brand that is thinking outside the box. Models of different shapes and sizes owned the runway with poise and self-assurance in a way that was inspiring. We saw representation in the model selection with trans, plus size, and everything in between.
Nicholas Mayfield
NMOE was a dynamic show full of colors, childlike playfulness, and complete inclusion and diversity during his runway show. The California native is a designer/creator who made sure his styles included “rhythm, humanity and pain” that celebrated skate culture, art, music, and the trails and triumphs through the pandemic. His line included painted denim, custom art pieces, handbags and accessories, oversized sweaters, blazers, and dresses. His message was simple and clear, creating a collection that was exuberant and fun but with a serious message.
Laura Theiss
Laura Theiss delivered a beautiful collection of luxurious dresses and knitwear separates perfect for day-to-night looks. The sultry designs featured cutouts, crochet details, ruffled sleeves, and pretty hemlines. With flirty styles in pretty pastels and bright pinks, the LT runway show had the perfect amount of spring trends with elements of bohemian chic.
Greg Lauren
With fashion literally being in his DNA, it is no surprise that Greg put on an iconic show full of artistic performance and storytelling through the clothing and music. He took an interesting approach of showing the design process from beginning to end for his GL10 show: from “scraps” to polished pieces. He showed oversized cardigans, denim, cargo details, suiting, and patchwork detailing. His show was edgy, rustic, and beautiful, and we’re always here for a unique take.
My favorite LA nights are always the ones filled with good friends, fashion, cute photos, and sexy cocktails. The energy from the LAFW was the perfect prequel for a chic dinner and good conversation. Dining with Managing Editor Clea Bierman after Friday’s shows, I even found a place that has my new favorite oysters: La Boheme. Who knew that ponzu, grapefruit, cilantro, and Serrano chili’s would be the perfect combination? And isn’t that a metaphor for fashion: sometimes the most absurd or unexpected things blend just right to make a superior serving.