The Gallery LA and Wella Professionals hosted a fashion show/pool party at The Standard Hotel in West Hollywood. Upon arrival guests were greeted with complimentary drinks courtesy of Little Black Dress Vodka and received a littler pampering from Wella and Napoleon Perdis.
A fashion installation took place about an hour before show time. Models posed on each side of the pool giving us a preview of the collections that were about to be presented.
At 9 p.m. the darling Mikey Koffman came out to thank us for coming and introduce the first designer. I think this was the first time I’ve seen Mikey in casual attire. She looked adorable.
The show opened with Eclat Swimwear. Designer Shirin Z got her start creating custom pieces for Hollywood’s A List celebrities. Even though the seasoned veteran still takes custom orders she’s mainly focused on her stylish and sexy swimwear line. Eclat suits are extremely supportive, very comfortable, and come with a built in bra. They are made from Sensitive fabrics that ensure high UV protection (UPF 50+) and they dry twice as fast as conventional beachwear. The garments are made with high quality elastic to ensure great wearability and a flattering shape. Bright colors and shiny fabrics lit up the runway as models paraded down in architectural one-pieces and sexy two-piece creations. One thing is certain – Eclat swimsuits are not your average suits. They are designed for the adventurous girl that is not afraid to make a statement and likes to have a little fun.
Culture Swimwear made its debut in 2011. Since then designer Hope Reiners has used her creative talent to make a positive impact on the world. Hope has joined forces with Keok’jay – an organization that creates jobs and resources for women with HIV/AIDS in Cambodia and provides fair opportunities and wages. Therefore, enabling them to build a quality of life for themselves and their families and giving them an opportunity to break the cycle of poverty. Culture swimwear is made from recycled, vintage, or natural products. The swimsuits colorful designs are derived via a non-toxic dying process. Flattering one-pieces with deep V necks and two pieces with bandeau tops graced the runway. A few of the one-pieces had a demure front and a deconstructed back adding a bit of edginess. A number of suits also featured crochet detailing, and the cultural prints really fit with the company’s aesthetic.
Founded by three young surfers from So. Cal Maui and Sons designs apparel and accessories for surfing and active sports. The company also markets and licenses a number of products worldwide including backpacks and skateboards. They even have a bar and grill on Hollywood Blvd. However, tonight’s runway focused on the looks that made the line popular to begin with. The presentation featured relaxed fit casual beach wear with bright colors and animal prints being the central focus. Maui and Sons collection represented the Cali beach dwellers lifestyle.
Lucky hotel guests got to watch the entire show from their balconies. That’s just one of the perks of staying in a room with a poolside view.
Narrative and photos by Nikki Neil
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