By far my favorite L.A. Fashion Week event is L.A. Fashion Weekend, which is put on by The Gallery LA and held at Sunset Gower Studios. It’s always a great party, with great shows, and lots of familiar faces. Plus, Mikey Koffman has been doing this for years so she always manages to put together an event that is professional and well organized.
Upon arrival the first thing that caught my attention were these fabulously fun dresses by FlockFlockFlock. Las Vegas based designer Jennifer Henry specializes in creating avant-garde couture pieces out of alternative materials. Nobu Hotel hired her to create two special looks for each day.
The theme for tonight’s show was Swimwear; however, the theme for the lounge area was decadence. Once inside I was greeted with a lavish set up. Bubba Sweets had a variety of delicious cupcakes on display - all available for our consumption. My favorite was the PMS Cure: Hersey chocolate cake and caramel buttercream topped with sea salt caramel. The OC based company is family run and they have 40 different flavors of cupcakes and cake pops.
Nobu Hotel was the official lounge sponsor and provided an array of delicious appetizers off its room service menu from their new Vegas hotel at Caesars Palace. They also had a sake bar set up in the middle of the lounge.
Napoleon Perdis was on site to provide mini makeovers before the show. The lovely ladies from GlamGlow got me hooked on their exfoliating mud mask and Wella Professionals handed out samples of their Brilliance shampoo, conditioner, and hair mask.
Hoodie Buddie set up a photo booth inside a TeePee. Cocktails were courtesy of Little Black Dress Vodka and Lovoka and Monster Energy took care of the non-drinkers and designated drivers. The LA Fashion Magazine, Apparel News, American Gentleman Magazine, Diversity News, and Hollywood Weekly all had their publications out on display and representatives from Bibby Financial were also on site.
Designer Kenya Kirkland showcased her bold, edgy Sugar Scout jewelry. Her glamazon chic collection embodies a combination of glitz, glam, and grunge. These pieces are fierce.
Of course the lounge was packed with beautiful people all decked out in their finest.
There are always a few celebrity sightings at L.A. Fashion Weekend but, by far, the coolest sighting happened tonight. Chuy Bravo from Chelsea Lately was in the house! I’m happy to report that Chuy was super nice and down to earth.
Tonight’s show started out with a performance by boy band Midnight Red singing their new hit single “Hell Yeah.”
A model in a coral one-piece holding a boombox presented the first look for Culture Swimwear. Designer Hope Reiners started her line a year ago and made her debut at LA Fashion Weekend. In addition to using eco-friendly materials and a non-toxic dying process, Culture swimwear is made in conjunction with the Keok’jay organization, which works to create jobs and benefit women with HIV/AIDS in Cambodia.
Hope’s boho chic swimwear features unique crochet embellishments. Exotic bikinis in pastel colors graced the runway in addition to sexy one-pieces with low fronts and open backs or revealing cutouts.
Amelié Swimwear made its debut tonight. In creating her looks designer Andrea Abaúnza draws inspiration from her native homeland of Columbia. The collection—made from knitted elasticized fabrics, silk, and silk chiffon—consisted of a variety of eye-catching colors from vibrant blues, to lilac, to fuchsia, and bright orange.
Kate Swim’s SS2013 collection was titled Kapa Kala – meaning a forbidden or sacred color. A model wearing a magenta bikini adorned with numerous handmade roses opened the presentation. Designer Kathleen Bruening specializes in customizable hand-sewn swimwear. She transforms a basic bikini into a unique piece by adding beaded fringe, ruffles, and embellishments such as copper and gold crystals and metal studs. Her one-pieces come with an adjustable waist to accommodate long and short torsos. Each suit is custom-made to order so it will fit and flatter your body.
A few seasons back Christina Milian performed for us at LA Fashion Weekend now she’s back as a designer. Christina’s Havana Nights collection brings her sultry fashion style to the Nicolita swimwear line. Her collaboration with Nicolita designer Nicole di Rocco blended vintage glamour with modern day silhouettes. The curve conscious pieces featured Cuban-style bottoms for more coverage on the hips. Bold colors and animal prints graced the runway. The collection also showcased a number of resort wear looks that could easily be dressed up for a pool party or worn on a casual day at the beach.
Bold colors and animal prints graced the runway. Standouts included a hot pink chiffon animal print pant paired with a matching bikini top and a black cutout swimsuit with a leopard print ruffled skirt.
Narrative and photos by Nikki Neil
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