LA Fashion Week, not Fashion Weak, Kicks-Off Fall 2011 Collections

Skeptics may scoff, but LA Fashion Week (LAFW) is upon us again. Although LA Fashion Wee is widely regarded as a poor cousin to the bigger  fashion events around the globe particularly, New York Fashion Week, there are always some worthy highlights to consider.  Los Angeles has quite a burgeoning fashion scene here with some great designers and the thriving California Mart downtown with sample showrooms to rival NY’s Garment District. Yet,  Los Angeles Fashion Week has remained something of  a red-headed step child. In many ways,  LAFW is its own worst enemy.  Some Los Angeles shows have seemed more like rock shows than events about the business of fashion.  Pulse pounding music and runways shows at midnight don’t necessarily impress buyers from retail stores. Or this blogger!  In New York at Fashion Week there is no long cocktail hour pre-show or musical act playing until 1 am. The clothes are the stars period.  Not so in Los Angeles. Here in LA, it’s not just about the clothes, but the presentation and…the party!  Yes, that’s why Richie Sambora (WTB) actually has a runway show at LA Fashion Week.

Here’s what’s coming up that’s on my radar.  Now, these are my personal favorites in the crop of designers and shows. Fashion Minga Schminga, that I don’t care for (and it’s not on my pick list) , but LA Designers Jen Awad, Sue Wong and Lauren Elaine always deliver. I’m also  very excited that designer Tony Cohen will be showing here at the THV PR show.  And, I look forward to seeing what’s new from Gypsy 05 at Style Fashion Week.

•       3/12 Jen Awad Fall/Winter presentation at CONCEPT Fashion Week titled “The After Life “
•       3/14, Lauren Elaine “Unmasked” (private venue)
•       3/14, Hope in the City Fashion Benefit (Skirball Center)
•       3/15-18, Style Fashion Week (Vibiana, downtown) featuring Gypsy 05
•       3/16, THV PR Fashion Night (Supperclub)-featuring Tony Cohen.
•       3/18, Sue Wong (private venue)

If you’re not in LA, I’ll keep you posted on what events might be streaming online, so you can check them out.   For a complete list, head over to  the new LA Fashion Week Online site or the bible of the LA Fashion Industry California Apparel News.