Los Angeles Fashion Week

Spring 2004

The Scene

The week kicked off with shows at Smashbox Studios in Culver City that preceded the Mercedes Benz
shows at the Standard Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles. The vibe at Smashbox was decidedly “party”
with lots of Factor friends and waiting models crowding the Absolut Bars where cosmos and
vanilla (vodka) cokes flowed FREEly. The show schedule was relatively disorganized. In spite of
multiple venues, there were still hours of wait time in between shows.

The biggest question on the editors’ lips was “Where are the clothes?” Particularly when Jeremy Scott traded
the runway for a dozen peepshow boxes in which the likes of Lisa Marie, barely dressed as a cave woman and
loosely chained, hurled herself and various objects at the walls of her cell. Most of what we saw at Smashbox
would hardly be considered serious fashion.

Photo courtesy of www.thebookla.com/spevnt.html

As Four gets kudos for performance, featuring models with their faces wrapped like insects, arms stabbing
at the air as they crouched and cowered their way down the runway. It made an interesting statement in light
of Sept 11^th, SARS, the poor air quality from the fires, and the chain smoking fashionistas that filled the
Smashbox tents: the masked faces doubled as air filters. But we can’t imagine these looks on the racks
for Spring 2004.

Photo courtesy of www.thebookla.com/spevnt.html

The one notable exception at Smashbox was Corey Lynn Calter, whose collection was bright, fun, retro-mod
and well merchandised. She incorporates the trends in her own way, and makes clothes that are wearable,
and therefore, saleable. We think she should move her show to Mercedes Benz next season and get the
recognition she deserves.

Photos courtesy of www.thebookla.com/spevnt.html

It was a relief to arrive at Mercedes Benz at the downtown Standard Hotel and find it to be civilized, organized
and all about clothes, which is what we were doing there after all. Some of the shows were a bit
underattended, especially the ones that ran prior to 3pm, but all were professionally produced and the key
editors were there. There were a few buyers in the house, but nowhere near the level of the New York shows,
where serious business is done in the front row. Celebrity eye candy included Paula Abdul, Cheryl Crow,
Rita Wilson, Daphne Zuniga, Jenny Garth, Tiffany Theisen, Celebrity stylist Phillip Bloch, and Tommy Lee,
who was covering for the Sharon Osbourne show.


Rita Wilson	Tiffany Thiesen	Jenny Garth

Daphne Zuniga	Teri Polo	Tommy Lee

The Collections

Louis Verdad was probably the most directional, presenting his take on 1940’s glam featuring
bright red bow-shaped lips, sculpted brows, and hats, popularized by Madonna’s recent
appearances in his clothes. The runway was all drama, with models vamping in plaids and dots
and lace and perfectly sculpted shoulders.

Photo courtesy of www.thebookla.com/spevnt.html


	Photo courtesy of www.thebookla.com/spevnt.html

Jenni Kayne A sexy, mod-influenced collection that played right on the runway with models appearing in go-go
booths with “All I know how to do is take off my clothes,” emblazoned on the glass.

David Rodriquez Suiting with a fresh twist and he gets points for showing the Edwardian inspired
looks, which were fresh in pastel.

Frankie B As always, Daniella’s doing her own thing: rock glam with metallic pink go-go boots. The show

opened with a guy doing some pretty inventive sticking on a shoulder slung drum that rocked us all out of our

fashion week stupor.


Frankie B

Petro Zillia Planet Petro Zillia is a totally different place in the universe, yet it all makes sense on earth too.
We particularly loved the shorts with the extended pocket linings, also shown with suity jackets, and the
colorful way she does mod.

Petro Zillia

Rebecca Rich She got that drapey jersey as drapey as it gets and it’s all about disco fever with a
completely modern edge.

Tree These designers select beautiful fabrics that they layer unexpectedly to create the most lovely pieces.
This collection feels like how a girl wants to dress.

Mason by Michelle Mason The former protégé of Richard Tyler went for an 80’s inspired collection with

military details.

Tyler by Richard Tyler The master nailed his diffusion line this season and put together a very strong
collection that combines all the trends seamlessly and is finely tailored and perfectly merchandised.

Two absolutely amazing swimwear lines worth including, even if they are only wearable on the most fabulously toned
and sun glistening bods.

Ashley Paige Featuring models with gorgeous botanical hair in exquisite hand knit bikinis. And the back
view gave new meaning to the word “cheeky”.

Ashley Paige

Susan Elizabeth More of a good thing with inventive styling interpreted into the itsy-bitsy-est bikinis.

The “IT” Fashion Accessory

Photos courtesy of www.wireimage.com

And last but not least, the fave fashion accessory of all the fashionistas for spring is the new Siemens
Mobile SL56. Weighing only 2.8 ounces, it hangs from your neck on a fab lanyard necklace. Seen
everywhere, including the runway, and featuring multiple ways to organize your life, it is the IT accessory
of the moment.

Photo courtesy of www.my-siemens.com/us

Trish Moreno of Trendsyndicate with Roman Diaz of YM Magazine with their new Siemens SL56 Mobile Phones.

Los Angeles Fashion Week Report brought to you by Trish Moreno for Trendsyndicate www.trendsyndicate.com

All photos by Trish Moreno of Trendsyndicate unless otherwise credited.

Our very special thanks to Fern Mallis of Mercedes Benz Shows Los Angeles, Patrick Kahn of The Book LA,

Heather Hogan of Rogers and Cowan, and Siemens Mobile Phones.