Los Angeles Fashion Week takes another step towards establishing credibility

Held in Hollywood, at the two NYA Studios sites, particularly well-suited to the event, the new edition of Fashion Week produced by N4XT Experiences offered a rich program, with 10 runway shows and presentations, 4 film screenings, 7 round tables and masterclasses, and was overall much more enticing than the 2022 edition. 

The fashion event's program most definitely stood out for its focus on ethical fashion, inclusivity and sustainability. "We wanted to build a truly diverse line-up with a selection of very different brands that speak to everyone, brands based in Los Angeles but also brands that make sense to the LA audience" said Noah Kozlowski, head of designers relations at N4XT Experiences. "It's still the beginning. We are so excited to continue building. Reimagining LA Fashion Week is a great challenge and one that takes time."

After Imitation of Christ's lyrical show and message of peace to open LA Fashion Week, 9 shows highlighted emerging and established brands, most of which had already shown at New York Fashion Week.  

In addition to the highly acclaimed show by London-based, Spanish-born designer Luis De Javier, Gypsy Sport caught the eye. Founded in New York in 2012 by Angeleno Rio Uribe, the brand set the public ablaze with a dynamite show, and a line-up of powerful characters ranging from rebellious drag-queens, to gay rappers in golden silk baggy trousers, and other creatures in yellow frilly dresses and sporty jerseys. Very fun and very LA.

Already present last year, the Bulgarian-based brand Demobaza was happy to return to Los Angeles once again. "Los Angeles is an important market for our brand; we have many customers here, as well as in the rest of the United States," explained Demo, co-founder of Demobaza. "We also love America, and the ties we forge with this country made it a natural choice to take part." Demobaza chose a futuristic theme with warrior looks, refined silhouettes, and a color palette inspired by the distant jungle for its new collection.  

The futuristic theme also inspired the No Sesso brand, whose "no sex, no gender" approach unveiled the collection by designers Pia Davis and Autumn Randolph. A dark fashion show, where an army of zombies and creatures unveiled a fashion that seemed to come from another planet. Only a few leather pieces managed to capture attention.

In a more upbeat vein, Los Angeles-based and Cameroonian designer Claude Kameni, presented her very first show, featuring an effective collection, vibrant in color and pattern, blending Afro inspirations, tailoring and touches of streetwear. A style that has been appealing to celebrities in recent years, including Tracee Ellis-Ross, Janet Jackson and Kelly Rowland.

Also renowned for his red-carpet dresses is Sergio Hudson, a regular at New York Fashion Week, who showed in Los Angeles for the first time. A lively presentation in which models posed at the feet of giant peonies and camellias, to a soundtrack of jazzy music.

"A spring 2024 capsule collection that reveals the fabulous side of women, inspired by the warmth of summer and the chic of the Hamptons, around lighter-than-usual pieces and fabrics," explained Hudson, who is aiming to expand into Europe next year. "A capsule whose release corresponded perfectly to the timing of LAFW. A Fashion Week that will flourish in its diversity and that must cultivate its difference," Hudson hopes. "LA is not a traditional city and needs a non-traditional Fashion Week."

A revelation at LA Fashion Week, Advisry's 'City of Trees' collection showcased the talent of Keith Herron and his advanced-contemporary style. A presentation that went back to the first models created by Herron at the age of 13, and showed the evolution of his creative process over the years. The latest collection, entitled Technicolor and presented in New York in September, featured a bouquet of good ideas, including velvet balloon dresses, shoulder-less blazers, suits with sculptural shoulder covers, embroidered denim ensembles and oversized sweaters...

Energetic and well organized by Chapter2, the PR agency in charge of this second edition of LA Fashion Week laid the foundations for a number of pleasant surprises. Panels and round tables were packed throughout the week, focusing on sustainability and industry ethics. One in particular, presented by De Beers Group, dedicated to hip-hop and jewelry with Vikki Tobak, author of the book Ice Cold published by Taschen, and jewelry designers Lillian Shalom and David Tamargo was a major hit.

Last but not least, the program included several film screenings. Behind-the-scenes shorts on the Sami Miro Vintage and Tombogo fashion shows, and a feature-length film called "Fashion Reimagined", directed by Becky Hutner, which should be shown in every fashion school. Tracing the sustainable journey of British designer Amy Powney's Mother of Pearl brand, the film-documentary spread a message of hope for a clean luxury fashion, perfectly in line with LAFW themes.