With new host Boxeight L.A.’s Fashion Week in downtown’s Fashion District, once again L.A. came out swinging, with local designers paving mainstream culture with new trends that will soon grace our bodies this fall. But many Long Beach fashion students also had a hand in in creating model images for the designers’ vision.
LBCC student Mille Rosas, who was awarded a paid internship by renowned designer Cynthia Vincent, worked everywhere from backstage dressing models to ushering guests to their seats. Ruth Smith was given an opportunity to attend L.A. Fashion Week through her favorite instructor at LBCC, Pamela Knights. “My favorite designer hands down, Yotam Solomon!” Smith said. “They were colorful with a lot of interesting pieces. I loved how he was able to assemble his collection asymmetrical, it’s time to bring it back. With our economy not doing so well it is exciting to see how clothes can brighten your mood.”
On Saturday, designs from Smoke & Mirrors showcased the most practical designs for day-to-day wear, featuring; high waist plaid pleated skirts paired with colorful tights (ranging from hunter green to cranberry) and simple turtlenecks. They took the schoolgirl look to professional wear. The coats by Smoke & Mirrors are must have this fall, with a rich wool woven fabric at about thigh length.
Long Beach resident Michelle Corona, who is apart of a non-profit organization “Young Hollywood,” had the honor of displaying the UNIF and Kin spring collection at the end of Saturday’s festivities. Corona was backstage, assisting with makeup and image development for each company. “I think it was a total success, we achieved our goal, and put on a show in a matter of a few weeks, when most designers have countless months to prepare,” she said. “We succeeded in portraying our vision and we all got ourselves out there, so I think it was a huge success on our part.”
New designer David Alexander, made a homerun with his presentation, “The Broken Princess and The Secret Prince,” displaying evening gowns embellished with Swarovski crystals, to say the least the placement of the crystals were original. Okay men, the usual tuxedo will never do. Alexander showed-off a conventional tuxedo pant design, however, the kicker was the black & white plaid textile with mixed texture of raw silk and stain. The tuxedo pants were partnered with a velvet single breasted jacket – basically, my visual stimuli was overloaded.
Now, now, boys… if you are looking for urban designs for fall try COA, with an assortment jeans and sweaters ranging from wraps to thin light-weight hoodies, but the highlight of the show were the SHOES! Giving a nice visual contrast with purple soles.
All photos by Christian Millan
The host of the event, Boxeight, announced at the end of the night that they will be debuting their own makeup line and that all the designs show at fashion week will be available for purchase at shopflicks.com.
Ricklyn Hukriede is a contributing news reporter and current journalism student at Long Beach City College.