David Hayes and Lloyd Klein
Fashion and beauty biz insiders gathered at downtown Los Angeles restaurant Cicada to catch a glimpse of the latest from couture designers David Hayes and Lloyd Klein—and to ogle some of the celebrities in the crowd that included Angela Bassett, Paula Abdul, Joely Fisher, Ann Miller, Anne Jeffries, Cyd Charisse and Phyllis Diller.
The event was a fundraiser for Santa Barbara, Calif.-based Dream Foundation, a national nonprofit organization that grants wishes of terminally ill adults, and sponsored by MAC Cosmetics. Diller served as the evening’s master of ceremonies and offered the crowd a sample of her cynical humor. Stepping to the podium from the backstage dressing area, she had this to say about the models in the show: “They’re so tall, so beautifulhellip;it’s disgusting.”
Bassett received the MAC Fashion Icon award and Charisse received the company’s Style Icon award.
French designer Klein showed a collection of pure white suits and gowns trimmed in red, gold and silver. The most striking pieces were a one-shoulder gown with a half collar and soft pleats at the hip and a simple dress with a deep V-neckline and a dramatically draped back.
Los Angeles-based Hayes showed a brightly colored collection that ranged from ladylike suits in an orange-and-pink print to a series of body-skimming dresses in cherry red and turquoise blue. He then shifted gears with a collection of separates in chocolate and white and navy and white. The designer concluded with a patriotic tribute of red, white and blue gowns.
Hayes was the designer of choice off the runway as well.“I’m dripping in David Hayes,” said Jeffries, resplendent in an exquisitely tailored cream pantsuit with a fur collar.
Jeffries said about 80 percent of her wardrobe was designed by Hayes because his clothes have a feminine fit for ladies 30 and older who want to look stylish.“I’m definitely a Hayes girl,” she added. —Alison A. Nieder
