L.A. Fashion Week Fall 2002: Cornell Collins
Cornell Collins drew the inspiration for his Fall 2002 collection, which was featured in his fashion show held on April 15 in a warehouse space in downtown Los Angeles’ produce district, from a poignant story of a friend who escaped from Poland’s Red Army to become an acclaimed ballet dancer.
“He was from an aristocratic family who had to pack their jewels and everything they had in carpets and left town on a horse and buggy when the Red Army came in. He joined the ballet and his father went back to Poland, but he was never able to see him again,” he said.
Collins translated this story into a collection full of romance and mystery. There were mid-length mohair coats and plenty of paisley prints, tweed and silk. The collection ran from the simple, with chiffon dresses and poplin-shirt-and-tweed trouser combinations, to the complex, with elegantly layered pieces such as a silk organza handkerchief gown embellished with antique gold sash.
For Fall, Collins chose such neutral tones as grays, lavenders, olives and lilacs. He also concentrated on intricate detailing, including railroad stitching, pleats and crystal embellishments.
“Cornell has come such a long way in such a short time,” said specialty retailer Shauna Stein. “His tailoring is beautiful and he’s done what many can’t do and that’s to design a long-sleeve dress that doesn’t look matronly.”
Collins’ show drew many of his contemporaries, including Rami Kashou, MartinMartin designers Eric and Diane Martin, Estevan Ramos and David Cardona, as well as fans from Hollywood including Jennifer Blanc from “Dark Angel” and Laurie Holden from “The Majestic.” —Robert McAllister
