L.A. Fashion Week Spring '03: Gen Art
It was a packed house Nov. 3 when Gen Art presented its annual Fresh Faces in Fashion 2002 show at the Mayan Theater in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. There was lots to do and plenty to see. Guests were welcome to free hair and makeup makeovers and free goodies thanks to sponsors Ecru New York, Sonia Kashuk and Dermalogica. In the lobby area, installations from this year’s picks in the accessories category were on display, and the designers themselves were there to meet and greet. Ann Cherico’s jewelry was artistic with an edge; Baltazar’s belts were straight up rock ’n’ roll; FlaviOlivera’s leather purses were all about style and the ’70s; and Madly’s intricate and whimsical knits were reminiscent of a forest fairy tale.
On the runway, Spring 2003 was full of many flavors. Kate O’Connor kicked off the show with a beautiful and highly colorful collection of striped knits. Deep V-necklines were especially sexy on a persimmon-colored mini-dress, a pewter and yellow sweater and a black halter jumpsuit. In the women’s sportswear categories, Ya-Ya featured a collection of military- inspired pants (a pink satin version that tied around the ankles was a favorite) and skirts paired with pretty off-theshoulder mesh sweaters, tanks and jackets. Mon Petit Oiseau showed a cutesy collection of denim skirts paired with cotton floral tanks, layered apron dresses and colorful, comfortable separates. Less cutesy was Brick. The young women’s sportswear collection was a mix of new wave and new romantic on puffy-sleeve tops (some with exaggerated ruffles and trims), A-line skirts and a few cropped pants (think Adam Ant agrave; la Friend or Foe). Going further down the timeline was Louis Verdad’s show-stopping display of polished 1940s and ’50s glamour. The stark collection, done mostly in black and white, was simply divine.
In the eveningwear/avant-garde category, Antonio Aguilar showed off his technique for asymmetrical design on origami-like dresses, skirts and tops.
Swimwear designer Ashley Paige kept things heated with her super-sexy knit swimsuits.
And finally, menswear designer Jade Howe moshed with his models after showing his punk meets rockabilly meets “Clockwork Orange” collection Howe. (Oi! Oi! Oi!) —Joselle Yokogawa
