Los Angeles Fashion Week Fall I 2003: Gen Art
Gen Art and Acura hosted an evening of fashion, fun and free drinks on April 4 at the Shrine Expo Hall. The event, called “Los Angeles: Defined,” featured runway shows from Alicia Lawhon, Jared Gold and Louis Verdad—three designers who, according to Gen Art, “epitomize the visionary spirit of Los Angeles fashion design.”
The Fall collections started with Louis Verdad’s feverish, 1950s-inspired looks, which included tailored tweed suits accessorized with gobs of necklaces and fedora hats and a show-stopping, deep-Vneck, high-slit black fish-tail gown trimmed in leather.
Next were Alicia Lawhon’s intergalactic- mod-militant models, who sported white bobbed wigs, dotted tights and white Dr. Martens combat boots. Lawhon also featured one-of-a-kind pieces from her AL line, including glitzy, sequined mini slip dresses for women and patched, sequin army jackets for men.
Jared Gold provided an entertaining finale. The designer sent his entire group of models storming down the runway in hooded brown cloaks. Each unveiled to show his designs— which could best be described as outfits for a fashionable, dark fairy tale in which a girl gets lost in an eerie swamp, befriends strange creatures and casts magical spells in a candle-lit cottage. True to fairy-tale form, the designer ended the show with a representation of a naked, burned witch.
The Gen Art show also included a special swimwear design competition that featured looks from Ambika, Heidi Fish, LeTarte and Susanelizabeth. The winner, Susanelizabeth, was awarded $5,000 from Sunglass Hut. —Joselle Yokogawa
