L.A. Fashion Week Spring '04: Rebecca Rich
Imagine a wealthy Sicilian widow on the lam in the Mexican Riviera. Forget all about her personal problems. What would she wear? Rebecca Rich had an idea, and it inspired her to create her Spring 2004 line, which she showed on Oct. 29 during Mercedes-Benz Shows L.A.
Rich combined design, color and glamour to reflect the contrast found in the Riviera’s “austere and cold sophistication” and Mexico’s rich, vibrant textures. The true-life drama of Patrizia Reggiani Martinelli, accused of murdering her former husband, Maurizio Gucci, spurred the designer to turn to the Riviera as a source for her creations. Where else can one find so many obsessions?
At the show, Rich presented an assortment of bright colors, such as the deep lime green found on ruffled native dresses and the pink of guayabera blouses. In addition, sophisticated, tailored silhouettes were found in knee-length swingy skirts and fitted, sheared blouses. There were also hibiscus-print cap-sleeve dresses and embroidered voile on tops, bottoms and dresses.
Rich kept styles reasonably simple and wearable. Aside from deep indigenous colors, she relied on neutrals such as white, ivory and cocoa. She offered A-line full skirts in addition to shorter hemlines. Viscose jerseys with sheared strapless tops and an interesting assortment of denim also made their way into the collection. One five-pocket stovepipeleg pant with yellow double-stitch trim drew lots of looks. —Robert McAllister
