L.A. Fashion Week Fall '04: Lloyd Klein
Lloyd Klein returned to the runway after surviving a collision with a drunk driver in Paris shortly before he was scheduled to show his collection at New York Fashion Week in February. Looking great and exuding confidence, Klein bowed his Fall 2004 collection in the opening slot on March 29 at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios in Culver City.
The theme was Africa, and the designer, who designs and produces his collection in Paris but has his headquarters in Los Angeles, showed a collection that bridged subtle tailored details with strong animal prints, lush furs, bright colors and dramatic Masai-inspired jewelry.
The designer’s deft hand at tailoring was evident in fitted jackets and trousers, which came in traditional fabrics such as gray gabardine and featherweight pin stripes, as well as flashy chartreuse satin, purple velour and white leather. Jackets were intricately pieced with peaked shoulders and rows of covered buttons.
“[This is] my interpretation of Africa,” Klein said. “I think that women are so powerful. I wanted to show animal prints in a powerful way without being vulgar.” —Alison A. Nieder
