L.A. Fashion Week Fall '04: Da-Nang
If G.I. Jane were designing clothes, she might be on the same fashion page as Da-Nang, a relatively new line created by Estelle and Albert Dahan.
Da-Nang evokes images of Vietnam during the French colonial era of the 1940s and 1950s with plenty of khaki creations and a slouchy look. The effect was extremely boho at the April 1 show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios in Culver City.
Even the models looked casual—not the gussied-up, knock-your-socks-off gorgeous women seen on other catwalks. These were less pretentious women aptly paired with the comfortable designs created by Estelle and merchandised by Albert, whose younger brother is Joe Dahan, creator of Joe’s Jeans.
There were plenty of cargo trousers and cargo sweat pants paired with faded vests, layered tees and leather jackets. Informal suits and blazers had a foreign-correspondent look. Fabrics consisted of herringbone, tweed and pin stripes. Asian-motif embroidery popped up on pants and T-shirts.
For a more formal look, the Dahans’ Rangoon label incorporated short dresses and skirts. The ruffled miniskirts had lots of flounce and bounce. The dresses were light and bright.
“The DNA of the brand is that it is comfortable and frumpy. We don’t iron anything,” Albert said. “It is really about a lifestyle more than anything.” —Deborah Belgum
