L.A. Fashion Week Fall '04: Naqada
Naqada designer Octavio Carlin made his first splash into the world of fashion with evening gowns. His 2004 collection, displayed in his March 31 runway show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios in Culver City, showed a new flair for separates.
The separates ranged from blouses to jackets to miniskirts, and many displayed a dynamic, outreacute; edge inspired by the cabaret and film worlds of 1920s Weimar Berlin.
“It was a very oppressed society,” Carlin said. “But everyone looked for an outlet. The fashion was sober but wild.”
Carlin’s separates included a multicolored chiffon and cut-velvet long-sleeved blouse, a green pin-striped skirt with green ombreacute; silk pleated detail and wrap dresses made dramatic with golden-rust collars.
Red carpet–ready clothes included a burnt-orange silk flapper dress with clear straps and crepe de chine kerchiefs hem. A silk four-ply evening gown was made more elegant with the addition of a long train. —A.A.
