L.A. Fashion Week Fall '04: Susana Mercedes
Los Angeles designer Susana Mercedes turned to refined and tailored silhouettes for her Fall collection, shown on April 2 during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios in Culver City.
The Guatemalan-born designer shifted from the colorful fabrics of her native land used in previous seasons to feminine styles, including romantic blouses, corsets, and flared and draped pants.
Mercedes maintained a sophisticated, yet flirty appeal with numbers such as a mauve corset dress detailed with Parisian lace. A silk cigar jacket with a miniskirt also reflected that edge.
The designer played with constructions throughout the collection. She inserted banded cutouts on the back of some dresses and used industrial hook-and-eyelet closures on several skirts. She also brought a touch of nature to the line, adding mohair to a golden-orange lace top and lace pants. Pleats, lace and tulip constructions were also prominent. —Robert McAllister
