L.A. Fashion Week Fall '04: Tyler
There is a reason that Richard Tyler is sometimes called the godfather of Los Angeles fashion designers. Not only has he mentored several designers—including Erica Davies and Michelle Mason—who have struck out on their own, but he has also consistently created well-tailored and sophisticated collections that leave the crowd wanting more.
It was no different when the designer showed his Tyler line on April 1 at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios in Culver City. Tyler is the label the Australian-born fashion creator launched two years ago for a more relaxed lifestyle focus and affordable price than that offered by his couture collection. “I wanted to have a couture feel but for a younger customer,” the designer explained.
Tyler’s expertise as a tailor was once again evident in the supremely cut and contoured designs that seemed to melt around each model’s body.
The 57-year-old designer is the 1994 winner of the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s Womenswear Designer of the Year award and has helmed the Anne Klein Collection and the Italian Byblos label.
For his Fall 2004 Tyler collection, the designer incorporated menswear looks into his silhouettes. His high-waist pants with fine pleats, worn with men’s shirts, gave the models a leggy look. He also showed plenty of cowl-neck sweaters and sweater dresses. Particularly attractive was an asymmetrical jacket worn with mocha-gray skinny pants.
Colors included burgundy wine, winter white, caramel and mocha gray. Fabrics varied from fine tropical wools to gabardine and tweeds. —Deborah Belgum
