FGI Panel Looks at L.A.'s Fashion Future
Is Los Angeles on the global fashion map? That was the question posed to Los Angeles designers David Cardona, Louis Verdad and Nony Tochterman of Petro Zillia at a June 14 panel discussion at the Alessi restaurant in the California Market Center.
The panel discussion was hosted by the Fashion Group International and moderated by Amanda Luttrell Garrigus, editor at large for Angeleno magazine.
According to Tochterman, Los Angeles’ design community is on the right track to garnering international attention..
“There are a lot more eyes on L.A. than ever before,” she said. “If you look at New York 15 years ago, it was not considered a fashion capital, and no one would challenge it now.”
The three designers agreed on several points—they all enjoy living and working in Los Angeles but do not identify themselves solely as “Los Angeles designers.”
On other points, they disagreed. Cardona and Verdad said Los Angeles Fashion Week needs to be more exclusive and selective, limiting the shows to a higher level of design. Tochterman, however, said she thought the week should be more inclusive, allowing room for more new and up-and-coming designers.
All three designers were in agreement when the discussion turned to Hollywood.
“Part of the recognition I’ve gotten is because I’m next door to Hollywood,” Cardona said.
Verdad noted that the celebrity connection is one of the things that sets Los Angeles apart from other fashion capitals.
“We have the Academy Awards,” he said. “Paris doesn’t have Hollywood. New York doesn’t have Hollywood. We do.” —Alison A. Nieder
