Los Angeles Fashion Week Spring '05: Cesar De La Parra
Fashion designers have long pondered what makes a woman beautiful. Los Angeles–based Cesar De La Parra contributed his ideas with a runway show called “Bella,” held Oct. 27 at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios in Culver City.
The 38-look show started on a light note. Working with muted pinks, yellows and greens, De La Parra created mini-dresses that often were strapless and that were sometimes accessorized with fur and shawls.
Other styles explored the possibilities of the corset. The designer offered looks ranging from a straightforward, dark-colored corset and green gown with a Pucci-like pattern to a gown with red and brown corset-like straps covering the midriff.
De La Parra also played with the cuts of various dresses. One white dress appeared to be perfect for attending a ballet when seen from behind. Viewed from the front, however, the dress reached above the thigh to miniskirt length.
Even the designer’s conservative dresses saved material for experimentation. A champagne-colored gown was made remarkable by the use of brown ruffles at the hem. —A.A.
