L.A. Fashion Week Fall '05: Gaelyn & Cianfarani
The rubber met the runway at the Gaelyn & Cianfarani show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios in Culver City. Designers Genevieve Gaelyn and Atom Cianfarani showcased several sexy dresses, tops and pants made from recycled bike tires in addition to their full Fall 2005 collection at the March 18 event.
After showing at New York Fashion Week in 2002 and 2003, the eco-friendly designers decided to make a splash at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week to break into the West Coast market, Cianfarani said.
For inspiration for Fall 2005, the New York–based designers looked halfway across the world, according to Gaelyn. The earth tones of Asian mountain vistas and Himalayan grays, greens and blues set the standard for their spectrum of hues. Styles of the 1940s also influenced the dresses in the thoroughly modern line. Looks ranged from motorcycle-style recycled bike inner-tube pants to a gentle, willowy white latex wedding gown.
The 49-look show moved at a brisk pace powered by the beat of percussionist Ravi Drums. The designers also used silk, wool and hemp to create styles perfect for lounging at a cafeacute;, such as a green wool vest with a white cotton comfy top, or for being the belle of the ball, such as a black latex movie gown with faux-fur trim.
—Andrew Asch
