L.A. Fashion Week Fall '05: Szulika
Monica Nahum closed the P. Ka Bu shows at West Hollywood’s Pacific Design Center on March 15, sending out a Fall 2005 collection for Szulika that mixed romanticism and modernism.
The romanticism was marked by satin ribbon on jackets, loose silhouettes and Chantilly lace in chocolate brown, beige and black. The modernism was heralded by plunging necklines and draped rayon/Lycra jersey fabrics. Nahum said the romantic designs carried over from Spring 2005, although she has always created modern pieces that are softly tailored.
“I think the market looks for both things,” she said. “It’s not just what inspires me. It’s what sells.”
Entering her third season, Nahum added skirts and dresses in longer lengths but still bared skin with a tubular top that had detached sleeves. Szulika, which means “rags” in Arabic and was an endearing nickname bestowed on Nahum by a former boss, retained its signature style of pearlized leather accents, as exhibited in a leather vest paired with a long skirt with a lace overlay. The clothes sparkled with gold Lurex stitching. Nahum also used substantial fabrics such as rayon tweed that befit a chilly turn in the weather. But even the trousers and gauchos in plum and wine had a sexy sway to them. —Khanh T.L. Tran
