L.A. Fashion Week Spring '06: Bradley Bayou
Bradley Bayou, best known for dressing celebrities for the red carpet, showed an eclectic mix of modern, sophisticated designs on Oct. 19 at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios.
The show marked the return of the designer to his 14-year-old Los Angeles–based couture atelier after completing a two-year stint as creative director for Halston. The made-to-order collection merged the designer’s life experience as a fine arts painter, interior designer and fashion designer.
“I’d say my inspiration is everything up to this point in my life,” said the Texas native. “It’s really never based on a single idea. It’s based on many, many ideas—my whole life experience.”
The collection ranged from sophisticated to sexy with a mixture of evening suits, cocktail dresses and full-length gowns. He decorated pearlized leathers, suede, silk chiffon and pleated organza with elaborate details including antique beads, ribbons, crystals and semiprecious stones.
Standout pieces included an ivory hand-pleated silk chiffon party dress with a silver armored corset, a black silk chiffon smocked strapless cocktail dress with Swarovski crystals, and an aquamarine tulle party dress with copper metal embroidery and a rhinestone waistband. —N. Jayne Seward
