Los Angeles Fashion Week Fall '06: Kara Saun
Kara Saun created an elegant, futuristic mood for her runway show on March 20 at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios. This is the “Project Runway” alum’s first collection since her runway debut during Olympus Fashion Week in New York last February. The reality show “was great exposure,” Saun said, “but you want to break out and take that opportunity and run with it.” Currently the costume designer for the hit series “What I Like About You,” Saun said she was inspired by the Chinese film “2046” to create the mood for her collection. “It was dark and kind of seedy, but it has its bright moments,” she said. She focused less on glitz and embellishments going instead for luxury and intricate design details. Her costuming experience was evident as she melded a futuristic look with Asian inspiration. The collection in rich hues of navy, eggplant, red, emerald and gray was a meshing of lace, pleats, luxurious silks, kimono shapes, belts and Obi-like details. Gowns were stunning in solid navy eyelet and red and gray lace with tiers of ruffled trim, plunging necklines and pleated bell sleeves. Silk dresses had upright collars and intricate pleated yoke trims, and a green leather Asian-inspired jacket paired beautifully with a pencil skirt. —N. Jayne Seward
