Los Angeles Fashion Week Fall '06: Uriel Saenz
After several seasons showing in independent fashion showcases, Los Angeles designer Uriel Saenz joined the lineup at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios.
He opted for a less formal presentation at his March 21 show, which featured a small sampling of his well-crafted and tailored pieces.
Saenz is designing for a sophisticated customer—but one who wants a bit of artistic edge with her traditional suitings and demure dresses. The opening piece was a gray tweed and velvet pencil skirt topped with a belted jacket with a pleated peplum.
The collection tweaked traditional shapes, such as the cream wool sheath dress with geometric appliqueacute; details at the hem. A cream bubble skirt was topped with a tailored wool top trimmed with pleats and lace. A relaxed, belted dress was given a more formal look with embroidered lace and velvet.
The Saenz customer also has a sexy side, which the designer exemplified with a pair of silk dresses in gunmetal gray. One paired a curve-hugging silhouette with a demure, vintage bow at the collar. The other had oversize reverse pleats at the hem and a halter neckline with an unusual cutout detail. —Alison A. Nieder
