Los Angeles Fashion Week Fall '06: Bradley Bayou
Designer Bradley Bayou is known for flirty party frocks and evening dresses—and his Fall ’06 show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios March 23 was no exception.
The designer said skyscrapers and architecture inspired his latest collection, but to the uninformed observer, it may have seemed Bayou’s muse was a Hollywood ingeacute;nue. There were several Audrey Hepburn-as-Holly Golightly moments when the designer sent little black dresses with fitted bodices and flowing skirts down the runway.
Taffeta and woven grosgrain ribbon added volume and a youthful spark to Bayou’s party dresses, but he didn’t forget about his more mature clientele. A black-and-white tweed suit embellished with Swarovski crystals was demure enough for ladies who lunch.
Embellishments galore were found in the collection. A pleated chiffon blouse was paired with pants encrusted in mother of pearl. A leather jacket was dusted in gold. A set of cocktail dresses were so laden with agate, mother of pearl, stone chips and metallic thread embroidery that they rattled with every step. —Erin Barajas
