L.A. Fashion Week Spring '07: Life & Death
Known for creating splashy runway shows with their Antik Denim line, French designers Philippe Naouri and Alexandre Caugant followed up this season with the debut of Life & Death. The new line, which also falls under the Blue Holdings umbrella, utilizes cotton, hemp, micro Modal and silk, but no denim. Instead, the denim designers collaborated with graphic designer Cynthia Tello to create an edgy knit collection. The line debuted on Oct. 18 at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios in Culver City, Calif. According to Naouri, the line is reminiscent of the Japanese underground—a little edgy, but with a commercial twist. “It’s been a success since we showed the line at [the] Project Global Trade Show in Las Vegas in August,” he said.
The collection had an ethereal yet earthy feeling with details such as glass and bone buttons. The scientific subjects of anatomy and biology are incorporated into Tello’s graphics, which take the shape of leaves, butterflies, skeletons and sea shells. The palette, in black, lavender, white, red and turquoise, characterized a dark, almost gothic, look. Fashions included 1980s-styled tees, hoodies, leather jackets, dresses and kimonos over skinny jeans, skirts and leggings. For men, styles included tees, polo shirts, hoodies and jackets worn with black Antik Denim jeans. Scarves, shell jewelry, beaded necklaces and leaf-like hair decorations completed the look. —N. Jayne Seward
