L.A. Fashion Week Fall '08: Ashley Paige
If there is an avant-garde to swimwear, Los Angeles–based Ashley Paige is part of it. She never used typical swimwear materials such as neoprene or underwire for her bikinis. Instead, she aspires to make a singular fashion statement with her designs. She continued her quest on March 13 when she produced a 26-look fashion show of “Couture Evening Bikinis” at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios in Culver City, Calif.
The show was inspired by the mysterious glamour of 1930s fashion and the spirit of modern-dance pioneer Isadora Duncan.
Paige used her signature knits for her swimwear, as well as silks, lace and velvets. The fabrics made some styles cross the line into lingerie—which was exactly what the designer intended. Other garments such as the “Couture Evening Maillot” were designed to be fashion item that a woman would wear to a special event. —Andrew Asch
