Los Angeles Fashion Week Spring 2002: New Arrivals
Always full of surprises, the New Arrivals Spring Revue 2002, held at the Lab in downtown Los Angeles on Nov. 3, didn’t disappoint the standing-room-only crowd, which got to witness a burlesque-inspired fire-eating act between two women that kicked off the show.
That led to the first fashions of the evening—Gladys & Jeanell’s smocked hot pants in black, red, white and pink paired with matching tops or sheer chiffon blouses. Shawl necks, split sleeves and belted looks were among the styling variations.
Next on the program were Cotton Candy’s T-shirts, introduced by a model who paraded down the runway by balancing herself on a ball. The rest of the models displayed the look with white briefs, Raggedy Ann-styled knee-high stockings and black high heels. Most of the muscle tees designed by Adele Pederson sported wide horizontal stripes, and others had bunny silhouette appliqueacute;s.
The barely-there, all-white looks of Michelle Chaplin’s line, Mimi, followed to the tune of “Like a Virgin” by Madonna and Prince’s “Cream.” A lace bikini set, a ruffle top paired with hot pants and a cowl-neck top and palazzos were among the designs. Chaplin ended her run with a halter, fly-away top gathered with fringe and hot pants.
Tattered and raw were the signature styles of People’s Couture, which offered items including unraveling sweater tanks with peekaboo chest holes, fraying skirts and flimsy tops. Key items were a skirt crafted out of panels of plaid, a two-in-one shirred dress and wrap, a black linen tie-top and skirt set and a Pucci-print tie dress. There was also Bedouin chic in a cowl-hood, hand-knit top and raw-edged skirt.
Michelle Montano showcased feminine, hippie-inspired looks, including a cowl-neck jersey dress accented with a leather patch, embroidered slip dress and tie-wrap, layered dresses. A sheer, cream top and floor-length skirt elicited claps and whistles.
The show capped off with a dominatrix-inspired line by Art of Wear offering high-slit skirts, plunging necklines and see-through tops. A hot pink shoulder top with matching skirt, a blouse with fly-away sleeves and leather pants with shirred calves, and a lace-up calico-colored denim pant and corset top were some highlights from the line’s designer, Hallie Sirota. —Nola Sarkisian-Miller
