L.A. Week Fall '09: Who's Next What's Next featuring new and up-and-comin
New design talent comes from all places on the map. Salt Lake City is the headquarters for recently debuted denim label Nappi Clothing, one of the brands that showed at the Who’s Next What’s Next runway show, held March 21 at the California Market Center. Designer Danny Nappi made his California debut during the show, where he presented 15 looks from his Fall 2009 collection.
The bold colors of Formula One Racing served as the inspiration for Nappi’s tops and coats, but denim dominated his show. The event featured 11 styles of men’s and women’s denim, primarily manufactured from premium Japanese denim. Other looks featured A-line dresses inspired by 1960s style icon Jackie Onassis.
Hailing from Albuquerque, N.M., was Southwestern- and art nouveau–inspired collection GLARRI. Designer Gerald Larribas displayed more than 30 looks of cowboy boots, miniskirts, underwear and shirts—all bearing his art-nouveau logo. Boots came in a potpourri of colors, including purple, yellow, red, black and lime.
T-shirts seemed to be the obsession for Los Angeles designers in the show. Los Angeles’ La Fine is a women’s T-shirt label inspired by 1970s street fashions. V-neck T-shirts bearing pop-art graphics were accessorized with thigh-high athletic socks–style leggings. Other La Fine styles includedshort shorts and sweatsuits with heart graphics.
I.O.D. by Steven Trussell is another Los Angeles T-shirt line. Veteran designer Trussell showed Supima cotton T-shirts for men and women. Styles ranged in silhouette from short-sleeve and long-sleeve thermals to polo shirts and hoodies. All bore the graphic of I.O.D. character Mime, a teddy bear who takes on guises of icons such as Che Guevara, Marilyn Monroe and David Bowie. The showing included an I.O.D. skirt style that can also be worn as a dress.
Upland, Calif.–based premium-denim collection A Rock Amour showed slim, boot-cut pants for men and skinny jeans with flares for women. Both men’s and women’s jeans featured one-of-a-kind stitching. The women’s collection also included denim dresses. —Andrew Asch
