L.A. Fashion Week Spring 2011: Ai for Ai
Designers Elizabeth and Carol Ai took their audience on a journey to space for the presentation of their Spring 2011 collection. A crowd of hipsters, stylists and fans of the line attended the presentation, which was held on Oct. 14 at the E.P.I.C. boutique in the Echo Park district of Los Angeles.
The “Astral Traveler” theme was optimistic and lighthearted—a marked departure from their dark Gothic-themed Fall collection. Models walked around a pedestal decorated with blue fluorescent wire wearing dark futuristic sunglasses and avant-garde hair.
Metallics, animal and floral prints, and geometric shapes made up the collection, symbolizing what the Ai sisters would want to take on their journey to space. Elizabeth said “We thought if we could go out into outer space, we would probably want to create a new world.”
Then questions such as “What would [that world] be?” and “Who’s coming?” came into play. The Ai sisters’ world of horses, leopards, birds and zebras was translated into pretty prints decorating silk, linen and cotton sportswear. Silhouettes were inspired by the climate of sunny SoCal, where the sisters reside. “I think it’s part of being in L.A.,” Elizabeth said. There was a range of choices—including cotton mini-dresses, leopard-print blouses, floral-printed jumpers and breezy maxi-dresses—for their customer who has an independent flair for style.—N. Jayne Seward
