California Apparel News

Standing in the VIP tequila bar line at last night’s Billabong’s Design for Humanity party, I overheard a blonde sweet-talking a guy by telling him that said she models and also has a fashion blog. Her wingwoman wore the coolest cut-up vintage T-shirt ever. Emblazoned with a wolves-howling-at-the-moon print, the tee had jersey fringe dripping from her sleeves and midsection.

Super-pretty girls and scruffily good-looking guys were in such abundance at Billabong’s Design for Humanity party it was as if they were screening at the door. “Um, is that a Hollister flannel you’re wearing? And your date has a muffin top. Sorry, we’re sold out.” But they weren’t; there was no velvet rope snob factor whatsoever—all ticket sales went to VH1 Save The Music ($30 for general admission and $99 for VIP) and the cool drama, music, surf and artsy freaks geeks at the cafeteria table came in the thousands to support.

Because this is Hollywood, the L.A. version of throwing a block party doesn’t require an actual neighborhood—a studio lot pretending to be a neighborhood will do. In this case, the Paramount Pictures’ New York backlot served as the perfect mini-city for Billabong’s amazing carnival for the senses.

Live somethings were happening everywhere—in the fake store-front windows and behind the fake apartment building doors. There were live T-shirt printing, live surfboard shaping, live bands playing including headliners Edward Sharpe The Magnetic Zeros (pictured above), live DJs spinning, live models getting their makeup done live, live photo booths sponsored by SkullCandy, live cooking on foodtrucks and a live fashion show.

Billabong Women’s Design Director Mandy Robinson led the direction for all 50 outfits that were custom made for the show. Designs were made from vintage fabrics, crochet table cloths and deconstructed leather vintage pieces. The musical theme extended to the runway where looks were inspired by “Mick Jagger, Janis Joplin, BobDylan and Jimi Hendrix as well as some foxy muses like Uschi Obermaier and Pamela Courson,” Robinson said.

You could tell the Billabong designers had fun, as outfits became more and more over-the-top one after the other. Leather fringe and shells on a tubetop? A hundred times Yes. See-through sequin pants? I’m in love. Silver belt medallions on a monokini? Why didn’t you say so! Fluttery sleeves on a cut-out, one-piece? My head just exploded.

Here we present, a sampler platter of the night in pictures:

Billabong’s Design for Humanity runway looks made just for the fashion show ignored the rules of what constitutes as swimwear. The styles were inspired by “Mick Jagger, Janis Joplin, BobDylan and Jimi Hendrix as well as some foxy muses like Uschi Obermaier and Pamela Courson.” Can you guess which is which?

Hit+Run did live screen-printing where you could get a shirt that says, “I’m With The Band.” (Sorry, actual musician boyfriend not included.)

Guests could enter to win a shiny new Becker surfboard (or just buy one there) and watch a live a blocky foam blank turn into a curvy hydrodynamic surfboard.

Some of Billabong’s past custom suits could be seen up close in one of the artificial storefront windows. Recent custom suits were featured in an exhibition of Morgan Maassen’s photos.

See, they don’t just roll out of bed looking that fabulous. Live and hair and makeup!

Both fitting yet curious at the same time: A photo booth with Jack Sparrow.

Artist Andy Davis, who also has a clothing line named Ando Friends, was one of the many artists with art for sale.

I need a wider lens. Seriously, there were a lot of people!

Grilled Cheese Truck, Hot Dog stand, Sweets Truck and Burnt Truck (serving burgers and fries) satiating the salty and sweet drunk munchie cravings.