Fashion Business Inc. quot;California Dreamingquot; Spring 2012
Fashion Business Inc. (FBI) presented the latest Spring/Summer collections by California designers at their “California Dreaming” fashion show at Vibiana on October 20. #8232;
The evening was hosted by comedian Brett Walkov and Taylor Armstrong of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” The pair joked their way through the evening, kicking it off by awarding the Moss Adams Fashion Innovator Award to James and Nally Park, the designers of the contemporary line Nally & Millie.#8232;
Frances Harder, the founder and president of FBI, said she was pleased to be a part of an evening celebrating “the biggest apparel center in the world.”#8232;
Designers throughout the night seemed to take inspiration from the ’80s and ’90s, with trends like neon, hooded sweatshirts and mesh tanks.#8232;
Nally & Millie were the first line shown that evening, as a preview before the official runway show. Their bold collection featured bright patterns, florals and innovative pieces like their striped, dyed, orange-and-black silk tank dress.#8232;
Rhapsody Clothing followed after a razzle-dazzle opening number with a troupe of dancers doing a swing number in sailor uniforms and sequined dresses. The line offered an ’80s update on ’50s-style looks, which included neon green strapless dresses, poufy chiffon skirts and lots of polka dots.#8232;
The Continuous Line opened with bouncing breakdancers before models walked the runway in grunge-era hooded crop tops, a color-blocked tank dress and black mini-skirts and boardshorts.#8232;
Angelino featured models with gelled hair, ’90s-era Madonna crosses and lots of bling. The designers went for a stylized hip hop look with black and aqua sequined dresses; a blazer with rhinestone epulets; a ruffled tuxedo shirt; and black and gray pinstriped blazers.#8232;
International Citizen Design House went global with military-inspired pants and jackets, high-heeled boots and hoodies and shirts imprinted with world stamps and international flags. Military green, red, gray and cregrave;me were the main colors of the collection.
Odina Surf brought their eco-surf style to the runway, with a sporty, green one-shouldered bikini, coral pink and turquoise boardshorts and foldover bikini bottoms in electric yellow. #8232;
Robert Joseph went for simplicity with a range of color-contrasted shorts and underwear in bold colors. Unspoken featured more elegant lingerie with lots of lace and silk in silver and black. Their ultra feminine dresses, gowns and flowing pants were accented by rhinestone bracelets.#8232;
Coco Johnsen looked to the forties for inspiration with soft, flowing, long-sleeved dresses featuring rounded shoulders, big ruffles and large, supple bows. The main colors were rose, lavender, red, black, midnight blue and yellow.#8232;
Armstrong then closed the night by introducing her friend, designer Marisa Kenson, who featured her “invisible belt” technology in a range of dresses in soft florals, sequins and animal prints.—Deidre Crawford
