It’s Sunday, 8ish. Life on USC’s campus is peaceful, quiet. Then. A tent in the middle of a large grassy knoll à la Bryant Park where The 8th Annual Fashion Show is tactfully being presented by USC’s Fashion Industry Association (FIA). Moved to fall for the impressive rendition of a big tent small gala, the community and press were introduced to several student based fashion lines meshed with a soiree of established collections exclusively styled for an exciting professional presentation of a fashion show. It is not that everyone can’t do this, it is that these individuals and designers have the talent, dedication, and drive to stay true to their craft, which is good news for the rest of us.
Chateau Davana bravely started out the night with a smattering of sophisticated cuts and clean lines integrating fresh innovation of contemporary styles in black and neutral tones with bright, popping pockets accenting chiffon covered brassiere tops.
Chateau explores classic nouveau
Next up was macnificent collection, a line built from the ground up by two brothers keen on design with a logo encompassing one of the best entrepreneurial spirits I’ve seen yet. Styling featured old college prep with nouveau twists on the classic staples; varsity cardigans, letterman jackets, and decking of a denim jacket with sequined patchwork that had me squinting until it disappeared-in a good way.
Jean jacket as done by macnificent macnificent does not tred lightly on graphic tees
Everywhere I go, I feel like I am searching for the up and comers. So here goes special acknowledgement to Josh Heller (above), an actor and model breaking down the walk to stylized perfection with beats in the background that had me thinking DJ Ravi was stalking my playlist and remixing it to some serious eargasmics; if you haven’t seen or heard of either of them, you should do so immediately.
Didibeckbikini-not just another swimsuit line
One line to watch out for is Didibeckbikini as Didi herself is a hands-on, self starting designer with weighted, signature pieces featuring intricate string work evolutionary to the classic bikini. Style means something different for everyone; seeing the personality of students come through their lines represented not only themselves and their personal creative freedom, but also their surroundings.
Revamping vest work- i.am's signature
The fact remains FIA is doing something big in the industry; will.i.am is not some small time artist. His clothing line may be new, but he’s not and the fact that he’d choose to collaborate with USC? Speaks very highly of how hard those girls work to get things done. Its not all just play time. Its work hard to make play like a game of Life. will.i.am lent his hand to FIA’s production with his influential fashion statement of a line, i.am. Jacket and vest work twists original concepts into the perfect scene of L.A. night life. Better yet, his night life…
Superdry isn’t some little brand either, being an international company originally based out of Great Britain. Their ideology encompasses global streetwear and vintage hailbacks combined with impeccable fabrics and craftsmanship. If Sunday's soignee proved anything about the label, its that they are bringing the art of layering back to mainstream, adding quality and substance to their line and our wardrobes.
Wrapping done right - Romeo & Juliet Couture
Romeo & Juliet Couture is a long since established line, recent collaboration with Gossip Girl demonstrating they are not going anywhere anytime soon with original takes on standard pieces: a sweet, sweet sweater hoodie, knit fur wrap, and leather fur trim wrap jacket.
What I've been imagining since sewing was out like last week's mail
The Fifth Element hit her head on a disco ball and promptly dressed in Boulee…Jaw dropping futuristic cut outs, slits and a shirt-skirt combination that nouveau got old with and named something better…
An intelligent student line reminiscent of 80’s Romanian Hippie, Zoe Miyori Fujii explores eclectic styling with the future of fabric manipulation in poppy screen prints, which hopefully will not last. Saivana brought to mind a Roman club night with loose draping fits enriched by colors deep to mauve accented in complimentary style with makeup by mark. cosmetics. Embroidery detailing was amazingly creative, cultivating each garment with elegance simple fabric alone does not accomplish.
Wildfox hails an era to perfection
Wildfox is a grunged out, easy sort of glamour style to everyday life via 1960 line. Accessory lines of Allison Lauren and Jenny Dayco, whose celebrity fan based jewelry line gave the outfits a look of completion with impressive pieces that offered a statement of identity to each incorporated line. Weird how when a show is so great, the only real thing left to say is the work spoke for itself, or didn’t (ahem, Show Me Your Mumu, please don't).
Offering sponsorship and loving support was Snapette a new phone app from Blackberry, the graciousness of John Mendocino, a highly successful USC graduate had my mouth almost watering for fresh delicatessen hors d’ouevres. Check out his Mendocino Farms multiple locations in Santa Monica, Marina Del Ray, and Los Angeles… mark. cosmetics with on location rep Casey Hall for tastefully accessorizing the facial element of each line; Bloomingdale’s for stocking one hell of a swag bag with items from popchips, mark. cosmetics, LUNA, and Samira’s Closet amongst others.
All in all? A+
