Los Angeles Fashion Scene: The Tipping Point?
What is going on with the Los Angeles fashion scene? It seems that when it comes to fashion, there is a bit of a split personality. On one hand, they just can’t get the fashion buzz. Their attempts at presenting a meaningful fashion week event just can’t seem to get off the ground. Disorganization and confusion created by different groups producing competing events within the Los Angeles “calendar” makes it tough to determine what’s really legitimate. Editors just off the four city cycle of New York, London, Paris and Milan are not in attendance. And even in the capital of entertainment and pop culture they can’t seem to deliver many recognizable faces in their front rows. In the end, these events just don’t generate the proper buzz.
The recent Los Angeles Fashion Week
The extremely competitive Style Fashion Week that take place right after the close of the traditional Fashion Week
Then there are the broad perceptions, based somewhat in fact, that when it comes to fashion the only truly important trends coming out of LA are focused on denim, athletic sportswear and the LA brand of hip casual. Certainly LA has some bragging rights here with home-based labels including 7 for all Mankind, Guess, Joe’s Jeans and J brand in the denim category. James Perse and Vince are setting the bar high in the higher end casual lifestyle sector. And Oakley, Skechers, Quicksilver and PacSun have all but defined the quintessential California cool surfer to street style.
James Perse’s Fall 2016 campaign starring Maye Musk
James Perse Fall 2016
Vince features cozy separates in Fall 2016 Campaign
Vince reversible shearling coat from Fall 2016 collection
Oakley 2016
2016 ♦ QUIKSILVER
PacSun. Kendall and Kylie Summer Collection – 2016
Skechers 2016
But what about “real” fashion? (What is real fashion anyway?) Where is LA when it comes to the luxury ready-to-wear that dominates the runways of the major Fashion Weeks? Clearly this end of fashion matters here big time. Just stroll down Rodeo Drive, Melrose and Robertson and you’ll see the investment the major labels have made in flagship stores here.
Rodeo Drive Beverly Hills, CA
Kendall Jenner and Scott Disick holding Saint Laurent bags shopping on Rodeo Drive
Melrose Place shopping district
Robertson Boulevard – Street View
Jennifer Lopez shopping on Robertson Blvd
Many recognize LA’s growing importance in the fashion universe. On announcing his decision to move his runway show to Los Angeles from London Tom Ford pronounced “So many visuals in our world are filtered through Los Angeles including music, television and film and in this way it influences global fashion in a profound way.” And, to up the fashion ante even further, for Fall 2016 Hedi Slimane brought Saint Laurent’s collection to Los Angeles with the same star-studded fanfare. The major fashion organizations and magazines, too have come to appreciate Los Angeles’ growing role in fashion. Among these, the British Fashion Council chose to announce their nominations for The Fashion Awards 2016 this week during a brunch at Soho House West Hollywood. And, although LA may not be considered the “first city” of fashion, the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood was the site of the annual CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund show recently. Monday night of this week saw competing events as the Instyle Awards celebrated Hollywood style makers at the Getty Center while Elle magazine held their annual “Women in Hollywood” awards event at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills. Glamour has moved their “Women of the Year” marquee event to Los Angeles this year to take place on Nov. 14. Even The Daily Front Row holds a Fashion Awards event in Los Angeles now.
The star-studded view from last year’s Tom Ford Fall 2015 runway show in Los Angeles included the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Miley Cyrus, Scarlett Johansson and Amy Adams to name a few
More front row celebs at the Tom Ford show. Seen Above: Reese Witherspoon, Julianne Moore, Gwyneth Paltrow Who was also there: Beyoncé, Jay Z, Sofia Vergara, J. Lo
Beyonce and Jay Z attended the Tom Ford Fall 2015 Los Angeles show
Jennifer Lopez arriving to the Tom Ford runway show in Los Angeles
Tom Ford Fall 2015 – Winter 2016
Tom Ford Fall 2015 – Winter 2016
Tom Ford Fall 2015 – Winter 2016
Tom Ford Fall 2015 – Winter 2016
Tom Ford Fall 2015 – Winter 2016
Runway Looks From Saint Laurent’s Fall 2016 Show at the Palladium in Los Angeles, CA
Saint Laurent in Los Angeles Fashion week fall winter 2016-2017
Musicians Beck (L), Justin Bieber (C) and Joan Jett watch the Saint Laurent fall collection during a fashion show at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California February 10, 2016. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni
The British Fashion Council has announced the nominees for the 2016 Fashion Awards with simultaneous events in London and LA. Last year’s award recipient Karl Lagerfeld pictured above with Anna Wintour
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 26: Singer Katy Perry at the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Show and Tea presented by kate spade new york at Chateau Marmont on October 26, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Vespa/Getty Images for CFDA/Vogue )
January Jones arriving at the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Fashion Show In Los Angeles – October 26, 2016
SARAH HYLAND at 2nd Annual Instyle Awards in Los Angeles 10/24/2016
Olivia Culpo walks the red carpet at the 2nd Annual Instyle Awards in Los Angeles 10/24/2016
Inside the InStyle Awards 2016 with Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley
Elle Magazine’s Women in Hollywood Awards red carpet (L-R) Amy Schumer, Ava Duvernay, Dakota Johnson, Carey Mulligan and Kate Winslet
Amy Adams, Lupita Nyong’o, Kristen Stewart and other honorees shine at Elle Women in Hollywood Awards
For more than a few designers who are solid players on the international fashion circuit Los Angeles remains home base. It is easy to see why. The casual, comfortable lifestyle makes it easy to work here and the diverse topography and beautiful landscapes must serve to inspire creativity. Among the mega-talents who are bonfide Angelenos are Rodarte, Monique Lhullier, Barbara Tfank, Max Azria and Rachel Zoe. Despite their allegiance to LA, to capture the all-important editorial coverage and buyer attendance they rely on the busy runways of New York, London, Paris or Milan. Other strong and well-recognized labels such as Kevan Hall, Randolph Duke and Sue Wong have, on the other hand, pledged their allegiance to Los Angeles-based fashion events to build established fashion brands and communities of loyal clients.
The beautiful city of Los Angeles
Models walk the runway at the Rodarte fall 2016 show in February at New York Fashion Week — one of the few places you can reliably find the fashion line. (JP Yim/Getty Images)
Kate and Laura Mulleavy the sister duo behind the brand Rodarte
Los Angeles Fashion Designer Monique Lhullier
Monique Lhuillier Fall 2015 Collection
Monique Lhuillier Pre-Fall 2016 Collection
Monique Lhuillier Fall 2016 Ready-to-Wear collection
Monique Lhuillier Spring 2017
Los Angeles fashion designer Barbara Tfank
Los Angeles Fashion Designer Max Azria
BCBG Max Azria Fall 2016 runway show
Los Angeles Fashion Designer Rachel Zoe
Rachel Zoe’s Fall 2016
Rachel Zoe Fall 2016 Ready-to-Wear Collection
Los Angeles based designer Kevan Hall
Los Angeles based designer Randolph Duke
Fashion designer Sue Wong
Is the Los Angeles fashion scene at a tipping point? Will they ever join the ranks of the major Fashion Week cities? It certainly looks like things may be heading in that direction
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