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Louis Verdad Fashion Show

Fashion Week L.A.

What’s gonna be in this fall? Find out as POWER takes you to some of the hottest shows during Dean and Davis Factor’s Fashion Week Los Angeles:

Louis Verdad
Louis Verdad (Spanish for “truth”) stayed true to fall/winter 2006 trends as the Fashion Week Los Angeles veteran showcased edgy, ‘80s-inspired designs. It was a pleasant surprise from the Chicago-born couture designer, whose fashion niche is ultra-feminine, old Hollywood glamour styles. Fellow designer, Nicky Hilton, as well as her trendsetting sis, Paris Hilton, and Carmen Electra, sat front row at Verdad’s masculine/feminine themed show, which featured sleek patent leather silhouettes, vamped up suits, wide-waist cinching belts, sexy pencil thin heels and luscious color combinations. The showstopper was definitely an ivory cream sweater jacket flirtatiously adorned with feminine sheer ruffles.

Kevan Hall
Kevan Hall, however, took his audience back to when disco ruled the airwaves and bell bottoms were the it-thing at his Mercedes-Benz sponsored show. Hall, who continues to make his mark for his glamorous classic pairings with modern sensibilities, drew inspiration from the 1975 drama, Mahogany (The movie stars Diana Ross as Tracy, a woman who dreams of becoming a designer to escape the hardships of urban life) to deliver delicious, envelope-pushing fashions, including real fur (about which he said, "I don't have any problem with real fur. It's gorgeous.”) vests and jackets, puffy-sleeved, cream-colored blouses, and wide-legged, brown tweed trousers. Everybody Hates Chris’ Tichina Arnold and Hustle and Flow’s Taraji Henson were a few of the famous fashionistas in attendance.

Kara Saun
Meanwhile, Kara Saun had her sights set on the future as the season one Project Runway runner-up previewed her dark and mysterious creations. What we liked about the show’s designer were her Japanese-inspired satin gowns and Victorian-esque high collar blouses accentuated with poofy sleeves.

David Tupaz
But, David Tupaz decided to capture the post-war industrial boom era. Using ash grey matte jerseys and dark denims finished with subtle hints of silver paint, the rising haute couture designer intrigued us all with exceptional pairings of fabrics, colors, and accessories. Before the big finale, Tupaz, who has dressed Hollywood heavy-hitters Mariel Hemingway, Christine Baranski, Cheryl Ladd, Rain Pryor, Jane Wyatt, and Academy Award-winning director Keiko Ibi, welcomed famous and fabulous housewives Tonya Thicke, Cris Jenner, Tracy Hamilton, and Elizabeth Shatner as they modeled some of his elegant evening wear pieces.

Elsie Katz
Elsie Katz rewound the fashion time warp about 30 years or so with her unique take on the silver screen mode. The red carpet fashion fixture earned the approval of America’s Next Top Model judge Janice Dickinson for her simple and chic collection that included satin crepes, panne velvets, metallics, mohairs, cashmeres, and minks.

Yana K
Yana K kept the audience captivated with the glitz and glamour of old Hollywood at her show. Revealing her inspiration was Audrey Hepburn meets Grace Kelly meets Marilyn Monroe, she softened the Fall look with delicate neutral colors, mochas, creams, flowers, petals, and silk charmeuses. Ice skating champions Tara Lipinksi and Oksana Baiul, as well as stars Anjelica Huston, Jason Biggs, and Lindsay Zir were there.

Sue Wong
Sue Wong, however, took us on a trip through time and around the world by visiting international capitals circa the 1920s and 1930s. The Chinese-born designer first stopped by the mystique and allure of Shanghai, which she captured with sensual silks, beautiful embroideries, and traditional kimonos modernized with skinny cigarette pants. She then transitioned to Cairo. Some of the great wonders from this portion of the show featured exotic, harem-inspired gowns and cocktail dresses made with rich, solid hues and lavish beadwork. Next was Paris. At this stop, models adorned in flapper dresses and chemise styles were an upbeat, welcomed change. Following Paris was Berlin, a true knockout with its sexy, edgy creations. After that was London, which gave the prim and proper Victorian and Edwardian look a much needed makeover. Finally, Wong wound up in Hollywood to pay tribute to vintage movie star glamour.

Agent Provocateur
Yet Agent Provocateur rejected the time era-inspired trend. Instead, the boudoir designers turned up the heat with a seductive play on naughty and nice. Beginning with a portrayal of a beautiful, innocent bride on her wedding day, the brow-raising show ended with dominatrix-like women clad in thongs, pasties and whips in hand. Celebs Christina Aguilera, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Anthony Kiedis, Cher, Courtney Love, and Kim Stewart attended. 

2 B Free
In the meantime, 2 B Free chose to add some color to the fall. It was quite a refreshing move away from the expected autumn palette of rich greens, beiges, oranges, and browns. Socialites-turned-models Paris and Nicky Hilton worked the runway in edgy sportswear designs splashed with vibrant shades of electric blue, fire engine red, magenta, and canary yellow. Celebrities Kelly Osbourne, Constantine Maroulis, Haylie Duff, and Luscious Laura Goulet were among the famous faces seen at the show.

Collection Bebe
Also shying away from the expected was Collection Bebe. Stars Stacy Keibler, Mya, La Toya Jackson, Mischa Barton, Cojo, and Jillian Barberie applauded the surprising couture showing from the designers well known for their casual cool styles. Needless to say, the eye-pleasing display of Cinderella-esque gowns, cute party dresses, as well as the to-die-for coats, slacks and blouses clearly made Collection Bebe the true belle of the fashion ball.

 
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