Daily Front Row

2008 October 17

Runway Reviews

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Leila Hafzi Spring 2009
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(LOS ANGELES) Leila Hafzi

Leila Hafzi’s influences this season included Tibetan mythology and a Greek tattoo artist. Dresses were one-shouldered or empire-waisted, with flowing fabrics in crayola-bright shades. Hafzi embellished her pieces with tattoo details and injected a natural element into the collection with a tiger-print top.

Nonja McKenzie

Nonja McKenzie went quintessentially Cali chic for her Spring 2009 collection; there was plenty of skin and glamour, but in a relatively refined, sophisticated way. A one-shouldered silk jersey blue Dynasty dress was breath-taking, though she missed the mark with some disco queen-esque sheer beaded butterfly tops and over-exposing necklines.

Tulle & Cloth Logic

Nerdy chic took center stage at Tulle & Cloth Logic; models resembled 50s and 60s-era school kids in brightly-colored, wearable separates with a definite quirk factor. Shapes were modern but with a slight vintage feel; there were plenty of thin knits, cardigans and sweater vests. Colorblocking and prints, like a glen plaid tulip skirt, were the icing on the adorable cake.

Samora

Samora’s spring collection was strongly influenced by la vie française, complete with an Eiffel Tower backdrop and a bicycle on the runway. High-waisted skirts, day dresses, and plenty of flounces and ruffles were pretty and ladylike, and organza overcoats channeled Audrey Hepburn. Ufortunately, the florals were a bit matronly, while a pink corset dress was out of place.

Amelia Toro

Amelia Toro’s Spring 2009 collection was for the birds. Between the chirping music, the feathers and birds on models’ headbands, and the birdcages the models carried down the runway, it was a distracting theme. The clothes, however, were well-constructed, very playful and feminine, and an ice blue chiffon draped cocktail dress with a thin black belt stood out as a sophisticated piece.

The Green Initiative

The Green Initiative fashion show, put on by The Gallery L.A.’s Mikey Koffman, showed eco-friendly spring looks from Emily Factor, M The Movement, Lilikoi, Eco-Skin, and Smart Glass Jewelry. Factor’s mermaid-inspired collection was a fluttery and flirty variety of bright colors and shapes. M The Movement, opened by drummers and break dancers, set the stage for a menswear collection that was very wearable and street yet still polished. Lilikoi, opened by male Hawaiian dancers, showed its Hawaiian roots with floral jersey and kimono-style dresses. Eco-skin put on a sexy and feminine show that stood out for a reason totally unrelated to the clothes: African drummers and dancers opened, and live animals like a wolf, snake, and monkey took the stage! Smart Glass Jewelry put out innovative “dresses:” cover-ups made of circular, colored disks.