Thee Spring 2011 Trends

Although I love the layers of autumn, it is always such a relief when the sun comes out in LA for good. I mean…this is the core and majority of my wardrobe! Naturally, I am all about the spring trends, and this season has me very excited. My favorite leading trends say so much about me as a designer, because Spring 2011 is all about Color, Print and Pants! The brighter the color the better, anything from a cool blue, emerald green, coral red, or mustard yellow will do. Prints have made a huge come back and can be found on dresses, pants, blouses and jumpsuits! As for the wearing of the pants, we should all thank this 1970’s revival. It’s the return of the pantsuit for women!

Here are some of my favorites from each category, but if you feel like looking at a Spring 2011 show that really made headlines try looking at Gucci. Frida Gianini really surprised me this season. Her color combinations were genius and every pair of pants that walked the runway were just impeccable.

Prints

Timo Weiland

Michael Angel

Colors

Lanvin

ISSA

Michael Kors

Pants

Jason Wu

Gucci

Enjoy the Sun!!

**Photos courtesy of Style.com

Sue Wong's Edwardian Sensibility

I have been a Sue Wong fan for sometime now; there's just something about her elegant hand-beaded and embroidered designs that make each piece comparable to a couture design. Her evening wear is filled with delicate details and feminine silhouettes, inspiring and empowering every women to manifest her inner goddess. Sue Wong design often echoes a period style, no wonder when it came to her Fall 2011 show she could not disappoint, with an Edwardian sensibility encrusted in every elegant embellishment.

On March 18th she showed her Fall 2011 collection at her Griffith Park historic home. For this collection, Wong took inspiration from the classic work My Fair Lady and the grace of Audrey Hepburn. The gowns and cocktail dresses were made with heavy rich fabrics such as satin, chiffon and lustrous lamé. The dresses are covered in elaborate details such as jet beading, ostrich feathers, organza petals, rich lace and hand-appliquéd embroidered leaves. Predominant colors for the Fall 2011 collection were sienna, chocolate brown, black, cobalt blue, gold and a full-bodied red. It really was a beautiful show that had a time-travel element. And the millinery....A-mazing!

The Little Fashionistas

One of the most exciting things about fashion, is sharing it with the ones you love. Fortunately, my family has quite a bit of divas who love reading Teen Vogue, talking fashion and playing dress up in their older cousin's clothes. These are my not so baby cousins (from left to right) Alyssa, Amanda, Vanessa, Aimee, and Ashley. They mentioned to me that their favorite accessories are headbands and belts. Oh and how teens love colors and prints...anything different would be so boring. I am inspired by how much fun they had putting together outfits from my high school wardrobe.

It reminded me of why I wanted to be a designer in the first place, because its so much fun. With that attitude I plan to live a joyous life in really amazing outfits for me and all the ones I love, because every young girl and woman deserves to feel beautiful:)

SfRD Exclusives at Ten Over Six

Although, I didn't have the chance to attend any of the major LA Fashion Week Events, I did get invited to Society for Rational Dress by Corinne Grassini's Trunk Show Sat. March 12th. It was held at the Melrose Boutique Ten Over Six, where she showcased exclusive designs in clothes, shoes, accessories and furniture/home decor. The event was from 3-6pm and had a steady turn out. Refinery29.com marketed the event for fashion week in a big retail way. The website sold promotional certificates before the event, which gave you the option to buy a gift certificate to the store for $100, which really equaled a value $200 towards your purchase.

I am a big fan of her designs and her ability to drape silky chiffons. But, her signature hardware and leather elements are really one of a kind; no wonder she has her own furniture collection.

These organic wood vases were designed by Corinne and manufactured at the Downtown

Los Angeles Architecture School and are a must have for my future design loft. They have such

an exotic natural feel to them.

But, my favorite accessory are these shoe harnesses, which are

detachable and can be worn with a variety of different style heels.

They were individually handmade at her studio and looked so cute on my chocolate, lace-up, loafer heels.

**Photos courtesy of Me!

Fashion Week LA

Well...I am very excited to report that LA Fashion Week is back with just the right unique events. Unlike other fashion weeks, LA's collective producer process concluded about a year and a half ago. Therefore, every event is handled separately and privately by each venue producer or individual designer. Its no surprise that LA's Fashion Week hardly compares to New York or Paris, but hey, the West has and will always do its own thing! I mean, we even have our own style agenda being that its almost season-less in the city of angels. Regardless, our fashion week remains with the most comprehensive calendar of events.

Here's the Schedule released by FashionWeekLA.com:

Project Ethos at Avalon, Hollywood, March 12

The Gallery LA Los Angeles Fashion Week at Sunset Gower Studios, Hollywood, March 13-19

Market Week in the LA Fashion District, downtown, March 14-17

Style Fashion Week at Vibiana, downtown, March 15-19

Concept Fashion Week at Spring Arts Tower, downtown, dates tbd

Simply Stylist at a private venue, Hollywood, March 22-23

**Tickets for these events can be purchased online and seating is usually on a first come, first serve basis.

I read in the LA Times Image section that Seth Aaron's event, Project Ethos was a big hit! Being the creative genius that he is, his team organized a showcase of designers, artists and DJs for the ultimate celebration of the arts. Oh, and a runway show!!

**Photos courtesy of bloggingprojectrunway.blogspot.com

Best in Target!

There is nothing like being a fashionista on a budget...its so much fun...well and a lot of work! Although I must admit, I would give anything for a Fendi satchel and a pair of Louboutins. But hey, all in good time, right?!!

Anyway, for now, I am always on the look out for a steal! Naturally, I follow Target. They were

really the pioneers when it came to designer collaborations. This year, Target is celebrating the 5-year anniversary of its GO International and Luxury designers collaboration by launching GO International Designer Collective. This collection will feature 34 dresses from 17 past designers. It will have a price arrange from $24.99 to $44.99, which means designer creativity with an affordable price tag...Amen!

With that I must tell you all, to save the date and visit the selected Target near you that will restock its floor with the best selling designer dresses on March 13th. I'm talking the best of Thakoon, Proenza Schouler and Alexander McQueen!

I can't wait! This time around, the best part is, the collection will be sold at all Target locations!

**Photos:

Courtesy of Target.com

Top to Bottom: Thakoon, Proenza Schouler, Anna Sui, Alexander McQueen

130 Collection

Hello Blog! West Coast Runways is back and is here to present work from the hard working Winter 2011 Fashion 130 class at Pasadena City College. For six short weeks they created a mini collection of three looks based on an inspiration and with a strong target market in mind. The group had a variety of ideas some in sportswear, eveningwear, lingerie, swimwear and even cosplay! These designers showed tenacity in their work, perfecting every aspect of the design process. They took a sketched idea, turned it into a flat drawing, draped or drafted a pattern, made numerous fit samples, then constructed the fashion fabric sample. Oh wait! Then Ms. Holly would say, “Don’t forget your paperwork! You must have a marker, spec sheet, cost sheet, and pattern card for each item.” But, they did it! What an accomplishment, but in the usual nature of fashion, they must move on. So here's to each of their next collection, and to their next semester:)

Cheers to us! Here are some photos from the day we all presented our collections!

Thank You So much Ms. Holly! You truly are an inspiration and a motivator!

*So sorry if I missed someone's work.