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Fashion Week in LA LA Land

We swung out to LA for a glimpse of fashion week on the left coast. The vibe? Totally relaxed, sunny, a lot less attitude than we're used to here in NYC. Show headquarters were at BoxEight- a decadent, baroque-style theater in downtown LA.
A scrappy vibe and a busy red carpet (not the crowd we're used to- but hey, it's LA!) kept things humming. We did manage to hit some off-site spectacles, too: the team at Whitley Kros staged a colorful presentation of travel-inspired separates at photo studio Miauhaus, and LNA's Lauren Alexander hosted a Friday the 13th presentation at the fabled Chateau Marmont. After a few days of driving around with the top down, we perfected the windblown hair & wayfarers look that is so hot in the City of Angels. Still thinking of the crisp persimmon dresses and slouchy linen pants from Whitley Kros, Kimberly Ovitz's chic harnesses and the amazing dance performance at Skingraft, we're wondering if there isn't something to be said for working under palm trees and taking our meetings poolside. Smoothies, anyone?

Under $100? In Vogue?!

March Vogue brought the first breath of spring into our office- Michelle Obama, Carla Bruni, Liya Kebede in safari hues photographed by Demarchelier, you know- everything you need to get through the last biting weeks of winter. A brilliant under $100 Index feature had us lusting for brilliantly colored ikat flats, khaki trenches............and, our own Flutter by Jill Golden's flashy Corfu stacked ring set. A steal at $95, the three golden rings (also available in gunmetal for the gold-averse) hint at golden beaches in the greek isles, gladiator sandals and floaty sundresses. We know just moments ago we were waiting patiently for Fall so we could dive into Hayden-Harnett's amazing Cargo Cult collection, but now we're back to counting down the days till spring's first bloom.

Fashion Rituals

We are having a Hayden-Harnett moment. Their spring collection is stellar & selling like mad, and last night we went to see what they've conjured up for Fall '09. Brilliantly taking over an entire apartment in the storied Chelsea Hotel, the designers staged a moody, magical scene which brought the ever-expanding collection of clothing, handbags and shoes to life.

Designer Toni Hacker calls the collection 'Cargo Cult'- a blend of futuristic embellishments (fantastic bib necklaces and small leather goods) and a voodoo influenced foggy color palette gave the eerie vignettes of models encapsulated in a world filled with candy, cheese puffs, tarot cards and seance candles the perfect tone of sacred blended with sultry. Hand sketched silk prints and color-blocked knits (the Yoko dress returns!) make a strong foundation for the apparel, and the always impressive and substantial handbags gleam with enameled hardware, studding, and leather fringe details. Definitely the most three dimensional presentation we've experienced- it's making us yearn for fall. Only two seasons to go!

What Is Sexy?

Though fashion week parties have been scaled back this season we know that Victoria's Secret never skimps on sexy. Erin Lucas from MTV's The City attended the What Is Sexy? party at the Bowery Hotel in some very sexy Jessica Kagan Cushman jewelry. Check out Jessica's new resin skull necklace and zodiac cuffs.

Killer Combination

Designer Shawn Kearney described his Fall 09 Cynthia Steffe collection as “uptown chic meets downtown cool." A killer combination as far as we're concerned. Kearney did not disappoint mixing bold silk prints, cozy mohair sweaters and modern leather separates with ruched details and studded gloves that gave the collection an overall edgier feel. Check out what's coming soon to Ravinstyle, sneak preview Cynthia Steffe Spring 09.

In Her Shoes

So- last night we got to peek at Rebecca Minkoff's fall 2009 collection of handbags and the full collection of apparel she's designed with stylist (and friend) Ilaria Urbinati. The collection is fantastic- sexy teetering on tough , rockabilly tinged with western, all with a very modern spin. Gorgeous makeup- rich coral lips, matte eyeliner and pale skin created a dramatic backdrop for the high waisted leather skinny pants, suspender skirts with intriguing plackets and zippers and panels (a throwback to RM's clothing designs from way back- how we hooked up with her in the first place! more on that shortly) and bursts of color in delicate dresses with tiered ruffle details balanced out the masculine/feminine edges of the clothes. The details were very polished- right down to the models wearing pairs of shoes from Minkoff's own vintage collection, along with some vintage Bally jazz shoes that were to die for. Absinthe cocktails in creamy hues flowed freely, and tunes from Bob Dylan to Johnny Cash, with some Ryan Adams for good measure set the tone for appreciating the clothes, the bags, the crowd- all cool, all hip. All very New York. Who needs a tent?