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Though the oft-confusing LA Fashion Week still elicits a "meh" from designers, critics, and insiders, we can't ignore the fact that two big-name labels have ditched fashion week in New York and London for LA's runways. Earlier this week, Big Apple-based brand Ruffian debuted its City of Angels-inspired spring 2015 line at the Gavlak Gallery in Hollywood, and next year, designer/director Tom Ford will also show his fall/winter collection here.
Ruffian founders Brian Wolk and Claude Morais sourced pieces and materials from a host of locally-based brands and artists, like The Fabric Store, Cali eyewear star Garrett Leight, and artist Maynard Monrow (his work is featured as a print on a few pieces in the line). Styled by LA power stylist Elizabeth Stewart, the show also boasted a starry front row, including Hart of Dixie actress Jamie King, Teri Hatcher, Rose McGowan, juice pal/Decades king Cameron Silver, and George Kotsiopoulos, among other local tastemakers.
In a recent chat with Pret-a-Reporter, Wolk gushes about their devotion to LA, which began with a road trip. "We [kind of fell in love," he says, and "then we decided we wanted to do a show here." And though bicoastal Ford (who typically shows in London) has credited next season's relocation to a "scheduling conflict," he's stated before that he has always felt "a deep-rooted connection to the city [...] Like fashion, film is also a creative endeavor that is extremely important to me. I am excited to bring these two aspects of my life together."
Now that non-LA brands are warming up to showing under our sunny skies, could this a glimpse into our city's fashion capital future? Share your thoughts in comments.
· Ruffian [Official Site]
· Tom Ford to Show in LA; Huge Daiso Opens in Little Tokyo [Racked]
· Fashion Week LA's New And Improved Site Makes Its Debut [Racked]
· How California Has Become the Fashion World's Greatest Muse [Racked]
· Fashion Writer Robin Givhan Doesn't Think LAFW Should Exist [Racked]