Designers Unite for a Cause at LA Fashion Bloom

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Paintings and sketches have given way to handbags and dresses at La Cienega's Taylor de Cordoba gallery, which has been temporarily transformed into a cozy boutique dubbed LA Fashion Bloom. Until August 8, new and archive pieces from five of LA's most esteemed labels—Wren, Jesse Kamm, Gregory Parkinson, Annie Costello Brown and Vivier—will be up for grabs, with a portion of proceeds going to arts education charity P.S. Arts.

Gallery owner Heather Taylor is no stranger to the fashion world, having held Fashion Week events for several of these designers in seasons past. "I choose these designers because I think they are the best in what they do," she explains. "Gregory, Jesse and Melissa [Coker, of Wren] create some of the most interesting and beautiful clothing coming out of L.A. right now. I think Annie Costello Brown is the best at jewelry and Clare Vivier is the best at handbags."

Building the boutique turned out to be a major group effort, with artists and designers from around the city pulled in to help out. "This was one giant excuse to collaborate with all the talented people in my life," says Taylor, who enlisted Reorganica designer Tony Brown to create fixtures from reclaimed wood and pipes, Empiric furniture to bring in mirrors, lighting and accessories, and Holly Flora to add the "bloom" factor via raspberry bouquets and marigold garlands. "I think there is a nice symbiosis between the art and fashion communities here," adds Taylor. "Both worlds seem to embrace each other in an open way that feels very distinctly Los Angeles."
· Taylor de Cordoba [Official Site]