Concept Fashion Week Recap: Chambers to Curly-V

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• Belle N. Matisse [Photo by Dani Drasin]
• Chambers [Photo by Dani Drasin]
• Chambers [Photo by Dani Drasin]
• Gypsy Junkies [Photo by Dani Drasin]
• Gypsy Junkies [Photo by Dani Drasin]
• Laila Lau [Photo by Stephanie Green]
• Curly-V [Photo by Dani Drasin]

This weekend, we knocked out five of our 15 best LAFW events by attending Concept Fashion Week at Ace Gallery. The two-day showcase was filled with experimental installations and runway shows that catered to the city's sartorial game-changers, which made both the featured looks and invited guests equally entertaining to watch.

Chambers kicked it all off on Friday night with their signature streetwear-meets-grunge menswear offerings. Just like our takeaway from their Gen Art show last year, we're happy to report that the brand is still doing an ace job providing the average dude with foolproof options for everyday layering. Outerwear was abundant and better than ever.

Saturday's line-up started with the Gypsy Junkies show, which had this '90s boho thing going on. Think floral separates and ethereal gowns mixed with crushed velvet and corduroy pants. Next, we watched a flurry of inventive silhouettes march down the Laili Lau runway, complete with loosely draped dresses, lightweight knits and harem pants that we wouldn't mind mixing and matching this fall.

Fittingly, we ended our Concept trip with two highly conceptual installations: Belle N. Matisse and Curly-V. BNM's collection took the idea of strong shoulders to the next level by presenting a range of avant-garde looks that featured pointy shoulder pads. We likened the gray numbers to futuristic officewear. There was also a pair of pants with pointed knee caps and a sheer shirt with wings. Curly-V's display was by far the quirkiest of the bunch and felt like we stepped into a trippy '60s film. Titled "Big Mouff," the collection took a literal approach to the "tooth" in "houndstooth" by using teeth to form the iconic print. Jeremy Scott would approve.
· Concept Fashion Week [Official Site]
· The Best Shows and Parties to Hit During LA Fashion Week [Racked]
· Meet Real Housewife Adrienne Maloof at Ace Gallery Tomorrow [Racked]