LAFC's Kelsi Smith is Tired of You Slamming LA Fashion Week

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As we discovered in our rehash of 2013, the topic of LA Fashion Week brought out many a "nay" and barely one "yay"—even fewer than the prior year's poll—among our city's industry insiders. While it's true that the City of Angels' show of talent may never hold a candle to NYFW and international couture presentations, LA Fashion Council founder and staunch LAFW backer Kelsi Smith says there's no reason the conversation "needs to be polarizing."

"We have designers that wish to show [and] we have an audience (albeit small) that want to see [them]. So as long as it makes sense to us, we'll keep doing it," Smith tells us. "Do I think LAFW is the be all and end all, no. Do I think it's the most important thing on the agenda, no (I agree with Richard [Wainwright], market week needs a major shake-up). But I strongly believe it has its place."

To prove her unconditional support for local up-and-comers and all things #MadeinLA, Smith recently revealed she'll be showcasing a handful of LAFW alumni this March at Tokyo Fashion Week, where she says the "fashion set is having a love affair with Los Angeles." (Clearly, the feeling is mutual.) Among the designers whose collections will be presented are Katharine Kidd, Bohemian Society, Rose La Grua and Stella Proseyn.
· LA Fashion Council [Official Site]
· Where LAFC's Kelsi Smith Shops For Craft Supplies in DTLA [Racked]
· Majority of LA Fashion Insiders Say Nay to LA Fashion Week [Racked]
· LA Fashion Council Reveals LAFW Runway Lineup at The Grove [Racked]
· LA Fashion Council's Kelsi Smith Makes a Plea for LAFW Support [Racked]