Nine days, three major events, two appearances by Pedro Sanchez's twin brother, and countless parties, presentations and Tweets tagged #lafw: This season proved that, in the case of LA Fashion Week, there is indeed life after IMG. We've scanned our notes from BOXEight, DLAFW, COLA, and everything in between to put together a list of the week's highs, lows, and unsolved mysteries.
Most Desirable Look: The fuchsia fringed YSL couture frock presented during DLAFW's Decades show, sparking a flurry of Tweets shortly after its exit.
Best Soundtrack: The '80s and '90s hip hop beats at COLA's Joyrich show, which inspired much head bobbing and back row shimmying.
Most Overused Runway Prop: Thick-rimmed nerd glasses in every color imaginable. Maybe they were cool two years ago, but we're ready for something else now.
Most Oft-Referenced Designer: LA's own Rick Owens, whose influence was strongly felt in both the Grai and martinMartin collections.
Most Rampant Men's Accessory Trend: Larger-than-life man bags, as seen on the B.Son, Joyrich and Fremont runways.
Best Pre-Show Entertainment: Dance Attack's impromptu 'Burning Up' performance in the BOXEight lobby, which was blogged about for days afterwards.
Best (Unplanned) Use of Sound Effects: Still has to be the screaming girl at Jen Awad—and no, we still don't know what that was all about.
Best Refreshments: The mini mac-and-cheese spoons at Kimberly Ovitz.
Most Delectable Double Feature: Menswear label COA, who not only showed at BOXEight, but also unexpectedly opened for B.Son at rival COLA the next weekend. Much as we liked their quilted leather jackets, detachable-sleeved puffa coats and turquoise denim, we're mostly just glad we got to see the topless male model again.
Best Dressed Audience: Some may say Brian Lichtenberg, but we're going to go with Skin.Graft at BOXEight, just because it's hard to top handlebar mustaches, top hats and showgirl headdresses.
Most Likely to Cause a Wardrobe Malfunction: It would have to be a tie between the tunic dresses at Kin Boutique's presentation and the minis at Yotam Solomon, where models were forced to ungracefully tug down their hemlines in exchange for their modesty.
Best Goodie Bag: Brian Lichtenberg's, which included two Alternative Apparel t-shirts, a bottle of Bumble & Bumble Beach Blonde spray, a certificate for a free haircut at Play Hair Lounge in Simi Valley, and a copy of Flaunt magazine.
Best Production Value: Whitley Kros' installation at Miauhaus gallery—from the Post-It reminders on the wall to the suitcases filled with archive pieces, souvenirs and photography books, we felt like we were on a first-name basis with the label by show's end.
Most Triumphant Return: Louis Verdad, whose intricate Louver collection is his first since declaring bankruptcy in 2007.
Most Popular: Brian Lichtenberg at COLA, for both the massive turnout of colorful, chameleon-like fans and the crowd's overwhelmingly positive response.
Agree, disagree, have anything you'd like to add? That's what the comments box is for.
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