Heatherette strike a pose
(Credit: Jori Klein)
And it's only just begun!
For those of you wondering what all the fuss is about, here’s Metromix’s Fab Five of Fashion Week, spring/summer '08.
Meet Heatherette, Grey Ant, Jeremy Scott, Petro Zillia and Brian Lichtenberg—we know you'll love 'em, and you might even run into them at Starbucks—four of them live in L.A.
Heatherette
The nutshell: Glitter and sequins and lip gloss, oh my!
The who: A New York line founded by Traver Rains, a real-life cowboy who used to design his own chaps, and Richie Rich, a former figure skater also known for dance-club hits “Magic” and “Collision." Rich was also a "club kid" in the late 1980s and early 1990s in New York, as immortalized in the movie "Party Monster," starring Macaulay Culkin. The duo started their line after a buyer from "Sex and the City" stylist Patricia Field's store spotted Rich in one of his own leather tops and ordered 20 on the spot. Singer Foxy Brown saw them and asked the duo to design her outfits for the MTV Video Music Awards, and the rest is fab fashion history.
The look: Bold, bright, trashy and often pink, Heatherette is not for shrinking violets! We hear there's a children's line in the works.
The fans: Paris, of course. Lil' Mama, Gwen Stefani, Pamela Anderson, Kelis and Pink, too. Amanda Lepore, Jenna Jameson, Anna Nicole Smith (R.I.P.) and Boy George have all walked the Heatherette runway.
The when: Monday, Oct. 15, at Smashbox Studios.
Grey Ant
The nutshell: High-waisted hip.
The who: Grey Ant is the brainchild of L.A. designer Grant Krajecki, whose first fashion gig was making "costumes" for porn films in the Valley. Seriously. He launched his label in 1998, which allowed him to finally express his avant-yet-retro self. His runway shows are known for their theatrical element—think: backup dancers and catwalks beneath freeways.
The look: Grey Ant is a pioneer of the 1980s revival we all love to hate. To give you an idea, his current inspirations are Siouxsie Sioux, Morgan Fairchild and Grace Jones. Grey Ant went high-waisted before anyone else had the cojones to do so. Krajecki is a genius for taking untouchable tackiness and making it catwalk friendly: We’re ready for his take on the Juicy Couture sweatsuit.
The fans: Fergie was rarely seen out of her Grey Ant denim this summer.
The when: Tuesday, Oct. 16, at Smashbox Studios.
Petro Zillia
The nutshell: Rainbows and puppies and ribbons and bows.
The who: Nony Tochterman is the fuchsia-haired designer behind Petro Zillia, which means "parsley" in Hebrew. Tochterman, originally from Tel Aviv, launched her line in 1996.
The look: Whimsical ribbons, polka dots, heavy gemstones and bows add a girly touch to Petro Zillia's fine tailoring and exquisite fit.
The fans: Paris and Nicky Hilton have bought pretty much every item in her Third Street store. Paris wore a Petro Zillia jacket upon her release from jail.
The when: Thursday, Oct. 18, at Smashbox Studios.
Jeremy Scott
The nutshell: Disney on crack.
The who: "Jezza" is a true Midwestern boy, originally from Kansas City, Mo. He was bouncing between a mullet and cornrows way before anyone else dared. Scott, a purveyor of the trailer-trash aesthetic and a darling of iD mag, studied at New York City’s Pratt Institute before going on to work for Chanel's Karl Lagerfeld in Paris.
The look: Pop culture on acid. Think clam-shaped swimsuits, and mini dresses that look like jukeboxes. Scott is also a big fan of that American icon the smiley face, followed closely by the cheeseburger.
The fans: Björk and Devon Aoki are both muses and acolytes.
The when: Friday, Oct. 19, at Smashbox Studios.
Brian Lichtenberg
The nutshell: Hologramic hipster.
The who: The Silverlake designer and redhead is hipster through and through. He's inspired by Japanese culture and pop art, and many of his pieces are one of a kind or limited editions. He’s from Torrance, Calif., originally, but these days you're most likely to catch him at one of his regular Eastside hangouts, like the 7-Eleven on Silverlake Boulevard.
The look: Hologram leggings, oversize patchwork hoodies and lots of unisex—all the way.
The fans: M.I.A. won't stop with his spangly leggings. Gwen Stefani wore one of his outfits on "Late Show with David Letterman." And, Justin Timberlake.
The when: Friday, Oct. 19, at the Museum of Architecture & Design.
Caroline Ryder is style editor-at-large for Metromix Los Angeles.
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