Capping off a week of high style and cutting edge fashion, The LA Fashion Awards were held at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles. Presented by Saturn, the event was hosted by TV personality Debbi Matenopolous.
Kicking off the evening, Mayor Villaraigosa addressed the audience where he attributed LA’s role as a fashion capital to the efforts of everyone in the room. The Mayor and his daughter stayed for the entire show and Villaraigosa even made an appearance at the after party held at the not yet opened downtown eatery, Mode.
Giving the audience a tutorial on the latest happenings in fashion, highlights from the show included video clips of 20 leading fashion designers and trendsetters, as well as 5 fashion runway presentations.
This annual awards and honors program, multimedia portfolio, and runway stage production spotlights individual talents for public recognition and provides a benchmark of achievement for others.
The LA Fashion Awards was established in 2005 to celebrate and honor the emerging talent, rising stars and leading brands of California fashion. Few people realize that LA is home to the largest fashion district in the USA and an apparel manufacturing industry that employs more people than New York’s. The goal of the LA Fashion Awards is to increase awareness of LA as the global fashion center that contributes the greatest influence on contemporary style around the world.
Presenters included Tarina Tarantino and Rose Apodaca with awards going to:
* Juan Carlos Obando – the Moss Adams Fashion Innovator Award
* Fred Segal – the Fashion Retailer of the Year Award
* GUESS by Marciano – the Marketing Excellence Award
* J Brand – the inaugural Supima Denim Designer of the Year Award
* "Project Runway" – the Inspiration Award
* DailyCandy – the Fashion Communication Award
* Max Azria – the Wells Fargo Century Fashion Achievement Award.
Saturn was the presenting title sponsor of the LA Fashion Awards. The Los Angeles Times IMAGE leads the slate of Official Media Sponsors, as the co-host of several VIP receptions leading up to the Awards, and the official VIP after party at Mode, a very new (soon-to-open) fashion-themed downtown dining establishment from Tony Jones and the creators of Royale on Wilshire. Other sponsors included Los Angeles magazine, Flaunt Magazine, California Apparel News, NASDAQ, NPA Wildposting and LA.com among others.
Wells Fargo Century and Supima also participate with Award Level recognition for Fashion Achievement and Denim Design, respectively. Platinum Level providers include Design Tonic, WGSN and Marketwire.
The Standard Hollywood is the Official Hotel of the LA Fashion Awards. Absolut 100 vodka had a starring role at the cocktail reception, where top LA restaurants — including Tiara Café, Pane e Vino, Cobras & Matadors, An Catering by Crustacean and Royale on Wilshire — provided delicious hors d’oeuvres, as did NatureSweet D’Vines, the super sweet tomatoes now at fine grocery stores. Hint Essence Water provided re-hydration refreshments. Modmix Beverages organic cocktail mixers were featured alongside Absolut 100 at the Mode after party.
Visionary contributors in several fields provided select services to make this program possible. Music design by Daisy O’Dell, Artist in Residence for the LA Fashion Awards. Floral design by Krislyn. Letterpress by Traction Press, and commercial printing by Clear Image. PR courtesy of Much and House Public Relations and Evolutionary Media Group. Smashbox Cosmetics, KMS California, Kinerase, Arran Aromatics, Royal Treatment Limousines, the Los Angeles Fashion District BID, and the Orpheum Theatre provide special services and support. Several fashion and business not-for-profit membership organizations, including the California Fashion Association (CFA), Fashion Business Incorporated (FBI), Fashion Group International of Los Angeles (FGI-LA), LA Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) and the World Trade Center Association endorse the event.
More than 40 West Coast fashion experts (top fashion editors, retailers, stylists and designers) comprise the Nominating Committee, making recommendations to the ballot and also casting the votes that determine the winners, nominees and honorees.
The Scottish Fashion Awards are special friends of the LA Fashion Awards, with a creative cultural exchange program established in 2006. Luxury goods retailer Vivre.com, Award winning American Apparel, eBoost energy drink mix and accessories maker Tattooed Steel, also participate in the production. For additional event information, please visit www.LAFashionAwards.com.
Photos by Stefanie Keenan and Evans Vestal Ward
Read more on Debbie Matenopoulos in our interveiw Debbie here…
