The Softer Side

Tapered, softly tailored trousers continue to be strong moving into fall. With new looks emerging in prints, both knit and woven styles remain as the latest go-to bottom in Los Angeles. Perfectly suited for professional and party time, these pleated harem-like and carrot top silhouettes match cropped tops, sweaters and structured jackets hitting big for the season.

Taste Art

Taste Art is a series of one-of-a-kind cultural dining experiences that bring together fine art and haute cuisine, presented by The Avenues: Art, Fashion and Design District. Each Tuesday evening throughout October, The Avenues of Los Angeles will host a series of innovative dining events that pair West Hollywood's premier art galleries and restaurants. "Art Tastings" will take place at participating restaurants with special prix-fixe menus featuring diverse and inventive collaborations between the city's hottest chefs and art curators, designed for every style, taste, and budget.

For a complete list of participants and full schedule, visit: www.avenueswh.com

The Directives West Spring 2011 Trend Runway

Directives West Trend Runway show kicked off the season for the Contemporary, Juniors and Girls markets this past week. With a fabulous turn out of retailers, brands and industry press, the talk was focused on Spring ’11 being about offering the customer newness. Designers and brands have found a renewed commitment to business from a pure value and a ‘buy now-wear now’ point of view. This approach creates an exciting and fresh outlook for the season.

The key themes for the season are:

Pure Delight: A fantastic dreamscape of softly veiled shades, fluid folds and dense ruffles, mixed with heirloom details that bring romanticism to the season.

Coastal Cool: Leisure time becomes the ultimate luxury and classic Americana style meets the west coast with a touch of simple whimsy and repose.

Global Patrol: Gear up for this expedition with international tribes and old world elements blending for a wild new utilitarian adventure.

Precious Armor: Modern protective interpretations reveal a true beauty through textural manipulation and fluid neutrality creating new industrial refinement.

A Frill A Minute

This season, the ladies of Los Angeles have graduated from charm school with a refined take on frothy fashion. Ruffled tiers and trims are adding femininity to their summer looks late in the season. With cascading sleeves adding big body volume and a softened structure to this style, these stylistas are adding fluidity to their fashion. As vintage romance moves into fall, expect delicate details to appear with boyish looks and military inspired pieces.

Fashioning Fashion: European Dress in Detail, 1700-1915

Celebrating the museum's recent groundbreaking acquisition of a major collection of European men's, women's, and children's garments and accessories, Fashioning Fashion: European Dress in Detail, 1700-1915 will present a selection to the public for the first time.

The exhibition will tell the story of fashion's aesthetic and technical development from the Age of Enlightenment to World War I. It will examine the sweeping changes that occurred in fashionable dress spanning a period of over two hundred years, with a fascinating look at the details of luxurious textiles, exacting tailoring techniques, and lush trimmings.

Highlights will include an eighteenth-century man's vest intricately embroidered with powerful symbolic messages relevant to the French Revolution; an evening mantle with silk embroidery, glass beads, and ostrich feathers designed by French couturier Émile Pingat (active 1860-96); and spectacular three-piece suits and gowns worn at the royal courts of Europe.

October 2, 2010-April 3, 2011

LACMA
5905 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
323.857.6000