MOCA's Happening

Los Angeles' Museum of Contemporary Art marked its 31st year Saturday with celebrities in tow. Conceived by artist Doug Aitken, the event was renamed "Happening," rather than the usual Gala. The Artist's Museum Happening in downtown L.A. created a "culture collision," with live art installations and musical performances from artists such as, Devandra Banhart. Stylish celebrities like Mila Kunis, Kate Bosworth, Malin Ackerman, Rachel Bilson, Rose McGowan and Chloë Sevigny all made an appearance for the evening, while fashion insiders like Gwen Stefani and Marissa Ribisi made it a date night with their famed husbands, Gavin Rossdale and Beck, another performer of the evening. Kirsten Dunst, showed up with close friends and Rodarte designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy. After the evening's performances, Aitken surprised the crowd with an interpretation of a cattle auction during which guests looked on as auctioneers raffled off conceptual cattle beneath a light installation. The artist used a chorus of fast-talking country auctioneers to accompany percussionists who played on hollowed-out wood dining tables of his own design.

www.directiveswest.com

Unique LA + Apt 3 Pop-up Shop

Unique LA, the indie designer show held downtown that is growing in popularity each season, recently celebrated a more permanent opening, of sorts. Teaming up with two of LA's influential retailers, Apt. 3 and H.D. Buttercup, the show has created a pop-up shop worthy of the most refined and sophisticated shoppers the city has to offer. The combination of furniture, designer clothing, accessories, gifts and more creates a true lifestyle approach with this new boutique. For its opening party, the 4,000 square foot space was jam packed with hipsters, fashionistas and the like. The large section of H.D. Buttercup belongs to this first in-house pop-up shop for four months, at that point, organizers are looking to expand with a permanent location in San Francisco.

LA Fashion Week

Although it lasts longer than a week, Los Angeles made a strong showing again this season for its edition of Fashion Week. With events and shows spanning across the city, one of the major draws was downtown's Concept Fashion Week featuring, martinMartin, Jen Awad, MILA, Mike Vensel, Elmer Ave, Fremont, among others.

LA Fashion Weekend returned to the Sunset Gower Studios for a full schedule including, Joyrich, Balthaczar, JLMarks and the Green Initiative Humanitarian show featuring several promising contemporary designers using eco-friendly practices. Other events like, Project Ethos in Beverly Hills and a runway show at Exchange LA drew crowds to view the spring lines of designers Anthony Franco, Ashton Michael and hometown favorite Skin Graft. Brands like Siwy Denim and up-and-coming AI FOR AI chose retail boutiques to offer an intimate and up close look at their next collections.

Runway Presentation from Directives West FIRST.LA

Returning for a second season, FIRST.LA hit the runway, marking the kick off to another season's market week. Offering an exclusive first look at the best contemporary styles for spring 2011, Directive West's market analysts selected some of the best emerging brands and designers to shine a light on. Under the twilight of downtown LA, the show featured local favorites Whitley Kros, BOYFRIEND/GIRLFRIEND and Yana K., as well as promising up and coming lines, AI FOR AI, Moon Collection, Champagne and Strawberry, A. Mullier, COUTURE by W., fraiche, gwynedds, and R.P.S. The upbeat vibe was in full gear as industry insiders crowded into seats and grabbed the best standing option available for the sneak peek into some of the lines bringing a positive outlook to spring business.

The spring 2011 contemporary trends include:

Sheer Encounters - bringing femininity and vintage romance to the season in cool neutrals

Leisure Life - effortless dressing catches on with a hint of classic Americana

Global Affairs - multi-cultural destinations inspire eye-catching prints and eclectic color

Precious Armor - minimalist appeal through textural manipulation and modern refinement

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.