Stars turn out at MBFW for tips on the New Glam from top designers
By Michelle Foody
Bebe blondes at MBFW
photo by Lalie Katavazi
HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 3/19/07 – Stars like Eva Longoria and Kelly Clarkson turned out for opening night at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, where dozens of designers present their take on how to pull off maximum glam, and make it appear effortless. The week-long parade of fall 2007 collections revved up with its opening night shows by Joy Han’s Voom line, Dina Bar-El and Collection Bebe. The seven hour extravaganza transformed a bleak soundstage hanger into a bustling pamper-fest.
In true Hollywood style, the event felt more like an evening of spa treatments and shopping than the typical pressure-cooker of couture snobbery. Before the chaos of the shows, attendees unwound with complementary cocktails and kicked back on white leather sofas. For extra coddling, fashionistas were invited to personalized makeovers from Smashbox cosmetics.
But no amount of pre-show pampering could prepare guests for the thrill of these catwalk Hollywood carnivals. And there was no mistaking that this was L.A.’s answer to the fashion show. As Voom by Joy Han began, a bone rattling baritone voice declared “Welcome to Hollywood!” as hip-hop beats set a club-like mood. And not to forget the collection itself: retro designs, such as flowing orange and red plaid, with a micro-mini skirt and thigh boots looked one stylist away from showing up on Nicole Richie—thereby solidifying the trend for months to come.
Burlesque fashion from Dina Bar
photo by Karen Ostlund
Hollywood Today met up with Joy Han after her high-octane show, still shaken from the thrill. Though based in Los Angeles, Han was insistent she isn’t just designing with the West Coast in mind, despite the bright blond wigs and tanned skin of her models.
“I don’t call myself a California designer but I do live here in L.A. so I can’t escape it, the whole Hollywood scene”, she admitted. “My main inspiration was merging 1970’s style with modern, international ideas, to create something unique”.
Headliner Bebe shared the platinum wig look, but the similarities ended there. Housed in a room twice the size, the Collection Bebe drew flocks of celebs, with Eva Longoria, Rebecca Romign, Kelly Clarkson and Jerry O’Connell sitting front row, among scores of other newsmakers.
Bebe’s fall collection took on the politically-aware theme of “War & Peace”, a non-sequitor if ever there was one. Oh yes, a favorite Hollywood pastime—unsolicited social commentary. Old-school Hollywood glamour seeped in beyond their “masculine aesthetic”, with seductive hooded capes and almost curvy(!) models.
With a soundtrack appropriate to any teen movie, and outlandish, costume-like styles, the spectacle reached the height of Hollywood-ness with the classic nip-slip/wardrobe malfunction.Just beginning, the pageantry continues all week, with highly anticipated shows including Imitation of Christ and Literature Noir. If names like those, and an opening night like that one, are any indication, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is sure to reach new levels of extreme indulgence and hyperactivity, as only L.A. could.