A Runway Rundown at Smashbox

When Fashion Week rolls around, there’s rarely a dull moment at Smashbox Studios, even when a designer produces fewer “hits” than “misses” during his/her runway show. Time spent checkin’ out the new digs of Spring 2006 is at least a moment of entertainment for each attendee piling through, whether standing in back or taking the empty seat no one’s claimed yet. Take the first-ever Fashion Week beauty show from Smashbox Cosmetics and Sephora, teaming for a presentation themed “Exotica.” Celebrating the beauty of the rain forest by showing spring makeup trends proved to be a stage spectacle, no doubt. It was belly dancing, glittered body paint, bronzed skin mania, feathers, knitted bikinis, and oh yes, a makeup show amongst it all.

Conveniently cushioned between Single and Louis Verdad on the first day of Fashion Week, energy kept a flowin’ from attendees all around. The heat was rising, Lightbox included . . . it was hot in there! And when it comes to baring it all, the Sheri Bodell show said good-bye fall fur fashion, and hello spring sexiness. Front-row rocker Tommy Lee may have caught serious attention before lights dimmed, but as models walked, gushing turned to the designer’s collection. Rooted in neutral browns, whites, and pinks, and, tastefully, a touch of just enough black, Bodell’s influence stems from 1960s vixens and starlets of the big screen, like “Sexy Brigitte Bardot slip dresses, Marianne Faithful blouses, and Mia Farrow minis.” And quickly rising to fame is 28-year-old designer Desanka Fasiska, whose artistic quality kept celebrities Mena Suvari, Aisha Tyler, and Taryn Manning entranced by her spring collection. Influenced from “African and tropical prints,” Desanka’s safari theme also included smock-style dresses, opaque leggings, flowing cotton voile jackets, and shades of soft pinks and greens.

Saja directly followed Desanka fever, as designer Yoo Lee kept the creative juices rumbling. The girlish optimism of childhood depicted through subtle embellishments and delicate details are said to have inspired Lee’s seasonal collection of vintage beauty. Bold colors, Bohemian-inspired knitted cover-ups, and dress-up-or-dress-down floor-length flowy dresses would make you start to wonder. Can I really pull all that off with rolled-down socks and my pointy flats? Well, according to the spring Saja collection, the possibilities of fashion continue to be endless.

And when it came to closing the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios, there was a first. Retail leader St. John hit the Main Tent, right where Kevan Hall jumpstarted the whole event on day one. Redefined and redesigned, a company known for its sophisticated women’s knit suiting and professional wear brought youth and vibrancy to Los Angeles for its first show at Smashbox. Angelina Jolie, the newest face of California fashion label St. John, was a no-show, but the collection still claimed its original stance of excellence. Belted knee-length dresses, tons of black evening wear, and tans, whites, and striped pieces added sex appeal as well as a touch of modern sassiness and youthfulness. And in turning the corner from fall and winter to spring, St. John is bringing them back-––sharp lookin’ hats for extra pizzazz. The perfect shoe may always be a gal’s mantra in completing her outfit, but remember there’s a fashion first time for everything.

Written by Elana Pruitt

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