Tart – Keepin’ It Real with L.A. Style

Everyone remembers his/her first of something, be it a horrifying moment or merely a teaser of the excitement that sits around the corner. As forTart’s head designer Sherry Wood, if her first fashion show at Smashbox Studios is any indication of what lies ahead, count her in!

“I loved every second of it,” she proudly admits. “It was the most fulfilling experience in my career.” Wood was 100 percent involved with the models, accessories, hair and make-up, and every other detail that can either make or break a fabulous show.

And yes ma’am, she did it all while wearing her finale design – that beautiful low-cut, peach number which graced the floor and proved sexiness, comfort, and versatility are treasures worth making a dime off of. Describing it as a “micromodule design,” Wood knew that it would be a perfect dress to run around in.

“Fashion, like life, is in a constant state of evolution,” the Los Angeles-based designer has said, which sets the stage for her spring 2007 collection. “Even if cycles repeat themselves, there’s always the opportunity to reinterpret fashion in new ways, and as opportunities for self-expression.”

This season, Tart is aimed at creating a “chic and confident” look, according to its design leader. With an undeniable statement of ultra cool, 70s-inspired sexiness, Wood’s collection featured deeply shaded solids, ranging in the likes of navy, purple, orange, chocolate, and with, of course, a springtime accent of white. Jumpers, leggings, below-the-bosom belts, and mini-dresses (a “Lolita feel”) are soooo Southern California on-the-go appropriate.

Most women barely have the time to actually walk into a Starbucks these days for a quick java, strictly opting for drive-thru java instead. So finding extra moments to change outfits throughout the day? Um, yeah right.

Wood is all about bringing a woman from day into night in a single outfit; offering styles that, really, are for ladies who know their bodies and are not ashamed to wear fashion that embraces their femininity.

As depicted in Tart’s debut fashion show, a woman shalt not leave behind the support of her accessories. Clutches, handbags, wide brim hats, oversized sunglasses can add the right touches in the right places. “Wearing accessories makes an outfit your own,” Wood says. She cites Halston as a major influence on her collection, gracing the season of spring with “Grecian Goddess” styled pieces that offer a “clean, sophisticated silhouette.”

For the woman who started her professional career in retail by working out of the men’s department at Nordstrom because “it was easier on the men’s side,” her passion behindTart seems to be the new cure for the very self-loathing feelings and woe-is-me mentality that exists in nearly every woman’s fitting room: “I know where women want to emphasize and de-emphasize.”

A fashionable lifestyle means many things to many people, and in committing the past 20 years to a variety of facets of the fashion industry, Wood is planted in spreading the seed of L.A. style.

“I feel like there is a lot of talent here,” she says, giving a shout out to local favorites like Ashley Paige and Jennifer Nicholson, both of whom are no strangers to fashion week. “There should be more support for L.A. designers.”

Yet despite her vision of a time when even more buyers and celebrities turn out for great SoCal fashion at Smashbox, having people like Stacey Keabler, Samaire Armstrong, and a brunette Josie Davis arrive for her debut event…well, that ain’t too bad for a first time and all.

Written by Elana Pruitt