Since runway shows for men’s collections are so few and far between, the Madison Park Collective show was a welcomed departure from the usual. The collection, designed by a showroom owner Trey Alligood III, whose experience and direct contact with retail buyers undoubtedly gives the market what it needs, did not overwhelm.

For a mainstream casual line distributed in many of the major retailers, most of the XCVI knits, jersey separates, and accessories had just enough of that little detail that managed to push them across the line from basic & boring to interesting.

There is only one word that can describe Dubai–based designer Furne One’s Fall 2012 collection, “c-r-a-z-y!” I was transported, along with a packed house at Vibiana during Style Fashion Week LA. It was wild being backstage watching the laborious work that went into getting those costumes on those models.

During Style Fashion Week LA, Alicia Estrada’s fall 2012 collection was one of vintage-inspired dresses. This line continues to channel vintage into easy, ready-to-wear pieces that would turn any tomboy surfer chick into a 40’s hourglass-curved vixen, without breaking a girl’s piggy-bank.

This Bosnian-born designer and FIDM graduate has definitely embraced the glitz and glamour of L.A., here in her new hometown. Ina Soltani is still loyal to leather, as seen by the body-conscious shift dresses, fitted pants, halter tops, and jackets in black, orange, white, and metallic leathers.

Octavio Carlin’s Fall/Winter 2012 runway show at Vibiana maintained his trademark feminine, classic vibe, but added enough “Hollywood” and quirky touches to keep it interesting.

Johnny Cota successfully delivered another installment of his own special brand of chic that artfully blends tailored leather with knits, stretch fabrics, fur, and softer, gauzy materials, for a “future is here and now” look that has become Skingraft’s trademark.  The mesh-like head-pieces and crisp tailoring brought to mind fencing gear, but only for a quick second, before we were transported into the futuristic rock-and-roll moto chic world of Skingraft.  Black was still the dominant color, in all its textures.  However, this collection was softened […]

These four collections by Sauvage, Aquarella Swimwear, Côte D’Or Swimwear, and Aguaclara were not afraid to show a little extra skin, combine eye-popping colors with a lot of style. This was a group show held in the Cabana Grande at the Raleigh Hotel during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Miami Swim 2013 on July 23, 2012.

Wildfox Swim practically skipped down the Runway in fantastical wigs, colorful accessories, and playful swimsuits. Their enticing quips on their towels and tees, “swim forever, get a tan, margaritas” were as cute as their 2013 swimsuit collection; which was clearly catered to the ultra youthful spirit.

Keva J Swimwear was filled with nice surprises. One of them was Real Housewives of Miami’s Adriana De Moura wearing one of Keva J’s designs.