LK Paris has come up with a new collection called “Couture to Wear.” I found the name to be catchy and appealing. After all, couture is associated with high maintenance, expensive dry cleaning bills, and careful handling. Upon close inspection, the garments in this collection are impeccably sewn and surprisingly durable. The price points are nowhere near couture. In fact, they would definitely be comparable to the “special occasion” wear at a Bloomingdale’s or any other high-end luxury department store.

Are you an athlete? If so, most likely you participated in an organized sport in high school. As a young girl, facing challenges relating to competing can be daunting. I for one feel I benefited from playing sports (tennis and track) and as a result have used those experiences to guide me through my adult life. I am the stepmother of a graduating high school senior who has participated in the sport of girls’ gymnastics. She started her gymnastic career as a sophomore.

Gwen Stefani’s L.A.M.B. Spring 2012 was true to it’s brand at the presentation during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. Stefani loves vibrant colors juxtaposed with prints.

Spring always brings with it lighter and brighter colors. Well, this Spring 2012 is no different when it comes to Diane Von Fustenberg’s new line; except that she presented a taste of old Hollywood, reminiscent of Grace Kelly’s style and hints of Givenchy 40 years ago with a bold set of prints, and I simply loved every piece!

Like elegant swans, the models practically floated above the runway to the ever-so-fitting music, Ravel’s Bolero. Chado Ralph Rucci’s Spring 2012 runway show can be described only as visually breathtaking.

During Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, Agenda Magazine made its way backstage before the show. I was able to interview the key hair and makeup people, plus I got a bonus when top model Cecily Lopez spoke with me candidly about her career.

Furne One’s Spring 2012 collection made its way un-chaperoned to Los Angeles at Vibiana during Style Fashion Week LA. That’s right. The designer was home in Dubai while his collection received mixed reviews here. The collection left some raving and others ranting; and some of those rants turned into raised voices literally on the media riser.

Rear projected cinematic, interchanging backgrounds of nature and the outdoors created the scene for the Gypsy 05 2012 collection at Vibiana during Style Fashion Week LA. The fashion show opened with eclectic music and ritualistic choreography in the form of modern dance: our dancer’s face had white war paint, and she wore a loose fitting tunic. She put on a convincing performance and set the bohemian stage for what was to become a very enjoyable runway experience.

Coming back from a hiatus, Gen Art is better than ever with their Fresh New Faces competition. From the attention to details backstage, with dressing, styling, and presenting the models and clothes on the runway to really putting on an exciting and well produced series of runway shows, Gen Art did it well at Vibiana during Style Fashion Week LA. Avatar star Zoe Saldana opened the show and the talented young designers showcased their new designs.

The show finally started with designer Ross Higgins. He was the first out of the gate. He trotted as if on the drug ecstasy, and that, folks, set the precedent for what followed—a parade of models, each more frightful than his or her predecessor. Caligula had nothing on this design team!