Beauties and Beasts: Fashion Week in L.A. |
 |
This week, HSUS's Fashion Industry Liaison Annie Judah travels to Fashion Week in Los Angeles to remind fashion leaders—and fashion followers—of the cruelty of fur and the beauty of going fur-free.
By Annie Judah
Saturday, March 25
 |
|
| Fashion Week in Los Angeles had me seeing stars. |
|
I know I should be relaxing and enjoying the first day off I've had for awhile, but I can't help making one last note.
One of the highlights of my trip to L.A. was attending the Erin Fetherston party. The crowd was chatty and cool, and I'm absolutely in love with Erin. The blond California native who now lives and designs in France, lived up to her reputation of girlish charm and sly smiles. Looking over her press packet I was happy to see that, although a few creations had feathers, there was a distinct lack of fur. That proves her to be a designer of high compassion as well as high caliber.
Be sure to keep an eye out for her future projects. She has worked with stars like Kirsten Dunst and Fetherston's talent has graced the covers of almost every fashion magazine you can think of.
Friday, March 24
The Bradley Bayou show was hands down my favorite show all week. The full feminine dresses and the unique spins on the classic gowns were classy and interesting. The finely tailored fur-free outwear was beautiful.
| |
 |
| |
Dancer and pro wrestler Stacy Keibler made an appearance. |
Nikki Hilton sat in the front row directly ahead of me. Normally, I would have been a bit nervous to be so close to a Hilton sister, but this week has been full of names and faces I have only seen on the big screen or my own personal little screen at home. I am still reeling from Jack Nicholson helping me through a crowd like a perfect gentleman. I can't believe how tall (and how pretty) pro-wrestler and Dancing with the Stars dancer Stacy Keibler is.
But for someone like me who doesn't get star struck much, it is a compliment for a celeb when I say "It was really a pleasure to meet you"—which is what I could say to most of the folks I met this week. Not that I don't love my East coast crowd, but everyone here was so nice. And more celebrities than not were eager to tell me that they agree: fur is cruel and unnecessary.
Wednesday, March 22
The Design Suites are not only where you can get the best swag (free goodies), but they are also where you can talk one-on-one with designers and retailers from all over the country.
People who love Pokemon or vintage tees, or both, should check out
Harajuku Lovers. Their fresh little shirts and logo wear are youthful, sweet, and perfect for this summer. The loose partnership between pop star Gwen Stefani and Jerry Leigh has created this perky little line with price points more accessible for young fans than her L.A.M.B line. If these logo tees look familiar, it is probably because they are often available at Urban Outfitters.
| |
 |
| |
www.bornuniqorn.com |
Born Uniqorn is a project that started between actress Taryn Manning and her best friend Tara Jane. It seems they looked at their closets one day and asked, "What are we missing?" Apparently they were missing a wide variety of soft form-fitting clothes that are perfect for layering. Made from cloth created from bamboo, these clothes are also friendly to the environment and to animals—attributes that every closet needs.
Tuesday, March 21
Denim is so hot right now. Read any fashion magazine and it will have pages full of $300 jeans. Even Dior had a line made completely of denim with elaborate embroidery—rather than animal fur—decorating the collar and cuffs.
 |
|
| More stars: From the right, Six Feet Under's Mathew St. Patrick, Annie Judah, Jimmy Jean Louis, and a friend. |
|
Tonight's shows shared a similar theme of distressed denim and gold print t-shirts. They also had the largest star draw of any other night thus far. Vegan cookbook author and actress Mary Lou Henner sat front row at Buffalo. Hilary Duff and her sister Hayley seemed to study each model's look during the Antik Denim show. Afterward, the Duff sisters and I talked briefly about Hillary's cruelty-free cosmetic line and her beloved puppy. In a world where so many people are more concerned about profit than being compassionate, it is always refreshing to meet someone like Hillary who cares enough to make sure her name won't be associated with animal suffering.
Monday, March 20
After watching the first season of Project Runway, I was really not looking forward to the Kara Saun show. She had even worn a little rabbit fur hat during the season finale. I think it may have been made out the leftovers from her creations for the finale show at Olympus Fashion Week.
| |
 |
| |
A Fashion Week attendee sports a Jay McCarroll bag. |
Jay McCarroll had said that he had talked to her about her heartless clothing line, so it was more curiosity than appreciation that brought me to my second row seat.
But, again, Jay impressed me. As the leggy California models (who are much healthier looking than their East coast counterparts) came waltzing down the runway, I was pleasantly impressed at not only the classic style of Kara Saun's—work that would flatter any woman—but the notable lack of real fur.
I'll be sure to send Jay a card congratulating him on yet another victory for the animals.
The night was a fantastic spin of two animal-friendly shows. Morphine Generation and Deborah Lindquist had shows that demonstrated true talent and creativity, while not compromising with bits of animal here and there to drive up price points or expose the vanity and selfishness of the wearer.
Sunday, March 19
 |
|
| A faux-fur fashionista displays our Fashion Week magazine ad. |
|
It is freezing in L.A., but the main tent at Fashion Week is so packed that everyone is holding their coats and making small talk with the complete strangers they happen to be sitting on top of. It is actually a bit cozier than I like at a show that features so much fur. Kevan Hall was the first show of the week, and as the models came out in swinging raccoon-dog coats and mink trim on this and that, I couldn't help but be a bit disappointed in L.A.
The YaYa show followed. The fitted sweaters with flowing knit capes were so graceful and stylish they easily overshadowed the earlier show. Matthew Perry, Carmen Electra, and Marsha Thomason (from the TV show Las Vegas) sat in the front row.
In the fourth row, I debated the topic of vintage fur with Andre from this past season of Project Runway. While some may try to be poetic and talk about the nobility of dying for fashion, there is really nothing beautiful about the reality of fur production. There is no way to sanitize the fact that every fur coat represents suffering—no matter how many years ago the animal was killed.
After the show I spoke with Marsha Thomason and she agreed with me, saying she would never wear fur. Matthew Perry expressed a sincere concern for dogs and took one of my cards. I guess this week won't be so bad after all.
Fashion Week February 2006
Fashion Week 2005
