Graffiti on Elmer Ave

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Monday night, North Hollywood design darlings Elmer Ave presented their spring collection at Smashbox for the second season in a row. Simple suiting with a handworked edge lends the line a rock star-meets-gentleman aesthetic. And that vibe was well reflected in the collective’s latest line of tailored tuxedos, polished peacoats and a show soundtrack featuring the ultimate spruced up singer himself, Frank Sinatra.

Fashionphiles predicted a style revolution before Elmer Ave’s major league fashion show debut last season. And though the March presentation was a valiant effort, it fell short of expectations.

This time around, the program promised guests “more of the same.” And a gentleman never lies.

Despite their dapper efforts, Elmer Ave failed to bring anything new and exciting to their latest runway show. Instead, jackets and vests featured the same spray-painted stripes, sayings and crosses that littered the pieces in their last show.

A hunter green military jacket nearly mirrored an item shown on the group’s Gen Art runway in 2005. Longer, leaner and without attached war medals, the latest military coat did look less like a Col. Klink costume than its predecessor. But the style still looks Halloween party-appropriate. Guess we won’t be seeing it on Army Gen. David H. Petraeus’ modern day troops anytime soon.

One innovation was Doll Fit, Elmer Ave’s official foray into female-sized pieces. The collection of androgynous vests and blazers borrowed similar stripes and symbols from the menswear. You can’t help but wonder if they used the same can of spray paint on both lines.

Shrunken blazers perfect for skimming curves were the highlight, and there were a bevy of well-tailored options to be found. Unfortunately Elmer Ave’s spray-painted signage marred each one. A simple black tuxedo jacket would have been elegant and versatile without three thick gray lines splashed across the front. A gray tweed number looked stately and academic until the model turned around, revealing Elmer Ave’s nameplate. It’s hard to look intellectual with a street sign plastered on your back.

One wearable womenswear winner was found in a pair of slouchy tuxedo trousers with satin side piping.

But even the loose, sexy pants weren’t that remarkable.

Hopefully next season, the boys of Elmer Ave will put down the paint can to let their simple, structured silhouettes really shine through.

Because no one wants more of the same.

-- Erin Weinger

Photos by Jay Clendenin / Los Angeles Times