Corey Lynn Calter hosts a chic dinner

Corey Lynn Calter amped up Los Angeles Fashion Week by hosting one of its most refined gatherings last night. The L.A. contemporary designer -- who's known for her whimsical prints and flirty silhouettes -- hosted a fashion presentation, followed by a sit-down dinner, in the form of a roving short film.

The event was held inside a cavernous storefront owned by antique store Rose Tarlow on Melrose Avenue. Guests including Shiva Rose, Rachael Leigh Cook, Decades owner Cameron Silver, retailer Hillary Rush and E! Network host Amanda Luttrell Garrigus watched as models dressed in Calter's Spring 2010 collection marched across boxes of light projected on three of the room's four walls. When a model spanned one screen, she would "walk" onto the next -- creating the illusion that each catwalker was cutting a semi-circular path around the room.

As models reached the middle screen, they were asked questions about themselves, such as, "If you could be anyone, who would you be?" (the hilarious answer was "Oprah"); and "If you could go anywhere, where would you go?" ("Fiji"). The collection, full of feminine tops, shorts, skirts and maxi dresses in retro-feeling prints, was classic Calter -- feminine and vintage-vibed, with a hip-girl's edge.

"That is the most inspirational thing I've seen in a long time," said Rush as the crowd moved into a backroom set up with two long, candle-lit tables -- where dinner was served.

"We wanted to do something different and fun," said Calter, who wore a stunning peach-colored tiered maxi dress. "We came up with the questions because I thought, we need another focus other than the revolving runway. I said, 'Let's just ask the questions and see what happens!'"

--Emili Vesilind

Top photo: Guests milling around the dinner tables at the Corey Lynn Calter dinner. Bottom photo: Two of three walls used in the circular, filmed fashion presentation. Credit: Emili Vesilind / For The Times