‘Project Runway's’ Jerell Scott opts for ‘more is more’ for Spring 2010

 Jerell Scott is a believer in piling it on. In his mind, crystal-laced ribbons, tribal prints, craftsy yarn details, appliques and cuffs decorated with iridescent plastic studs all belong on the same outfit.

And while the “Project Runway” alum’s Spring 2010 collection -- shown Wednesday on the runway for Downtown L.A. Fashion Week at the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA -- had a few fun moments, the designer's “more is more” aesthetic largely came off as overkill.

The dress-heavy collection had so much going on it was difficult to distill the basic elements. Why put a leather shoulder piece on top of a dress already so busy it needs its own day planner?

The L.A.-based designer, who was one of my favorites on the fifth season of "Project Runway," said he's "really inspired by the different cultures of the world," which showed in the collection's tribal-inspired maxi-dresses, with roomy and back-revealing cuts (they would have been show-stopping, had he not festooned them so deeply with crystal-encrusted ribbon and the like).

Ultimately, the juxtaposition of earthy/tribal elements and "Dynasty"-style sequins and glitter felt incongruous. The few bright moments in the show materialized when Scott eschewed the weird mix and went for all-out '80s glam; for instance, a lace and silver-sequined cut-out minidress you could easily envision on a Peaches Geldof or a Lily Allen.

And Scott is definitely aiming for the stars with his new line. "I've always been very much an evening designer, but now I'm really gunning for young Hollywood," he said backstage after the show. "The collection is glitzy L.A. -- I'm going for celebs by any means necessary."

-- Emili Vesilind

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Photo: A gussied-up Spring 2010 look from Jerell Scott at Downtown L.A. Fashion Week. Credit: Emili Vesilind / For The Times

Fashionable funding: Emerging L.A. designers get a $10,000 city grant

A who's who of the Los Angeles fashion community (designers Louis Verdad, Randolph Duke, Max Azria, Nick Verreos, Yotam Solomon and Five Four Clothing's Dee Murthy and Andres Izquieta among them), congregated in the lobby of the California Market Center this morning to hear Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa reiterate his intention to burnish the city's fashion bona fides, and learn which three fledgling labels would receive the first Fashion Angel emerging designer awards.

This weekend, John Varvatos and 7 for All Mankind warehouse sale

The Warehouse Sale, a giant discount event featuring past season looks from John Varvatos and 7 for All Mankind with up to 90% off, runs Friday to Sunday at the Los Angeles Convention Center's West Hall. Head-to-toe men's gear from Varvatos is marked down including suits, leathers, trousers, jeans, knits, shoes and accessories. The 7 for All Mankind sale features 30,000 pieces including women's and men's jeans (starting at $65 on Friday, $55 on Saturday, $45 on Sunday), tops, dresses, handbags and kid's fashions.

RSVP for expedited entrance for Varvatos at www.johnvarvatos.thewarehousesale.com or for the 7 for All Mankind sale at www.7forallmankind.thewarehousesale.com. Shoppers can also register at the door. Parking available at West Hall, Convention Center (enter at Cherry Street).

1201 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday 

-- Max Padilla

Shopping: Weekend update

Sales

On Friday, Fred Segal Melrose launches its fall pre-sale.

Ron Herman will be taking 50% off retail on women's and men’s fashions from Dries Van Noten, Alexander Wang, Lanvin, Current/Elliott, Elizabeth & James, Anna Sui, Ann Demeulemeester, Maison Martin Margiela, Vince, Etoile Isabel Marant, Free City, Citizens of Humanity and Twenty8Twelve.

Fred Segal Feet is discounting entire stock by 50% off retail. Women’s shoes on markdown include Chloe, YSL, Valentino, Sergio Rossi, Yohji Yamamoto, Versace and Giuseppe Zanotti. Men’s footwear encompasses Prada Sport, Gucci, John Varvatos and Lacoste.

8100 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 651-4129. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. www.ronherman.com

Sample Sales

On Friday, Swedish ready-to-wear label Odd Molly holds a sample sale of up to 80% off retail prices featuring current season fashions starting at under $50 for all production sizes (XS to XL) in the Cooper Building showroom. Credit cards accepted with minimum of $200 purchase.

860 S. Los Angeles St., Lobby J, Los Angeles. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. oddmolly.com

Events

Tonight, Creative Recreation footwear sponsors MDA Night of Spirits, a charity comedy showcase to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Assn. Comedy Store headliners Bobby Lee, Whitney Cummings, Pauly Shore and others will perform at 10 p.m. Open bar and complimentary hors d’oeuvres served until 1 a.m. Tickets are $50 and available online at www.mdanightofspirits.com.

The Comedy Store, 8433 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 8 p.m. to 1 p.m.

On Saturday, Smiling Planet, an L.A.-based company that make eco-friendly children’s gear and dishes with BPA- and PVC-free recycled plastic, hosts children’s book writer and illustrator Freddy Deane at Lost & Found boutique. Deane will read from “A Baby in the White House” and “Smiling Planet” throughout the day.

6322 Yucca St., Los Angeles, (323) 856-5872. 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. www.smilingplanet.net

-- Max Padilla

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Photo: Helena Christensen in Odd Molly, courtesy of Odd Molly.

Weekend shopping and events guide

Sample Sales

Loft Seven Sunday: Sample sale party featuring looks from eco-luxury brand Linda Loudermilk plus 30 other designers marked down up to 70%. The sale will be at the Haas Building. Complimentary beverages will be served. Cash and credit cards accepted.
219 W. 7th St. Penthouse, Los Angeles. (213) 489-2259. www.loftseven.com

Spas

Kinara ongoing through Sept. 30: If you overindulged with sun this past summer, Kinara is offering back-in-shape skin specials. Book five facials or microdermabrasion treatment and the sixth is free. The new Kinara body facial ($170) features a rice flour exfoliant, lactic acid body peel and lecithin body mask performed in a Vichy water treatment room. Spend $250 in spa services and receive a complimentary eye cream. Get a pedicure on Tuesdays through Thursdays and receive a complimentary red carpet pedicure peel.
656 N. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 657-9188. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday (retail and reservations). 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday. 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday. 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. www.kinaraspa.com

Events

Prep Party Saturday: September is national emergency preparedness month, and Zero Minus Plus home store at Fred Segal Santa Monica will host a prep party for Southern Californians. Australian master builder Karl Champley and preparedness expert Leslie Fastenberg will provide tips on readying your household for emergencies.

500 Broadway, Santa Monica. Noon to 4 p.m. www.fredsegal.com

-- Max Padilla

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Downtown Fashion Walk -- now with a larger shopping radius

We told you earlier to mark your calendars for the new monthly Downtown Fashion Walk, which starts Thursday and runs from 5:30 to 10 p.m. on the increasingly fashionable streets of the historic core neighborhood. Thirty (at this count) boutiques and fashion-related businesses on Spring and Main streets will open their doors that evening, and the walk – apparently gaining momentum -- has expanded by a couple of blocks, now stretching from 4th Street to 7th Street. Participating designers include Fremont, Skin Graft, Elmer Ave, Soulful Commandoe plus boutiques M’ouments, Blends, Engels and the Ed Hardy Outlet.

DeepGlamour.net still plans a hat show for that evening between 6 and 10 p.m., but has changed the venue from the Farmers and Merchants Building to the Spring Arts Tower (201 W. 5th St.). The event will feature chapeaux by Stella Dottir, Louise Green and Arturo Rios and a book signing by "Project Runway’s" Andrae Gonzalo and Kate Hahn. Those wearing a hat are eligible for a door prize.

Spring and Main streets between 4th and 7th streets, Los Angeles. 5:30 to 10 p.m. www.downtownfashionwalk.com

-- Max Padilla

Previously: Downtown Fashion Walk starts Aug. 20

Sales and store news

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Sale Rack: Barneys New York warehouse sale starts Thursday

This giant sale, formerly held at the Santa Monica Airport, moves to the L.A. Convention Center's South Hall. Expect designer and contemporary labels at 50% to 75% off retail, including women's and men's shoes and accessories, plus home items. Credit cards accepted.

Barneys New York Warehouse Sale. Thursday to Aug. 23. 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. 1201 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles. (310) 777-5700.

-- Max Padilla

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Events: Downtown Fashion Walk starts Aug. 20

Thirty boutiques and fashion-related businesses inaugurate Downtown Fashion Walk, a new monthly event to be held every third Thursday starting Aug. 20. Participating designers include Fremont, Skin Graft, Elmer Avenue, Soulful Commandoe plus boutiques Monuments, Blends, Engels and the Ed Hardy Outlet. DeepGlamour.net hosts a hat show from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Farmers & Merchants Bank Building (401 S. Main St.) featuring chapeaus by Stella Dottir, Louise Green and Arturo Rios and a book signing by "Project Runway's" Andrae Gonzalo and Kate Hahn. Those wearing a hat are eligible for a door prize.

Spring and Main streets between 4th and 5th. Los Angeles. 5:30  to 10 p.m. Aug. 20. www.downtownfashionwalk.com

-- Max Padilla

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On Sunday, LoftSEVEN's designer sample sale

 

What to do this Sunday: shop or lounge poolside? LoftSEVEN's sample sale on top of the Haas Building in downtown L.A. combines the two: browse sunglasses, shorts, summer dresses and menswear from the likes of Luxe Boutique, Flock Shop LA, ShopMava.com and Cartel Noir while you wait for your chance to enjoy a 25-person rooftop Jacuzzi. Identical twins are on hand to serve cocktails. Cash and credit cards accepted. No entry fee.

11 a.m. through 5 p.m. Sunday. The Haas Building, 219 W. 7th St., Penthouse. Los Angeles.

-- Whitney Friedlander

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Sale Rack: Deals at Showroom Seven, Lost & Found, Giggle

Showroom Seven Wednesday through July 24: Cooper Design Space showroom clears out its current and previous season stock with discounts up to 90% and prices starting at $10 for labels such as Charlotte Ronson, Erickson Beamon and Issa London. Look for the Erickson Beamon turquoise brooch, one of which was worn by First Lady Michelle Obama, for $242 (Henri Bendel retail price was $605). Other finds: a $155 Orla Kiely Fair Isle V-neck cardigan (original price: $356) and $200 tortoise-print hold-all ($425 at Bloomingdale's), a $325 Issa London silk jersey jumpsuit ($425 at Bloomingdale's) and $200 Tony Cohen chiffon ruffle-sleeve dress ($600 at Barneys New York). Credit cards accepted, including American Express.

860 S. Los Angeles St., Mezzanine 3, Los Angeles. (213) 316-1002. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. www.showroomseven.com

Lost & Found ongoing: Modern sunny boutique spread over five Yucca Street storefronts is taking 25% to 40% off spring fashions for men, women and children. Women can peruse $179 Isabel Marant tops (original price $285) and $169 to $279 Local dresses ($230 to $375). Men can find Woolrich shirts and jackets for $89 to $229, $189 B'sbee jackets ($385) and $69 Tailor Vintage madras shorts. Kids' clothing ranges from $19 to $79.

6314-6322 Yucca St., Los Angeles. (323) 856-5872. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Giggle ongoing: Children's clothing shop, specializing in infants, is taking up to 70% off apparel, bedding, bags, stationery and toys, both in store and online. Brands include Tea, Cabana, Egg by Susan Lazar, True Modern, Built, JJ Cole and Fleurville. Summer items on sale include $24.99 girl's tank swimsuits (regularly $32) and $14.99 baby's sun hat ($20), both with a woven-in UV protection factor of more than 50.

517 S. Lake Ave., Pasadena. (626) 744-0233. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. www.giggle.com

-- Max Padilla

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