LAFW: Kevan Hall’s chic spies
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A mainstay of the biannual L.A. fashion week that was held at Smashbox Studios until October, Kevan Hall chose to show his fall collection at a charity event instead. And what a crowd he got! The event was hosted by the elite charity the Colleagues to benefit Children’s Institute, an organization that helps at-risk families. All of Hall’s celeb fans were there, including Garcelle Beauvais, Lisa Rinna, Molly Sims and Virginia Madsen, along with L.A.’s old-line social set Betsey Bloomingdale, Joan Collins and designer James Galanos. In other words, it was brooch central.
The medley of music from James Bond films was a clue that Hall was inspired by spy heroines. In keeping with fall’s tough vibe, he focused on sexy tailoring and body-conscious silhouettes -- a black wool sheath with parallel zippers up the sides, a body-hugging black rayon jersey dress with geometric-shaped leather embroidery on the bodice, a reversible hounds-tooth coat.
His chocolate wool wrap top with fox sleeves was a great piece, considering fall’s emphasis on shoulder details, especially paired with a sequin skirt in a scribble pattern that was low-key enough for daytime wear. For evening, a pink and chocolate brown degrade silk chiffon gown with a beaded collar was fresh and pretty. And I always love to see one of Hall’s sophisticated white blouses, paired this season with a long gunmetal sequin skirt.
He showed a few looks from a forthcoming sportswear line he’s launching with Paul Stanley -- an aubergine cashmere sweater coat, a cheetah-print jersey dress and a nicely shaped tweed suit with leather trim -- with recession-friendly prices ($175 pants and $300 jackets). Hall says he’s hoping to get orders from Nordstrom or Bloomingdale’s.
-- Booth Moore
Photos: Looks from Kevan Hall’s fall collection. Credit: Kirk McKoy /Los Angeles Times
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