#lafw2015

You know it's Fall in Southern California when Starbucks has Pumpkin Spice Lattes and when designers and models alike are preparing for LA Fashion Week. Part of the excitement of LA Fashion Week is the fast growing Metropolitan Fashion Week Closing Gala. Founded Eduardo Khawam built the fashion show empire from the ground up. As Khawam stated in a conversation that evening when all was done, "In just three years we went from a room of 50 or so to this...", acknowledging the fact that this years MetFashionWeek Closing Gala concluded at the infamous Warner Bros Studios backlot. To walk the "streets" of New York and observe the latest local, international couture on the red carpet in front of cinema scenery is breathtaking! Standing on that red carpet covering the fashion show had me momentarily thinking of how "all the world's a stage." I digress. How about a little review from the Metropolitan Fashion Closing Gala?

The opening of the show was a showstopper to say the least. Choreographed dances to emulate old cinema favorites such as Cary Grant, welcomed a crowd of 1200 to the show. Following the number was designer Kickca Custom Designs. Her costume and haute couture was one of a kind. The intricate detail of the lace & hand beaded accents played up the delicate fabrics used in the couture brought to the runway by Kickca Custom Designs. Who could top this one? Personally, I had my doubts but as the show continued, a lighter note was addressed.

A cause dear to many hearts was addressed during the event and though it did not have to do with the show, the way in which it was presented brought the audience to tears and gave 'all the feels.' "50 Shades of Pink" was a fashion series presented by Swarovski and in honor of breast cancer awareness. The ladies who walked the red carpet runway were not models, but survivors. These beautiful ladies had the grace and poise that did not reflect the survival they endured having had breast cancer. What a beautiful way to show the beauty in the flaws, in the pain. As you can see in the corresponding photos, the beauty is not just within the donated custom couture but the people whom are enveloped in the dresses.

If that wasn't enough, the second act of the Metropolitan Fashion show featured the costume designer to Gaga, Perry Meek. Meeks out-of-the-box mindset is seen within his headpieces and body pieces. Whether you're taste is on the side of a Maleficent like set of horns or a Hello Kitty body suit, Meek does not disappoint the creative mind.

The finale of the evening was a showcase of Niveen Heaton and her swimwear line. Though Fall was looming over Southern California, it was apparent Heaton's designs left us salivating for the nearest beach. The color blocking and use of various patterns with solids showed just how fun summertime swimwear can be. Mixed with headpieces from Fashion Forwards showroom, it wasn't just the bikinis that left little to the imagination because Heaton brought to life many different aspects of design and intrigue within the way her swimwear was constructed as well as styled for the runway.