“Chirp, chirp, chirp.” The sound repeated amid small moments of a lackluster interlude from the back of the building; is this what a group of fireflies sounds like in the summer? The attendees would never find out, because this was not a Southern porch, it was Style Fashion Week in Los Angeles, and the only platform available was not wooden, but a long white runway.
Those chirping sounds represented the many members of the media snapping photographs on tripod stands at the end of the runway, waiting for the beautiful models to strut to the end of the catwalk and strike a pose. In unison, sounds of the camera shutters would release, and when there was a lull in the loud, pulsing music, guests could feel their eagerness to get the perfect shot.
Monday, March 10, marked the second night of fashion shows from Style Fashion Week and the third night of events following the organizer’s opening reception Saturday evening. Held at the L.A. Live Event Deck, the roundup of shows slated for the night reflected some of Los Angeles’ best fashion offerings from Project Runway’s Michael Costello—with Michael Costello and MT Costello (from Michael and Stephanie Costello) collections— to R. Michelle and Walter Mendez, with celebrities in attendance known for wearing the designers’ duds on the red carpet.
It could have easily been mistaken for a reality show reunion, with front row guests including Joanna Krupa from the Real Housewives of Miami, Gretchen Rossi from the Real Housewives of Orange County, Sundy Carter, Laura Govan and Jackie Christie from Basketball Wives Los Angeles, Bridget Marquardt from The Girls Next Door, and Tamar Braxton from Braxton Family Values. However, this was merely a representation of some of Costello and Mendez’s celebrity clientele.
Beyond the front row, five rows and three sections of chairs on both sides of the white runway gave access to Los Angeles stylists, writers and fashion enthusiasts. As for the dresses themselves, the crowd “oohed” and “ahhed” as Costello’s collection swayed on the runway. One guest, L. Rios, held a sentiment that the production could have been better, but was not disappointed nonetheless. “Michael is great,” she said. “But it was nothing I hadn’t seen before; which isn’t a bad thing, but just the same silhouettes in different colors and fabrics.” Those colors were vibrant reds, blacks and creams, while the fabrics included lace, velvet, and satin.
One guest of the evening was overheard saying, “to be honest, I was a bit underwhelmed.” With the white tent reminiscent of New York Fashion Week’s Bryant Park beginnings, this particular attendee was expecting to be wowed with glitz and glamour. Although the show had its defining moments, there were a few organization mishaps that had guests scouring to find seats and wondering what the hold up was. The scheduled 8pm show did not begin until after 9pm, but that did not pose a problem for those eager to see the fashion forward collections.