Los Angeles is not the first city that springs to mind when it comes to fashion, so the annual CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund show hosted by Kate Spade New York’s Deborah Lloyd, Mark Holgate, Lisa Love, and Emma Stone at the Chateau Marmont hotel always causes more than just a frisson of excitement, and more than just a sprinkling of A-list attendees. “I think that being here with so many celebrities shining a light on emerging talent is very important,” said Natalie Massenet as she rubbed shoulders with guests including Kristen Stewart, Ciara, and Katy Perry. “In this age of social and digital media to be able create this kind of a platform which bolsters and supports a brand’s ability to thrive is incredible.” Finalists from previous years were also out in force in to support this year’s crop of emerging designers and relax in the knowledge that, this time, they could kick back and enjoy the show. “I got to spend today shopping instead of stressing out upstairs, so that was a major win,” said Aurora James of Brother Vellies, one of last year’s winners. “This year is more about seeing friends put something together which is beautiful.”
For this final hurdle, before the top prize of $400,000 is announced next month, the ten finalists—hailing from all over the country and covering everything from accessories to menswear—had handed over the reins to the Vogue team and were excited to see how their collections would be presented to the crowd. “I think all of the designers are relaxed because they’ve submitted their clothes and someone else is putting them together,” said J.Crew s Jenna Lyons, one of the judges of the competition. “Seeing your clothes through someone else’s lens and having someone else style them can be really helpful and give a fresh perspective.”
Fittingly for the entertainment capital of the world location, the theme of this year’s show was Performance and there was was certainly no shortage of that, from the marching band that opened the show kitted out in Krewe du Optic glasses, to the hula-hooping display by Karis Wilde for Area and the impromptu addition of some spray painted graffiti on the back of the Stampd models’ jackets. “I’ve never seen anything like that,” said Perry. “I thought it was really cool to use performance art as a way to highlight the artists individually. I really like that people are starting to have more fun in fashion.” Other playful touches included Chloe Gosselin’s strappy sandals presented on silver trays by sexy 50s diner waitresses, the Hiplet dance troupe shimmying and shaking in Ji Oh’s fringed pieces on pointe, and Morgan Lane’s pajama-clad models wielding Starbucks cups.
While the fashion was the focus—even Rochambeau’s jangly jewelry acted as call to really look at the riotous mix of prints and colors—the stars of the show were definitely of the four-legged variety: Adam Selman’s futuristic party girls accessorized their metallic beaded shifts with robotic dogs rather than clutches; Newbark’s real poodles paused for a few belly rubs from Kristen Stewart and singer St. Vincent (hopefully drawing their gaze to the mismatched loafers the models were sporting); and Brock Collection’s American Pastoral model carrying a bleating goat in her arms elicited applause. “It went by so fast,” said Morgan Lane designer Morgan Curtis at the end of the show. “I could have sat here for hours watching that show it was so fun and energetic. The whole experience is like a dream come true. My first fashion show.”