Los Angeles Fashion Week made a return for the first time since 2019, featuring four days of Cars and Fashion, Red Carpet, Contemporary, and Street Wear looks. That is to say, each day, four international/ LA-based designers showcased their collections. A total of 16 different designers and plenty of new pieces. This year LAFW took place at the Petersen Museum in Beverly Hills, one of the largest automotive museums in the United States. On Oct 8, the Contemporary show featured Bishme Cromartie, Naid Fashion, Laura Theiss, and Greg Lauren.

What is LAFW?

LAFW, established in 2010 by Mayor Eric Garcetti and California State Senator Ben Allen, declared this official fashion week. Indeed, the motive is to show the diversity and style in Los Angeles. For the past ten years, LA fashion has made a mark in the fashion industry through social media influencers, models, actors, and even the California natives. Meanwhile, it’s an entertainment event, a celebration of cultures and the expression of self through fashion.

The Petersen Museum 

The Petersen Museum, located in Los Angeles, on Wilshire Blvd next to LACMA, the Brea Tar Pits, and Academy Award Museum. Likewise, the entire street is known for the vibrant nightlife full of restaurants, bars, and shopping. Robert Petersen, the owner, founded this museum in 1994.The museum displays over 100 vehicles from its 25 galleries. The basement level is a vault dedicated to some of the rarest cars in history. This includes the 1939 Porsche 64; there are only two cars in the world of this model. However, it’s a non-profit museum. Consequently, the funds raised go towards automotive education and preserving history. 

Bishme Cromartie

Friday’s first show opened by Bishme Cromartie, a young designer from Baltimore, Maryland; his clothing line known for being  ​​” chic, edgy and unexpected fashion.” Above all, he is self-taught and designed his first collection at the young age of 16. Meanwhile, his exhibition at LAFW featured animal print pieces, including dresses, jumpsuits, pants, and skirts. Each piece contained many cutouts and slits, a trend commonly seen on social media. 

Naids Fashion

The second show of the night was Naids Fashion. This collection featured brightly colored patterned blazers, suits, and accessories. The face behind this collection is Oluwatosin Junaid; born in Nigeria, he has created a close relationship to his personal life and pieces. Junaid’s purpose is to share African culture with everyone who wears his clothing. As a result, there is a piece of himself in every item, along with his roots. Finally, the show closed off with Naids walking down the runway and received a large hand of applause for his hard work. He took one of the models by the arm, walked her down the runway, and returned to his seat. 

Laura Theiss

Laura Theiss showcased her collection, the third contemporary show of the night. Theiss was born in Lithuania and strives to create sustainable clothing. Her pieces are handmade by artisan women in Lithuania who knit every item, allowing them to work and keep their traditions alive. From a young age, Theiss herself learned to knit, an inspiration to create her own line. Consequently, the models were all women wearing knitted pieces, including dresses, pants, and skirts. At the show’s end, Theiss came out to bow for her presentation, followed by a joyous cheer from the crowd.

Greg Lauren

Finally, the closing show was Greg Lauren. Before the show, Lauren presented a contemporary dance choreography performed by a group of dancers wearing his line. Lauren is a designer/artist who explores “Identity, image development, aspiration, and the heroic figure,” he says. In addition, his clothing, made from repurposed materials. This includes military fabrics, field clothing, and used bags. Meanwhile, he has worked with ‘Alteration for Colette’ Installation. Therefore, a percentage of every purchase goes to wounded soldiers to help with their medical treatments and injuries. 

Meanwhile, celebrities like Usher, Chance the Rapper, Ray J, and Christie Valdiserri appeared at Saturday’s show sitting in the VIP section, front row. The designers provided complimentary gift bags to all A-List celebrities, models, and influencers in the VIP section. This year, LAFW was sponsored by Stella Artois, Fruit Smash, and Topochico, with stations indoors and out selling beverages to guests. Along with a photo section/ backdrop for pictures. The show took place on the third floor of the museum, an outdoor seating area. When entering the museum, LAFW enforced all COVID guidelines. This included wearing a mask indoors and proof of full vaccination to enter. At the entrance of the building, there was a red carpet entrance for all VIP guests. This was the end of the third LAFW night, contemporary show. Sunday night featured LA-style Streetwear, presented by four more designers.

Pretty Party

This year’s exclusive hair extension sponsor was Pretty Party, a company specializing in hair extensions and skincare. Pretty Party was founded in 2017 in Los Angeles by Laura Mayer. Mayer has a passion for travel, fashion, style, and the arts, which inspired her to create “exciting products to help make beautiful looks easy, fast, affordable, and fun—all the while consistent with the values and philosophies that I have come to embrace in my own life.”

The company is dedicated to high hair quality and always has a selection of the latest trends. Pretty Party’s goal is, “to provide people of every age, ethnicity, and lifestyle with fashionable, innovative designs and products that save time and money, promote health as an integral element of beauty, and create eye-catching, shareable looks.”  LAFW runway models and VIP guests were spotted wearing Pretty Party hair and the company’s signature Pretty Party Ponytails. This updo was the hottest hairstyle of the entire show. For more information on products, their mission, or becoming an ambassador visit: prettyparty.com