Bright metallic denim was tucked into boots while short-sleeved, wildly patterned dresses (my favorites in this line) were worn over sheer tights and of-the-moment wedges. Other staples included fluffy, floor-length sweaters and plaid jackets. It was obvious this designer had a vision where rules were not to be followed and creativity couldn't afford to be harnessed. This show drew several celebrities, including Paula Abdul, Hero's Hayden Panettiere, who sat front and center with her mother, just a few seats away from one of my favorite childhood stars, Danica Mckellar (aka Winnie Cooper from The Wonder Years).
Nigeriam-born head designer Kristopher Enuke originally coined the Oligo Tissew label to mean "fine cloth," and the LA-raised, English-educated mastermind allows California cool and British eccentricity to emerge in his designs.
Leading Australian make-up artist Napoleon Perdis and his team of Oxford Academy experts unveiled a striking fusion of urban and asian influences upon the faces of the models, namely "butterfly wing" lashes, a symbolic image known for its transformation qualities. This line was bright and original and added a sassy urban flavor to my day of fashion. I admired the designer's unique edge and ability to transform easy-to-wear pieces into bona fide high-fashion.
Although comfort is very important to me when it comes to clothing, I always feel a little too comfortable to be fashionable when I'm wearing things like leggings and long sweaters; This collection managed to revamp these easy-to-wear pieces by smartly accessorizing and letting its signature style show through. I walked away from this show with a renewed love of both color and comfort, prompting a promise to myself to take the leap and buy patterned leggings, already silencing the voice that's telling me that I'll get so much more use out of the black ones...
photos courtesy of Getty Images and Dalit Saad
