The tagline for the Whitley Kros Fall 2008 Collection reads, “ Melanie Griffith in Working Girl travels through Berlin and Paris, listening to Nirvana.” It makes perfect sense when one half of the talented best friend designing two-some, Marissa Ribisi, is married to musician Beck.

Marissa and long time friend, Sophia Coloma, collaborated to create a fictitious character in Whitley Kros. The star studded crowd at the packed LA Fashion Week show was rocking in their seats as one colorful Whitley Kros ensemble after another danced down the runway. The Whitley Kros Fall 2008 Collection itself had more of a sophisticated fall 80’s feel than the 90’s music that went along with it, but with Beck in the DJ Booth no one could complain.

The Whitley Kros Fall 2008 Collection balanced out the usually drab moodiness of most fall lines with both polished stable pieces and fun, bright random (yet exciting) ones.

Whitley Kros presented a more sophisticated grey and black plaid wool blend in the form of high-waist (which seemed to be prevalent at LA Fashion Week) skirts paired with vibrant contrasting colored silk blouses. 

Also within this more subdued side of the collection, Whitley Kros paired off the shoulder, loose cardigan dresses with baggy pants instead of the typical tight leggings usually seen on the socialites of the LA Fashion Scene.

But, Whitley Kros would not be a show without some fun. The Fall 2008 Collection is no exception. For the sassier side of this fictional character, it was checkerboards, checkerboards, and even more checkerboard. The team, seemingly inspired by the Frankie Goes To Hollywood fashions of the 80’s, added a new spin to this fall’s black and whites by making it BOLD. Large versions of the black and white checks covered free flowing tops as well as form fitting dresses, just in case you need to rock the office water cooler.

Whitley Kros didn’t take the safe road and pair the bold checks with a basic, or even a solid color. They took a fun and effective chance matching it with other brilliant prints, and even white pants emblazed with a zebra across the crotch.

Models included America’s Next Top Model cycle nine second runner up Chantel Jones. But the highlight had to be Kirstie Alley’s little 13-year old daughter, Lillie, in her first runway show. Proud parent number two, Parker Stevenson, also looked on while snapping many photos.

For more information, please visit http://www.whitleykros.com

Photos courtesy of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week