Petro Zillia Spring 2008 Collection - That Disco Feeling | Splash Magazines

Mercedes-Benz’s Los Angeles Fashion Week came to a close Thursday night with the much anticipated Spring 2008 collection from the funky, L.A.-based Petro Zillia. Fashion Week in Los Angeles has always faced criticism for failing to live up to New York-sized expectations, but recently, the show has drawn larger names and more street cred.

So it seems only appropriate that the closing show pay tribute to the quietly thriving culture that is shaping a fashion name for Los Angeles. Nony Tochterman, the designer behind the label, found inspiration from the streets of L.A. In fact, Tochterman titled her collection “So L.A.,” and provided WWD with an original poem to compliment the show.

“So L.A.

Hot sun…Rodeo

Fun…So L.A.

Pretty chicks…

Puffy lips…So L.A.

The colony rules…

Sunset hues…P.Z.

Muse…So L.A.

Couture for sure…

The golden door…

So L.A.”

And nothing screams L.A. more than an A-list celebutant occupying a prime photo-op front row seat at your show. Not only did Petro Zillia manage to pull one of the most celebrity-studded crowds of the whole week, including actress Amber Tamblyn and rocker-daughter Kimberly Stewart, but before the show, the designer herself escorted a Ms. Paris Hilton down the runway to her seat.

Hilton, a long-time Petro Zillia fan (she was wearing a PZ jacket the day she left prison), wore a custom gown from the designer’s new collection, a deep teal, pleated frock with a twist-tie halter neckline.

The show followed suit, as models entered the stage wearing brightly colored dresses, pant suits, and shorts in shiny satin and free-flowing frills. Each look was accessorized with oversized gold-and-plastic hoop earrings, metallic gold platform heels or knee-high Roman sandals, and fake Afro-puff ponytails. Not so L.A., much more ‘70s disco.

Multiple layers of tiered chiffon conveyed movement and grace in salmon and cherry red with inverted halter necklines, and in a one-strap canary yellow version. Short satin tunic and tank minis came in royal purple, tangerine, hot pink and aqua.

A strapless lemon yellow short-suit featured a bow tied across the bust and delicate, high-waisted pleating. Soft cuffs at the hem of the shorts gave the outfit an elegance that would have otherwise been missed.

Longer gowns in juicy jewel tones would make a chic statement at any event, formal or otherwise. A rich eggplant full-length gown ballooned out and then cinched in at the ankles. The gown boasted thick straps, a gathered neckline, and a gold waist-belt that peeked out from beneath the fabric.

A closer look at the models’ porcelain faces dusted with peachy rouge and adorned with dark, fake lashes, and it felt like they were playing dress up. At least they were having a good time. And that is what Tochterman was aiming for: enjoying life while looking effortlessly flawless. Now that is so L.A.