This 1960's Christian Dior dress was one of several pieces from
Cameron Silver's vintage collection.
(photo courtesy of BROWN + DUTCH PUBLIC RELATIONS, INC.)

Sustainability and elegance were the highlight of the Downtown Los Angeles Fashion Week Fashion Show "An Evening of 20th Century Glamour" held at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA last Thursday. Celebrities, including Nicole Richie and Marisa Tomei, and politicians, such as Councilwoman Jan Perry, turned out to show their support for one of Los Angeles' biggest fashion events.

The evening, presented by Los Angeles Magazine, featured vintage clothing from Cameron Silver's Los Angeles- and London-based boutiques, and Louis Verdad's new Louver Collection, showcased on mannequins, in photographs and on a continuously running video.

For the past five years Smashbox Studios in Culver City presented Los Angeles Fashion Week, which was a large corporate affair backed by IMG and Mercedes Benz. This year marks the first year Fashion Week has kicked off downtown, featuring a more independent spirit with venues all over the city.

Actress Rachel Griffiths of ABC's "Brothers and Sisters," who sits on the Director's Circle of MOCA's Design Council, hosted the evening and spoke of the importance of art and fashion in downtown Los Angeles.

"I just think the art scene here is very alive. I really believe if it's not the center of contemporary American art, it's the second center," said Griffiths. 

"It's a very vibrant, alive, crashing, street work meets more highbrow, meets architecture, meets design," she added. "It just feels like this is where it's at. It's in the warehouses of downtown, and this is where it's happening."

Griffiths, Rose McGowan, Garcelle Beauvais, Lisa Rinna and others strode the red carpet in vintage favorites from Silver's collection, including a red and black printed Sarmi tent dress and a gold-sequined and feathered Bill Blass concoction.

Silver is the owner of the vintage couture boutique, Decades, located in Los Angeles and London. The boutique showcases vintage pieces by Balenciaga, Chanel, Valentino, Nina Ricci and others he collects from around the world.

When asked about the pieces on view tonight, Silver spoke about their relevance in relation to environmentally conscious fashion.

"That's the nice thing about vintage, especially collectible vintage," Silver said. "It's about luxury and sustainability; it's a nice combo."

Inside, Kelly Lynch, Nicole Richie and Nicky Hilton mingled while guests sipped on cocktails and toured the photographs of Verdad's new collection. Some guests placed bids on handbags, jewelry and other auction items to raise money for MOCA.

Verdad's Louver Collection was featured separately from the runway show. It included vintage-inspired soft, flowing skirts and ruffled blouses that were highlighted in stunning 18-foot photographs shot by photographer August Bradley. The pictures were displayed alongside mannequins that sported modern urban black dresses and horned headbands. Details included metal- and jewel-studded dresses and collars, along with tight pants, black hoods and high-heeled boots.

A video installation, created by film director Robertino Fonseca, highlighting Verdad's collection ran on a loop on a large-screen television that could be viewed from the staged living room.

Councilwoman Perry, of the 9th District, which includes downtown, gave the opening remarks in support of Fashion Week, before the runway show began. She continues to play an integral part in helping MOCA remain open despite its financial shortcomings.

Mandarin orange, indigo and cerulean blue shone from the runway on a variety of evening dresses, belts, capelets and hats.  A violet sequined mermaid gown was a crowd pleaser, but the hit of the evening was the cherry red sequined 1960's Norman Norell cocktail dress that elicited shouts and whistles from the audience as the model strutted the runway to music from the Bee Gees.

Well-known fashion event producer and Downtown Los Angeles Fashion Week founder Leanna Lewis produced the show and kept the crowd swaying to a live cello and rock opera. The show ended with David Bowie's "Fashion" as the models returned for their encore.

Now it seems no one can dispute fashion has arrived to downtown Los Angeles.