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The Connected Fashion Festival of 2012 was a huge hit for fashion lovers. It was hot and sunny in downtown Los Angeles, but that did not stop old and new clients from coming to celebrate and shopping at trendy vendors. There was exclusive clothing for great bargains, music and good food – a block party of sorts with great entertainment.

“Rebel for a cause” was the theme of this festival. Clothing line vendors and consumers alike wore hipster, edgy and funky apparel, as if to them, fashion had rebelled against the mass culture of apparel. This was an extraordinary contrast to classic American apparel such as the likes of Abercrombie & Fitch.

In addition, the fashion and the crowd exuded a liberating mood and represented the culture of Los Angeles. For example, the clothing line United Couture stated verbatim that their "fashion is based on the ‘Culture of Los Angeles’". Fashion line See You Monday stated, “our fashion line is Los Angeles apparel, our fashion is domestic and not imported, which makes our line unique.” Insight, whose line is an extension of an affiliate line from Sydney, Australia, stated,  "Our wear is mostly surfer inspired."

Samples sales are getting more popular by the season. Fashionistas have the option of going to these events, rather than going to the mall for fashion. The owner of See You Monday said the brand "caters to [its] customers and design with quality. Sample sales provide customers with exclusive fashion that may not be in season or at the mall. People are [increasingly] coming [these events] because the mall is overrated."

Are malls overrated? Some vendors do not feel that way, but consumers may think differently. One consumer, who was not pleased at the pricing of the clothing, asked, "why would I pay thirty dollars for a piece of fabric that cost thirty dollars to make? I’d rather pay thirty dollars for Calvin Klein."

Are sample sales the new rave or just another way of exploiting high price fashion to the public? It is up to the consumer to decide, but regardless, the Connected Fashion Festival was a huge success.

Email reporter Shonassee here.