Gen Art Shows Off It's Fresh New Face

Finally, an LA Fashion show worth attending. After shuttering 18 months ago, Gen Art returned with it's legendary Fresh Faces in Fashion Los Angeles show.  Hosted by Zoe Saldana at the former cathedral of St. Vibiana in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday night, the lineup for this year's show included We are Handsome, Dear Creatures, Odylyne, Chambers, 71 Stanton, Funktional, Stand and Deliver, as well as accessory lines Sticks and Stones, Iman Toloui, Plomo and Tomtom.  I wasn't sure what to expect since LA Fashion Week isn't exactly top of the list, but I was pleasantly surprised.  For me the standouts were Dear Creature and Fuktional. With their pretty, airy and laid back collections, they are perfect L.A. based labels. The standout accessory line was definitely the geometric designs of Tomtom, which were on display in the courtyard instead of the runway. Although We Are Handsome, Odylyne, and 71 Stanton had some great pieces, I wasn't excited about the collection overall.  My least favorite was Stand and Deliver. It was way too S&M/punk rock for my delicate taste. Plus, the staged make out session and guys brawl was more cringeworthy than entertaining.  After the show, instead of shooing guests away, the DJ and drinks continued late into the night.  Welcome back, Gen Art!  We missed you more than you know.

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Feeling Nostalgic about Gen Art

Dear Creature

Funktional

Feeling Nostalgic about Gen Art

As LA Fashion Week brings to close the final Fall/Winter 2011 presentations, I can't help but feel a little nostalgic about Gen Art's Fresh Faces in Fashion shows from years past. Since 1995, Gen Art has showcased and supported some of the best emerging talent in fashion through it's signature Fresh Faces in Fashion program. Last year Gen Art announced that is was filing for bankruptcy, but thankfully it's been recently relaunched under new leadership. According to the press release, Sandow Media acquired the beloved organization whose expertise in experiential and event marketing engages consumer audiences and aligns brands organically with emerging talent in film, fashion, music and art. In past years Zac Posen, Rebecca Taylor, Phillip Lim, Vena Cava, Twinkle, Geren Ford, Rory Beca, Rodarte and dozens of other influential designers have made their debut with Gen Art.

In September Gen Art plans to once again present their Fresh Faces in Fashion program with fashion's next rising stars. In the meantime, I've complied a few photos of famous Gen Art alumnus' Fresh Faces presentations which helped launch their careers.

Vena Cava at Gen Art 2005 (Credit: WWD)

Vena Cava at Gen Art 2005 (credit: WWD)

Zac Posen at Gen Art 2001 (credit: WWD)

More photos after the jump...