The second annual Los Angeles Fashion Awards at the historic Orpheum Theatre downtown on Friday attracted a festive crowd of designers, retailers and members of the fashion community.
Designer Rozae Nichols, lauded for her elegant-yet-edgy designs, won the Moss Adams Fashion Innovator Award over nominees Juan Carlos Obando and Society for Rational Dress’ Corrine Grassini. “This award is really a reflection of the passion and talent of everyone in my factory,” Nichols said in her acceptance speech.
The three emerging designers staged runway shows as part of the event, which was sponsored by Saturn and Los Angeles magazine. Grey Ant’s Grant Krajecki, who was originally a fourth nominee in the category, had asked to be taken off the ballot.
Bridal and ready-to-wear designer Monique Lhuillier won the Wells Fargo Century Fashion Achievement Award. “There are so many designers out there…this kind of confirms all the hard work,” Lhuillier said.
The Marketing Excellence Award went to Collection Bebe. Other nominees were Joe’s Jeans, Kitson, l.a. Eyeworks and Quiksilver. Popular vintage stores Decades and Decades Two took home the Fashion Retailer Award over American Rag Cie, Kitson and Satine. “Thank you, you compulsive shoppers, you keep us in business,” said co-owner, style consultant and fashion writer Cameron Silver.
Arianne Phillips, the stylist and Academy Award-nominated costume designer, received the Fashion Communication Award. Phillips, who was filming in Santa Fe, N.M., said in a taped acceptance speech, “I love being able to introduce people — editors and fashion industry people — to our world and to some [Los Angeles] designers.”
Junior retailer Charlotte Russe received the Nasdaq California Apparel Stock of the Year Award. The Inspiration Award went to the fashion and arts collective Gen Art and was accepted by its West Coast regional director, Jennifer Egan.
Nominees and winners were chosen by the Los Angeles Fashion Award nominating committee, comprising local designers, retailers, media members and style arbiters.