Blackburn + Sweetzer Has Moved

Muse Paula Miranda and designer Rami Kashou

So, yes, there have already been a number of LA Fashion Week kick-offs around town, but last night marked Fashion Group International of LA’s kick-off to Downtown LA Fashion Week, held on the rooftop of the downtown Standard Hotel. Highlighting notable LA designers (including Rami Kashou, Trina Turk, James Galanos, Lloyd Klein, Randolph Duke, Sue Wong, who already presented her collection-slash-high-tea) with their muses in tow (Kathy Ireland, Dania Ramirez, Edyta Sliwinksa and others), and a performance by ANJULIE (which I missed to get to Agura), the event was dressed up but laid back.

I bumped into Gordana Gehlhausen, one of the designers on this season’s Project Runway, in a gray dress with obi belt of her own design: “I just made it today,” she said, then gesturing to her friend, “hers too!”

It was especially nice to see some of my fashion favorites—Petro Zillia designer Nony Tochterman in one of her electric blue jumpers, and Rami Kashou with gorgeous actress/model/muse Paula Miranda.

More designers, more muses…


Designer Nony Tochterman of Petro Zillia

Nick Verreos, middle, and his model muse, right

Actress/muse Dania Ramirez left and designer Ina Soltani right

Current season ‘Project Runway’ designer Gordana Gehlhausen, right