Pretty Things

Oh you pretty thing.  This weekend, fashion plastered LA in more ways than one.  Austin Young opened his exhibit, "Your Face Here" at pop tART Gallery.  The walls in the tiny space were covered  with 100 portraits shot over the past month.  I only knew a handful of the characters but there appeared to be a fair representation of the art, music, drag, gay, straight, old, hot and young scene.  It's a teastament to Austin's personality as an artist.  He embraces the entirety of the city.  As a photographer in his own right and as a member of Fallen Fruit, he's been making positive contributions to the city's image for some time now.

Up the Wilshire corridor, Concept LA kicked off Los Angeles' take on Fashion Week.  Mike Vensel is winning the spitting contest over which show represents L.A.'s designers.  It appears his attitude is to put  the emphasis on the clothes.  Imagine that!

When I can get the right access, I like covering fashion shows.  The creative environment backstage is electric.  Designers, hair and make-up artists are meticulous with each model.  They have to create at least 3 distinctive looks in one night.  Everyone manages to stay calm, models are kept moving from station to station.  Finally they arrive at the wall behind the runway where dressers put the clothes on, sometimes moments before they walk out.  I have great admiration for what they do.  Great thanks to all those professionals for their patience in letting me share their space to capture these moments.