Amanda Crew, Mary Elizabeth Winstead with the Azrias - P 2015
BFA/Courtesy of BCBG Max Azria GroupOn Thursday, the fashion crowd flocked to the Culver City arts district for the presentation of the BCBG Max Azria and Herve Leger resort 2016 collections. Upon entering the Samuel Freeman Gallery, guests were invited to a sun-soaked space where they enjoyed cocktails, bites and tunes by DJ Lady Sha.
Unlike the brands’ past resort presentations, which have usually only included look books, designer and chief creative officer of BCBG Max Azria Group Lubov Azria wanted to show the collections in an art gallery in L.A., the city all about “art, music, cinema, great people and of course, the weather.”
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“L.A. is my home and I love L.A. I think it’s the new hub for culture. I think people come here to celebrate and find themselves,” an energetic Azria, who swayed around in a flowy white dress as she mingled with guests, told Pret-a-Reporter. “And I want to bring people together. I want to have more events here. We’re in fashion — we create couture and people should know about it.”
Given that the show was held in the entertainment capital of the world, there was definitely no shortage of star power at the packed event.
Mercy Street‘s Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Silicon Valley‘s Amanda Crew were seen enjoying bubbly before the show, while the Fresh Off the Boat‘s Constance Wu met with Max Azria, chairman and CEO of BCBG Max Azria.
FROM LEFT: Kelly Rowland, Serayah and Constance Wu.
“Tonight is the first night meeting him,” Wu said with a smile, adding, “It’s actually my first time going to anything fashion-related.” As a fan of the brand, the actress recalled the times in college when she was in a bad mood and “would go to the Westchester mall and buy myself a BCBG dress on credit.”
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Also in attendance was singer ZZ Ward, who arrived in her signature black hat and an all-white Herve Leger top and skirt.
“For me, it’s all about being able to wear something and really wow people on stage, off stage. So many things I end up wearing are BCBG. [On] my single cover I’m wearing a BCBG jumpsuit,” said the musician, referencing her Love 3X cover, in which she’s seen in a red cut-out ensemble. “It just always makes me feel really empowered and sexy and powerful.”
That was certainly the vibe as models strutted through the runway in delicate lace dresses with luxe leather jackets, patterned pieces (think stripes, layers of textures and intricate detailing) and drop-crotch pants from the BCBG Max Azria runway line. Meanwhile, the Herve Leger pre-spring 2016 collection continued to embrace its famous bandage dresses — this time with a slight twist, with pieces featuring studs, beads and fringe. And the skin-revealing swimsuits (body-con edition) showcased were not for the faint of heart.
After the show, Empire‘s Serayah was so in awe by the pieces that she hopes she’ll be able to wear some of the looks on Fox’s hit drama this upcoming season.
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“Yeah I mean, I hope so. I hope they pull something from the runway line. That would be amazing because [there’s been] so much thought put into them,” said the singer-actress, clad in a plum jumpsuit.
The support from the front row — Kelly Rowland, Victoria Justice, Annet Mahendru and Dania Ramirez included — couldn’t be denied during the event. Asked why the L.A.-based brands continue to have so many celeb fans, Azria said: “I think it’s how we relate together. People don’t want to invest in you if they don’t like you. And I think it’s our friendship, how we collaborate, how we connect, how we admire each other. I think it’s so much more than just clothes.”
BCBG BABES: Models in looks from the BCBG Max Azria pre-spring 2016 runway collection.
HAUTE IN HERVE LEGER: Models in looks from the Herve Leger pre-spring 2016 collection.
