The Next Generation

(LOS ANGELES) The pristine courtyard of the Chateau Marmont made for an elegant afternoon setting on Friday as notable guests including Mary-Kate Olsen, Diane Kruger, Eva Mendes, Jessica Alba, Camilla Belle, M.I.A., Russell Simmons, Amber Heard, Lily Collins, Jordana Brewster, Kirsty Hume, Jamie Tisch, Pamela Skaist-Levy, Gela Nash-Taylor, Shiva Rose, Shirin Von Wulffen, Dianna Agron, Jacqui Getty, Gia Coppola, Rosetta Getty, Tracee Ellis Ross, Terri Seymour,  Liberty Ross and Jeremy Scott turned out for an intimate group fashion show featuring the ten CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalists, hosted by Frederic Fekkai, Lisa Love and Sally Singer. 

Perched front row alongside a smattering of A-list actresses, Love blinked back a tear or two and shielded her eyes in a pair of oversized shades, an accent to her Juan Carlos Obando dress--a salute to one of last year's CFDA finalists. "I actually started crying because I think of the designers as my children, and we go on this road trip every year. The original one we did five years ago was at the Chateau, so returning here and having Frederic host made me a little emotional!" she laughed. "You root for them all and they're all so amazing...the process is very, very hard," said the editor. 

As innovative new designs and high-fashion Fekkai-styled hairdos (led by stylist Renato Campora) sailed down the runway, designer Simon Spurr of his line Spurr reflected. "The biggest excitement is to meet the other contestants and build camaraderie," he said. "Truthfully, we all feel like winners, and I'm sure there will be some great collaborations coming out of this. I just saw Russell Simmons take a few pictures of my line, which is amazing. You never know!"

All smiles, Simmons commented, "The people here are a breath of fresh air! It's not like New York, where everything needs to be dulled down. L.A. is always a little bit brighter and it's nice to see that expression on the runway."

Following the fashion show, guests filtered into the historic hotel for an afternoon tea featuring delights like lobster potato rolls, cucumber sandwiches, Parisian macarons and lemon tarts and raved about the new talent. "I really loved how diverse the clothes were. I think L.A. is becoming more of a hub now," Belle offered. "Rodarte came from L.A. and I think that's a good representation of the talent we have. The fact that they brought this fashion show here says something."

Sharing in her sentiment, Mendes gushed, "L.A. is my home and I was so inspired by the show. I think it's very important to support the new, the young, the up and coming," the actress commented. "And ohmigod, the clothes! I want to go find out if I can get that tribal-print dress with the red belt like right now!"
JENNIFER CHAN