The fashion insiders have access to collections, shows and VIP events that mere mortals only dream of. For the fashionistas, this access has many perks if you’re on your game and considered a VIP attendee, but for the novice of the fashion and entertainment business, the intimidation can be nerve-racking.
The Los Angeles Fall/Winter 2014 Fashion Week begins with a show attempting to imitate the famous Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York City. It’s a great attempt and seems to grow in attendees each season and designers such as Betsey Johnson, which was among the collections shown this season. But a lot of the fashion insiders that in the past would not dream to miss this particular venue are in recent seasons opting out. It seems this particular event is more interested in the celebrities attending then the legitimate editors, writers and stylist that actual work in the fashion business.
Concept LA, on the other hand, is exactly what an independent fashion production should be. The front rows of their fashion shows have the same staple editors, writer and stylist from Apparel New, WWD, WGSN and Cosmopolitan Magazine. This event is dedicated to the true fashion insiders and is invite-only, opposite to the previous where anyone can pay for the access. The Concept LA shows are only for the actual working individuals in the fashion and entertainment business. This show is known for showing the hottest independent designers from LA to internationally like the closing designer this season from Istanbul.
Hollywood is always going to have the “wannabes,” the “fake-it-to-make-it” crowd, but the truly successful individuals are usually the most understated and humble. Many outsiders to the business would not even know who the successful fashionistas are, and that’s exactly how it should be; the people that are actually doing the work do not have to flaunt themselves at the invite only events, to them it’s just another day at the office.