BRITTANI HAMM | staff writer
WITH AP SOURCES

Lights dim and everything goes black. Seconds later techno-pop music fills the main tent at Smashbox Studios in Culver City and spotlights shine on the models as they sashay past pink and black tires on the catwalk.

Modeling the new spring collection by celebrated designer Heatherette, Sophia Faszer first appears in a flowing violet satin dress with hot pink trim and a plunging neckline, then later in a form-fitting, beaded blue dress characterized by a patriotic, chiffon hem just above the knee.

“The show was just amazing,” Faszer said. “All of the shoes were gigantic platforms.”

Mercedes-Benz fashion week included Heatherette among the 34 shows that highlighted new trends for spring 2008. With platform heels, bright colors and flowing dresses, designers’ spring collections continue the revival of the vibrant mood of the seventies.

“I didn’t even know about fashion week,” sophomore business major Brittany Fjugstad said.

Typically, APU students were not aware that one of the biggest events in the fashion industry was being held from Sunday, Oct. 14 through Thursday, Oct. 18 in such close proximity to Azusa. For those students who are now moderately upset that they were unaware of L.A. fashion week and are desperately yearning for information, Petro Zillia designer, Nony Tochterman, sheds some insight regarding the trends of spring 2008.

“This season is all inspired by the L.A. girl, the fearless girl into fashion,” Tochterman said. “I love the dress trend: putting on a dress and running out of the house and looking like you didn’t try too hard.”

The week’s designers also included Sue Wong, Randolph Duke, Christian Audigier, Kevan Hall, Petro Zillia, Jeremy Scott and Monarchy Collection, which presented its looks on a catwalk of green grass.

Among the numerous other major designers, Nicky Hilton showcased her spring ‘Chick by Nicky Hilton’ collection while her parents showed their support, sitting in the front row.

“It’s very cute, very girly, very feminine. It’s very reflective of the L.A. lifestyle: laid-back, casual,” Hilton said. “Nicholai is definitely for the mature, sophisticated customer, whereas Chick is just fun pieces.”

The Mercedes-Benz fashion week website described models strutting down the catwalk, seen in fake hairpieces such as Afro-puff ponytails and strait bangs, as well as huge heart-shaped earrings, gold knee-high Roman boots or gold platform heels. Additionally, silk ruffled dresses and off-the-shoulder gowns were accompanied by long scarves. Brightly colored silk jumpers imitated the trends spotted in both New York and Milan.

Finally, metallic knitted tops, were repeatedly paired with belted shorts and wide-legged pants.

Richie Rich and Traver Rains, the designers behind Heatherette, described the vision for their spring collection, “Route 66: California or Bust.”

“It’s pretty, flirty dresses out of like beautiful chiffon printed kind of madness we came up with,” Rich said. “Kinda like rubber bumper hot-roddish razzmatazz going on.”

“There’s some red, white and blue stuff going on, a little Americana,” Rains said.

Silky dresses swung freely, while combinations of lace, sequins and beads weighed down slim-fitting gowns.

Men, too, were clad in sequins and lace when models smeared with black paint sported tiny shorts and shirts covered in lace and sequins.

A few playful pieces were included, such as the empire-waist dress distinguished by about six satin beach balls.

“Everything backstage was so hectic,” Faszer said. “Hair and make-up was going every single second up until the first girl walked on, [even though] they were still fixing her clothing.”