Soaring with style

Apr 25, 2007 at 12:00 am

If I needed an image to perfectly portray what I think of Los Angeles, this would be it.

A designer named "King Jeremy the Wicked" reigns on the cover of L.A. Weekly's recent fashion issue. Sitting on a fur chair, Jeremy Scott's wearing fluorescent green pants patterned with black rotary telephone receivers and a black sweatshirt with that stupid smiley face's brains blown out. He's got a buzz cut and a rat's tail. But the worst thing he's wearing is the pout of a petulant child.

Fashion, you know, says a lot about a town. And Detroit, according to clothes we wear, is timeless, yet a little rough around the edges. It also doesn't take itself too seriously.

That's why a photo shoot about a 50-foot woman who takes on Detroit, referencing a 1958 film about a wealthy woman who "grows up," seemed campy and fun. But the more we thought about it, our giantess was emblematic of a few local designers who are big stars in our book — Eugenia Paul, Wound Menswear and Chain Chain Chain. There aren't that many designers in town. Unfortunately, there are even fewer independent boutiques. But those who are around are really good, not just at designing Detroit, but defining it.

In Wendy Case's article, Sarah Lapinski of locally founded Wound sizes up the city pretty well when she says, "Nobody wants to look like they're trying, but they're all trying. And they all look good." —Rebecca Mazzei, arts and culture editor

 

Diary of a stylish metamorphosis
by Christina Kallery

Our big fashion story sizes up summer looks.

Fashion that walks the line
by Lisa M. Collins

Eugenia Paul goes for vintage with a twist.

In stitches
by Wendy Case

"The Sarahs" make it in Detroit.

Precious metal
by Christina Kallery

Regina Pruss works on the chain.

Moosejaw grows up
by Michael Jackman

What I learned from this summer catalog.

Rebecca Mazzei is Metro Times arts and culture editor. Send comments to [email protected]