RUNWAY REPORT: Louis Verdad's Spring/Summer '08 Collection

I felt like a kid in a candy store at Louis Verdad's Spring/Summer '08 show last night - and am still coming down off my sugar-high.

Part of the “Have Faith in L.A.” event presented by BOXeight, Verdad’s collection was a modernly fresh work-of-art, much like the graceful movements of the interpretive dancers who performed on the runway before the show.

Verdad (who has dressed celebrity clientele like Madonna and Jennifer Lopez), is known for his chic and detailed designs, and definitely didn't disappoint in debuting his new collection. His show was reminiscent of a perfectly orchestrated musical symphony that starts with a quiet drum beat, followed by the faint ting of the cymbal and smooth strums of guitar strings, finishing with a glorious, uplifiting blast of the trumpets. Verdad's collection grew in a much similar fashion - his designs debuting with muted colors and patterns, working their way up to the bold, silky sherbet hues of his evening wear. He opened the show with a smartly tailored menswear suit paired with a printed paisley collared shirt and blue tie. What followed was a plethora of clothing created from fresh, light and airy fabrics - comfortably classic.

Among the most notable of trends throughout his collection were the muted plaids, shift dresses in tiny, detailed patterns, and lots of horizontal stripes and chic cropped jackets. I especially loved his use of belts and bows worn high up on the waist, beautifully drawing attention to and accentuating this part of the female form. Another favorite trend was the front pockets incorporated into many of his dresses – a fabulously comfortable element I feel is too often under-utilized. His collection included slim cigarette pants with unexpected cargo pockets, high waisted pleated shorts and puffed sleeves on cropped jackets and blouses.

The fashion symphony increased the volume with 60s-inspired floral patterned shift dresses and blouses, and one of my personal favorites, a beautiful sheer blouse embellished with bronze “star bursts”, paired with a gorgeous pair of mint green trousers. Verdad also experimented with the necklines on his dresses and blouses, which included classic v-necks to turtlenecks; however the most daring was an asymmetrical off-the-shoulder cut on a fabulous plaid print mini-dress.

Verdad's evening dresses completed his glorious symphony as the models glided down the runway in floor-length, silky numbers. Each dress a different color of scrumptious flavors - delicious violets, mints and yellows. My favorite was a one-piece champagne colored jumpsuit with the heart-shaped bust line and high cinched waist…perfectly matched with the side-swept bun, this look was a throw back to the days of classic old-Hollywood glamour.

This is definitely a buzz I need to keep going…

www.louisverdad.com

To view a slide show of Louis Verdad’s collection, visit our myspace page at www.myspace.com/thefashionsource