LOS ANGELES, Apr 3, 2003/ FWD/ --- An Imitation of Christ show on April Fools' Day. Anyone familiar with the antics of the irreverent fashion house (last summer's impromptu presentation outside the Dior couture show, the editor/model role reversal show in the fall of 2001) would've been foolish NOT to expect a prank to be pulled at its LA Fashion Week presentation held poolside at the Avalon hotel Tuesday afternoon.

But the big joke might have been that there wasn't one. In fact, I.O.C has never in their three-year history appeared more serious. There was still a fair share of re-worked dresses (the pink and obnoxiously sequined kind you'd wear to prom in 1985) and ill-fitting menswear (tan suits that might appeal to cheesy private eyes), but the majority of the fall 2003 collection was entirely wearable and completely practical. In other words: retail friendly.

For the first time, the creative coalition behind the label -- a revolving team headed up by Tara Subkoff -- presented a line-up of new (as opposed to recycled) looks. There were jersey ballet dresses, polite Audrey Hepburn-esque cocktail pieces, clean A-line leather pinafores, and elegant sweatshirt capes all shown in a sober color palette of gunmetal, dove gray, cream and navy. It was simple, cool clothing, ideal for label-cognizant shoppers who have always pined for some I.O.C in their wardrobe. Celebrities like Reese Witherspoon and Mena Suvari, who are already big fans, sat front-row alongside Anjelica Huston, Sheryl Crowe, China Chow, and Owen Wilson.

Though it was more-or-less the same collection shown in New York last February in a chilly riding ring at Pier 63, Subkoff and her crew included a series of original bathing-suits -- sultry, deep-V one-pieces and pink, tutu-embellished numbers -- for their West Coast presentation. "They're made for LA," said Subkoff backstage, explaining the summery attire's place in a fall collection, "with the idea of old Hollywood glamour in mind." And to properly show off the swimsuits, the team enlisted LA Synchro -- a pre-teen synchronized swimming troupe, blue eye shadow and all -- to give the clothes all the kitschy theater expected at an I.O.C show.

Imitation of Christ

Imitation of Christ

Imitation of Christ

Imitation of Christ

Imitation of Christ

Imitation of Christ

Imitation of Christ