Patricia Field by David Dalrymple: Evolution
By Mari Davis
Photos by: FW
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LOS ANGELES, Nov 2, 2003/ FW/ --- Last Wednesday night in Culver City, at the Smashbox Fashion Week Los Angeles, the raucous cousin of Mercedes Benz Shows LA,
Patricia Field by David Dalrymple showed its Spring 2004 collection to a full house.
There were no empty seats; with the standing room only area also filled to capacity. Paula Abdul (photo at left) and Mimi Rodgers were literally mobbed by photographers and fans trying to get their photos and autographs, respectively.
“It’s nice to see a familiar face,” Patricia Field told FW, when she went out to check out the crowd before the show started.
It was hard to read to expression on the face of the famed designer and costume designer for HBO’s Sex & The City as she surveyed the crowd. The house lights were turned off and the only illumination were the word “Evolution” projected on the walls, advertising the sound system for the show.
As it turned out, “Evolution” could easily have been the title of the show, because Patricia Field’s Spring 2004 collection is a new take on the fashion house’s free-spirited style.
Known for its funky and kitschy designs, the House of Field, which was renamed Patricia Field last year was established in 1966 as part of the youth quake movement.
With a very loyal clientele, the House of Field’s boutique at 10 E. 8th Street in New York is an internationally known shopping-institution for all those with a propensity towards glittery nightlife garb.
Last December, the legendary Greenwich Village store was closed, and Patricia Field consolidated all her merchandise at her new SoHo location, Hotel Venus.
The label has attained cult status through the years. This season is the first time that Patricia Field has brought her collection in Los Angeles.
For Spring 2004, David Dalrymple who has been designing for House of Field for the past few years changed the direction of the label a bit.
While retaining its free-spirited style and its penchant for evening wear, Dalrymple introduced daywear in the form of mini skirts, pedal pushers and jeans.
Body hugging shirts, sometimes masquerading as a bustier, one-shoulder blouses, and low V-neck tops completed the ensemble.
He also introduced swimsuits from bikinis to one-piece suits that looked like bloomers.
And for the first time, menswear was shown to the public.
Eveningwear was vintage Patricia Field – glittery, head turning and almost risqué. A pair of transparent one-piece harem pants inspired eveningwear and a very revealing mid-calf gown made of threads were the memorable pieces in the line-up.
The crowd loved the whole collection. David Dalrymple (photo at left) received a standing ovation when he came out to take his bow at the end of the show.
Must have next season from this collection – the clear plastic booties. They match can be matched with anything and everywhere. Also a great protection from the spring rain.
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