At long last, I’ve got all my look book picts and personal snaps loaded up. As L.A. market week heats up (ie, when all the editors and buyers descend on Tinseltown to get a sneak peek at and place their orders on designers’ latest offerings), here’s a quick look at the highlights from my recent tour through L.A.’s Cooper Building.   

First off, I visit my friend Carey at Belle. She is as lively and bright as her showroom space (decorated in black and pink hues, it’s both playful and sophisticated at once) and always has a number of up-and-coming designers. This season she debuts Nora Marcella, a newbie line from—get this—two Chicago-based 18 and 20-year old sisters, Nora and Marcella Volini. Simple ’60s-style dresses is the name of their game, and the girls put a focus details: A white a-line shift comes adorned with bright red buttons while a swiss-dot blouse looks all the sweeter when trimmed with baby-blue lace.

Nora Marcella

Another sister duo are behind the Vanessa Barrantes line. For fall, Vanessa and her sister Jacky tried their hand—quite successfully I might add—at smock dresses and darling scallop-collar dresses.

Vanessa Barrantes

Also at Belle is Dace, a line from Canadian designer, Dace Moore. Now in her second season of being sold in the U.S., Moore continues to perfect the girlish shapes her clients seek out: Jaunty bubble skirts, elongated cardigans, cropped coats, and the like

Dace

Photos by Shannon Mendes

Located just down the hallway, Riot Showroom also boasts an impressive collection of up-and-coming designers. Vanessa tours me through the new Boudoir by Diyasa line, which is chock full of whimsical jewelry, patterned cocktail frocks, and knit vests. (Think Marc by Marc meets Rebecca Taylor.)

Boudoir

Further down the racks sit Wayf’s latest pieces. Now in her second season, the 19-year old designer, Meredith Anne Fisher whipped up another batch of tempting shift dresses. (With their flattering A-line cuts in sophisticated silks, who wouldn’t want to wear them?)

Wayf

Next to Wayf was Harlow’s fall line. First making their name on fashion-focused novelty tees (“Save Rochas,” and a Kate Moss tee being the most popular) designers Megan George and Michelle Wenke expand into a full-fledged ready-to-wear line. The duo cannily crafted tent-dresses out of polo-shirt fabric (that’s cotton pique to you material girls) and gave the basic white tee a fresh spin by stitching a black, bustier-like piece on top. (Hmm. Check out my previous post of Kova & T. Seems this t-shirt corset combo is a burgeoning trend in the sportswear circle.)

Harlow 

Also on view was Jenny Jen, the label from Paris based designer Jenny Jarmoune. For fall, Jarmoune was all about pleated silk shirt-dresses, ribbon-sash skirts, and breezy shifts. Effortless elegance is clearly her M.O.—no surprise considering she formerly designed at Chloe. And for all you trend-spotters, check out her crested jacket. Remniscent of Balenciaga this season, no?

Jenny Jen 

Photos by Alexandre Vazart

Last but not least, I sussed out the latest pieces from UK cult label, Cassette. Among the many slim-fitting pants and edgy, body-conscious knits, Cassette’s crisp black cape—capes being one of the top trend items for fall—stood out to me. x S.C.

Cassette

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