Fabric Magazine

Meilinda Soerjoko

March 16, 2009

A rock and roll moto-chic crowd showed up for relative newcomer, Skin.Graft, for their LA Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2009 Collection. Designers Jonny Cota, Cassidy Haley and Katie Kay’s pulled their inspiration from “neo-Victorian royalty and overly tarnished motorcycles smashing into each other at high speeds.” In the design trio’s hands, this turned out to be exaggerated silhouettes with shoulder pads, fur, zippers and ornate detailing that went along with the embellishment trend. It was 80s rock all over again, but the tweaks on the classic motorcycle jacket with leather ruffles and a delicate collar was all their own.

The eveningwear was more dramatic. Framed open back detail and custom Victorian fur shoulders struck an elegant silhouette. Not to be forgotten, the men’s collection had equestrian references and a structured blazer with intricate details as well as slim-fit-made-for-riding pants were particularly stand-out. The crowd’s excitement built with the finale of the show: a black floor-length, off-the-shoulder ball gown with cascading leather . Not typical red-carpet fare, but may just put L.A. more seriously on the fashion map.

Fabric Magazine: Skingraft