Kevan Hall’s swooningly beautiful Spring 2006 collection
Jenny Peters

LOS ANGELES—There are moments in life when you really wish your trust fund had just kicked in; Sunday night at Kevan Hall’s sublime show of his Spring 2006 collection was definitely one of them.
Launching the Mercedes-Benz Spring 2006 Los Angeles Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios in Culver City, Hall set the bar so high that others showing this week will be hard-pressed to come even close to competing with his gorgeous spring collection. And, rarest of rare, by the end of the show, Hall had evoked the desire to own not one, not two, but virtually every single gown he presented.
The show (delayed for 40 minutes, the annoying side of the fashion beat) began with headphones, as Koss joined forces with the designer to showcase their latest sound. So everyone popped them on, including front-row fans Kristen Chenoweth (who wore one of his beautiful white gowns to the Emmys last month), Kimberly Elise, Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon, Lisa Rinna, and a very pregnant and consequently very va-voom Joely Fisher, who’ll have to hold off until she has her baby to wear Kevan’s designs. Good thing she’s due by Spring 2006!
Then the ocean sounds began, along with water motifs played against the walls, and Kevan Hall launched his show, a tribute to his “muse who visits the Lost City of Atlantis.” In Hall’s words, he’s using “the natural beauty of the coral reefs, sea kelp, and delicate sea creatures” for inspiration to make “fluid gowns, pearl encrusted separates, and washed brocades.”
First out were ladylike oyster- and sand-hued linen skirt suits encrusted with abalone and peals, a bit too Jackie O., really, but once those were past the heart of the show began, a string of gowns that repeatedly evoked gasps, cheers and applause from the swooning audience.
An ocean-blue bias silk matelasse halter gown was amazing, as was a similar look in sea green. Hall’s deep black evening dress with low scoop neck and diamond lace insets was incredibly striking, and cut to flatter most bodies, slim on top and more forgiving as the skirt flared out.
That silhouette seems to be Kevan Hall’s favourite, as he uses beautiful embellishments on the bodice – there were pearls, crystals, sea glass beads, and other dazzling details on most of the gowns – and pairs them with softly sweeping skirts, some constructed and others softly swirling, using chiffon, satin, or taffeta to slightly shift the look.
Hall’s use of colour is also incredible, with soft pastels and bold pinks, blues, and greens creating spectacular looks that any self-respecting fashionista would be proud to wear on the most competitive red carpet.