Max Azria, Fred Segal and Juan Carlos Obando Among the Winners of the 2007 LA Fashion Awards Presented by SATURN

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa opened the 2007 Los Angeles Fashion Awards at the Orpheum Theatre on Friday night by acknowledging the global influence of the Los Angeles fashion industry and its contributions to the Southern California economy as the leading manufacturing employer in the region. He also recognized the fashion community as one of the key business sectors that comprise the creative identity of LA, and though its "art" doesn't hang on walls in museums, it inspires, instigates and communicates nonetheless. He credited the hundreds of fashion industry leaders in attendance and in the surrounding Fashion District with Los Angeles' growing reputation as an undisputed international capital of fashion. Following his remarks he joined his daughter in the audience to watch the awards ceremony in its entirety. The Mayor was also spotted hobnobbing with the fashion elite at the official after party at Mode, co-hosted by the Los Angeles Times.

The seven Award presentations were interspersed with twenty video vignettes providing refreshing back-story on all of the nominees and honorees, and five fashion presentations on the runway featuring capsule collections from several Moss Adams Fashion Innovator nominees including Juan Carlos Obando, Jasmin Shokrian and Rami Kashou, plus a finale presentation by BCBGMAXAZRIA. The evening's first look at fashion was a collective presentation of key looks from the Supima Denim Designer of the Year nominees, which was the first award presentation of the night.

Winners of the 2007 LA FASHION AWARDS:
MAFI (MOSS ADAMS FASHION INNOVATOR) AWARD
Winner: Juan Carlos Obando
Accepting the Award: Juan Carlos Obando
Presenter: Rob Greenspan, managing director, Moss Adams LLP
(nominees included Jasmin Shokrian, Rami Kashou & Thomas Wylde)

SUPIMA DENIM DESIGNER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Winner: J Brand
Accepting the Award: Susie Crippen & Jeff Rudes
Presenter: Mark Werts, founder & CEO, American Rag Cie & World Denim Bar
(nominees included GoldSign, 7 for All Mankind, Oligo Tissew, Paige
Premium)

MARKETING EXCELLENCE AWARD
Winner: GUESS by Marciano
Accepting the Award: Tarina Tarantino in the absence of Paul Marciano
Presenter: Jewelry and accessories designer Tarina Tarantino
(nominees included BCBG MAX AZRIA, L.A. Eyeworks, Kitson)

FASHION RETAILER OF THE YEAR AWARD:
Winner: Fred Segal
Accepting the Award: Sharon Segal
Presenter: 2006 Fashion Retailer of the Year co-winner Christos Garkinos

WELLS FARGO CENTURY FASHION ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Winner: MAX AZRIA, BCBGMAXAZRIAGROUP
Accepting the Award: Max Azria & Lubov Azria
Presenter: Kevin Sullivan, EVP Wells Fargo Century

FASHION COMMUNICATIONS AWARD
Winner: DailyCandy
Accepting the Award: Crystal Meers, LA Editor
Presenter: Rose Apodaca, editor, style writer and co-owner A R

INSPIRATION AWARD
Winner: "Project Runway"
Accepting the Award: Rich Bye, Michael Rucker (Magical Elves) & Jane Cha
(Full Pic)
Presenters: E Entertainment style expert Amanda Luttrell Garrigus, with
Nick Verreos, designer of the Nikolaki collection and Project Runway season
2 alumnus

Saturn is the presenting title sponsor of the LA Fashion Awards. Los Angeles Times IMAGE leads the slate of Official Media Sponsors, as the co-host of several VIP receptions leading up to the Awards, and the official VIP after party at Mode, a very new (soon-to-open) fashion-themed downtown dining establishment from Tony Jones and the creators of Royale on Wilshire. The Times joins Los Angeles magazine, Flaunt Magazine, California Apparel News, NASDAQ, NPA Wildposting and LA.com among others. The accounting firm Moss Adams LLP is the founding sponsor of the LA Fashion Awards and an Award Level sponsor rewarding Innovation. Wells Fargo Century and Supima also participate with Award Level recognition for Fashion Achievement and Denim Design, respectively. Platinum Level providers include Design Tonic, WGSN and Marketwire. The Standard Hollywood is the Official Hotel of the LA Fashion Awards. Absolut 100 vodka had a starring role at the cocktail reception, where top LA restaurants -- including Tiara Café, Pane e Vino, Cobras & Matadors, An Catering by Crustacean and Royale on Wilshire -- provided delicious hors d'oeuvres, as did NatureSweet D'Vines, the super sweet tomatoes now at fine grocery stores. Hint Essence Water provided re-hydration refreshments. Modmix Beverages organic cocktail mixers were featured alongside Absolut 100 at the Mode after party.

Visionary contributors in several fields provided select services to make this program possible. Music design by Daisy O'Dell, Artist in Residence for the LA Fashion Awards. Floral design by Krislyn. Letterpress by Traction Press, and commercial printing by Clear Image. PR courtesy of Much and House Public Relations and Evolutionary Media Group. Smashbox Cosmetics, KMS California, Kinerase, Arran Aromatics, Royal Treatment Limousines, the Los Angeles Fashion District BID, and the Orpheum Theatre provide special services and support. Several fashion and business not-for-profit membership organizations, including the California Fashion Association (CFA), Fashion Business Incorporated (FBI), Fashion Group International of Los Angeles (FGI-LA), LA Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) and the World Trade Center Association endorse the event. More than 40 West Coast fashion experts (top fashion editors, retailers, stylists and designers) comprise the Nominating Committee, making recommendations to the ballot and also casting the votes that determine the winners, nominees and honorees. The Scottish Fashion Awards are special friends of the LA Fashion Awards, with a creative cultural exchange program established in 2006. Luxury goods retailer Vivre.com, Award winning American Apparel, eBoost energy drink mix and accessories maker Tattooed Steel, also participate in the production. For additional event information, please visit www.LAFashionAwards.com .