Funky Heatherette road trip hits L.A.

By SANDY COHEN, AP Entertainment Writer Tue Oct 16, 1:06 PM ET

CULVER CITY, Calif. - Richie Rich and Traver Rains have a vision of America — and it's got little to do with mom, baseball and apple pie.

The designers behind Heatherette brought their funky all-American road trip from New York to L.A. Fashion Week, putting on "Route 66: California or Bust," a whimsical collection of bedazzled Speedo-style swim trunks, dresses dripping with lace, sequins and fringe and swingy skirts in bold graphic prints.

Here's how the design duo described the line in a rapid-fire minute backstage before the show Monday:

Rich: "It's pretty, flirty dresses out of like beautiful chiffon printed kind of madness we came up with."

Rains: "There's some red, white and blue stuff going on, a little Americana."

Rich: "Kinda like rubber bumper hot-roddish razzmatazz going on."

Rains: "Sexy swimwear, too. Some cute pieces."

Rich: "We like sexy."

Adding to the sexy factor was former porn star Jenna Jameson, who opened the show wearing a retro-style two-piece swimsuit with a beaded empire waist.

Men's swimwear was decidedly skimpier. Tattooed models smeared with black paint sported tiny trunks adorned with sequins, appliqués and beaded fringe. One man wore crocheted black lace shorts sprinkled with sparkles. Men's shirts also got the sequin-and-fringe treatment, including one design trimmed with netting and daisy rickrack.

Dresses were silky and swingy in green graphic prints and purple Pucci-esque swirls. One solid violet stunner had a full skirt, narrow waist and plunging V-neck accented with hot pink trim.

Gowns were slim-fitting and super-embellished. Each corset-inspired creation sported an assortment of lace, beads, sequins, appliqués or fringe. One blue beaded number was finished with an American flag-printed chiffon hem. A pink zip-front crocheted confection was decorated with feathers. A strapless sequined mini-gown was covered with ribbon roses and finished with fringe.

Then there were dresses that were just plain playful, like the empire-waist lace gown lifted by impossible layers of tulle and a hoop-skirt dress that supported half a dozen satin beach balls.

The collection, which followed on the heels of their New York fashion show, fits with the "lighthearted" vibe at Mercedes-Benz L.A. Fashion Week, Rich said.

"We love L.A.," he said. "It's the entertainment capital of the world and we just wanted to be a part of it and ... continue the madness."

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On the Net:

http://www.heatherette.com/