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Paris Hilton helps close L.A. Fashion Week

Who better to add some spice to Petro Zillia’s closing show of bright, sassy dresses at L.A. Fashion Week than ultimate L.A. girl Paris Hilton? It all was, like the show’s name, “So L.A.”Light bulbs flashed and necks swiveled when Hilton sashayed down the runway Thursday night to her front-row seat at Smashbox Studios’ main tent arm-in-arm with the label’s designer, Nony Tochterman.Hil
/ Source: The Associated Press

Who better to add some spice to Petro Zillia’s closing show of bright, sassy dresses at L.A. Fashion Week than ultimate L.A. girl Paris Hilton? It all was, like the show’s name, “So L.A.”

Light bulbs flashed and necks swiveled when Hilton sashayed down the runway Thursday night to her front-row seat at Smashbox Studios’ main tent arm-in-arm with the label’s designer, Nony Tochterman.

Hilton, wearing a Petro Zillia midnight blue satin jumpsuit, had missed her sister Nicky’s spring Chick collection earlier in the week.

“I’ve been shooting a film in Toronto for two months,” Hilton told The Associated Press, adding that she had arrived in town the night before for Spike TV’s Scream Awards and to see Petro Zillia’s “great collection.”

The last time Tochterman showed at L.A. Fashion Week was two years ago. Last year, the L.A.-based designer opened her first store, soaking in the trendy street styles of women in the area.

Thursday’s collection triumphantly reflected that influence, with block colors as bright and California fresh as Tochterman’s pink hair, and dresses either skimming the thigh or swept low to the ground.

“This season is all inspired by the L.A. girl, the fearless girl into fashion,” Tochterman told The AP in a phone interview. “I love the dress trend. Putting on a dress and running out of the house and looking like you didn’t try too hard. The girls here don’t know the rules our parents used to follow. They wear what they like.”

That confidence reigned on the catwalk, where models sporting fake Afro-puff ponytails and huge heart-shaped earrings strutted in gold knee-high Roman boots or gold platform heels, playing up a fun ’70s feel.

The line showcased silk ruffled dresses, either short in coral or floor-length in red. There were off-the-shoulder sheer gowns in orange silk and hot pink chiffon, accented by a trailing scarf.

A gold rayon knitted vest stretched to the ankle. It was saucily cinched in front and left open to reveal matching, high-waisted gold underwear.

One standout greeted by clapping and cheers was a gorgeous floor-length teal wrap dress with delicate folds of chiffon worthy of any starlet prepping for the awards show season.

Silk and satin jumpers, in line with trends in New York and Milan, came in bright yellow and fuchsia. Belted shorts and flowing wide-legged pants were paired with metallic knitted tops.

Only a daring woman would don the see-through black dress with enormous gold-edged flowers shown at the collection’s end. Then again, the gown brought a zesty finish to Mercedes-Benz L.A. Fashion Week.

The week’s 34 shows included designers Sue Wong, Randolph Duke, Christian Audigier, Kevan Hall, Jeremy Scott, Heatherette and Monarchy Collection, which presented its looks on a catwalk of green grass.

“When I lived in New York, I felt New York was the only place where I could get inspired in the streets. Now the mentality, the culture, is all changing,” noted Tochterman. “The fashion and culture is so inspiring here.”