On the global fashion stage L.A.’s cool factor is hot

Jeremy Scott is the new creative director at Moschino.

By Booth Moore, Los Angeles Times Fashion Critic

Nov. 10, 2013 7 AM PT

What’s the new black? You might say it’s L.A.

Jeremy Scott’s appointment as creative director for Italian fashion brand Moschino is the latest development to highlight L.A.’s growing cool factor on the global fashion stage, its place as the next-generation crossroads of celebrity, art and youth culture and its importance as a gateway to the Asian luxury market.

Scott’s new role, announced in late October, follows the 2011 appointment of L.A.-bred Humberto Leon and Carol Lim as creative directors of the Paris-based fashion brand Kenzo, which they have reinvented with a SoCal surf-and-skate spin, and the decision of Saint Laurent designer Hedi Slimane to base his studio here, where there is easy access to up-and-coming music style muses such as Sky Ferreira.

For years, the New York- and European-centered fashion industries mostly ignored Los Angeles, which was dogged by a reputation for being more a manufacturing town for down-market denim and T-shirts than a center for design creativity.

But all that has changed.

The rise of the celebrity-fashion connection, an increase in artisanally focused local luxury labels and the thriving art scene have made L.A. a bona fide destination on the style map.

The community has been embraced by Vogue magazine in particular, with a story in the September issue declaring Los Angeles the coolest city on the planet.

In recent days, designers from all over the world have touched down in L.A. to host glittery parties featuring celebrities photographed in the newest looks and to hobnob with stylists in advance of awards show season.

We’ve dedicated this issue to what’s become an annual designer invasion, profiling some of the stylish visitors and permanent residents too.