Society for Rational Dress

While we're on the subject of Los Angeles, we wanted to take a minute to talk about one of our very favorite newish LA brands, Society for Rational Dress.

There are three LA based brands that have in the past year or two have gained notable national exposure. One is Trovata, which won the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award for 2005. There's is an undeniably LA line, that combines laid-back beach bum with quirky, arty East LA hipster. There's Grey Ant whose steady growth culminated in an off-site at New York fashion week this fall. And then there's Society for Rational Dress, which is not quite as far along as these other two brands but has recently found itself in more boutiques outside of California and is our favorite of the three.

We like Society for Rational Dress simply because it's one of those few small, independent brands whose work is both different and good. Designer Corinne Grassini started the label in 2004 and since has produced clothing that's attractive, wearable but always has that bit of edge, whether it's in the fabric, fit or finish. If there's any one piece we come to associate the line with, it's the sexy, short dress of which Ms. Grassini seems to design three or four killer versions of every season. Click here to browse through their past and present collections.

Where to Buy

In Spring 2005, before we had heard of the brand we saw it hanging in Scout:

EVA in New York now has quite the extensive selection.

And Factory People in Austin added the line recently as well.

Click here for the complete stocklist.