CALI STYLE In typical L.A. fashion, Culver City, Calif. took its own turn with the catwalks, hosting the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios March 16–20.
THE CLOTHESHORSES It wasn't about who sat front and center at the West Coast shows (though Tori Spelling, Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon, Lisa Rinna, Jewel and Michael Keaton were stage-side fixtures); it was more about who was in the spotlight after hours, including Mena Suvari, Mischa Barton, Chris Kattan, Amber Valletta, Cindy Crawford, Jessica Alba, Drea de Matteo, Nicky Hilton and Debbie Harry.
MODEL BEHAVIOR Though designer Nony Tochterman of Petro Zillia employed the choreographing talents of Paula Abdul to start her show, it was the events taking place away from Smashbox that received the most buzz. Among them, the Walk of Style gala, honoring photographers Herb Ritts and Mario Testino, which closed the curtain on L.A.'s week that was supposed to be all about the clothes.

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