It isn’t as well-promoted as it once was so you may not have noticed, but L.A. is currently in the midst of Fashion Week.  LAFW has been holding shows at Petersen Auto Museum this week, while a production company called The Society has been doing the same at DTLA locales including Union Station.

As we’ve written about many times before, Los Angeles simply does not have a cohesive Fashion Week to look forward to the way New York does, and it hasn’t since the days of Mercedes Benz-sponsored shows at Smashbox Studios in the early 2000’s. It’s a shame.

Though it may seem like a niche thing, Vegan Fashion Week seems to be offering L.A.’s most exciting series of events right now with some of the biggest names in fashion. Some might think it a trend, but the mindset behind it is anything but fad-ish. It is considered by those who are part of it to be an ethical movement and a way to express one’s self and look good while making the world a better place.

This season’s theme, “Fashion is Activism,” reinforces the idea, exploring the issues concerning ecology and climate change and how science, technology and legal practices can affect them. Taking place in the L.A. Fashion District, the week is centered around a “Vegan World” trade show featuring runway presentations, showroom visits, a vegan lounge, a vegan clothing swap and a “Future of Fashion” conference with designers, scientists, and policymakers discussing the industry and emerging alternatives. Notable designer participants include Manon Planche, Patric McDowell, Mayd in Chyna, Enda, Boy Kloves and Wasted L.A.

California Market Center, 110 East 9th St., downtown; Thu.-Tue., Oct. 10-15; $20-$120. veganfashionweek.org.

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