Partyhopper

I wish more L.A. designers would take their cue from Gregory Parkinson. I'm not even talking about his romantic designs--although some could learn a thing or two from him in that department--I'm talking about the very civilized way in which he showed his new fall collection. There was no waiting for a show to start, no worrying about tripping over someone's Manolos on the way to your seat, and no waiting in long lines for your car after it was all over. Instead, Parkinson dispensed with the whole catwalk-and-models idea and went for a garden party.

L.A. Bureau Chief Glynis Costin and designer Gregory Parkinson

Actress Shiva Rose graciously opened up her Brentwood garden for the event, and she looked like a modern day Daisy Buchanon in a sunhat and a floaty floral Parkinson dress. "I love Gregory," our hostess gushed. "He’s so talented and he’s a great person." Mannequins adorned in Parkinson's fanciful creations stood watch along the edge of a garden while fashionable guests like Brooke Shields and designer Jenni Kayne milled about sipping champagne, munching on mini quiches and oohing and ahhing over the clothes. The cool thing about showing this way is that everyone could really interact with the clothes and inspect them from all angles.

Glynis and Associate Editor Karen Levy take a hands-on approach to viewing the collection

"I do love the fabrics this season," Parkinson admitted to me. "They’re from all over, Switzerland, Italy, some are vintage." I told him they looked like one-of-a-kind outfits as opposed to those that could be easily reproduced. "That’s the idea," he smiled. "I’m aiming for a one-of-a-kind look." His clothes might not be one-of-a-kind, but his fans all agree that Gregory definitely is.--Glynis Costin