Oftentimes, L.A designers can get a bad rap. But Kimberly Ovitz is quickly proving that there's more to the left coast than denim and sun-tans. After stints as an intern at the Chanel ateliers in Paris and also with J. Crew, the young Ovitz (spawn of legendary Michael, of course) launched her eponymous line in spring 2008. And while her resume is impressive—not everyone gets the chance to put in time with Karl—so is her line. There's an austere, no-frills vibe at work here, seen in riffs on equestrian staples like jodhpur pants and corset belts. But it's also her beautifully luxed-up basics like slouchy tunics and updated hostess sheaths that show she's not just another cool-girl designer with a Google-able last name. For fall the Ovitz mood remains true to Ovitz's androgynous aesthetic, and offers up slightly more mature cuts and concepts—pieces that will no doubt translate no matter what coast you happen to be on.
