Mikey Koffman: The Impresario of Los Angeles Fashion Week

Mikey Koffman is a woman whose distinct style is synonymous with her career path. While many may recognize the name from Showtime’s hit series, “The Real L Word,” the tattooed Angeleno first gained recognition a little over ten years ago, when she opened Sin Cycle and became the first woman to own a custom motorcycle shop in Long Beach. As her business began to grow, so did her career aspirations.

Koffman has produced a number of ad campaigns and runway shows, which ultimately led her to aid in the establishment of Los Angeles Fashion Week, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios in Culver City. In 2005 she opened The Gallery Los Angeles, a full service marketing and event planning company in downtown Los Angeles, with the intention “to help deliver a message to the world through fashion.” Subsequently, in 2008, after seven years at Smashbox Studios, Mercedes Benz concluded their final season of Los Angeles Fashion Week, at which point Koffman spearheaded a new initiative to establish Los Angeles Fashion Weekend at Gower Studios in Hollywood.

You're working with quite an impressive and varied list of designers, how

do you select who presents at LA Fashion Weekend at Sunset Gower Studios?

We scoured LA for the best and brightest designers to promote on a larger

platform. Many designers would love an opportunity to showcase at our event,

but we can only choose a certain number. I based my selection on the caliber

of craftsmanship, aesthetics of the collection and would the collection fit

with our production.

What is your planning period from booking the designers to actually

having the collections hit the runway?

It varies with each designer; some have been months and others in weeks. But

everyone must be present.

Despite all the glitz and glam, producing a fashion weekend is hard work

- what do you find is the most challenging aspect?

The most challenging part of it all is to meet MY own expectations. I always

want to make the show bigger and better than the last. But when you're

coming from such a successful event - it's often hard to top yourself.

What designers currently inspire you?

My sense of style is quite unpredictable and eclectic and I love designers

that embody those traits. I personally like Vivienne Westwood, Alexander

McQueen and Thierry Mugler. They always go outside the box and their designs

are unparalleled.

In your opinion, what is the biggest misconception about LA Fashion Week?

The biggest misconception of LA Fashion Week is that our event showcases

nothing but bikinis and flips flops. LA has large number of amazing

designers who need to be recognized. LAFW serves as a platform for these

talents to catapult their collections further into a larger fashion

marketplace and hopefully their designs make an imprint.

What are three things that you can't live without during the shows?

A walkie-talkie, a great assistant, and redbull.

What was the most challenging show you have ever produced?

Each show is different and as I previously stated it's a priority to make

each show better than the last. This upcoming show is certainly a great

challenge. But we have more hands on deck and all collectively working on

one goal which is to make an amazing and unforgettable show.

What was the most inspiring show you've ever produced?

The first one was the most inspiring because it motivated me to create even

more and that's what I'm doing now.

What is more annoying: seat poachers or people that show up with 4 plus

ones?

Both, seating charts are created for a reason, and let's not act hungry when

we RSVP.

What is your fashion week soundtrack?

I have a diverse taste in music and it's ever changing - I'll let you know

come the weekend!