While there were a couple moments in Christian Audigier “American Lord” show that scored highly on the unintentional comedy scale, overall the line was coherent, cheeky, and very, very hip.

If you haven’t heard, the nineties are back. And how! Remember plaid? It’s back. Remember hole-y jeans and pleated skirts? Check and check. Big metallic peace-sign earrings? Saw ‘em (on staff, not the runway). Embroidered tattoo patterns? Audigier lives for them.

It must be a thing for details, because he also outdid himself on the showmanship. A live band played grunged-out classic rock covers, and the whole thing kicked off with two guys in British Royal Guard uniforms (or some variation thereof), dancing their little asses off, who were then joined by two models in skimpy black frocks and Converse, dancing *their* little asses off. And so the party began.

With the guards flanking the opening to the runway, a slew of models began a 20-minute procession which heavily featured tartan and American flags. There was some sort of commentary going on about the British-American empires. Something that looked a lot like a theory that Americans took British basic and made it cool. Of course, Audigier is French, so I might not know what I’m talking about.

Then again, Audigier had to know what he was talking about when he sent a long, lank, blond-haired model down the runway in a kelly green top hat to background music of “Don’t Come Around Here No More.”

He also had to know he was being cute when he sent two models down the runway with Great Danes, and when a bunch of kids came out at the end, hipped to the nines and mugging hard for the cameras. They were all pretty cute, I must say (dogs and kids alike), and the audience loved it. Like I said, the man can put on a show.

In one particularly cute (or ridiculous) moment, a tall, gorgeous, male model slunk to the end of the runway in a hoodie and jeans, with his hood up. He struck a pose, tossed back his hood, and… adjusted his fauxhawk. The moment was just a little too brief to feel intentional, but I couldn’t tell you for sure if it was actually a product of the model’s own vanity.

That is to say, while the show was good, it may have taken its tongue-in-cheekness a little too seriously. When Audigier himself stepped out to take a bow, bronzed, grinning ear to ear, a whole lotta silver confetti rained down, and the band played “Simply the Best.”

It was a little too self-indulgent for my taste. Still, you could do a lot worse than taking a look at American Lord Spring 09 and seeing, if not where fashion is going, at least where it is Right Now.

Tags: christian audigier, grunge, la fashion week, los angeles fashion week