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No movies played at the Kim Sing Theatre just north of Chinatown last Friday but the place buzzed as Willard Ford and John Brady (below) toasted fashion designers. The duo, who opened their FordBrady furniture showroom last year, have added clothing to the mix. 722 Figueroa is both the address and name of the new enterprise, which is as green-minded as the first showroom.

Huffer founder Steve Dunstan, who flew in from New Zealand, sat down at a sewing machine to make denim gift bags that were handed out that night. Dunstan said he plans to open a boutique on Melrose this fall.
Footwear pioneer Pierre Andre Senizergues, standing next to a suit made from used audiotape and skater tees from his CPAS line of “recycled, re-tasked and re-imagined” menswear, said, “It’s about innovation and starting something new.” Other lines the showroom represents include Harveys, Ludwig, Rivi, and Ruby Republic. “We hope to stay with these brands and grow with them,” Ford said, dressed in a black-and-white checkered top by Ludwig.

“Does this mean you’re going to quit your day job?” I asked Juan Carlos Obando yesterday. He burst out laughing. “That’s what everyone wants to know,” he said, “from Anna Wintour on down.” The L.A. designer, who works by day as a corporate creative director, was among 10 Americans nominated this week for a CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award, an annual contest whose top three winners get cash prizes. (All the nominees get business guidance from a panel of big fashion companies, plus a ton of attention.) Irene Neuwirth, a prolific jewelry designer based in Venice, was the other local nominee. Past award-winners have included the L.A. companies Trovata and Rodarte. Juicy Couture, which was founded here and now belongs to the Liz Claiborne empire, is one of the awards’ benefactors. We’ll be rooting for JC and Irene this November, when winners are announced in New York.