Narcissist Magazine

Where the F$#k is the LA Fashion Community???

Close-up of a person holding ornate jewelry with colorful details near their mouth, showcasing a playful interaction.

LA IS LONELY AF…WHERE ARE YOU???

So, I’ve been a loner most of my life — not in a sad girl way, more in a “I observe from thrones, not tables” way. Velvet detachment. Watching humanity like a bored angel smoking in a corner.

But apparently my spirit guides are over the mysterious recluse era. They keep chanting: “Stop lurking. Build the cult.”

So I did what any ascended being does when summoned — I doomscrolled.

I saw a girl talking about a fashion watch party. I liked her energy. Later found out she was the sister of one of the founders of 8th Floor Studios. Divine algorithm at work.

And then I thought: Why doesn’t LA have an actual fashion community?

Is it because this city is so spread out? Narcissist is out by the westside while everything else happens in Hollywood or DTLA. Or — and let’s be honest — is it because everyone here has a massive fucking ego and refuses to show up to anything unless someone follows them first? Nobody wants to be seen supporting unless they’re guaranteed to be worshipped.

Either way, I said fuck it…I’ll go first.

So I pulled up.

Downtown LA. Cracked pavement, flickering neon, on the corner I see Ill Cafe . I walked around and immediately went up to these kawaii girls who looked like they just came out of Fruits magazine.

Two screens blasting runway shows, one inside Il Caffé, one outside like a cigarette break cinema. That’s where I met Skee, one of the founders of 8th Floor Studios. Kind. Bold. Brave enough to answer my questions on the spot.

He didn’t know it yet — but I had just decided LA would have a fashion community.

Much love to the community, thanks for posing for us!

Indoor gathering with a projection screen showing a fashion event. Audience sitting and watching the screen, with a lively atmosphere and dim lighting.
Two women posing together at night, one wearing a colorful bear-themed sweater and striped leggings, the other in a leather jacket and plaid skirt, both holding cards that read 'Narcissist'.
A group of four men posing together at an event, each holding a card that reads 'NARCISSIST'. They are dressed in stylish, dark clothing and appear to be enjoying the occasion.
Two stylish individuals posing together outside a fashion event, with neon signs in the background.

Interview with Eight Floor Studios

Narcissist: What is Eight Floor Studios and what do you bring to the fashion community here in LA?

Eight Floor Studios: We’re an experimental design collective creating community driven fashion experiences. We bring a fresh approach to LA fashion: moving beyond superficial networking to build genuine creative collaboration.

Narcissist: Why host watch parties? How did the ILLCafe collaboration happen?

Eight Floor Studios: Watch parties are trending globally, but instead of waiting for New York or Europe to bring them to LA, we’re setting our own standard. We partnered with ILL Cafe because we’re neighbors (we’re on the eighth floor above them) and they already host community events. It’s a natural collaboration that benefits everyone.

Narcissist: What needs to change in LA fashion?

Eight Floor Studios: People need to drop their egos and actually participate. Everyone says LA culture is dying, but who’s doing something about it? We want people to feel their opinions matter. We’re creating interactive experiences: curated playlists of underground music, QR codes for real time feedback, spaces where suggestions become action. No more empty networking, just real involvement.

Narcissist: Should fashion reflect our chaotic world or distract from it?

Eight Floor Studios: Fashion should reflect it. Everyone’s creative output mirrors their personal world. Fashion is how we present ourselves daily. It’s not escapism, it’s expression.

Narcissist: Is fashion guilty of selling illusions?

Eight Floor Studios: Fashion can strip away illusions if you approach it right. Our watch parties challenge the typical LA party scene. Instead of just showing up for the scene, we’re creating genuine interaction. We’re setting a new standard for how fashion communities actually connect.

Narcissist: When life feels unstable, is fashion comfort or chaos?

Eight Floor Studios: Fashion is always comfort. You get dressed every day regardless of how you feel. What you wear represents you. It’s not just clothes, it’s how you choose to face the world.

Narcissist: If the world’s waking up to hidden truths, how should fashion respond?

Eight Floor Studios: Put everything on the table. Bring every idea forward because you never know what will resonate. We’re creating spaces where every opinion matters. The loudest message will represent everyone’s collective input.

Narcissist: Narcissist stands for freedom of expression. What does that mean to you?

Eight Floor Studios: It means being yourself without fear of judgment. Express who you are 24/7: the same person in the mirror as in the world. People see through facades anyway, so just be real from the start.

Three individuals laughing and posing for the camera at an event, holding cards labeled 'NARCISSIST'. The first person on the left has sunglasses and a card over their mouth, while the others smile and hold their cards up.
Four stylish individuals posing together at a vibrant event, showcasing unique fashion choices in a lively atmosphere.
A person sitting on a bench in an urban setting, wearing a patterned jacket, white pants, and a black-and-white hat, holding a drink and a tote bag with a graphic design.
A group of six individuals posing together in a dimly lit urban setting, showcasing a mix of fashion styles, with some members seated and others standing.
A person with colorful accessories and a pink sweater with a bear design smiles while holding items near their face against an urban backdrop.
A crowded street scene at night featuring a diverse group of people. Some individuals are wearing stylish outfits while engaged in conversation, with a vibrant atmosphere accentuated by string lights and neon signs.

THE VERDICT

I stumbled onto this TikTok event and it exceeded all expectations. The vibe was authentic, the people were real, and I ended up being interviewed by Eight Floor Studios about where fashion stands today.

Here’s what became crystal clear: Fashion needs radical change. We’re living in an inverted world where genuine self expression and community building are seen as threats to the system. The matrix thrives on our isolation. It fears our connection. When we find each other, find purpose, find real human interaction, the system crumbles. Our collective power is what wins.

The industry desperately needs more female leaders who understand that fashion is political and creativity doesn’t require ego battles. When I looked around that room, the most innovative voices were women who’d been marginalized by the current system. This imbalance isn’t accidental. It’s by design.

The people I met proved change is possible. Designers that still create in this mad industry. Fashion lovers who love fashion but refuse to play the game. No hierarchies. Just creativity and community.

LA deserves its own identity built on these principles. Not a copy of New York. Not waiting for Europe’s approval. Our own thing, with all voices at the table.

Starting is everything. This event proved that.

Check out these fits!

Outdoor fashion watch party scene in Downtown LA with attendees sitting on chairs, a large screen displaying a runway show, and city lights illuminating the street at night.
A man and a woman pose together outdoors at night, with the woman wearing a red leather jacket and a black skirt, while the man is dressed in a striped shirt and green jacket.
A person holding a black card labeled 'NARCISSIST' and smiling, wearing a gray sleeveless shirt and colorful accessories, with a vibrant urban backdrop at night.
A person stands confidently in front of a doorway, wearing a vibrant, patterned outfit with a peplum top and a form-fitting skirt. They have long hair and are accessorized with a red beret, showcasing a stylish and bold look.
A woman in a black leather skirt and jacket holds a drink, standing next to a man in a black outfit. They are outdoors at night, with soft lights in the background.
A person standing in a stylish outfit with a shimmering top and loose pants, holding a decorative item, in an elegant indoor setting.
A young woman wearing a white oversized shirt and black tie poses with a man in dark sunglasses and a black jacket at a social gathering, with plants and dim lighting in the background.
A person wearing a sleek black outfit stands near an access door, showcasing stylish accessories and a confident pose.
A person in a black sleeveless dress poses playfully with a card that reads 'NARCISSIST', sticking out their tongue in a lively setting.
A person standing on the street at night, wearing a gray blazer, blue shirt, and wide-legged jeans, paired with a cap and glasses.
Four individuals posing together outdoors at night, holding cards that read 'NARCISSIST.' They are dressed in stylish, fashionable attire, with urban street elements visible in the background.
A lively street scene at night with people gathered near a pop-up pizza event at Il Caffé, decorated with string lights and neon signs in the background.

Much love to everyone we met and who posed for us!!!

WORDS: Kimberly Mortensen

PHOTOS: Ashley Retzer

kbeejm

, ,

Discover more from Narcissist Magazine

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading