LA Fashion Week is in full swing and my friend Raquel Allegra is showing her Spring ’09 Collection this Sunday, Oct. 19 at Box Eight. From the invitation alone, her new pieces look gorgeous. She has been transforming LA county jail rags into riches for a while now; turning them into beautiful, lacy and super soft tanks, t-shirts, tunics, dresses and scarves. I’ve always loved the concept of recycling, taking something on its last thread and giving it another life of wear and tear, and Raquel’s execution is superb. The proof is in the pudding: I own one and adore it! And… of course, want more.

Watch a video of Raquel’s design process after the jump, minus the shredding secret, sadly…