Eric Richardson [Flickr]

At "Downtown At Dusk," the opening event for the Spring '09 Fashion Market

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — While offering a showcase of Spring fashions, an event at the California Market Center on Friday night also served to highlight Reveal Los Angeles...The Fashion and Design Event, coming Downtown in March of 2009.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was on hand Friday night to open "Downtown at Dusk," an invite-only event kicking off the five-day Spring '09 Fashion Market. Villaraigosa, who's been a frequent presence at fashion events, spoke of the importance the industry has for the City of Los Angeles.

The new Reveal event will be put on by IDG World Expos, which hosts 750 trade shows and events worldwide. The show marks the company's first foray into fashion. CEO Mary Dolaher spoke at Friday's event, giving details on the March show. Runway events will be held at LA Live, while exhibitions and shows will take place at the California Market Center.

The "Downtown at Dusk" event, held on the patio of the Market Center, also showcased some of the designers whose work is being sold in nearby showrooms. Market weeks, held five times a year in the Fashion District, are industry events targeted toward store buyers and determine what will end up on store shelves in the upcoming season.

Designers Robert Rodriguez, Nanette Lepore, Madison Marcus and Betsy Johnson took part in a runway show, while other designers had displays throughout the tent that hosted the event.