Membership is blooming in Los Angeles. Of the 40 designers inducted into the Council of Fashion Designers of America this year, 10 are from L.A., bringing the total number of Angelenos to more than 70 out of 500-plus members. 

On Thursday morning, more than 40 gathered for a West Coast membership meeting inside Irene Neuwirth’s exquisite boutique on Melrose Place. Among the attendees: Peter Cohen, Rosetta Getty, John Whitledge, Juan Carlos Obando, George Esquivel, Sophie Buhai, and Greg Chait.

CFDA President and CEO Steven Kolb, Executive Vice President Lisa Smilor, and several other CFDA executives led the meeting.

“Seeing everyone here shows us how L.A. fashion is also important,” said RVN designer Ted Kim. “We feel very supported.”

This being the left coast, a distinct casual vibe permeated the morning affair, with the group gathering in the kitchen to enjoy coffee, croissants, and financiers garnished with gold leaf.

New York transplants Brian Wolk and Claude Morais looked forward to meeting with other designers in their new hometown, while Monique Lhuillier chatted with Shaun Kearney.

Among the hot topics discussed: the benefits of local resources as well as the challenges of raising fashion awareness in a town that’s dominated by the entertainment and technology industries.

As Jasmin Shokrian, one of the 2016 inductees, explained, “We all really feel there is an opportunity to create more of a close-knit community here.”