Bebe Inc. showed its high-end collection line Wednesday night at Los Angeles Fashion Week, the second time the mall-based retailer has thrown a runway show in front of an enthusiastic crowd that included Mischa Barton, the former “O.C.” star who is the current face of the company.
    Besides the glitterati, also in attendance were financial analysts Christine Chen of Pacific Growth Equities and Brean Murray, Carret’s Eric Beder, who both praised the exclusively black and white line — most of which does not end up in stores — while disagreeing over the value of such a show.
    Chen, who says the shows are a good way of brand building due to the press they generate, saw some wearable flowy gowns that could have broad cross-over appeal at Bebe’s stores. She said that the company could further exploit the strength of the collection by including more of such pieces in stores, where typical garments include sexy, body-conscious looks aimed at women in their 20s and 30s.

    Demand for Bebe’s trendy fashions have been high in recent months. The company saw a 15-percent rise in same-store sales in September, with a 12-percent rise in August and 10-percent in July. Wall Street expects the Brisbane, California-based company to report earnings of 21 cents in the first fiscal quarter, excluding items, a 31 percent rise over adjusted earnings of 16 cents in the year-ago period. The company reports quarterly results Wednesday, Oct. 25.
    The collection included plunging necklines offset with ruffled collars, silk “bubble”-type dresses and flowy but short tiered skirts in luxurious fabrics like organza and silk satin.
    But other dresses with voluminous fabric at the hips were too theatrical, and best to be avoided in stores, Chen said.
    “These guys are smart enough to know that those are the pieces that people will have to special order,” Chen said.
    Beder agreed that many gowns on the runway were stunning.
    With such a runway show, he said, Bebe may attract the notice of high-end shoppers who might not realize that the company is making pricier designer wear.
    “For the woman who shops in Beverly Hills, it gives you a reason to go into the Bebe stores,” Beder said. “It might open up their eyes to Bebe.”
    Still, Beder said he sees little positive trickle-down effect at retail from the show.
    “It doesn’t give you a real feel of what you’re going to see in Bebe,” Beder said. “It’s really not a commercial venture.” 

     Bebe has been nominated for a Marketing Excellence Award at the L.A. Fashion Awards that close out fashion week Friday night.