District L

The designers behind ROCHAMBEAU continue to uproot traditional notions of menswear, both figuratively and literally. Set with levitating trees over a ground of mulch, the Box at Lincoln Center exuded a dark, pagan-like obscurity. The shadows of this prophetic presentation established a suitable backdrop for the bad boys of last season to return.

Now older and wiser, the ROCHAMBEAU boys realize that a blissful homecoming is no longer within reach. Dressed in a casually deconstructed blazer, yet burdened with insight, this strong silent type wonders if he’ll ever recapture the happiness that once came with unawareness. Provoking invitees with leather finger-gloves and trimmed slouch hats, ROCHAMBEAU designers Laurence Chandler and Joshua Cooper delivered another high-impact collection for their ardently entrenched fans and followers.

Post by Amanda LaMela

It is a proven fact: Wearing the right clothes just feels better. And the ladies at Odd Molly’s showing made this quite apparent. This was one of the most engaging presentations that District L was fortunate enough to enjoy.

Models were strewn around The Box in various boudoir settings – and a few giggling girls were lounging by the bar. The looks combined hippy-esque knitwear with sassier lingerie-inspired pieces. The collection was that perfect mix of undone-chic, blending effortless comfort and sex appeal.

…And this was no time for PYTs to stand around looking bored. Models were bouncing on beds, throwing apples at each other, and even passing out roses. It was almost like being invited to a country cabin filled with the most beautiful people who took a bundle of afghans, sherpa pillows, oversized sweaters, and legwarmers to wear over their negligees. The Texan girl in me particularly fell for the poshly painted cowboy booties. I die.

Post by Madisen Walker

Images by Rachel Cuyler

In typical District L style, we'd perhaps open this post with a clever paragraph wherein we reminisce fondly about last week - what with all the rushing too and fro between venues, furious, finger-callusing live-tweeting, and countless moments of anticipation as the plastic was peeled back from the runway time and time again. We might even throw in an alcohol-related pun, hurl a barb at the sucky realities of returning to the daily grind, and spit some vitriol about people on the subway.

But the fact of the matter is that it's 10 PM on a Tuesday and we'd rather just jump straight to the LaPointe (sorry, had to) - here are our top 5 picks for best collections from NYFW A/W 2011:

1. Sally LaPointe

This one should come as no surprise - ever since attending the plucky designer's debut show last September, we've been staunch supporters of LaPointe's dark, alien aesthetic that resonates as simultaneously precise and effortless. Did her Fall collection climb straight out of the primordial ooze of a Roland Flexner print? Or did it reverse sublimate from thin air to monolithic vibrancy?

2. Bensoni

Gothic wedding vignette? How rad was that? The duo behind Bensoni is all about balance, taking inspiration from the past yet tempering it with forward thinking. Needless to say, they didn't disappoint for Fall. There was a hefty dose of 90's gloom and doom in their presentation this season, but taken to the next level with an infusion of minute detail and texture play that has become a contemporary design mainstay.

3. Mik Cire

Mik Cire's Eric Kim is an accomplished design professional, and his collection this season made that fact more evident than ever. Last Spring, Kim gave us slouchy asymmetricality in linen and jersey; this Fall, he presented crisp, sharp tailoring in leather and gabardine. A quality that we value most in a designer is something Kim possesses in spades - the ability to surprise and deliver the unexpected without allowing their trademark sensibilities to become lost.

4. Maisonette 1977

Designer Jane Ibrahim stirred something far down inside of us with her evocative Fall line for Maisonette 1977. Taking inspiration from Christopher Nolan's "Inception", she served as the architect behind a towering metropolis rising out of the ether of the subconscious. It was well-edited, modern, and to be quite honest it just had a certain je ne sais quoi about it that drew us in deeper, deeper, and deeper still.

5. NOMIA

Like Bensoni, NOMIA was another delightfully intimate affair in the Standard's Highline Room - a perfect setting for an enticing collection of sleek, geometric sportswear that can easily find a home in any closet (or bedroom floor, whatever). We have to give praise to lines like NOMIA that strike rest firmly in that hard-to-hit intersection of concept and accessibility. Like Madisen said, "[The Standard's] attuned blend of nature, urbanity, and notorious exhibitionism matched perfectly with the theme of NOMIA’s runway."

Post by Nicolas Sera-Leyva

After a spring of Seized Movement, Joaquin Trias took the opportunity this morning to articulate his definition – to “reaffirm the brand’s perspective on luxury.” The collection effectively provides this sense of luxury, with an emphasis on strength, perfection, and innovation, while still maintaining Joaquin’s feminine aesthetic.

The collection, aptly titled “Definition,” reflected the designer’s perspective through reinventing his signature looks -- architectural silhouettes, tech-inspired textures, and the ability to recreate natural movement.

Post by Amanda LaMela

Tomorrow begins the first “official” day of New York Fashion Week. And for those who haven’t partied too hard at the Pre-Fashion Week events and social media parties, the day will be starting early with some fresh-faced newbies.

At 9:30am, the two sisters from Porter Grey will be showing at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week for the first time. Filling The Box with crisp, elegant looks, the duo is proud to assure that all of their garments are designed and produced in New York.

Irina Shabayeva will also be making her Lincoln Center debut tomorrow. After falling in love with her previous off-site runway and celebrating her recent collaboration with INC, District L will finally get a moment to chat with the busy designer backstage before the show. At 9:00pm, Irina Shabayeva will be adorning The Studio with her collection inspired by fire and ice.

After the show, the DL will be heading to the Empire Rooftop for the Nolcha After-Party. After all, independent designers and retailers are our favorite people to have a drink for!

Post by Amanda LaMela

Rebecca Moses' model presentation on Thursday managed to be creative and light without the aftertaste of kitschy. The music was reminiscent of a French café, in the summer, while you are enjoying a glass of wine before noon subsidized by your tragically French boytoy of the moment.

The large faux books lining the walls made this true life fairytale, filled with cutely tailored mini skirt-suits and romantically draped dresses, all the more romantic. Lets just say if all books were this fun I would have spent more time in the library… actually reading… oppose to other fun things one can do in the library…… Merci Ms. Moses.

Post by Madisen Walker

Rebecca Minkoff, recognized mostly for her handbags and celebrity following, showed her SS/11 collection at the Box in Lincoln Center on Sunday afternoon. While outside it may have been raining, her indoor presentation was reminiscent of a summer romp on the beach. Expertly layered leather, along looser-fitting silhouettes, inspired a reckless-yet-apathetic aura among the models as they pouted towards the cameras.

"Uh, so...yeah, there's some juice in the fridge if you wanted any on your way out..."