District L

Who would have guessed that I would find my latest and greatest style inspiration dangerously close to the city of Orlando? No, I'm not talking about a tourist's sartorial perspective of Disney or Miami's sorry excuse for a "Fashion Week." But sometimes the best of what's ahead can be spotted while looking back - in a box of old photographs on my grandmother's coffee table.

My grandmother, Veronica, saved every Polaroid she ever shook and every digital she ever took. As a result, her ever-evolving, yet consistently sophisticated wardrobe has been well-documented throughout the decades.

Veronica Wolfe learned the power of pout as a child, sporting it like a young Sofia Loren. Here she is in 1947, exuding the potential of a little starlet.

Claire McCardell, the influential designer responsible for "The American Look," modernized the popular A-lined silhouette at the brink of the social revolution. My grandmother donned these playfully elegant skirts throughout her teen years in the mid-1950s.

Around 1959, fashion-forward ladies had completely relaxed the shape of their skirts. The image below shows Veronica Wolfe, soon to become Veronica Quinn, as she's draped in a breezy look on the beach with my grandfather.

One might assume that it would be difficult for an expecting woman to keep her look au-courant during the Twiggy-era. Regardless, and much like Anna Wintour, a young Mrs. Quinn effortlessly dresses her baby bump in fresh, mod fashions.

Both graceful and revolutionary, the tastemakers of my grandmother's generation took an active role in the evolution of what we know as fashion today. And thanks to forward-thinking, speculative individuals like her, an intriguing lifetime of style is now immortalized for generations to come.

Post by Amanda LaMela

While one might considered this snowpacolypse “the most wonderful time of the year,” we realize that fashion week is just over a month away! Luckily, we have some tasty Pre-Fall collections to tickle our taste buds until the glory daze of Lincoln Center are upon us once again.

BCBG Max Azria managed to capture District L's attention this season. Their collection was inspired by Guy Bourdin's photography, both literally and figuratively. Creating pieces that were both feminine and colorful while being sensually conservative, Max Azria evoked a similar Blair Waldorf-Chuck Bass juxtaposition.

We can’t decide if it is better for art to imitate fashion or fashion to imitate art.
As long as the outcome is as picturesque as this pre-fall collection, either arrangement is acceptable with us -- as long as the runway shows and gallery openings alike still provide us with a sufficient amount of champagne, of course.

Post by Madisen Walker

Photography © Copyright 2010 Rachel A. Cuyler 2010 All rights reserved

Dear Santa,

All of us at District L know we earned our spot on The Naughty List. Late nights, exuberant spending, inappropriate language... Yeah, we get the deal. But before you stop reading, we'd like to assure you that the following requests are not for us. [How selfless, right?!]

For Margaret on the 6 Train:

Margaret was looking forward to reading Lick Me: How I Became Cherry Vanilla over the holiday break, until she heard she was sharing a flight home with her judgmental Aunt Kelly from Somers. Also, Margaret hasn't quite figured out that He's Just Not That Into Her because she's always reading self-help books on public transportation. Please save her with a Kindle 3 -- And no skimping on the leather DVF case.

For Becca from Accounting:

Poor Becca is more of a night person. It's Monday morning, her eyes are still a bit blurry, and her ability to match has been rendered inadequate. Her button-down blouse could have used some ironing, and she doesn't even realize this until her third cup of coffee. Nothing about her morning attire ever says "effortless." What Becca really needs is a versatile dress in a wrinkle-resistant fabric - a single article of clothing to minimize her AM decision-making process. Santa, please send Becca one of Lois Eastlund's latest creations, so she can look chic and pulled together pre-Starbucks.

For Pete from Advertising:

Pete is an idea guy, but unfortunately, those two semesters in Amsterdam really did a number on his short-term memory. He needs to jot down those bouts of ingenious in a notebook that looks more Rick Moody than Harriet the Spy. Please add a Vernakular memo book to his Christmas list. He'll appreciate the independent photo design and the ability to always find a pen.

And before you start stuffing our stockings with coal, don't think we forgot about all the champagne you drank last year. That wasn't for you, Santa. We left that out by accident.

Always Fabulous,

District L

Carine Roitfeld shocked the industry by announcing her departure from French Vogue this morning. After 10 years as editor, the waif-like, candid Parisian admits, "I have no plan at all."

With killer heels and a nearly shadowless silhouette, young Carine got her start by modeling. Roitfeld began appearing in the pages of magazines like French Elle when she was 18-years old. Her evolution from model to muse was effortless, eventually becoming the consultant to Tom Ford at Gucci and Yves Saint-Laurent.

Maintaining that French Vogue would ultimately impede her creativity, it's assumed she might return to her a-muse-ing ways. Olivier Zahm is already set to publish her biography by Fall 2011, which will undoubtedly result in additional media reaction.

We're hoping a migration to New York? Diddy already took that last train to Paris, but we're sure she'll make it out in time.

Post by Amanda LaMela

Kirill is still here.

Style.com consults Tommy Ton, Refinery29 checks in with Mr. Newton, but District L frequently turns to Kirill Bitchutsky to satisfy our street-style fix. Every night, the libertine party photographer attends whichever event has the highest PYT-per-capita – and without a preconceived plan or intention, he captures the fleeting, ever-evolving essence that is New York street fashion.

As I perused his recent archives, I noticed a rising trend that is better exemplified in a collection of images. No, I’m not going to sit here and reveal that “hats are in.” Come on, we’re better than that. What’s worth mentioning is the attitude and application of this conspicuous accessory. During the S/S 2010 shows, fedoras were still going strong on the runway -- but in just a year, they were rendered the trashy companion to Ed Hardy t-shirts and tribal tats.

The look is now becoming rounder and bolder. Porkpie hats, bowlers, and gaucho toppers have become the accessories of choice. Maybe it’s a sign? As another Depression-era adornment fades back into insignificance, the smarter and more assertive looks continue to reign.

Post by Amanda LaMela

Images by KirillWasHere

My, how things change over the course of a year. Here’s a fun fact: District L’s first post in 2010 reassured readers that we had not yet succumbed to the Twittersphere. Well, guess what? Now we have. So you better be following us.

In the dawn of 2010, the DL founders were preparing to reunite for another glitterati-packed Fashion Week. The unofficial kickoff took place at the Crosby Street Hotel. We braved the apocalyptic snowstorm for a rewarding and sophisticated presentation by Geren Ford.

Our excitement quickly turned to shock and sadness when news of Alexander McQueen’s suicide broke the following morning, the first unofficial day of New York Fashion Week. Confusion and solemnity fell over the tents. The shows went on, but not without somber speculation and mourning over the fashion community’s tragic loss.

As the Bryant Park tents buzzed for the last time, the DL duo made sure to return to old favorites like Georges Chakra and Farah Angsana. Other tent favorites included Richard Chai, Twinkle by Wenlan, and Brian Reyes. Heading off-site, Nick experienced some primal behavior at Catherine Malandrino and Irina Shabayeva.

March was consumed by the Great Editor Switch of 2010 – Single-letter glossies received even more publicity than usual as Stefano Tonchi became W’s new man. Sally Singer, former Voguette, swooped in to take his empty desk at T Magazine.

As spring melted into summer, June presented us with Sidewalk Catwalk – a collective fashion display that included creations from designers like Maria Cornejo, Prabal Gurung, and John Bartlett. Situated between Herald and Times Square, the stylish outdoor display stood defiantly among dowdy tourists until Labor Day.

And before we knew it, Fashion Week returned – this time in its new Lincoln Center location. We were initially apprehensive about our move uptown. It seemed inconvenient and unnatural to leave our home in Bryant Park. Fortunately, our concerns quickly vanished on the first day as Verrier’s picture-perfect presentation lit up The Box. As the week got busier, District L called in for reinforcements. The fabulous Madisen Walker was willing to fill in for us on the last day. As Nick and I ventured to Milk Studios to see The Blonds, Madisen attended the dreamlike presentation by Rebecca Moses.

With a new friend in the District, Fashion Week withdrawals became more bearable. Swatch had its time at the Park Avenue Gansevoort, throwing a glittering, champagne-soaked launch party with Nikki Reed for their “New Gent’s Collection.” Our October schedule also included rooftop photoshoots, a ‘Night of Fashion’ with Ann Yee, and a launch party for “Modern Views.”

November’s cold air didn’t kill the party, as we celebrated two years of Lois Eastlund in the LES on 11/11. Not only did we pick up some fabulous looks from Lois, but her party also boasted the best SWAG bag we’ve seen in years. We were psyched to score edgy accessories from Box 185, handmade jewelry from Attitude by Jeanne, and photo designs by Vernakular.

A few days later, the DL crew headed west – to Starboard Hudson, that is. The Soft Opening Party and Concert took place on November 13, luring hundreds of fun-loving individuals to the lower decks of a once-abandoned ship. The opening party was such a success, that the District L darlings decided to ring in the New Year at this fabulous location.

Post by Amanda LaMela