Provocative and persuasive, controversial and alluring -- some of these ads are enough to make Park Avenue Princesses tackle their own Prada-loving counterparts at the next Barney's sample sale. In celebration of NYC's Advertising Week, here are some of the sexiest, most infamous, and most glamorous fashion ads in recent history.
Post by Amanda LaMela
It's a fact: Cool kids don't melt in the rain.
If you're a New Yorker who lives by this rule, here's a list of things to do this week:
Gotham Magazine, the exclusively-distributed Manhattan publication, is pairing with Mark Baker for a party at Juliet Supper Club. So if your schedule's free and your hair is frizz-resistant, head over to W. 21st street tonight, 9-11pm.
Tomorrow from 6:30-8:00pm, Media Bistro will be hosting a cocktail party to celebrate Advertising Week at H.K. Lounge. For the majority of you who avoid Hell's Kitchen at all costs, you could venture down towards DL territory for a special preview at the KiptonART Gallery.
Finally, when your less-fabulous counterparts are preparing to board an arc, you'll be heading to Library Bar for the Hampton's Magazine Cover Party. Share the view with this month's cover-girl, Joy Behar, 7-11pm on Thursday.
Post by Amanda LaMela
If our self-recorded finale video wasn't enough, People's Revolution sent us the full Toni Francesc Runway SS/11 video earlier this afternoon. Check it out!
Post by Amanda LaMela
"Rigor with sensuality" said Donatella of her spring collection, an elektra-fying parade of energetic, Grecian inspired looks that temper the brand's trademark oozing sexiness with a newfound element of aggressive restraint. Donatella has taken her signature diva - flowing mane, fishtail sequin gown and all - and yanked her back from behind into a highly sartorial, well-edited interpretation of the Versace aesthetic.
We've been seeing a lot of designers in Milan this season step out of their comfort zones and take new approaches to their design process. It stands to reason - with the global economy beginning to take a turn for the better, luxury customer bases are more willing to invest in bolder statement pieces. Versace S/S 2011 embraces the bold turquoise and tangerine hues we've been seeing, but contrasted with beautifully tailored high-waisted skirts and cutout jackets in beige and brilliant white. Take a panoramic view of any seaside island village in the Cyclades and you'll find the same palette - white washed concrete houses with orange tiled roofs and churches with turquoise domed naves.
Finally, the Greek key motif seen on many of the looks was a brave move by the designer - some might say it drives the point a little too far home, but we say it's an assertion of the traditional values of the Versace house.
Post by Nicolas Sera-Leyva
Images from Style.com
This season, Karl Lagerfeld and Silvia Venturini Fendi spun an escapist narrative of a different sort from what we heard in New York. Instead of a woodland romp a la Monique Lhuillier and Toni Francesc, Fendi's S/S 2011 girl harked back to a youth of fiery romance and reckless adventure spent under the mediterranean sun.
A distinctly seventies vibe prevailed throughout the runway, with a luscious palette of turquoise, copper, tangerine, and poppy spread across a lively assortment of tunics, caftans, and maxi-dresses. Full of vitality and luxury, the deconstructed silhouettes were made for windswept adventures by the seaside; however, the tone of the collection was less sex and more nostalgia. Each look communicated an individual story or memory with evocative geometries, prints, and colors.
Nostalgia isn't Lagerfeld's strong suit, however this season he showed us just how delicate and emotional his design process can be. Fine microprints, darned floral motifs, and strong yet humble silhouettes expertly communicate the complicated array of emotions brought about through reminiscence. The work of both designers is apparent in the collection, yet neither overshadows the other.
Post by Nicolas Sera-Leyva
Images from Style.com
This season, Frida titled her collection, "Sophisticated Seduction." Contrasting sky-bright hues with sandy neutrals, Gucci's runway was as sexy as a Friday evening sunset - a clean slate, yet full of possibility.
An updated take on color-blocking allowed for the more elegant interpretation, but the subtle spice hid in the details: Frida tied in braided leather tassels (her evolving runway trademark) onto bags and belts for a fine assertiveness.
Because the Gucci girl knows what "sophisticated seduction" really means:
More results, less words.
Post by Amanda LaMela
Images by Style.com
A new form of life had been engineered in a London design studio and then sent to assimilate with the LFW culture. Todd Lynn synthesized a brood of model warriors, donning high python collars and triple-covered-platform booties. Evolving out of both luxury and intelligent design, Lynn created a wearable, avant-garde collection. Muted and functional, yet aggressive and forward - Todd Lynn's model army is one we'd like to join.
Post by Amanda LaMela
Images by Style.com
After my unfortunate feelings about his last collection, Mark Fast relieved my concerns with his comeback this season. The Central Saint Martin's grad was inspired by "a utopia destroyed by acid rain," which came through in his crescendo-like silhouettes and brightly dip-dyed garments. Sticking to his signature of body-con knitwear, Mark Fast invited the sorbet tones and dark wonderland theme that we saw back in New York.
Post by Amanda LaMela
Photos by Style.com
After a post-NYFW weekend spent catching up on sleep, nourishment, and the occasional phone call, District L found time to delve into our messy runway notes.
We started the week together at MAINENTRANCE, celebrating DJ Riggs and Berry Bachen's launch of their new creative space. As street-style photographer, Mr. Newton, furiously snapped away, guests enjoyed cocktails and music in the hidden Midtown location.
The first official day of New York Fashion Week in Lincoln Center was September 9. Our schedule for the evening included a picnic-perfect Verrier presentation, followed by a collective showing called Concept Korea. The next day, Nicolas ventured to the tents solo, where he enjoyed Buckler, EDITION by Georges Chakra, Ports 1961, and Alexander Berardi, just to name a few. We later met up on the Lower East Side for a fabulous Fashion's Night Out with Lois Eastlund.
Our weekend started in the Studio with Mik Cire. His male models must have gotten rowdy that night, because Rebecca Minkoff's girls were rocking a bit of morning-after attitude the following day. While I attended Minkoff's model presentation at the Box, Nick headed to the Audi Forum for some Thuy eye-candy.
We reconvened over EFFEN cocktails in the IMG Fashion Lounge before heading to see Joaquin Trias' intelligent design. We then attended Custo Barcelona's party-girl parade before jetting downtown to catch Sally Lapointe's inspiring debut show.
Monday rolled around, bringing Monique Lhuillier's delicious temptation to the Stage. Later that evening, the District L dyad met up for sorbet in Key West - I mean, the Perry Ellis runway show. Post-Perry, we cabbed it down to ION Studios to check out ANN YEE's model party over wine and remixes by Crystal Castles.
Tuesday brought us two fantastic fairytales: TIBI and Toni Francesc. Afterwards, we headed to Toni's afterparty at Veranda, where we drank Given and chatted up Aimee from Song of Style.
We met up the following evening to witness some Lynn Wyatt-chic at Zang Toi. On Thursday, Nick attended the Argentina Group Show before meeting up with me at Milk Studios for The Blonds. After devouring our much-needed dose of sparkle, sex, and spunk, we headed back to Lincoln Center. Helping out with our hectic schedule, Madisen Walker remained uptown to cover Rebecca Moses, or rather, cover-to-cover Rebecca Moses.
The last New York show of the season was IVANAhelsinki. After searching relentlessly, Paola Ivana Suhonen found her sailor - in sun-washed nautical prints and rope-coil boots.
Post by Amanda LaMela
The advent of digital textile printing has opened up a whole new world of creative possibility and unprecendented flexibility for designers - we're finally beginning to see the line between conceptual design and pret-a-porter blur. No designer has embraced these new technologies with more enthusiasm than London's own textile illusionist Mary Katrantzou.
Long regarded as a master of trompe l'oeil, Katrantzou took inspiration for her S/S 2011 collection from seventies interior design photography, but turned inside-out - the room is now on the model, rather than the model in the room. Her S/S 2011 runway is enchanting on a variety of levels, as the prints are not only masterfully designed to have a stunningly three-dimensional depth but they simulataneously draw the viewer inward without distracting from the actual construction of the pieces, which is exquisite.
Furthermore, each look is a separate vignette unto itself within the greater narrative of the collection, adding a flair of enticingly unaddressed intrigue. It's a supremely relevant and ingenious interpretation of this spring's fairytale trend - London Fashion Week just took a long awaited turn for the better.
Post by Nicolas Sera-Leyva
District L is Amanda LaMela & Nicolas Sera-Leyva
