District L

A little less than a month ago, GucciMuseo – a shrine to the famed Italian design house – opened its doors in Florence. During my return last week, I made my way through the multi-level style sanctuary in Piazza del Signoria. This sartorial time capsule houses recent and archive collections, as well as a small Gucci shop, café, and lifestyle items predating 1930.

Upon entering GucciMuseo, guests are immediately presented with mobile luxury, the Gucci 1979 Cadillac Seville. With iconic trim and an interlocked GG medallion, the leather-packed Gucci-mobile made for an impressive welcome.

Ascending into the fashion fortress, a record of the works from Guccio and Aldo Gucci to Tom Ford and Frida Giannini, I allowed my fingers to graze over red carpet originals chosen by stars like Hilary Swank, Naomi Watts, and Kate Beckinsale, despite security’s watchful eye.

Finally, I entered the last exhibition, a small cinema dedicated to The Film Foundation. In partnership with Martin Scorcese, Gucci provided funding to preserve chic masterpieces like La Dolce Vita and A Woman Under the Influence.

From preserved film classics to feathered horse-bit frocks, the Gucci empire was built upon, and currently operates under one age-old decree:

“Quality is remembered long after price is forgotten.” – Aldo Gucci

Post by Amanda LaMela

In October 2006, District L was on a northbound train, heading to Milan to crash Fashion Week. Barely 18-years-old, we maximized the power of the American stereotype to convince security, PR assistants, and perhaps even ourselves that we were entitled access to any show.

With sheer elation, we slid into ShirtPassion by Sonia Fortuna. The lights dimmed and centered, then the resounding music began (which, by the way, was Stars are Blind by Paris Hilton). A collection of upbeat looks in light, patterned fabrics circled the runway – and we felt like we were on top of the world. So much so, that during the year we lived in our old, haunted villa in Florence, we hurtled security in both Milan and Paris, attending shows like Guy Laroche, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, and A/B Soul.

Five years later, we find ourselves in New York as reformed fashion grifters, agreeing that crashing is not only déclassé, but also kind of a sad thing to do as a working “adult.”

Yet on this beautiful day in October 2011, I once again have my bags packed - ready to return to the town where District L began.

Post by Amanda LaMela

Maintaining the theme of “urban ease” revealed during New York Fashion Week SS/12, young designer Erin Barr introduces her namesake line of crisp silhouettes in calming palettes. Her debut collection tempts the inner Francophile, boasting unexpected slices, subtle striping, and hints of relaxed menswear.

Breezy blazers in sun-washed hues will make appearances at both brunch and shoe shows, yet this effortlessly polished look will also work into your busy schedule of… whatever the hell it is that you do.

Post by Amanda LaMela

Occupy Wall Street has been an ongoing news story since September 17.For a month, morning shows have been flashing clips of disillusioned post-grads, the cynical unemployed, and angry hippies gathering with sleeping bags and signs for what appears to be some sort of time-warped, Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test-type gathering. After weeks of procrastinating, I decided it was time to post some coverage of what Occupy Wall Street really looks like. Besides, it might be interesting to see how anti-consumerists are dressing these days...

So armed with nothing more than an aggressive tube of lipstick, stilettos and a camera, I boldly set off to Zuccotti Park to capture the look of the zeitgeist.

Protests attract three types of people – tourists, police officers, and militant activists. And I wasn’t quite sure which group gave me the most anxiety. [Answer: Cops. Lady cops, especially.] But given my strong commitment to solid, investigative journalism [haha], I waited for my third brunch mimosa to kick in and slid to the other side of the barricade.

I found myself walking through a twisted Yippie-esque demonstration circa-1968, except this time the signs had #hashtags and the protesters had iPhones. Costumes, DIY lanyards, and candy-colored locks were the looks du jour. Oh, and remember that thing I said about throwing parties for a cause? Well, these people seem to have it figured out.

So, did I stumble upon any earth-shattering 70s-revival trend that I didn’t already anticipate? No. Did I tell the girl with the guitar that American Apparel is, in fact, a corporation? Of course, not.

But one thing is for certain: London and Paris still have us beat in the “riot” department... C’mon, 99%, step it up.

Post by Amanda LaMela

From Kaelen’s nocturnal pixies to Improvd’s murky muses, designers have been channeling coves and summoning wood nymphs to create true aesthetic magic. Now, with the introduction of Mia Jafari London SS/12, the fairytale lives on in swirling watercolors and playful silhouettes. Jafari, a Central Saint Martins and Goldsmiths graduate, titled her design debut ‘Waterlilies’ – an alluring combination of sweet and seductive.

Post by Amanda LaMela

Since I moved into FiDi about a year-and-a-half ago, there have been quite a few transformations in the neighborhood. The Fulton opened, Andre Balazs' sexification of 5 Beekman quietly began, and, of course, Wall Street gained its most recent set of 'occupants.'

Let's be honest, fashion week has experienced its fair share of protests too.The problem is that activists just don't understand how to command attention in this industry: Throw a party - not a protest. We'll be much happier to hear what you have to say after our second hour of open bar.

Tokion Magazine, August 2009

Betsey Johnson AW2010 Runway

Vice Magazine, January 2011

Tush Magazine AW11/12

Nick Brazinsky Photography, September 2010

iD, September 2007

Post by Amanda LaMela

Has fall finally fallen – or is summer here to stay? Despite the unpredictable weather forecast, we harvested our festive spirit on Saturday for an afternoon of brunch, shopping, and pumpkin “picking” at the Chelsea Market.

Heading west for this weekend’s ID Pop Shop, we first stopped to grab a bite to eat at La Bottega in The Maritime Hotel. After an odd combination of food and beverage orders, we crossed the street and braved the weekend crowd to visit Lois Eastlund at the Independent Designer’s pop-up shop. Also making stops at Vernakular Photo Designs and ATTITUDE by Jeanne, we finished our Westside Story with a bottle of champagne from the Chelsea Wine Vault.

Just after the sun set, it was time to journey uptown for Ladytron at Terminal 5. VHS or Beta opened around 8:30pm, stirring the crowd for a Night on Fire -- and by 11pm, we were already Destroying Everything We Touched.

So, before gravity became the seducer, we trekked back downtown for a birthday-turned-soft-opening-party at Parlor New York. We toasted our final few drinks of the night to celebrate 25 fabulous years of Sarah Frances Cagianese -- one-half of the talented sibling duo, Frances Rose.

Post by Amanda LaMela

When I was 10, I performed a competitive dance routine to “Groove is in the Heart” by Deee-lite. I wore a electric blue unitard with bell-bottoms in an assaultingly bright geometric pattern. Thirteen years later, I find myself flipping through a lookbook for Geoffrey Mac, the costume-turned-RTW designer who’s collaborated with the likes of Lady Miss Kier herself, as well as Scissor Sisters and Gaga.

With powerful palettes and ultramodern stylings, my nylon/spandex blend circa-1998 could not compete with Mac’s debut collection of bold fabric combinations and eclectic sensations. 

But it sure as hell tried.

Post by Amanda LaMela