As we go through our daily motions and these hazy summer weeks start blending together, the opportunities to just stop and observe become increasingly rare. Summer is no longer the relaxing season it's made out to be -- growing social calendars have no reverse effects on our unwavering workloads.
As July approaches, it's time to find the perfect wide-brim to hide behind and steal your moment of serenity.
To toast IMITATION Resort 2012, designer Tara Subkoff premiered her self-directed short film at The Jane Hotel this evening. Featuring industry-renowned personalities, such as Nicole Trunfio, Becka Diamond, and Lissy Trullie, this silent film was intended to epitomize the IMITATION essence.
With saki in hand, DL snagged a seat on a sofa to watch Subkoff's story unfold: Focusing on the theme of "all-dressed-up-and-nowhere-to-go," Tara Subkoff combined old Hollywood glamour and a dramatic pianist to express her anecdote of myopic perspectives.
Guests filed into The Jane Ballroom as the style-centric flick projected on repeat. The IMITATION collection boasted ultra-feminine pieces, such as pleated bandeaus, tiered mini-dresses, and silk-draped gowns.
Post by Amanda LaMela
10 Crosby, Derek Lam's recently-launched diffusion line, might be touted as the designer's response to society's increasing nonchalance and decreasing disposable income -- but in reality, this high-quality label will be just as rare to spot on any given R train.
10 Crosby, named after the company's headquarters, maintained Derek Lam's downtown flair by tapping into the prevailing athletic-inspired trend. Model, Hanne Gaby Odiele, turned the showroom into her own personal jungle gym, sporting color-blocked separates, tailored jumpers, and versatile canvas pieces.
Post by Amanda LaMela
Images by Style.com
Early Saturday evening, DL headed over to La Petite Cave to stock up on festive swills for the upcoming holiday. With the first day of summer behind us and the Fourth of July only a week away, it’s time to work on perfecting that patriotic panache. Our fridge is now lined with personal bottles of Pommery POP Champagne, all dressed in Betsey Ross attire.
Assuming the appropriate beverages have been determined and the proper trip, rooftop, or event has been reserved, we’d like to suggest a few special New York-made pieces that will add a touch of local flair to the weekend’s festivities: The fizz may be French, but these threads were born here.
Made Her Think: Little Love Bomb Bag
“Make love, not war” with this utilitarian leather bag by Made Her Think.
Box 185: Blue Feathered Earring
A touch of color can go a long way – especially in a single feather earring. The photo above, shot by Jeffrey Fried, features a design by Box 185’s Sara Keiser.
Lois Eastlund: Mod Patterned Dress
Colorful and light, this Manhattan creation offers a stylish remedy to the heated hitches of summer.
Post by Amanda LaMela
Let in a little light while exploring longer hemlines for a look that is simultaneously provocative and fashion-forward. Photographer Mark Pillai captures Lily Aldridge in billowing, monocromatic fabrics for ELLE.
Post by Amanda LaMela
For the first day of summer, guests of the MZ Wallace Summer E-Pop Party enjoyed live music and margaritas at the designer duo’s Soho boutique. Dressed in fresh-yet-relaxed looks, fashionable insiders decorated Crosby Street for food, drink, and an excuse to party. The three-piece band played while beachy videos projected onto the wall, providing a festive atmosphere for this unique luxury handbag brand.
After a long winter and an unpredictable spring, it is time to make another important seasonal decision: Frozen or On-the-Rocks?
Post by Amanda LaMela
Shortly after reviewing Cheng's flirty Fall/Winter 2011 collection, District L got the exclusive opportunity to interview the young, energetic designer. Check out our complete dialogue below:
DL: What was the concept for your most recent collection?
Cheng: The Fall 2011 collection is inspired by Japanese Geisha. When geisha were prominent in Japan, they were seen as strong, powerful and independent women, and that's how I feel women should be seen now as well. My goal was to create a new modern look of geisha, for today's urban and sexy women.
Who do you have in mind when designing?
I design for the little girl inside of me, and for women who love fashion, like the characters in “Sex and the City”, very confident and independent women, who know who they are and enjoy their lives.
How would you describe the woman who wears your looks?
Strong, sexy, urban women.
When did you decide to pursue fashion?
As long as I can remember, I have been interested in fashion. I can say for sure that fashion has always been my dream job. My parents have owned clothing stores since before I was born. When I was little, I never really hung out with other kids. I played my own game dressing up the mannequins in the store to see if people would buy the clothes I chose. I loved to help people choose clothes for themselves, and when they liked it, it just made me feel really good!
After high school, I went to art school for fine arts, and I realized fashion is even more important than art. People go to museums and admire art. But they choose and then wear fashion. Fashion has a very visceral, emotional component to consumer preferences, something that reaches into the core of our souls and taps into the human desire to do things with our resources that represent something about our individual beings. Fashion is the highest expression of free will and that made me want to become a Fashion designer.
Where do you find your inspiration?
Mainly from history, culture, movies and people watching. Every little thing around me in life can be an inspiration.
How would you describe you overall aesthetic?
I want to design for every woman, no matter what her body type, to make her feel confident and comfortable being who she is.
What is your...
Favorite store?
Vintage stores and antique shops
Favorite song?
“A Song For xx” by Ayumi Hamasaki
Favorite travel destination?
Taiwan
Favorite New York spot?
Lower East Side
Favorite magazine?
East-West Magazine
Favorite fashion icon?
It's a tie between Mariacarla Boscono and Kate Moss.
Favorite movie?
Any movie by Pedro Almodovar or Peter Greenaway.
Biggest accomplishment?
My first fashion show, launching my first collection and starting on my dream in NYC!
Tell us one last little-known fact about yourself...
I designed and made a jacket for my favorite pop singer, Ayumi Hamasaki, and gave it to her in person. She tweeted about it afterward and even posted a picture of me with her on her blog!
Post by Amanda LaMela
Fashion has always had a reputation for being “fast,” but this season is looking particularly racy. From Alexander Wang’s speed-inspired resort collection to second-skin surfer looks by Derek Lam, industry insiders are sprinting toward styles with an active influence.
Derek Lam, Style.com
Alexander Wang, Style.com
Sporty details have been gaining traction in the form of perforations, accent stripes and contour piecing. Urban minimalism, a’la Kevork, will sustain a marathon-esque trend life, inciting multiple interpretations for the upcoming seasons.
In the race for a look that says “apathetic athletic,” your feet become star players. Pierced leather and mesh fabrics offer an active element to sleek silhouettes. Pollini’s perforations translate smoothly into nude leather and black nylon.
Life-long Italian shoe designer, Gianmarco Lorenzi, lends a dash of crisp subtly with a white accent stripe on the toe of his towering booties.
Camilla Skovgaard also has a grip on this athletically-inspired trend, adding an angular platform to an otherwise minimalist design.
The challange is to introduce this look into your wardrobe without actually breaking a sweat. So let the games begin!
Post by Amanda LaMela
District L is Amanda LaMela & Nicolas Sera-Leyva
