District L

Alexander McQueen

Image from W Magazine

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

"The collection will have rock 'n' roll influences and edgy details such as studs and tattoo-print fabrics. Designer Initiative is a separate program from Target's Go International, which focuses on young or emerging designers. Target said additional Designer Collaborations will be announced in the future. Each collection will be available in stores for a limited time." (WWD)

Oh. Okay, Target is coming out with another middle-market line aimed at the budget-conscious suburban fashionable. Whatever, this happens everyday.

Wrong.

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN IS DESIGNING A DIFFUSION LINE FOR TARGET. WHAT.

Yeah, this doesn't happen everyday. But in light of the recent trend in luxury design houses releasing diffusion lines in cooperation with some of America's most notorious big box retailers, that statement might soon be debunked.

The above quote is a general overview of the collection McQueen will be releasing in March. A version of his bridge line McQ (meaning this collection is basically the bridge line of a bridge line), this is only a part of Target's evil plan to takeover the fashion world. Otherwise known as "Designer Collaborations", the program is "aimed to be an ongoing program that will bring a series of established designers to the masses at low prices." (WWD).

But did they have to go after McQueen? We expect this kind of thing from younger designers who need a vehicle, such as Target, for spreading awareness of their brand and building their business. The great luxury houses, the meat and potatoes of the likes of LVMH and the Gucci Group, built their empires from scratch- they don't need mass-produced diffusion lines where quality is sacrificed in the name of bargain "designer fashions". Alas it appears Alexander McQueen has joined the "ranks" of established designers who, be it for economic strain or pure pecuniary temptation, have possibly cashed in their credibility for a padded bottom line.

Is nothing sacred?