District L

There are a lot of months between February and September. Six to be exact. So in order to survive the days between fashion weeks, we encourage delusional daydreaming and a touch of self-absorption to numb the separation pains:

Load your iPod with the best runway playlists and leave last season’s blazer at home – because when you turn your everyday life into one big fashion show, no one can ever give you standing room.

Mundane Activity #1: Morning Commute on Casual Friday

Mental Retreat: Seventies Marina by IVANAhelsinki

On Your iPod: “It is Familiar” – Bodies of Water, “Home” – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

A buoyant saunter down Broadway will effortlessly coordinate with Ivana’s breezy look – even if entering your office feels like walking the plank.

Mundane Activity #2: Picking up shoes at the cobbler

Mental Retreat: Daytime RockLuxe by Rebecca Minkoff

On Your iPod: “Fake Tales Of San Francisco” – Artic Monkeys, “Moving To New York” – The Wombats, “Rich Girls” – The Virgins

Some people might ask, “Why do I have to get all dressed up to go to the cobbler?” And that’s why some people won’t get an abandoned pair of Choos for free.

Mundane Activity #3: Renewing your license at the DMV

Mental Retreat: Post-Apocalyptic Amusement Park by martinMARTIN

On Your iPod: “People Are Strange (Chew Fu Manjamango Remix)” – The Doors

People are strange when you’re a stranger. And there is no place stranger than the DMV, so you might as well play the part with style.

Let’s face it – No one’s “to-do” list is exclusively fabulous. Even Anna has to go to the dentist sometimes. While next Monday's activities might not be Tweet-worthy, you don't have to make it look that way.

Post by Amanda LaMela

At the end of every fashion week, when all is said and done and we return to that featurless grey void known as the months of March through September, we can always rest a bit easier knowing that we've come away with three things - an amazing slew of runway reviews, a host of party pics to sift through, and some bangin' new tracks to add to our runway playlists.

When we aren't scribbling down notes, live-tweeting, video recording, or picture taking during shows, we're keeping our ears open for that other oh-so-important facet of show production: Music. So after firing up Shazam on my iPhone and giving everything we tagged a good listen through (and making the subsequent necessary purchases on iTunes), we've each picked out our favorites - check them out below!

Nicolas' Pick: The New Division - "Starfield"

Heard During: Mik Cire in The Lincoln Center Studio

Majestic and moving, with mildly washed-out vocals and a fantastic walking beat - perfect for Eric Kim's super-composed, almost romantic Fall collection for the label.

Amanda's Pick: Tiga - "Shoes"

Heard During: martinMARTIN at the Audi Forum

An edgy, sexy selection for martinMARTIN's no nonsense runway. Plus, may we add, probably the BEST music video we've ever seen - we're addicted.

Post by Nicolas Sera-Leyva

As the Audi Forum on Park Avenue filled with four-on-the-floor beats by Tiga, Diane and Eric of MARTINmartin introduced an androgynous, shadowy collection for FW11. Starting with jagged, post-apocalyptic looks in monochromatic black, the collection’s concept felt too developed to be called “angsty.” In the first part of the show, destruction was aptly represented through deconstructed leather combined with torn wovens and heavy knits.­

Once guests thought they had formed their opinions of MARTINmartin’s show, the collection’s attitude began to change; light had formed at the end of the tunnel. Bits of white were slowly introduced to the looks, providing a lighter, more ethereal feel.

By the finale, the story’s conclusion was clear – what was created had been destroyed and what was destroyed had been reborn.

Post by Amanda LaMela