District L

There are some characters you always expect to run into at Fashion Week. When I met Isaiah Garza back at Bryant Park during the SS/10 shows, I must admit, I wasn’t expecting a repeat encounter. It’s not that I didn’t acknowledge his enthusiastic attitude and passion for the industry, but it isn’t rare for young hopefuls to fly into New York on a whim, only to leave less enamored then they arrived.

Isaiah, who was designing accessories at the time, approached me at the tents to talk about his latest collection of custom hair adornments. But back in September 2009, I was just a sleep-deprived intern at WWD and knew damn well that I did not have the pull to help promote my new fierce friend.

Now, after two quick years, I’ve come to anticipate Isaiah’s message promptly a month before each Fashion Week, confirming that we will be sharing yet another sponsored cocktail under the tents. This season’s pre-Fashion Week message hit my inbox according to schedule, but it said a bit more that the usual, “Will I be seeing you again at the tents?” This time, Isaiah had the pleasure of sharing his most recent and exciting achievements.

On 1-1-11 at 11:11am, Isaiah launched HauteShopLA.com, an online concept retailer that offers a serious assortment of discounted designer goods. Fully prepared to take on the new challenge that fashion retail has become, HauteShopLA also opened a store and complete photo shoot studio in Downtown LA. In conjunction with this new launch, Isaiah also introduced FashionMunster.com, a personal style blog with celebrity interviews, personal style updates, and runway coverage. Interviewing front-row regulars like Nigel Barker and Olivia Palermo, TheFashionMunster’s YouTube channel is certainly one worth following.

Clearly, a lot can happen in two years. See you for a celebratory Fashion Week cocktail in Lincoln Center, Garza!

Post by Amanda LaMela

I snapped the above photo from the seventh row of Rock & Republic in September 2008. Despite my unfortunate placement on Bryant Park's totem pole at the time, I devoured this show, the music, and its theatrics like a fat Santa with Christmas cookies. While this US-born denim brand was never a revolutionary game-changer, it always seemed to successfully capture what the stylish American woman wants to be, not what she already is.

Rich but reckless, smart but carefree -- Every brand on the fifth floor of Saks has attempted this winning formula, but most just missed the mark. Rich and Skinny is a notable example of such a brand that faded from near-glory without a fight. Yet, Rock & Republic survived. That is, until now.

It is no news that R&R was in some serious debt -- it was a bad year for true denim, the brand was being led by the audacious CEO Michael Ball, and our economy was not supporting the higher-end of mass market. As Rock & Republic's business continued to falter, rumors started swirling -- which caused ultra-corporate vultures saviors to swoop in and save the day.

[Cue VF Corp.]

$57 million dollars later, VF acquired, and in turn, saved Rock & Republic late last month. Or did they?

“The Rock & Republic name still has cachet. What VF does with that is another story,” said denim guru, Michael Glasser.

So, will the brand finally return to the runway? Or will it drown in mediocrity between uninspiring racks of Wrangler's at Marshall's? I guess we'll just have to wait and see...

Post by Amanda LaMela

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

"I haven't been to Egypt, but it's one place I've always wanted to go," said Siriano. "So it was my interpretation of what I feel like it should be, or my fantasy of what I think it is...I wanted the collection to be powerful, but I still wanted it to be soft and still feminine, and still wearable."

Christian Siriano, on the inspiration for his Fall 2009 Collection, Fashion Wire Daily

Yes, I know NY Fashion Week has come and gone (sadly) but Christian Siriano has been doing a fantastic job of staying in the public eye, unlike most of the other Project Runway winners (Chloe Dao? What ever happened to her?). He's definitely the most successful-unlike Season 4 winner Jeffrey Sebelia and the live-action Bratz movie costume gig he scored.

Run, little one, run.

As Fashion Week continues on, we were considering how ruffles, origami structuring, and flounces have remained popular on the runway. With fascinating tucks, pleats, and folds, many designers have enchanted us with their ability to both defy and embrace gravity.

Georges Chakra is an example of a designer who has reinvented the trend. In rich tones of plum and eggplant, he created structured collars and folds in shimmering textiles. While other designers were tightening their belts, this Lebanese designer was stealing the show. Fortunately, his reluctance to skimp paid off and his full-skirts, cascading pieces, and opera-gloves received a standing ovation.

Post by Amanda LaMela

"Classic style, combined with comfort and modernity."- Sergio Davila, on the inspiration for his Fall 2009 Collection, WWD

Post and Video by Nicolas Seraleyva

"Once were princes, now are thieves"- Mara Hoffman on the inspiration for her Fall 2009 Collection, WWD

Post and Video by Nicolas Seraleyva

7:00pm: Carine Roitfeld spotted at the Armani Store opening on 5th Avenue. Not at your son's event, Carine?

8:40pm: Final preparations are being made downtown for The Faces of Fashion Week. Get the Gin Bath ready for Angie Pontani!

8:45pm: Domenico Vacca's runway show attendees pour out of the Salon, causing confusion for the buzzing Narciso Rodriguez PR girls. Huffing and puffing ensues.

Post and Video by Nicolas Seraleyva