District L

If spent correctly, Saturday afternoons have the potential to be ODD. Tucked quietly in the recesses of the garment district, ODD is a small haven for edgy emerging designers and ever-evolving style enthusiasts. The surreal showroom on 241 W. 37^th street boasts the ability to open at any time, always offering clients innovative, yet attainable designs.

Post-Saturday brunch, we arrived to Judson Harmon’s ODD showroom event for shopping and generous helpings of champagne. (Shimmying into an amusingly complicated, one-of-a-kind Kittinhawk dress may take some liquid courage and the expert hands of a showroom assistant.)

After a few hours of sartorial indulgence in CHRISHABANA, Costume Dept., and Skingraft, we walked out with all the makings for an outlandish evening.

Last night’s party celebrated the Ohne Titel & EASTON+COMBS installation for BOFFO Building Fashion 2011. Guests gathered at an industrial loft space in TriBeCa to enjoy a St. Germain cocktail-fueled opening reception.

BOFFO Building Fashion 2011 honors exceptional architecture and fashion with a sequence of collaborative retail installations. Ohne Titel, designed by Flora Gill and Alexa Adams, combines engineering with draping -- geometry with intuition. Eye-catching pieces from their F/W 2012 collection were hung from structures created by internationally-acclaimed architectural office, EASTON+COMBS.

Guests enjoyed music by Florian Sailer and a performance by TheBlackSoft as they mingled their way through this artistic wonderland at 57 Walker Street.

Post by Amanda LaMela

For many New Yorkers, this past week marked their first “earthquake,” as well as their first “hurricane.” Air quotes aside, it has been an eventful few days – on Twitter, at the very least.

Now, with the onset of New York Fashion Week, we face another highly anticipated whirlwind of events. And while a shower of invitations had entered our 10-day forecast, we were not predicting hail.

Despite our own miscalculated predictions, hailstones arrived in our mailbox – two transparent cubes imprinted with the specifics for Sally LaPointe’s SS12 runway show in microscopic font. Sally LaPointe, known for her show-stopping collections and innovative invites, continues to outdo herself each season. With cube invitations and an impervious reputation, our RSVP is crystal clear.

Post by Amanda LaMela

After Saturday's success at Runway SOHO, I made a return visit to Lynn Cohen's boutique on 450 Broome Street. With a trifling desire to experiment, I grabbed a beverage and submitted to Lynn's expert inquisition.

Pairing black-and-white striped pants with a convertible cross-top, Runway SOHO's designer revealed her commitment to versatility: "I like to make pieces that can be worn multiple ways," she explained.

From nautical-lite to Ziggy Stardust-glamboyance, I later paired this functional piece with a black tank and an immoral shade of red lipstick for Sunday's Bowie-inspired party, Oh! You Pretty Things at Le Poisson Rouge.

Post by Amanda LaMela

Want to be MintCastle royalty?

MintCastle is a new member’s-only website providing unique offers on luxury experiences and uncommon merchandise. The online lifestyle magazine presents deals for insiders who appreciate the unexpected and covet originality.

Chiefs of Enchantment, one of District L’s creative cravings, is the upcoming feature on this trendsetting site. We first met designer, Rita Watson, at Lu Magnus back in March -- and our strong fan following continues. Watson creates innovative headdresses and modern diadems from materials such as feathers, freshwater pearls, and vintage sleeve trims.

Luckily, you don’t need to work up the ranks to become a bohemian princess: Exquisite headpieces from Chiefs of Enchantment are now available exclusively for District L readers to purchase at member prices.

Click here to shop MintCastle and take home the crown.

Post by Amanda LaMela

After a night of partying in apocalyptic proportions, our circadian rhythm still manages to adapt for fashionable matters. This afternoon, District L will be heading over to the Fashion Forward Fashion Show on Orchard and Broome. Starting at 1pm, designers such as Lois Eastlund, James Coviello, and Robert James, will be showcasing their LES designs in an outdoor event, hosted by LES BID.

Find us there -- with BisousCiao macron and d'espresso mochaccino in hand.

Post by Amanda LaMela

Chiffon, ruffles, and sashes sound very Sound of Music, but Cheng’s Fall/Winter 2011 collection is not intended for girls “sixteen, going on seventeen.” Plunging necklines, playful silhouettes, and translucent fabrics may play coy, but are clearly designed for a woman who knows what she’s doing.

Post by Amanda LaMela

Last season, Jac Langheim impressed DL with her innovative use of latex, combining this uncommon texture with more traditional luxury fabrics. Her primarily-rubber collection offered structured vests, A-lined dresses, and body-skimming cocktail frocks. Sophisticated, unexpected and adaptable, Langheim’s line earned her an enviable level of rising esteem.

This season, Jac revisited her successful recipe of “astonish and acquaint.” Once again using latex, she created modern silhouettes in solid and printed rubber. Clean lines, asymmetrical paneling, and minimalist legwear lent a more futuristic emphasis for F/W11.

Images by Romer Pedron

Post by Amanda LaMela

Head to EVA for Sally LaPointe's retail event TONIGHT. Enjoy champagne and discounts until 9pm.

Take a look at what's happening there now...

Why do the best things always happen when it's raining?

If you have enough glossing hair balm and courage to brave the rain, you'll certainly get a return on this investment: Cocktails, an FW11 preview, and a sale event for ANN YEE SS11. It's occurring THIS VERY MOMENT at Bowery and Third.

Meet us at EVA until 8pm -- haven't you heard? Cool kids don't melt.