District L

At about half-past 5pm, I found myself sprinting down 58^th street and descending deep into the bowels of the Hudson Hotel. Socialite darling, Douglas Hannant, was celebrating and presenting his “Pink” launch at Good Units. With a performance by The Vandelles and a relaxed attitude, the Park Avenue Prince was looking refreshingly ‘downtown.’

Two air kisses, one cocktail, and a few photos later, I found myself back on 58^th with the good intention of taking a subway. But with another glance at the darkening skies, I muttered, “F*** that,” and hailed a cab down to Greene Street.

I arrived in Soho on Fashion’s Night Out against my initial judgment. The streets reminded me of Halloween in elementary school – everyone especially focused on their attire, scoping out which door would reap the best goodies. But instead of dodging eggs, I dodged drunk tourists until I finally slid into REALM on 98 Greene.

REALM Boutique was throwing an exceptionally style-list FNO, hosted by Lissy Trullie, May Kwok, Michelle Trachtenberg, Leandra Medine, Susie Bubble and Chelsea Leyland. Champagne in hand, I sifted through racks upon racks of luxurious rarities until boutique owner, Lewaa Abdulkhalek stopped me for an introduction.

Presenting his collection of Jitrois, Lewaa highlighted a few key items – a stretch leather sheath dress, a feather-trimmed cocktail frock, and a bright suede skirt. “Black will always be our best-selling color, but red is the predominant fashion color right now,” he shared. I shuddered in delight as I slipped on a cropped chinchilla bomber jacket. “We have a full-length version coming in soon,” Lewaa suggested. I flipped the tag to reveal the price… $31,000.

“Yeah…” I lied, “I guess I’ll just have to wait for that one…”

Post by Amanda LaMela

Tomorrow is the official start of New York Fashion Week and our schedules are already packed with preparatory tasks. Between organizing RSVPs, booking hair appointments, and attempting to minimize travel times between shows, it's hard to find a moment to rest. And when our bodies finally find a second of intermission, our minds are still busy contemplating which songs from Era Extraña or Portamento will be playing on this season's runways.

So, while tomorrow's schedule will be comparatively light to the rest of the week, there are decisions to be made and champagnes to be consumed between the hours of 6:00 and 11:00pm: Fashion's Night Out.

Post by Amanda LaMela

After a post-NYFW weekend spent catching up on sleep, nourishment, and the occasional phone call, District L found time to delve into our messy runway notes.

We started the week together at MAINENTRANCE, celebrating DJ Riggs and Berry Bachen's launch of their new creative space. As street-style photographer, Mr. Newton, furiously snapped away, guests enjoyed cocktails and music in the hidden Midtown location.

The first official day of New York Fashion Week in Lincoln Center was September 9. Our schedule for the evening included a picnic-perfect Verrier presentation, followed by a collective showing called Concept Korea. The next day, Nicolas ventured to the tents solo, where he enjoyed Buckler, EDITION by Georges Chakra, Ports 1961, and Alexander Berardi, just to name a few. We later met up on the Lower East Side for a fabulous Fashion's Night Out with Lois Eastlund.

Our weekend started in the Studio with Mik Cire. His male models must have gotten rowdy that night, because Rebecca Minkoff's girls were rocking a bit of morning-after attitude the following day. While I attended Minkoff's model presentation at the Box, Nick headed to the Audi Forum for some Thuy eye-candy.

We reconvened over EFFEN cocktails in the IMG Fashion Lounge before heading to see Joaquin Trias' intelligent design. We then attended Custo Barcelona's party-girl parade before jetting downtown to catch Sally Lapointe's inspiring debut show.

Monday rolled around, bringing Monique Lhuillier's delicious temptation to the Stage. Later that evening, the District L dyad met up for sorbet in Key West - I mean, the Perry Ellis runway show. Post-Perry, we cabbed it down to ION Studios to check out ANN YEE's model party over wine and remixes by Crystal Castles.

Tuesday brought us two fantastic fairytales:  TIBI and Toni Francesc. Afterwards, we headed to Toni's afterparty at Veranda, where we drank Given and chatted up Aimee from Song of Style.

We met up the following evening to witness some Lynn Wyatt-chic at Zang Toi. On Thursday, Nick attended the Argentina Group Show before meeting up with me at Milk Studios for The Blonds. After devouring our much-needed dose of sparkle, sex, and spunk, we headed back to Lincoln Center. Helping out with our hectic schedule, Madisen Walker remained uptown to cover Rebecca Moses, or rather, cover-to-cover Rebecca Moses.

The last New York show of the season was IVANAhelsinki. After searching relentlessly, Paola Ivana Suhonen found her sailor - in sun-washed nautical prints and rope-coil boots.

Post by Amanda LaMela

Remember Betsey's crazy 68th birthday party that she threw about a month ago? Relive the madness at her Soho store tonight during Fashion's Night Out. Those brave enough to venture through her tourist-filled neighborhood will enjoy makeovers, photography by Shannon Sinclair, and a free gift with purchase. In true Betsey style, live music and booze will also keep customers packed inside her brightly decorated store.

Anna Wintour adamantly advertises fashion's importance to New York's economy: Our industry generates over $770 million of economic activity in this city alone. Being the most prominent icon in New York fashion, it is no surprise that Mayor Bloomberg has a thing for the thin, DVF-donning editrix. She's powerful, stylish, and she really knows how to stimulate... an economy. She always has a knack for getting people excited - about fashion, of course.

Our delightfully goofy Mayor always seems a bit giggly around fashion's most influential editor. Just last month, he made a few cheesy jokes about how he appreciates a nice boot cut. And while he mispronounced Prabal Gurung's name about six times at an FNO conference, he gave a glowing smile to Anna while gushing about how the fashion industry is made of "the best and the brightest." Aww, aren't you a cutie!

Now we've received word that old man Manhattan will be kicking off the first Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center. We see what you're trying to do here, Bloomie! But it's going to take a little more than flattery and boot cut pants.

Try closing down Grand Central for Fashion Week. She'd like to have it there next season, please.

When it comes to fashion's second annual "pre-game" party, we have no shortage of related conversation. Just 16 days away, here are a few stops we'll be adding to our itinerary:

Derek Lam: Model Maryna Linchuk will host Derek Lam's Fashion's Night Out party in Soho, complete with champagne and music by Woofgang. Document the night with Derek Lam's Fall 2010 photo booth backdrop - or just shop the night away.

Sir by Joanna Baum: Designer-assisted shopping, fee-free custom orders, and cocktails are enough to entice the District. To add to the fervor, West Village-born singer, Alexa Wilding, will be performing live in-store. Catch a piece of the action on September 10th at 129 Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn.

Nicole Miller: The celebrated dress designer will be co-hosting her FNO party on Greene Street with singer and model, Cassie. Designer appearances get us in the store, but it is her three-hour open bar that will get us to stay.

Last but not least, District L's favorite, Lois Eastlund, is now listed as an FNO participant. Seasonless-sensibility and downtown-cool will now be open later on September 10th for Fashion's Night Out.

Post by Amanda LaMela

The initial event listing has finally been released for the return of Fashion's Night Out on September 10, 2010. While additions are bound to be made in the next 24 days, we have created an anticipatory list of parties that might even make Anna smile.

3.1 Phillip Lim - Phillip will be making an appearance at his Mercer Street store on September 10, 6pm to 9pm. Afterwards, he will join the Rag and Bone team for a street-side party. With performances by My Gold Mask, Lim maintains the chic party aura he established back in 2007.

Alice + Olivia - Are you willing to brave Midtown for FNO? Are you mystifyingly tall and thin? If you answered yes to both of these questions, head over to 80 W. 40th Street for Fashion's Night Out to win a chance to be in the Alice + Olivia S/S11 runway show.

ALTER - If you're a Brooklynite at heart and love a good Photo Booth party, the Fashion's Night Out event at ALTER will suit your needs. Sip champagne and check out the newly unveiled collections at 140 Franklin Street this September 10th.

Twinkle by Wenlan - Twinkle by Wenlan will be teaming up with Coclico to celebrate FNO for a night filled with champagne, shopping, and surprises. After Twinkle's solid show last season, Wenlan is certainly a designer to keep on your radar.

Post by Amanda LaMela