District L

Yesterday, one of Daily Candy's "Nine designers you should know and love," sent us a sneak preview of her SS11 collection. Get a taste of what will be hitting ION Studios on September 13.

Who: Andrew Buckler

What: Menswear that combines tough, all-American attitude with an edgier British bend.

When: Friday, September 10, 2010. 1:30-2:30pm.

Where: Box, Damrosch Park in Lincoln Center.

Why: Let's be honest - menswear isn't always exciting. But with a front-row history involving Ashley Dupre, a Noah Mills rumor for S/S11, and this picture from his store below, District L is expecting an interesting event.

Post by Amanda LaMela

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.

Fashion GPS, the "next century" software technology rolling out for S/S 2011 at the Lincoln Center, promises to "create a digitally enhanced experience" for fashion week attendees. Well, we at District L know a puffy press release when we see one; "next century" and any noun with the adjective "enhanced" attached to it could be ripe for trouble.

Paper IS so last season. And no, I'm not talking about the rise of Fashion GPS.

Today, as I was sifting through my mail, I came across a suprisingly stiff envelope from MAO PR. Curious, I opened it first to discover a pink, translucent plexi-glass invitation.

The invitation was for the debut show of Massachusetts-born designer, Sally Lapointe. Featured in New York Cool and self-described as "sophisticated and aggressive," you know who we'll be covering on the evening of September 12.

Post by Amanda LaMela

In what DL interprets to be the Modern Goddess, Ports 1961 sends us an ethereal, neutral preview, mixing in sporty and fresh details. Relaxed, but distinguished, Cibani creates a mysterious fervor with her prematurely-released sketch.

EFFEN Vodka is the Official Vodka of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. With plans to throw an EFFEN Cocktail Party during the week-long runway event, EFFEN Vodka will introduce their signature EFFEN concoctions. Lincoln Center is about to get EFFEN crazy.

Just so you know, EFFEN means "smooth" in Dutch... Right, who was the smart-ass who used GoogleTranslator for that one?

As the SS/2011 invites begin rolling in, District L offers a sneak peak inside our ever-filling inbox. We're particularly excited about:

Tibi. On Thursday, September 14, 2010, Amy Smilovic will be taking Tibi uptown to Lincoln Center. After effortlessly contrasting tough hardware with tailored silhouettes last season, we're interested to see Tibi's interpretation of spring 2011.

Perry Ellis. I would write a small blurb about Perry Ellis and which aspects of his collection we're most excited about, but really? Male models. 'Nuff said.

Ports 1961. In addition to our hi-tech RSVP via Fashion GPS, District L received this beautiful Ports 1961 invitation in the mail. On Monday, September 13, we expect that Tia Cibani will be dramatizing traditions -- this time in The Theatre.

Post by Amanda LaMela

Richie Rich, the former Heatherette co-designer, seems to be bringing his widely recognizable "trash-and-flash" to Lincoln Center this season. After securing the coveted 9pm time slot on the first day of Fashion Week, maybe the former Club Kid will think twice before making guests wait for hours, as they had for his A*Muse show last February.

But probably not if Pam is the culprit, because both blondes know that the press will wait. The 90s may be over, but sparkly sex-glam still has a place in everyone's heart.

Post by Amanda LaMela

Aside from the uptown vs. downtown turmoil that currently plagues fashion week preparation, it's the technological transformations that have been the talk this week. According to IMG releases, the airport-style kiosks that are replacing the harried PR girls of yesteryear will speed runway show check-in and minimize gatecrashing.

Taking a cue from The Boom Boom Room and Central Park's South Gate? Maybe fashion is ready to reintroduce indulgence and abandon democracy.

Post by Amanda LaMela