District L

It would be impossible to overlook the common denominator on the New York runways last week. From fox to faux, Cennamo to COTA, fur frequented the shows more than any other trend. It surfaced on Day 1 at Ailey Studios for Danilo Gabrielli in the form of sophisticated stoles and trims. Son Jung Wan took a more grandiose approach during her Saturday morning showing, with emerald-toned raccoon jackets and fox-trim toppers.  The following day, Mathieu Mirano received a warm introduction for his red and black fur jackets at the Box in Lincoln Center.

Norisol Ferrari’s presentation on Valentine’s Day morning boasted lush mink jackets, fox-trim trenches, and sable-lined vests. Later that afternoon, I headed over to the Rubin Museum to catch the Josie Natori collection. Over champagne, Natori’s Mongolian boleros and fox-topped gowns were love at first sight, as they dramatically made their way down the museum’s spiraling staircase to an elegant piano soundtrack.

That following day, at the emotionally-charged Joanna Mastroianni showing, marabou magnificently masqueraded as fur, just as it had in days prior. A few hours later, NOMIA added a pelted touch to her streamlined urbanite collection. Raccoon resurfaced at our final show, The Blonds, adding a glittering finish to our sumptuous season.

Rafael Cennamo

Christian Cota

Danilo Gabrielli

Mathieu Mirano

Josie Natori

Son Jung Wan

NOMIA

Post by Amanda LaMela

Today is Tuesday, but we are still feeling the ache from weekend separation pains. There is nothing like waking up without an alarm and heading to brunch for bottomless mimosas at 2pm, hunting around for designer mesh at the Gilt Warehouse Sale and stomping around the East Village late at night in faux fur.

The weekend began at White Noise for “The Wild Ones” party. Hosted by Samuel Valentine, the party attracted the most eclectic, irreverent crowd found south of 14^th Street. Every Friday, the wild ones of Lower Manhattan are lured to this quasi-hidden location with nostalgic music, glamrock décor and about a half-a-dozen photographers.

Saturday arrived in the blink of an eye. Nicolas spent the better part of his day revisiting the long-lost Altman building for the Gilt Warehouse Sale. While he sifted through rare, discounted designer merchandise amongst cocktails and Vita Coco, I spent the morning shopping around the West Village. But when the January doldrums rendered regular retail hopeless, I shared an afternoon of gluten-free goodness at two Lower East Side establishments, Pala and Babycakes.

The sun went down and it was time to plan the night’s festivities once more: Bedlam was the first stop on the itinerary. Anderson Cooper’s boyfriend, Benjamin Maisani, opened Bedlam in September 2010 and the bar has since welcomed bold-faces names like Matthew Broderick, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Alan Cumming. Full of large taxidermy projects, vintage anatomy graphs, and yellowed photo wallpaper, the bar also attracts an anonymous mix of stylish PYTs.

When Sunday morning rolled around, it was time to make the last make-or-break decision: Where to brunch?

Nicolas, Rachel, and I decided to venture away from the norm and head uptown to Zucchero E Pomodori. While the crowd was more “B&T state school sorority reunion” than “pre-fashion week urbanite,” the three of us wholeheartedly enjoyed our delicious dishes and unlimited mimosas. After our brunchtastic rendezvous, we made our way to Rachel’s abode to check out some of her newest projects.

To ease the pain of having our weekend ripped away like a sticky band-aid, I aimlessly sifted through Saturday’s neglected mail. And what do I find, but a certain unmistakable plexi-glass Fashion Week invite? Withdrawals, be gone: With Fashion Week just around the corner, we have no time to fret the hours between 9-and-5!

Post by Amanda LaMela

In light of Madisen’s recent Winter Weather Advisory, we decided to further encourage those who have already taken the necessary steps towards chicness. With the help of libertine party photographer, Kirill Bichutsky, I have compiled some fur-ocious looks from a few fashionable night-owls.

January doldrums, be gone -- Style inspiration looks best after dark.

Post by Amanda LaMela