District L

After exploring and capturing model moments backstage, District L kicked off MBFW with another showing from Irina Shabayeva - this time under the auspices of MAO PR in the Lincoln Center Stage. We had seen the hair, the makeup, the nails, and caught glimpses of the collection in the pre-show sturm und drang - all that remained was how it would add up.

We first saw Irina back in A/W 2010 for her debut showing at SIR Stage. Fresh off of her Project Runway 6 win, the young designer flexed her muscles and took flight, literally, presenting an avian inspired collection full of imagination and minute attention to detail. Then, after seeing a preview of her conceptual INC diffusion line back in January, we had begun to see where Shabayeva was headed with her aesthetic.

The opposing elements of Fire & Ice, and an exploration of their contrasts, formed the backdrop for tonight's showing. What we've seen from Shabayeva so far has been very thematic, taking lots of raw inspiration and translating it into approachable, accessible forms.

Some designers forget that design is a solution to a problem, and allow their vision to become convuluted by their desire to be the ultimate creative. Remaining and objective and recognizing her customer, however, are clearly Shabayeva's greatest strengths. Sculptural jackets in crimson, black, and camel; nude geometric crystal detailed cocktail dresses; fiery, high-detail evening wear with conviction; slouchy knit wraps and cardigans in mossy gray and lichen green - these are all amazing staple pieces that balance function with creativity. Executed with flawless construction of course. Versatile, market-conscious, and creative without delusion, Irina Shabayeva has the chops to be a success in this industry.

Post by Nicolas Sera-Leyva

It was 8:00pm and the backstage of The Studio was already buzzing. Photographers, subsisting on bottles of Fiji Water and Starbucks Frappuccinos, pushed through to get their perfect pre-show shot. Models in tightly braided chignons and lethal manicures sat around and texted, while make-up artists scurried frantically to prepare them for the last show of the day.

Irina Shabayeva’s femme fatale tone for hair and makeup was clearly no coincidence. “The inspiration for the collection was Fire and Ice. I wanted to show the symbolism of these two elements,” she tells District L. She elaborates on her concept, explaining how these two natural components are strong representations of life, death and evolution.

While working on her Lincoln Center debut, Irina also launched a collaboration line with INC and has been designing her own bridal collection. When we asked how she keeps it all together, she responded, “I’m actually not sure! It’s come to the point where I have to budget my time to a tee – almost down to the minute. But we’re expanding into different markets, and that’s really exciting.”

Despite all the fervor backstage, she had a moment to gush about her different projects. “I absolutely love doing bridal. It’s a time where someone is looking to buy something truly special and creative. It’s OK to get excessive with it.”

Before we bid adieu to the accomplished young designer, she took a moment to express her excitement about making it to Lincoln Center. “This has been very, very exhilarating. Finally! This was always my dream.”

Post by Amanda LaMela

Tomorrow begins the first “official” day of New York Fashion Week. And for those who haven’t partied too hard at the Pre-Fashion Week events and social media parties, the day will be starting early with some fresh-faced newbies.

At 9:30am, the two sisters from Porter Grey will be showing at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week for the first time. Filling The Box with crisp, elegant looks, the duo is proud to assure that all of their garments are designed and produced in New York.

Irina Shabayeva will also be making her Lincoln Center debut tomorrow. After falling in love with her previous off-site runway and celebrating her recent collaboration with INC, District L will finally get a moment to chat with the busy designer backstage before the show. At 9:00pm, Irina Shabayeva will be adorning The Studio with her collection inspired by fire and ice.

After the show, the DL will be heading to the Empire Rooftop for the Nolcha After-Party. After all, independent designers and retailers are our favorite people to have a drink for!

Post by Amanda LaMela

The Trump Soho was aglow tonight as Irina Shabayeva unveiled her collaboration with INC. Amongst rooftop cocktails and conversation, Madisen and I browsed the looks at Irina's model presentation.

Unsure of how the designer's edgy aesthetic would translate to the INC customer, the result pleasantly surprised the DL. Her flawlessly conveyed concept emerged from the suggestion of movement and dance. With body-con dresses, glitzy details, and flowing trims, this collection catered to the party-girl in all of us.

Post by Amanda LaMela

Three-day weekends are like invitation-only sample sales or open-bar fashion week parties – and District L hates abrupt, unwelcome endings. We celebrated the weekend’s start with a few rooftop cocktails at the Park Avenue Gansevoort. Despite the strong G&Ts and modern décor, the DL team kept Friday’s gathering short in order to make the most of our Saturday morning trip to Philadelphia. As we headed southbound on Saturday with Starbucks in tow, we enjoyed an AM impulse purchase from Plastique.

After arriving in Philadelphia, we held a fashion-fueled meeting with Lisa from Local Boutique. Although we were in the land of the Liberty Bell, we certainly maintained our New York state of mind.

We returned to New York later that evening and celebrated the day’s accomplishments at White Noise. Classic glamrock vibes kept us going until the wee hours of the morning. But Lou Reed quickly turned to Reade Street, with just a short nap separating our night-time follies from our brunch-time activities. We took to the streets of TriBeCa for some Sunday indulgence and stopped by Marc Forgione for bottomless mimosas and contemporary dishes. ­­After a few hours of excessive consumption, we sauntered around the neighborhood, visiting buzz-worthy shops like Working Class Emporium.

When the cold became too unbearable, we stumbled into the Tribeca Grand Hotel for a warming cappuccino. Finally, with the help of Nurse Bettie and her Rosemary Gin & Tonics, we returned to the Lower East Side for our Sunday nightcap.

We woke up to a work-free Monday and sartorial plans with Lois Eastlund. Wall Street was on a “red alert,” as we staged a rooftop photo shoot with a February theme.

After Lois left, our Monday melancholy returned with a vengeance. Fortunately, we will be curing these blues tomorrow at Irina Shabayeva’s preview event. From 5:30-7:30pm, District L will be swilling cocktails and chatting with the designer at Trump Soho.

Post by Amanda LaMela