District L

Don’t think you’re special, October. I’ve met your kind before. Moody and aloof, you’re just a menopausal April - rain and all. And I’m not afraid to state the obvious: You make a terrible summertime rebound.

It’s fine if you don’t want to stay, October. Just know you’ll be handled like the fussy months that came before you. This season, it’s about more than just “wearing the pants” – it’s about developing a thicker skin.

From the rubber effect added by Lagerfeld to the quilting in A.L.C., ubiquitous leather skinnies are just demanding some tough love. Sure, these looks are all for SS/2013, but let’s face it… Patience is no longer a virtue – it’s a liability.  

A.L.C

Karl Lagerfeld 

Bruno Schiavi

10 Crosby Derek Lam

BLK DNM

Jason Wu

Post by Amanda LaMela

Karl Lagerfeld has a penchant for scandal – ‘hate’ lists, prostitute photography... and of course, his infamous posse. From 2006-2007, Karl appointed Lindsay Lohan to accompany him at almost every noteworthy event. Then, in the midst of their Beatrice heyday, the Olsens were frequently spotted on Lagerfeld’s arm. Blake Lively was the most recent face of Chanel, but it seems that Karl has already grown tired of the tame Gossip Girl.

Alice Dellal, British model/socialite/heiress, was picked by Karl Lagerfeld to be the face for Chanel’s latest handbag line, “Boy.” In addition to Chanel’s newly-published print ads, Alice also appeared in Karl’s fashion short, “My New Friend Boy,” which was released last month.

Post by Amanda LaMela

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through New York

Creatures were stirring with stylish quirk.

The stockings were ordered from ASOS with flair,

With doubts that they matched a damn thing I’d wear.

The kids snuggled up in 300-count threads,

While visions of VPL Pre-Fall danced in their heads.

Dressed all in furs of silver and brown, we headed out to the west side of town.

When out on the terrace, we heard such a clatter,

Yet we feigned indifference regarding the matter.

But just as we handed the bartender cash, a handful of iPhones started to flash.

Out on the roof of The James on Grand, we had the best view in all of the land.

When, what to our blurry eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.

With a little old driver dressed in McQueen,

Santa arrived to see-and-be-seen.

In a red coat with black fur trim, St. Nick was looking Lagerfeld-thin.

I thought to myself that something was wrong.

Perhaps these drinks were a tad bit too strong?

But before the next thought could rack through my brain,

He whistled and shouted and called out by name,

“Jimmy Fallon! Sandy Kenyon! You’re not smart or funny!

Get the hell out my cab! Sleigh rentals cost money!

And that Kardashian store belongs in a mall!

Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”

Like a dramatized hurricane once named Irene,

He swirled back to the sky with some boozy caffeine.

But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he flew from the Jimmy

“Merry Christmas, New York! I love this damn city!”

Post by Amanda LaMela

Artwork from Jelly London by Jo Bird

"No, I didn't have to fire my assistant for being illiterate. I fired her because her fingers were too fat for her iPhone."

In the world of District L, there could be no moar perfect form of government than the Robo-Glitterati Totalitarian Technocracy. Just imagine it! All night rooftop dance parties on levitating glass and steel high-rise hotels, sexy robot ladies spraying you in the face with vodka from their robo-tits, Karl Lagerfeld blasting holes in the ozone with his laser eyes, and Anna Dello Russo flicking the lights on and off while Busy P spins "Call On Me" on a loop. That's how government works, right?

So now speaking of imagining, imagine the soul-crushing disappointment we suffered this morning when we discovered that a very different Robo-Glitterati Totalitarian Technocracy was being ushered in, by none other than THE FACEBOX.

According to techCrunch, Facebook will be hosting an event this coming Monday featuring the unveiling of their top-secret Project Titan initiative - referred to internally as the "G-mail killer". Meaning, basically, that Facebook will soon be launching it's own answer to Gmail that will tie directly into the social networking giant's existing evil, soul-sapping, privacy-obliterating Orwellian techn0logiez. So hide your kids, hide your wife, and get ready to sit down to dinner with a Facebook Telescreen watching your every movement!! YOUR CRIMETHINKING DAYS ARE NUMBERED.

The Robo-Glitterati Totalitarian Technocracy, it would appear, is starting to look less like that sexy titanium Vargas girl and more like this.

Post by Nicolas Sera-Leyva

The relationship between fashion and the economy is a running motif of District L's in depth industry analyses - there are few correlations in our society with such a tangible and literally visible impact.

The last few seasons, we were all privy to the effect the downturn had on the industry - classic looks oozing with timeless wearability made an especially spectacular re-emergence. Particularly palpable after the decadent, angular 80's glamfest of F/W 2009 to be certain. With the timely rise of recessionista chic, color and concept quickly began to play second fiddle.

Which is why, this season, we were pleasantly surprised to see designers lose their poker faces and begin to go all in. Chances! Risks! Gambles! A touch of the dearly missed caprice and whim of the industry had returned. This attitude was manifested no better than by the escapist, nostalgic, and in some cases almost fairytale-ish surrealism that many labels embraced for Spring, seen everywhere from Monique Lhuillier's seductive Eden enchantress and Toni Francesc's woodland warriors in New York to Mary Katrantzou's digital dreamscapes in London and Karl Lagerfeld and Silvia Venturini's youthful, evocative collection for Fendi in Milan.

But the fun didn't stop there - check out some of these moments from Spring 2011's Great Escape.

Post by Nicolas Sera-Leyva

Photos from Style.com and Jakandjil.com

This morning, WWD reassured us that Paris Fashion Week remains unaffected by Europe's current terror threat. To the untrained eye, the editors and other members of the fashion elite seem unfazed, but District L will clue you in on the real story:

Anna Wintour: Assistant #3? I've heard murmurs about terror in Paris. Check everyone within 500 yards for red paint... Hello? ...Well, don't just stand there - GO.

Andre Leon Talley: Oh, my dear! It looks like I'll have to change into my Louis Vuitton 'Nonchalance' cape. I'd hate to ruin my purple mink.

Outside the Louvre, smoking a cigarette.

Ines de la Fressange: Karl, darling... Is something bad happening here? Anna's assistant is scouring the Louvre for suspicious activity and Andre is hiding in his Nonchalance cape.

Karl Lagerfeld: Wrong here? Other than this never-ending pregnancy trend, the obesity epidemic, and society's obsession with "love"? Probably.

Ines de la Fressange: Just warn me. I'll just hide inside your collar and -

Karl: Wait! Look!

Ines: What?!

Karl: Are those jogging pants?? I thought I notified the press. Those are the world's stealthiest weapons of ass production.

Post by Amanda LaMela

This season, Karl Lagerfeld and Silvia Venturini Fendi spun an escapist narrative of a different sort from what we heard in New York. Instead of a woodland romp a la Monique Lhuillier and Toni Francesc, Fendi's S/S 2011 girl harked back to a youth of fiery romance and reckless adventure spent under the mediterranean sun.

A distinctly seventies vibe prevailed throughout the runway, with a luscious palette of turquoise, copper, tangerine, and poppy spread across a lively assortment of tunics, caftans, and maxi-dresses. Full of vitality and luxury, the deconstructed silhouettes were made for windswept adventures by the seaside; however, the tone of the collection was less sex and more nostalgia. Each look communicated an individual story or memory with evocative geometries, prints, and colors.

Nostalgia isn't Lagerfeld's strong suit, however this season he showed us just how delicate and emotional his design process can be. Fine microprints, darned floral motifs, and strong yet humble silhouettes expertly communicate the complicated array of emotions brought about through reminiscence. The work of both designers is apparent in the collection, yet neither overshadows the other.

Post by Nicolas Sera-Leyva

Images from Style.com

Above: KARL LAGERFELD STICKERS.

KARL LAGERFELD STICKERS.

A large, padded envelope from Australia containing the Fashematics S/S 2010 Fashematical zine awaited on District L's front door after a brief hop to Washington DC.

KARL LAGERFELD STICKERS.

Also, KARL LAGERFELD STICKERS.