District L

The Monday before last was a show-hopping debacle – unavoidably misty, yet bitter and cold. It was the kind of weather that sits heavy on the hair and could stop an attendee in her tracks. But waterproof mascara, taxi cabs, and 30-minute blow-dry salons are created for a reason; this was not a collection I was about to miss.

Daniella Kallmeyer held her presentation at Parlor New York, the members-only restaurant and lounge in Soho. The walls were decorated with images of scandalous old Hollywood nightlife, setting the tone for her inspiration. Leather-clad models in sheer separates positioned themselves around the first room, eyes fixed in unwavering, sultry stares.

We grabbed a glass of champagne at the baroque-style bar and walked to the next section. Continuing Kallmeyer’s twisted-classic ambiance, the second room displayed long, angular shapes in muted gem tones. Body-skimming silhouettes blurred the lines between feminine and dangerous - old glamour and new school pleasures.

Post by Amanda LaMela

Nina Skarra’s F’13 presentation began at promptly mimosa o’clock, with champagne flutes circling the Box for the first showing of the day. Those who accessorized with a demure hangover this morning were favorably informed that Skarra’s collection title, “Frosted Circus,” was not to be taken too literally. Instead, trumpet waists and plunging v-necks in ringleader palettes took center-stage. Skarra’s lioness knits and intricate textures earned an early morning applaud – or rather, the raise of an effervescent glass or two.

Post by Amanda LaMela

Smoke billowed out of the freshly hot-boxed Highline Loft for Highland’s F13 Collection. That conspicuous scent permeated the air, leaving one question in everyone’s mind: “How many models got stoned in the making of this presentation?”

A long-haired DJ spun in the back, eating cereal out of the box and drinking a can of PBR. Lava lamps lined the walls, popcorn and pillows were scattered on the floor, and tables held two bongs in front of the tube television. It looked like what the basement of Travis from Clueless might look like – 90s slacker paraphernalia with a hazy disposition.

Then the models filed in, each more ‘Stoner Casual’ than the next. Soft fleece vests over printed layered tees and knit hats were the uniform du jour. In head bands and long johns, this presentation pushed show production limits that have yet to be matched this season.

Post by Amanda LaMela

Confession: I’ve been catapulted to action after a particular PR contact mordantly remarked, “Last blog post: Dec. 24…”

I also just Googled “who won super bowl 2013.” Five minutes ago. But that’s not the point.

With Fashion Week just around the corner, one last-minute motivational push, and only a half-hour spent on RSVPs, I am still pretty behind. I’ve decided to get the ball rolling with a preview for Elliott Evan's F/W13 Collection, making his New York Fashion Week debut this Thursday.

Designer Elliott Giffis is a young AAU graduate who has launched his own collection and opened a store – all by the age of 26. This season, he will bring meditative masculinity back to menswear with NEVER FOREVER, a collection that mixes luxury and reality - the uneasiness of knowing that no comfort ever lasts.

Post by Amanda LaMela

Congratulations, you survived the third Apocalypse in the past year-and-a-half. You’ve also survived Santapocalypse, the night when thousands of drunk Santas were stealing your cabs and throwing up on your sidewalks. You lived to tell the tale of Chez Andre, drank and couch-surfed your way through a hurricane, and witnessed the expansion of an ODD empire. But now it’s time to worry about what you’re wearing for New Year’s Eve.

New Year’s Eve plans usually come in three separate genres:

The first takes place at a multi-level megaclub with 12-15 of your “closest” friends. After paying $400 each for bottle service or some “premium” open bar, two of your friends will end up crying in the bathroom, one will have broken a heel, and one will have passed out at your table before midnight. If these are your plans, just stop. Stop reading right now. You will all be wearing shimmery bandage dresses and Bebe pumps anyway.

The second genre is the “I’m laying low this year” response. If these are your plans, I suggest purchasing a body pillow and an extra box of Kleenex. You should also make sure your sponsor is readily available. Wear something stretchy.

For the rest of you, well done. It’s time for us to consider a look that will also work for the long 5am L train ride back from some warehouse in the middle-of-nowhere. Or perhaps you’re looking for something resilient, in case that ‘experimental performance art’ gets out of hand. Whether your plans take place in a gutted factory or a sunken ship, we’ve compiled some looks that cover a range of unexpected events.

Alice + Olivia

Post by Amanda LaMela

I spotted her as soon as she stepped onto the train at 34^th Street in opaque tights, Reeboks, and an ill-fitting pencil skirt. Her mid-heel “work pumps” were neatly tucked inside her navy nylon Longchamp and her wet hair was pulled back into a tight bun. She was probably about 28-years-old, but you could tell that she had just arrived to Penn Station from her parent’s home in Livingston, NJ.

Less than ten seconds after finding a seat next to me, I feel a tap on my shoulder, “Excuse me? Excuse me.”

I pull out one earbud, “Yes?”

“I can hear your music,” she observes.

“It’s Phantogram,” I respond helpfully and immediately stick the earbud back into place.

“Um, ok…um,” NJ Transit Girl taps again, “I can still hear it.”

“Great,” I mouth, still faux-smiling while eyeing the pink stripes on her creased button-down.

As my stop approaches, I scan the subway car – nobody else seemed bothered by the decibel level of my echoey, psych-pop playlist. In fact, our fellow passengers were too entrenched in their own technologies to even notice our short, thorny dialogue.

I thought about the exchange while on my walk to work, deciding that if NJ Transit Girl had simply carried herself differently, I might have taken her request to turn down my music for the last 30 seconds of my subway ride.

Moral of the story: If you’re committed to being a miserable bitch, please don’t dress like one.  

Post by Amanda LaMela
Image via weheartit.com

‘Twas the night before Christmas, now in 2012.
All the creatures were stirring,
‘Round the BLK DNM shelves. 
The stockings were left by the doorman with care,
In hopes to be filled with Monique Lhuillier.

The kids were all nestled at The Standard East,
In visions of Thakoon and the HYPEBEAST.
But then the night took a turn for bizarre,
When the jolliest man stumbled into the bar.

Dressed in all white, face full of elation.
“Santa,” we gasped, “Were you just at Sensation?”
With a look of disgust, St. Nicholas says,
“This is Spring/Summer Carlos Diez!”
Persistently defending his Christmas commonty,
“I rep the North Pole – not Nassau County!”

Before we could express a drop of regret,
He whistled and hollered down the bar’s long banquette: 
“On Anna, On Grace, On Christopher Kane!
On Lagerfeld, On Frida, On Alexander Wang!”

With a wink and a nod, the whole posse fled,
Filing into his Chanel Fiole sled.
Santa took to Twitter as he flew from the scene,
“#MerryChristmas, New York! Happy 2013!”

Post by Amanda LaMela
Images via howtospendit.com

We met Nora Logan of Pure Dead Brilliant during her jewelry showcase at Norwood last month. Concocting collections from curious inspiration, this globetrotter-turned-designer agreed to answer a few of our questions. 

Who do you have in mind when you are designing?

I often have myself in mind when I’m designing, often my designs come from thinking about something I would want to wear! I also have my friends in mind, thinking about their style and use that as a benchmark. It’s fun for me to imagine what people close to me would like to wear since I know them personally.

You created a collection titled, “Who says cassettes are dead.” What was the first cassette you've ever owned?

It was this mix tape that my mother made for exercising in the mid-80s and I had it until my first year at university – it had Elvis Costello, Squeeze, Dire Straits, Bonnie Raitt, the Pet Shop Boys. It was incredible.

Name one artist that you find completely 'Pure Dead Brilliant.'

Recording artist? l am loving Frank Ocean right now.

You have transported fans with your 'Move Me' collection -- now which is your preferred mode of transportation?

Nothing is better than driving a scooter, which is how I get around in Bali. I want to get one for New York but it’s a bit daunting to think of driving in the chaos here.

How would you describe your overall aesthetic?

It is an off-the-cuff, bold aesthetic, one that doesn’t take itself too seriously but is still serious about beautiful quality in both material and design.

After living in some of the best cities in the world, do you have any favorites?

I can’t choose! It’s always going to be between New York and London.

Name one little-known fact about yourself that you'd like readers to know.

I speak Indonesian fluently!

Pure Dead Brilliant

The Gc Timepieces Preview Event was held yesterday evening atop The Standard East Village at 25 Cooper Square. The dawn of summer attracted a vibrant crowd to this stylish rooftop presentation, which was further sweetened by champagne and seasonal cocktails.

The Swiss brand showcased over two dozen styles for men and women.

Post by Amanda LaMela

If spent correctly, Saturday afternoons have the potential to be ODD. Tucked quietly in the recesses of the garment district, ODD is a small haven for edgy emerging designers and ever-evolving style enthusiasts. The surreal showroom on 241 W. 37^th street boasts the ability to open at any time, always offering clients innovative, yet attainable designs.

Post-Saturday brunch, we arrived to Judson Harmon’s ODD showroom event for shopping and generous helpings of champagne. (Shimmying into an amusingly complicated, one-of-a-kind Kittinhawk dress may take some liquid courage and the expert hands of a showroom assistant.)

After a few hours of sartorial indulgence in CHRISHABANA, Costume Dept., and Skingraft, we walked out with all the makings for an outlandish evening.