District L

Newspaper of District L co-editor Nicolas Sera-Leyva's hometown of Washington DC, The Washington Post, recently began running a web-based video segment on DC Street Fashion called "Scene-In".

I watched it today, and was not impressed. I know 5 more stylish people in DC for every 1 they showed in that segment. Not to brag- but seriously people, come on.

DC is not known as a fashion capital by any extent- it has a burgeoning design scene limited more to Graphic and Industrial, but when it comes to fashion plates we have been weighed and found wanting (with the notable exception of Michelle Obama, of course). Also, Dupont Circle is probably not the best place to go scouting for local style- DC's gayborhood is overrun with cargo shorts, tank tops, and fag hags in H&M.

Hopefully on the next segment of "Scene-In", yours truly will be making a much needed appearance.

Watch it here

Check us out, and the other Street Pulse candids at Soma Magazine in the Street Pulse section.

Why? Seriously though. Yes, we understand that the economy is bad and that doing a line for a huge megacorporateconglomerate pays the bills pretty well. But Payless Shoe Source? A misnomer- clearly NOT the source of all shoes- at least none of the shoes in my closet. But I digress; District L saw Lela Rose at Fashion Week and had nothing but good things to say about her. She was right on target trendwise, and we were just in love with it.

Now, sadly, it seems like she's joined the ranks of designers who are selling out in all the wrong places. Stay tuned, because as much as I hate to say this, there are more.

"I have made this decision in order to protect the Just Cavalli image and its clients."

This is what Roberto Cavalli, the only designer who could send a laminated, bedazzled leopard print gown down the catwalk and have everyone gushing, had to say regarding the cancellation of his Milan showing following the licensee behind Just Cavalli, Ittierre, filing for bankruptcy protection.

This is just the latest in a series of economy-related casualties that have been rearing their ugly heads since New York Fashion Week where designers were cancelling shows and ducking out of the tents in favor of cheaper private venues right and left.

What will the rising fashionistas of the world do without Cavalli's much loved bridge line?

On a lighter note, Donatella Versace is prepping to relaunch the Versace bridge line, Versus, which was unceremoniously put on ice 4 years ago. A rather bold move, as Versace is notorious for not doing mass markdowns- clearly, they now need a new source of ancillary income like everyone else.

Just pray to Karl, people. He'll get us through this.

Feiyue (pronounced Fe-yu-e), a footwear line that caught District L's eye today at Rendez-Vous, combines a modern aesthetic with traditional functionality. According to Raan Parton, creative director for Apolis Activism who was at Rendez-Vous today representing the brand, Feiyue got its start in 1920's China as a utilitarian array of footwear used primarily in Martial Arts.

"All along its history, [Feiyue] has been a reference among all Chinese social categories from the countryman to the politician, from the captain of the national soccer team to the famous Shaolin masters"- Overview Prospectus, Feiyue Shoes.

How egalitarian!

Feiyue's look is a mesh between the functional styling of Superga and the shape and detailing of Asics Tigers (Asics Mexico 66 is quite similar to their signature shoe; maybe Feiyue's influences stretches farther than we thought.) Check out some of the photos we snapped today and you can be the judge.

Check out Feiyue and be sure to pop into an Odin New York to get up close and personal. District L will definitely be picking up a few pairs.

Feiyue Shoes
Odin New York

Post by Nicolas Seraleyva

"With the research skills and portfolios these kids have, there will always be people who want them. In fact, I know there are already. I just can't say who."- Louise Wilson, Professor and Mentor to MA Students at Central Saint Martin's, on the fears of graduating into today's delightfully energetic and totally unperilous job market (she isn't worried...neither are her students I'm sure).

The Central Saint Martin's show is always a sight to behold, and you can expect a full report so, so, so soon here on District L. I hate to make you go without, but be brave and hold tight. We can get through this together.

"I haven't been to Egypt, but it's one place I've always wanted to go," said Siriano. "So it was my interpretation of what I feel like it should be, or my fantasy of what I think it is...I wanted the collection to be powerful, but I still wanted it to be soft and still feminine, and still wearable."

Christian Siriano, on the inspiration for his Fall 2009 Collection, Fashion Wire Daily

Yes, I know NY Fashion Week has come and gone (sadly) but Christian Siriano has been doing a fantastic job of staying in the public eye, unlike most of the other Project Runway winners (Chloe Dao? What ever happened to her?). He's definitely the most successful-unlike Season 4 winner Jeffrey Sebelia and the live-action Bratz movie costume gig he scored.

Run, little one, run.

I've been following Doo.Ri since September of 2005 and it's really stunning to see how far she's come in less than 4 years; the former lead designer for Geoffrey Beene and CFDA-Swarovski Perry Ellis Award winner has already launched a bridge line, Under.Ligne, featuring T-shirts and her signature jersey dresses. I really have to say, however, how utterly sublime her Fall 2009 showing was. It really and truly encapsulated the mood and trends of the season in a totally cohesive and fluid collection of looks.

[caption id="attachment_282" align="aligncenter" width="320" caption="Doo.Ri- Fall 2009 RTW"][/caption]

Detailed tights, picking up on the printed legging trend, and lusciously draped jersey in a robust shade of this season's violet.

[caption id="attachment_283" align="aligncenter" width="320" caption="Doo.Ri- Fall 2009 RTW"][/caption]

Cascading iridescent vinyl fabric with bead detailing.

[caption id="attachment_284" align="aligncenter" width="320" caption="Doo.Ri- Fall 2009 RTW"][/caption]

Sheer, diaphanous detailing on the sleeves and torso- another emerging trend for fall.

[caption id="attachment_286" align="aligncenter" width="320" caption="Doo.Ri- Fall 2009 RTW"][/caption]

Balmain-inspired shoulder play, and more detailed tights. Who could ask for more?

Doo.Ri deserves every ounce of praise and plaudit that comes her way this season; what a fabulous collection. We're all looking forward to seeing your work for Spring 2010.

9AM- PROJECT RUNWAY, The Tent, Bryant Park
10AM and 11AM- RALPH LAUREN, 275 Hudson Street
12NOON- TADASHI SHOJI, The Salon, Bryant Park
2PM- CHADO RALPH RUCCI, The Tent, Bryant Park

And another NY Fashion Week comes and goes...until June for Resort, my love.

[caption id="attachment_260" align="aligncenter" width="603" caption="Heidi uses her X-Ray vision to detect danger at Fashion Week. "][/caption]

"Hey what? Heidi Klum in a gold lame jumpsuit saving a catwalk full of models from a loose screw? I LOVE HEIDI KLUM WHERE DID YOU FIND THIS?"

The answer is new favorite website Modelinia, a website about that much admired but probably much taken for granted part of fashion week and the industry as a whole: oh yeah, THE MODELS. On Modelinia you can see some pretty amazing stuff: Chanel Iman rapping about her southern roots, Heidi Klum selling bras at a Victoria Secret, newbie models getting their 23-waist asses kicked by a pair of Louboutins.

Probably the real highlight of this website though is Heidi. Heidi Heidi Heidi. Have her shout something ridiculous and you could sell me anything.