District L

Oftentimes, a single accessory can completely transform a look. There is no denying the transformational abilities of 3.1 Phillip Lim opera gloves, hand-carved Rodarte platforms, or Olivier's shades. But all other statement pieces aside, there is nothing more conspicuous than the adornment on one's head. From Verrier to Hermes, Marc Jacobs to Missioni, here are the most popular hat trends for SS11.

Boater/Boss of the Plains/Gaucho Hat:

Verrier

Hermes

Yohji Yamamoto

Hermes

Carolina Herrera

Wide-Brimmed Floppy Hat:

Verrier

Marc Jacobs

Badgley Mishka

Prada

Alberta Ferretti

L'Wren Scott

Missoni

Images by Style.com; Amanda LaMela

Post by Amanda LaMela

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

At the recent Glamour Women of the Year Awards in London, Gucci maven Frida Giannini was given the "distinguished" title of "Designer of the Year".

Don't get us wrong- we love Frida Giannini. More than love. We adore, in fact.

The question is: do we care what Glamour magazine has to say?

Prada's Fall 2009 collection, in typical Miuccia style, gave fashion a check-up from the neck-up. The card-carrying communist sent an assortment of almost overwhelmingly sepia-toned looks down the runway, in very austere style that brought to mind a rally of the Facist Women of Padova in the forties.

Prada's showing, while practical, was still elegant in all the right places. The production, including the models' ghostly makeup jobs, made the occasional splash of color all the more energizing. Overall a fantastic presentation, however, in which Prada reminded us of her utilitarian roots.

"I love fashion, but I think it should stay in its place, not rule your life. It's a very nice part of your life, but I think it should be fun."- Miuccia Prada, UK Vogue

Photos from Style.com