District L

I know I’m a few years late, but Sunday afternoon, I finally buckled down to endure my first (and last) 30 minutes of Mad Men ever. In light of Pre-Fall’s 60s-inspired, ladylike inclination, I was expecting a stream of classically stylish images to effortlessly project from the screen and into my lazy Sunday mind.

While their interpretation of 60s style was visually striking, I was otherwise unimpressed. I launched into quiet contemplation and castigation of society’s current taste levels, wondering how anyone could possibly think this was good TV, let alone give it awards. Was I missing something here?

But before I could get dangerously introspective, I turned my attention back to a more comfortable place – the fashion. Betty Draper and Joan Holloway made large floral prints and full skirts, a’la Erdem, feel fresh again. Adorning smooth, coiffed waves, as demonstrated by Alice + Olivia, these characters exude the era’s demure sophistication. Designers, like Tribune Standard, paired leather opera gloves and daytime patterns to combine the polish of the past with the tempo of today.

And thank god, or else I’d just be writing about how I watched Mad Men and didn’t really like it…

Sonia Rykiel

Erdem

Milly

Rebecca Minkoff

Post by Amanda LaMela

There are a lot of months between February and September. Six to be exact. So in order to survive the days between fashion weeks, we encourage delusional daydreaming and a touch of self-absorption to numb the separation pains:

Load your iPod with the best runway playlists and leave last season’s blazer at home – because when you turn your everyday life into one big fashion show, no one can ever give you standing room.

Mundane Activity #1: Morning Commute on Casual Friday

Mental Retreat: Seventies Marina by IVANAhelsinki

On Your iPod: “It is Familiar” – Bodies of Water, “Home” – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

A buoyant saunter down Broadway will effortlessly coordinate with Ivana’s breezy look – even if entering your office feels like walking the plank.

Mundane Activity #2: Picking up shoes at the cobbler

Mental Retreat: Daytime RockLuxe by Rebecca Minkoff

On Your iPod: “Fake Tales Of San Francisco” – Artic Monkeys, “Moving To New York” – The Wombats, “Rich Girls” – The Virgins

Some people might ask, “Why do I have to get all dressed up to go to the cobbler?” And that’s why some people won’t get an abandoned pair of Choos for free.

Mundane Activity #3: Renewing your license at the DMV

Mental Retreat: Post-Apocalyptic Amusement Park by martinMARTIN

On Your iPod: “People Are Strange (Chew Fu Manjamango Remix)” – The Doors

People are strange when you’re a stranger. And there is no place stranger than the DMV, so you might as well play the part with style.

Let’s face it – No one’s “to-do” list is exclusively fabulous. Even Anna has to go to the dentist sometimes. While next Monday's activities might not be Tweet-worthy, you don't have to make it look that way.

Post by Amanda LaMela

Remember how we mentioned the upcoming Rebecca Minkoff Sample Sale? Well, there's another chance to nab exotic skins in Soho. From November 17-19, handbag designer SANG A will be offering her rebellious, luxurious accessories at a heavy discount. Conveniently timed during Rebecca's Soho sale, shoppers can snatch a SANG A original for up to 80% off. So, don't say we never told you...

Post by Amanda LaMela

Everybody loves a sample sale. It's clinically proven. It increases endorphins or serotonin or something.

Lucky for us (and you), we just got word of Rebecca Minkoff's Fall 2010 Sample Sale. The four-day sale starts on November 17, just in time for a pre-Thanksgiving splurge some early Christmas shopping. We adored her SS11 presentation this past September, so you'll be sure to see us there.

Just remember, sample sales can turn into dog-eat-dog tirades... or more accurately, hungry-fashionista-does-not-eat-other-hungry-fashionista-but-jabs-her-with-pointy-elbow-instead.

Post by Amanda LaMela

After a post-NYFW weekend spent catching up on sleep, nourishment, and the occasional phone call, District L found time to delve into our messy runway notes.

We started the week together at MAINENTRANCE, celebrating DJ Riggs and Berry Bachen's launch of their new creative space. As street-style photographer, Mr. Newton, furiously snapped away, guests enjoyed cocktails and music in the hidden Midtown location.

The first official day of New York Fashion Week in Lincoln Center was September 9. Our schedule for the evening included a picnic-perfect Verrier presentation, followed by a collective showing called Concept Korea. The next day, Nicolas ventured to the tents solo, where he enjoyed Buckler, EDITION by Georges Chakra, Ports 1961, and Alexander Berardi, just to name a few. We later met up on the Lower East Side for a fabulous Fashion's Night Out with Lois Eastlund.

Our weekend started in the Studio with Mik Cire. His male models must have gotten rowdy that night, because Rebecca Minkoff's girls were rocking a bit of morning-after attitude the following day. While I attended Minkoff's model presentation at the Box, Nick headed to the Audi Forum for some Thuy eye-candy.

We reconvened over EFFEN cocktails in the IMG Fashion Lounge before heading to see Joaquin Trias' intelligent design. We then attended Custo Barcelona's party-girl parade before jetting downtown to catch Sally Lapointe's inspiring debut show.

Monday rolled around, bringing Monique Lhuillier's delicious temptation to the Stage. Later that evening, the District L dyad met up for sorbet in Key West - I mean, the Perry Ellis runway show. Post-Perry, we cabbed it down to ION Studios to check out ANN YEE's model party over wine and remixes by Crystal Castles.

Tuesday brought us two fantastic fairytales:  TIBI and Toni Francesc. Afterwards, we headed to Toni's afterparty at Veranda, where we drank Given and chatted up Aimee from Song of Style.

We met up the following evening to witness some Lynn Wyatt-chic at Zang Toi. On Thursday, Nick attended the Argentina Group Show before meeting up with me at Milk Studios for The Blonds. After devouring our much-needed dose of sparkle, sex, and spunk, we headed back to Lincoln Center. Helping out with our hectic schedule, Madisen Walker remained uptown to cover Rebecca Moses, or rather, cover-to-cover Rebecca Moses.

The last New York show of the season was IVANAhelsinki. After searching relentlessly, Paola Ivana Suhonen found her sailor - in sun-washed nautical prints and rope-coil boots.

Post by Amanda LaMela

Rebecca Minkoff, recognized mostly for her handbags and celebrity following, showed her SS/11 collection at the Box in Lincoln Center on Sunday afternoon. While outside it may have been raining, her indoor presentation was reminiscent of a summer romp on the beach. Expertly layered leather, along looser-fitting silhouettes, inspired a reckless-yet-apathetic aura among the models as they pouted towards the cameras.

"Uh, so...yeah, there's some juice in the fridge if you wanted any on your way out..."