District L

The demanding instrumental intro of Led Zeppelin’s Kashmir opened the Katya Leonovich show. Wearing Lucite geometric wedges, models charged down the runway in the designer's trademark prints. This season’s hand-painted garments came in swirls of cobalt, Egyptian blue and frosted moss, cinched with python corset belts and draped in faux fur. Achieving a balance of mystical and edgy, Leonovich combined leather corsets with dreamy watercolors, Zeppelin with Electroclash.

In summation, it's the kind of collection that makes you want to strut down the Bowery to Felix Da Housecat - Happy Hour.

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

There is nothing better than a well developed, Shazam-worthy runway show.

And after last season's 40-year anniversary celebration, Roberto Cavalli took the necessary steps to rock the runway once more. Literally.

His familiar boho-rocker-girl returned to the catwalk -- this time, combining feathers, lace and metallic bodysuits. Paired with the electronica crux, downtempo beats, and synthetic sounds of Kraftwerk's Radioactivity, Cavalli's impulsive dilettante matured into a edgy connoisseur.

Post by Amanda LaMela

Images by Style.com

We've helped build your Fashion Week playlist with our compilation below. For District L's top picks, click here.

From the Diane von Furstenberg FW2011 runway playlist:

Cut Copy – Need You Now

From the DKNY FW2011 runway playlist:

The Duke Spirit - Everybody's Under Your Spell

From the Prabal Gurung FW2011 runway playlist:

Florence and the Machine – Addicted to Love

Zola Jesus – Night

From the Calvin Klein FW2011 runway playlist:

James Blake – Klavierwerke

James Blake – The Wilhelm Scream

From the Marc by Marc Jacobs FW2011 runway playlist:

Gauntlet Hair - Heave

A song that's been played on mainstream radio is much like an aspiring model over the age of 18 - unlikely to make it onto the runway. But when a promising, young starlet is discovered, she can be found at every show that season. Rewind to New York Fashion Week last September and count how many times you heard Home by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros.

February's shows will soon arrive, pulling another artist or track out from obscurity. But we want you to find it first. We understand that scouring music blogs for a solid track can sometimes feel like trying to spot a real Louis Vuitton in a suburban high school. Authenticity is becoming increasingly difficult to find in every industry.

Until now.

Last week, a friend turned me on to TheSixtyOne, an internet radio station where artists upload their own work for review. But instead of submitting their music to the office of a record label, they open it up to thousands of independent voters. The site's lean towards social media allows listeners to share, as well as compete with other users' musical tastes. With an account song tracker, you'll have digital proof that you "liked it first."

Post by Amanda LaMela