District L

This might be the polar opposite of any economy-driven protest. But it will certainly inspire movement.

August got off to a scorching start for District L: Shoe shows, midnight boat parties, and music festivals certainly create gridlocks in our already-crazy schedules. Toss in a heat wave, and suddenly the world’s spinning.

Monday, August 1^st started off in a murky haze, aftermath of The Raveonettes’ delight. Despite the reluctant start, I traded feathers for pearls and began preparation for the August FFANY Shoe Show. Disinclination suddenly turned to keenness, as I walked into the first showroom on Tuesday. Old favorites like Charles Jourdan combined with exciting newcomers like Cece L’amour, all singing a similar tune – positive undulations of color.

After a week of nonstop showroom visits and Hilton-hopping, I’d already made my 2012 conclusions for feathered embellishments, stacked heels, and wooden wedges: The future of footwear looked great and we were all onboard for some fantastic trends.

And ‘onboard’ I remained – as Friday evening’s itinerary included the Yacht Rock Boat Cruise. Hosted by Nicky Digital, a crew of seafaring night owls embarked on The Clipper City Tall Ship. And it looks like next weekend, we’ll be doing it again – Jules Kim of Bijules will be hosting Good Peoples Summer Sail for more randan revelry.

Post by Amanda LaMela

Day 7 of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week began with an urgent conundrum: How would I possibly manage to find a makeup artist to apply my false lashes before today’s shows!? With every cosmetic professional long reserved for the week, I eventually convinced the receptionist at Wonderland that her abilities would suit my immediate needs. Minutes after the glue dried, we ran a half-block over to The Standard for the Rochambeau menswear presentation.

After feasting our eyes on the sun-kissed boys of Rochambeau, we made our way up to Allegri’s cocktail party and presentation. Arriving early, we checked our coats and headed over to the Star Lounge to enjoy a few glasses of champagne and watch the Milly by Michelle Smith runway show.

Allegri, the Italian outerwear brand, celebrated 40 years and made its New York debut in Lincoln Center’s courtyard. We arrived to the event around 4:30 and perused the spectacular outdoor presentation, complete with models, mannequins, and a suspended umbrella display.

The courtyard filled with sociable industry professionals enjoying wine and conversation. We met up and chatted with designer, Loris Diran. Since we last saw him at his boutique party, he’s been keeping very busy. Recently, he won the Rising Star Award for menswear.

After enjoying Allegri’s cocktail celebration, we headed backstage for Anna Sui. While we got a chance to snap a few photos of the behind-the-scenes hustle, we had to flee the site pre-show to make it to Milk Studios for The Blonds.

The pre-show scene for The Blonds was as outrageous as one might expect. Head-turners like Amanda Lepore were in the front-row, entertaining and posing for the cameras. Once the lights dimmed and the music started, the audience was treated to dancing dragons, a drag queen video montage, and a glittering Far East runway collection. [Read here for more coverage of The Blonds]

Post by Amanda LaMela

This past Friday, NOMIA’s sleek, geometric FW11 collection was presented in the intimate Highline Room at the Standard Hotel. The venue’s attuned blend of nature, urbanity, and notorious exhibitionism matched perfectly with the theme of NOMIA’s runway. Staying true to the designer’s body-conscious aesthetic, Yara Flinn demonstrated an artful use of cutouts and scandal-stirring hemlines. Pops of green infused a palate of neutrals and greys, providing an organic tone to this angular motif. Sheer overlays also added an ethereal ingredient to an otherwise structural collection.

The most fantastic part: No pants! The collection did enjoy its fair share of seamed leggings and jumpsuits, appropriate for Flinn’s streamlined-yet-sensual silhouettes. With versatile brunch seperates, a trench for walks along the Highline, and dresses made for afterparties at Le Bain, NOMIA’s collection set a gold Standard for FW11.

Post by Madisen Walker

After a round of Bee's Knees and Lady Lemons at the Boom Boom bar, the DL team elbowed their way through the throngs to The Standard Hotel's 3rd floor for Bensoni's A/W 2011 showing. Always a treat for the eyes, Bensoni's Channing Clyburn and Sonia Yoon delivered a vibrant 70's-inspired lineup last Spring. It was well received -  said Style.com of the twosome in their review "It will be exciting to watch this pair continue to find their voice in seasons to come" and we were inclined to agree. Needless to say, their Fall collection didn't disappoint.

Framing their runway in the context of a Gothic Wedding Vignette, each of the 24 looks shown was a story unto itself. Expertly styled, Bensoni gave us dramatic fur vests and parkas, daring outerwear in metallic snake and raw scratched wool, plenty of lace net, and a few coquettish peplumed looks that demonstrated a flawless sense of color (bridesmaids?). Multiple prints were used in many individual looks, a skill that few designers can pull off - the sheer amount of detail in each outfit was impressive.

Clyburn and Yoon executed their Fall collection without taking their inspiration too literally, another ability that they were noted for possessing last Spring. It's easy to envision a "Gothic Wedding" as a parade of pure leather and fishnet, which tonight's runway decidedly was not. We came away from The Standard afterwards feeling supremely fulfilled, and we're already anxious to see what the gifted young duo will present next season.

Post by Nicolas Sera-Leyva