District L

Parisian designer, Kevork Kiledjian, made his New York debut last February with an A-list show at Milk Studios. After a successful, buzz-worthy collection, the dynamic atelier returned for Resort 2012, with a presentation just as strong as his first.

Maintaining a tone that is both sultry and fresh, Kiledjian mixed body-con silhouettes with sheer overlays and geometric cut-outs. The look, which is reminiscent of Versace circa-1979, is modernized with neutral color-blocking and crisp fabric contrasts.

Playlist Inspiration: Glass Candy – Beatific

Channel Kevork’s sultry perspective and late-70s inspiration with the synth-rock influences of Glass Candy.

Post by Amanda LaMela

Images by Style.com

For once, this wasn't what I was muttering to myself while bulldozering my way through a crowded bar with a full-to-the-brim G&T in each hand.

I did, however, manage to down a few flutes and globes this past Saturday evening in SoHo at 75 Spring Street for UK Breast Cancer research charity Too Many Women's Cocktails and Shopping Event.

Masterminded by TMW Ambassadors Georgie Downie and Kate Becker, along with friends Kaley, Kenner, and Karoline Bolt, the intimate affair boasted donated designer goods from the likes of Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo, Versace, Marc Jacobs, Tibi, Steven Alan, Jean Paul Gaultier, Issey Miyake, Matthew Williamson, and Zac Posen. DVF herself even donated a selection from her A/W 2010 collection, including a beautiful reversible gilt coat pictured below.

Friend and former VICE comrade Kaley Bolt gave us the grand tour of the event space, the New York office of cutting-edge international advertising agency Smoke and Mirrors. Low lights, a superb selection of womenswear (the XL Loro Piana wool pullover in the photo below was one of the last remnants of the men's rack by the time I arrived), and an overall generous spirit made for a fantastic evening.

And what a successful evening it was as well - when all was said and done, Kaley & co. managed to raise nearly $10,000 for Breast Cancer research. Needless to say, after doing our part, I felt ever so slightly better about the next morning's extra sybaritic brunchtime shenanigans...and those of the night that preceeded them.

Post by Nicolas Sera-Leyva

"Rigor with sensuality" said Donatella of her spring collection, an elektra-fying parade of energetic, Grecian inspired looks that temper the brand's trademark oozing sexiness with a newfound element of aggressive restraint. Donatella has taken her signature diva - flowing mane, fishtail sequin gown and all - and yanked her back from behind into a highly sartorial, well-edited interpretation of the Versace aesthetic.

We've been seeing a lot of designers in Milan this season step out of their comfort zones and take new approaches to their design process. It stands to reason - with the global economy beginning to take a turn for the better, luxury customer bases are more willing to invest in bolder statement pieces. Versace S/S 2011 embraces the bold turquoise and tangerine hues we've been seeing, but contrasted with beautifully tailored high-waisted skirts and cutout jackets in beige and brilliant white. Take a panoramic view of any seaside island village in the Cyclades and you'll find the same palette - white washed concrete houses with orange tiled roofs and churches with turquoise domed naves.

Finally, the Greek key motif seen on many of the looks was a brave move by the designer - some might say it drives the point a little too far home, but we say it's an assertion of the traditional values of the Versace house.

Post by Nicolas Sera-Leyva

Images from Style.com

She'll ruin you.

Just days following confirmation of the rumor that Versace CEO Giancarlo di Risio was to step down following a dispute with Donatella Versace, it would appear that a successor has already been found. Gian Giacomo Ferraris is to be the next CEO of Versace, following Giancarlo di Risio's creative disagreement with the brand's celebrity creative director which ultimately led to his resignation.

This gentleman believes he has what it takes. We're inclined to agree.

The new meat has quite an impressive resume to boot- since 2004 he has served as CEO of the Jil Sander group, and before that was the managing director of the Gucci Group RTW division.

He better watch it. Period.

...but Versace isn't the only company experiencing a management overhaul. Several other notable designers and retailers seem to have jumped onto the spring cleaning bandwagon and made big changes.

Barbara Menarguz was named Senior Vice President and CFO of Chanel yesterday.

Ken Downing, Senior Vice President and Fashion Director for Neiman Marcus, is now overseeing their consolidated fashion office.

Roopal Patel will become women's fashion accessory senior market editor at Neiman Marcus Inc. She was formerly senior fashion director at Bergdorf Goodman.

Lisa Montague, who was the chief operating officer at Mulberry, has resigned. Her duties will be absorbed by Godfrey Davis, Mulberry's chief executive and chairman.

Fortunately, the long-term plan at District L dictates that it shall remain under the same management until the apocalypse. Whenever that decides to roll around.

The couple, in better days.

Due to a conflict sparked by so-called "creative differences" (not hard to believe) with creative director Donatella, Versace CEO Giancarlo di Risio has decided to step down from the company but will stay on until a successor is found. So the rumors were true.

District L honestly can't think of any conceivable way one could win an argument against Donatella.

Need we say more?

Donatella posed this question following this afternoon's runway in Milan; Iridescence and Metallics reigned supreme for Fall 2009 at Versace today. A stunning assortment of asymmetrically cut, fluid chiffon gowns in shades of aqua, navy, and beige with beaded metallic detailing (some with diaphanous sheer detailing on the torso and bodice as well, right on target) won plaudits, and a selection of skirts and mohair jackets woven with steel thread was an educated twist on the metallic we've seen in other shows. Also, sequined cocktail dresses echoed nature with their fishscale meets snakesin texture- similar to what we saw at Fendi with their nature-meets-industry motif.

Like Prada, Versace really stayed true to its' roots this season: sticky sweet, glamorous, and irreverent. Backs were cut low, colors bold, and detailing was sumptuous and well-balanced. In these somewhat raucous times globally, it was reassuring to see this leit-motif of sticking to one's roots remain prevalent throughout the collections of the luxury houses this season.

Photos from FashionWireDaily.com