District L

"My vision is not about fantasy; it's about reality. I design for women, and I have my eyes on what I want you to look like."
-Yigal Azrouel, in W Magazine

Another New York Fashion Week has come and passed, but not without one last District L review of the week’s wild events.

Friday the 13th spelled bad luck for Yigal Azrouël who apparently did not want Ashley Dupré, Eliot Spitzer’s former call girl, in the front row of his show. Yigal claimed that when he reviewed the seating chart with Kelly Cutrone, this scandalous celebrity’s name was nowhere to be found. The fabulous designer concluded to WWD, “I’m not going to work with [Cutrone] anymore.” He then added, “I’m really not happy about it.”

Paris and Nicky caused a paparazzi stir on Monday as they entered The New York Free Library for Jill Stuart’s show. While I adore the fun-loving Hilton sisters, attendees found it annoying that they were fooling around for the duration of the show. This further reinforces my beliefs that, for the most part, Young Hollywood and New York Fashion Week do not mix.

Later that evening, guests were surprised to see Carine Roitfeld at the William Rast show. For some reason, Justin Timberlake and Paris Vogue don’t seem all that compatible.

On Tuesday afternoon, Behnaz Sarafpour was cut a raw deal. While his invites read 2:30pm, the IMG schedule said 2:00pm. The time discrepancy caused his venue to be half-empty at the start of his show (or half-full, depending how you look at it.)

The Armani store on 5th had its opening party Tuesday evening. Anna, Carine, Chace Crawford and the Beckhams were on the guest list. PETA protestors also made an appearance… outside.

3.1 Phillip Lim showed on Wednesday the 18th. Surprisingly, the show was not well attended and some standing room guests even snagged first and second row seats! On the other hand, Kanye and his entourage didn’t give up their first row spots. He strutted in just as the lights dimmed.

Richie Rich’s first show as a solo designer was also on the 18th. While Kanye didn’t make it to this show, 40-something sexpot Pamela Anderson was there to grab the spotlight.
“She totally embodies the Marilyn Monroe of our times,” Richie Rich gushed. Really??

Speaking of Marilyn, Marilyn Agency celebrated their 10th anniversary at Rose Bar last night. There’s no better way to toast the end of an eventful Fashion Week than with a glass (or three) of Veuve.

…and that’s just what District L is about to do! Cheers!

Post by Amanda LaMela

As temperatures drop, Fall/Winter silhouettes for menswear tend to fatten as heavy knits and overcoats get thrown into the fray. This year is no exception; however, as many tighten their belts to weather the tide of recession chic (yes, I'm just as tired of hearing that as you are- bear with me here) us males will be loosening other things to compensate. Oversize is the new skinny- silhouettes are beefier and satisfyingly full, in some cases even plain gluttonous. Pants are bunchier and more gathered around the ankle (or in some cases crotches have been dropped and side seams brought out for a baggier, more fluid look), sweaters are slubbier and looser, and accessories especially have been transmogrified and exaggerated -look for luxuriant scarves that are practically sweaters unto themselves.

[caption id="attachment_141" align="alignnone" width="320" caption="Duckie Brown"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_142" align="alignnone" width="320" caption="Y-3"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_146" align="alignnone" width="361" caption="Yigal Azrouel"][/caption]

Duckie Brown perhaps had the most fun with men's outerwear and accessories- his collection had a polar-apocalypse meets urban functionality vibe that manifested itself in the over-the-mouth mock necks, hazard orange accents, and use of sateen, leather, and wax-treated fabrics. Utilitarian with an irreverent edge. Y3 as well played with the male silhouette, in particular it seemed with the pant- while some in particular channeled a sort of ski-pant bagginess, the deliberate execution was instantly appealing. Yigal Azrouel took a more literal approach, going for a more classic selection of men's fall and winter garb with slubby sweaters, gathered ankles, and the occasional satisfyingly chunky scarf.

-Post by Nicolas Seraleyva