District L

Early Saturday evening, DL headed over to La Petite Cave to stock up on festive swills for the upcoming holiday. With the first day of summer behind us and the Fourth of July only a week away, it’s time to work on perfecting that patriotic panache. Our fridge is now lined with personal bottles of Pommery POP Champagne, all dressed in Betsey Ross attire.

Assuming the appropriate beverages have been determined and the proper trip, rooftop, or event has been reserved, we’d like to suggest a few special New York-made pieces that will add a touch of local flair to the weekend’s festivities: The fizz may be French, but these threads were born here.

Made Her Think: Little Love Bomb Bag

“Make love, not war” with this utilitarian leather bag by Made Her Think.

Box 185: Blue Feathered Earring

A touch of color can go a long way – especially in a single feather earring. The photo above, shot by Jeffrey Fried, features a design by Box 185’s Sara Keiser.

Lois Eastlund: Mod Patterned Dress

Colorful and light, this Manhattan creation offers a stylish remedy to the heated hitches of summer.

Post by Amanda LaMela

My, how things change over the course of a year. Here’s a fun fact: District L’s first post in 2010 reassured readers that we had not yet succumbed to the Twittersphere. Well, guess what? Now we have. So you better be following us.

In the dawn of 2010, the DL founders were preparing to reunite for another glitterati-packed Fashion Week. The unofficial kickoff took place at the Crosby Street Hotel. We braved the apocalyptic snowstorm for a rewarding and sophisticated presentation by Geren Ford.

Our excitement quickly turned to shock and sadness when news of Alexander McQueen’s suicide broke the following morning, the first unofficial day of New York Fashion Week. Confusion and solemnity fell over the tents. The shows went on, but not without somber speculation and mourning over the fashion community’s tragic loss.

As the Bryant Park tents buzzed for the last time, the DL duo made sure to return to old favorites like Georges Chakra and Farah Angsana. Other tent favorites included Richard Chai, Twinkle by Wenlan, and Brian Reyes. Heading off-site, Nick experienced some primal behavior at Catherine Malandrino and Irina Shabayeva.

March was consumed by the Great Editor Switch of 2010 – Single-letter glossies received even more publicity than usual as Stefano Tonchi became W’s new man. Sally Singer, former Voguette, swooped in to take his empty desk at T Magazine.

As spring melted into summer, June presented us with Sidewalk Catwalk – a collective fashion display that included creations from designers like Maria Cornejo, Prabal Gurung, and John Bartlett. Situated between Herald and Times Square, the stylish outdoor display stood defiantly among dowdy tourists until Labor Day.

And before we knew it, Fashion Week returned – this time in its new Lincoln Center location. We were initially apprehensive about our move uptown. It seemed inconvenient and unnatural to leave our home in Bryant Park. Fortunately, our concerns quickly vanished on the first day as Verrier’s picture-perfect presentation lit up The Box. As the week got busier, District L called in for reinforcements. The fabulous Madisen Walker was willing to fill in for us on the last day. As Nick and I ventured to Milk Studios to see The Blonds, Madisen attended the dreamlike presentation by Rebecca Moses.

With a new friend in the District, Fashion Week withdrawals became more bearable. Swatch had its time at the Park Avenue Gansevoort, throwing a glittering, champagne-soaked launch party with Nikki Reed for their “New Gent’s Collection.” Our October schedule also included rooftop photoshoots, a ‘Night of Fashion’ with Ann Yee, and a launch party for “Modern Views.”

November’s cold air didn’t kill the party, as we celebrated two years of Lois Eastlund in the LES on 11/11. Not only did we pick up some fabulous looks from Lois, but her party also boasted the best SWAG bag we’ve seen in years. We were psyched to score edgy accessories from Box 185, handmade jewelry from Attitude by Jeanne, and photo designs by Vernakular.

A few days later, the DL crew headed west – to Starboard Hudson, that is. The Soft Opening Party and Concert took place on November 13, luring hundreds of fun-loving individuals to the lower decks of a once-abandoned ship. The opening party was such a success, that the District L darlings decided to ring in the New Year at this fabulous location.

Post by Amanda LaMela

Brunching is a lifestyle choice, a necessary weekend institution that provides vital post-party nourishment and recollection. Each Sunday (and sometimes Saturday,) New Yorkers flock to their favorite eateries for a social outing full of bottomless mimosas and warm comfort food.

Let’s not ignore the obvious: Waking up on Sunday is not always the painless, graceful task we make it out to be. Luckily, we are willing to divulge some of our helpful tips to brunching fabulously.

“I usually go for a dress because it’s only one decision,” Madisen explained this past Sunday. “And typically, there’s one laying on my floor, so I’m multi-tasking… getting dressed and cleaning up.” This weekend, she traipsed into LEVANTeast on Rivington wearing a dress by Sans Souci, a feather earring by BOX 185’s Sarah Keiser, and a slouchy hat to “cover up last night’s hair.”

Nick, arriving fashionably late as usual, donned his new porkpie hat (a’la Hermes Spring Summer 2011.) While our color palette was muted and neutral, the Sunday morning banter was not. Needless to say, Nick found the bottom of his bottomless mimosa… all in order to get his daily intake of Vitamin C, of course. Luckily, his ensemble provided the streamlined and minimalistic style that our attitudes had lacked.

In step with Madisen’s Brunch-Dress Theory, I wore an animal-print dress by Lois Eastlund. Combined with a black knit vest and multi-key necklace by Mint Julep, I was ready to take on an entire Sunday afternoon of brunching in the LES.

But don’t be fooled – Brunching isn’t all about effortless dressing and even more effortless daydrinking. A lot of thought goes into choosing our locations too. First, it has to be local – easy to get to by subway, but even easier to grab a taxi home. Second, the acoustics and crowd need to be right – quiet enough to hear what your friends are saying, and more importantly, loud enough so no one else can.

Last weekend, LEVANTeast (THOR) filled all of the aforementioned requirements. No one batted a lash at our brunch-time photography, as Rachel captured some of the most animated facial expressions witnessed east of Allen Street.

Finally, no Sunday is complete without some post-Brunch shopping. Before heading to our own corners of town, Rachel and the three DL monkeys bought a slew of goodies from Lois Eastlund, BOX 185, and Attitude by Jeanne.

Photography © Copyright 2010 Rachel A. Cuyler 2010 All rights reserved

After a long and excessive Thanksgiving holiday, I took to the streets for some retail-induced cardio. Even in this crisp autumn weather, I find it’s easier to maintain my energy level when fashion is on the agenda, and isn’t it always?

Yesterday began with some velvet appreciation at Lois Eastlund, as I snapped some photos in her newest arrivals, met her new mascots, and browsed her dress archives. Mini Lois was sitting pretty among the freshly-placed Christmas decorations, enjoying her new plastic man-friend... But that story is to be continued.

After another blissful visit to 153 Ludlow, I made my way over to Mint Julep to peruse their array of unique accessories. Trend right and playful, this Ludlow Street boutique tapped into the sailor theme we enjoyed this past NYFW.

While my DL counterparts often take successful trips to Beacon's Closet, I rarely try my hand at second-hand. Keeping this in mind, I took baby steps right into Foley + Corinna. They tastefully mix top-quality vintage accessories with their own partygirl collection, so I wasn’t immediately compelled to scrub my hands after leaving. Although I didn’t score any merchandise, I did overhear the sales associate gushing about how lucky they’ve been with acquiring luxe furs. ::Hint::Hint::

Post F + C, I had worked up quite an appetite. I decided to visit my friends at BisousCiao Macrons. (Don’t worry, their delicious treats are gluten-free.) As I picked a few of my favorite flavors, the smiling French man behind the counter warned that my beloved fall recipes would soon be so-last-season. So if you have not yet tasted their pumpkin spice macron, you’d better hurry.

Last but not least, I headed down to The Young Designers Market on 268 Mulberry Street to visit Sarah from Box 185 and check out her fun assortment of accessories. With liberal use of feathers, leather, and fringe, Box 185 offered an exciting collection that’s just too cool to miss.

Unfortunately, my fun took a brief intermission when Chase AutoAlerts reminded me that I have rent to pay. Luckily, there is a place on the Lower East Side to relieve oneself of such pain. Aptly named Painkiller, the “60s-punk-tiki-bar” on Essex Street serves creative drinks beneath flames and inside seashells, meant to be shared among friends.

Who says there’s no cure for the Sunday blues?

Post by Amanda LaMela