District L

Nina Skarra’s F’13 presentation began at promptly mimosa o’clock, with champagne flutes circling the Box for the first showing of the day. Those who accessorized with a demure hangover this morning were favorably informed that Skarra’s collection title, “Frosted Circus,” was not to be taken too literally. Instead, trumpet waists and plunging v-necks in ringleader palettes took center-stage. Skarra’s lioness knits and intricate textures earned an early morning applaud – or rather, the raise of an effervescent glass or two.

Post by Amanda LaMela

The Gc Timepieces Preview Event was held yesterday evening atop The Standard East Village at 25 Cooper Square. The dawn of summer attracted a vibrant crowd to this stylish rooftop presentation, which was further sweetened by champagne and seasonal cocktails.

The Swiss brand showcased over two dozen styles for men and women.

Post by Amanda LaMela

It was March 2007 in Paris and DL was in the height of our former ‘fashion grifting’ ways. Having successfully infiltrated Milan Fashion Week for two seasons in a row, Paris had become our next frontier in runway crashing. We hopped a quick flight from Florence to Charles de Gaulle Airport and wasted no time mapping out runway locations. Brazenly sliding into coveted shows like Cacharel, Rue du Mail, and Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, the fashion show high and champagne bubbles were starting to go to my head. I eventually decided that I would no longer passively accept a standing position and did what any 19-year-old fashion week crasher would do – throw a tantrum.

I know I should now be writing this piece with an apologetic tone, so… I’m sorry I’m not sorry. Because what I had landed was a second row seat to Guy Laroche, rich with the same generous furs, glove accessories, and feather trims that are resurfacing industry-wide this season.

So now that our show-crashing, fit-throwing, and side-door-sneaking days are behind us and we can finally conduct ourselves as courteous fashion professionals, it’s time to take another look at the evolution of this design house.

Back in early 2007, the label’s designer was still Hervé Leroux, otherwise recognized as Hervé Léger. Now darker and edgier, current designer Marcel Marongiu blends his pronounced aesthetic with the rich textures and elegant silhouettes that reeled me in five years ago.

Post by Amanda LaMela

Purposefully shaking off this evening’s post-work fatigue, I found myself ascending to the top of The Standard Hotel for the latest INC Editor-at-Large launch.  New York stylist and Voguette veteran, Kate Young, celebrated her newest collaboration at Le Bain. On a stage constructed over the infamous whirlpool, models posed in sequin separates, polka dots, and tribal prints.

DJ Hannah Bronfman spun for an energetic crowd, a further reflection of Young’s devoted following. Guests socialized over champagne, 18 floors above cobblestone, while stealing an exclusive first glance at the INC Editor-at-Large S12 collection.

Post by Amanda LaMela

Brooklyn designer, Samantha Pleet, debuted her namesake collection in 2006, combining new and old concepts from art, literature, and music. Having since expanded her namesake label to stockists worldwide while collaborating with Urban Outfitters on Rapscallion by Samantha Pleet, this young designer brought New York another season of dynamic inspiration.

Amongst champagne rounds in The Highline Loft, last Saturday’s presentation displayed water-color body suits, twist-knot rompers, and polished trenches.  A blend of coy cutouts and hints of menswear enticed the Francophile within as Pleet’s customized soundtrack, a collaboration with Caroline Polachek from Chairlift, crooned to a crowd of industry insiders and admirers.

Post by Amanda LaMela

Son Jung Wan’s SS12 collection opened like the early stages of champagne intoxication – hazy, comfortable and subtly sweet.

Gauzy, organic fabrics in a light golden color palette teetered between soft and structured silhouettes. Eventually introducing deeper tones of blue and charcoal, Son Jung Wan concluded her show like a sparkling, balanced Premier Cru.

Post by Amanda LaMela

At about half-past 5pm, I found myself sprinting down 58^th street and descending deep into the bowels of the Hudson Hotel. Socialite darling, Douglas Hannant, was celebrating and presenting his “Pink” launch at Good Units. With a performance by The Vandelles and a relaxed attitude, the Park Avenue Prince was looking refreshingly ‘downtown.’

Two air kisses, one cocktail, and a few photos later, I found myself back on 58^th with the good intention of taking a subway. But with another glance at the darkening skies, I muttered, “F*** that,” and hailed a cab down to Greene Street.

I arrived in Soho on Fashion’s Night Out against my initial judgment. The streets reminded me of Halloween in elementary school – everyone especially focused on their attire, scoping out which door would reap the best goodies. But instead of dodging eggs, I dodged drunk tourists until I finally slid into REALM on 98 Greene.

REALM Boutique was throwing an exceptionally style-list FNO, hosted by Lissy Trullie, May Kwok, Michelle Trachtenberg, Leandra Medine, Susie Bubble and Chelsea Leyland. Champagne in hand, I sifted through racks upon racks of luxurious rarities until boutique owner, Lewaa Abdulkhalek stopped me for an introduction.

Presenting his collection of Jitrois, Lewaa highlighted a few key items – a stretch leather sheath dress, a feather-trimmed cocktail frock, and a bright suede skirt. “Black will always be our best-selling color, but red is the predominant fashion color right now,” he shared. I shuddered in delight as I slipped on a cropped chinchilla bomber jacket. “We have a full-length version coming in soon,” Lewaa suggested. I flipped the tag to reveal the price… $31,000.

“Yeah…” I lied, “I guess I’ll just have to wait for that one…”

Post by Amanda LaMela

There is nothing more painful than the caustic return of Monday after a good weekend -- especially those excruciating moments right before viewing my Chase Checking balance for the first time in three days… But as unavoidable as the first flannel purchase for a new Williamsburg resident, Monday made its bitter return.

So what other option do I have than to reflect upon the past days’ unabashed consumption and celebration?

Festivities began early last week with Anna Dello Russo’s INC launch at Openhouse Gallery. The Wednesday night event possessed the right ingredients for a perfect party – Champagne, models, and a famous style icon.

The second half of last week enjoyed its good share of meet-ups. My first stop was Ludlow to visit designer and friend, Lois Eastlund. As I browsed through her new color-ways and styles, we caught up and discussed a particularly exciting photo shoot on the horizon.

Two Bisousciao macrons later, I finally summoned the courage to elbow my way through Soho. When I finally exhaled inside Bloomindales, I was immediately drawn to a table of megawatt LARUICCI cocktail rings like a sorority girl drawn to glittery puff paint and plastic stemware. Designer, Lauren Ruicci, was busy greeting impressed visitors at her weekend trunk show.

“We have a lot in the works for fashion week,” she hinted, “but I can’t really divulge much yet!”

After a bit of self-pampering and shopping, it was time for another rooftop rendezvous with friends -- once again, falling into a champagne haze in the name of birthday celebration. But by 8pm, it was already time to start pulling ourselves together for the Digitalism show at Terminal 5.

Post by Amanda LaMela

Anna Dello Russo, the Editor at Large and creative consultant for Vogue Japan, is celebrating her new Editor at Large arrangement with INC for the Fall/Holiday 2011 season. During this evening’s event, guests previewed ADR’s launch at Openhouse Gallery.

With a full champagne bar and music by DJ Sky Ferreira, we spent our Wednesday night mingling amongst a line-up of fabulous color-blocking and fuchsia fur.

Post by Amanda LaMela

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