District L

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week announced yesterday the preliminary schedule for the Fall 2012 Collections. A few new names have been added to the list of designers showing at Lincoln Center this season, including last season’s off-site wonders like Kaelen, as well as fresh fashion acquaintances like Mathieu Mirano.

Spring’s sleepy sprites created buzz for Kaelen, who has been showing during Fashion Week for a few seasons. Her presentation at Drive-In Studios was set against a wooded backdrop and featured “moonshine cocktails.” This season, Kaelen Farncombe will be showing in the Box at Lincoln Center on February 9^th.

Mathieu Mirano attracted attention for his Spring 2012 Collection with a cocktail of violent seduction. Mirano narrated the story of a homicidal wife who grew younger as she approached deliberate widowhood. The provocative designer’s presentation will be held in the Box at Lincoln Center on February 12^th.

Post by Amanda LaMela

Dear Santa,

You must admit, this has been a bit of a rough year. Between the East Coast earthquake, “Hurricane” Irene, and two apocalypses, District L proposes that you take all things into consideration and grade on a curve this holiday season. Besides, compared to last year, we haven’t been all that bad.

First and foremost, we developed a little financial responsibility. We didn’t spend ANY rent money on United Nude shoes or A.OK knits this year. Honestly! We always used our credit cards instead.

Furthermore, we only partied on weekdays when it was really, really vital. You can’t deny the importance of Alan Cumming’s fragrance launch, anything Anna Dello Russo, and Lois Eastlund’s evening revelries. And how can you expect us to skip an open bar at Highline Stages, an event at the Chelsea Art Museum, or… okay, fine. It's true. We never miss an opportunity to have fun.

But we were taught the virtue of positivity by Lela Rose and the importance of a full eight hours by Kaelen. And perhaps we even learned how to relax a bit with the help of Nomia, Sergio Davila, and Son Jung Wan.

So, if we were you, we’d check the list three times -- before Mathieu Mirano pours something special into your milk.

Sincerely,

District L

From Kaelen’s nocturnal pixies to Improvd’s murky muses, designers have been channeling coves and summoning wood nymphs to create true aesthetic magic. Now, with the introduction of Mia Jafari London SS/12, the fairytale lives on in swirling watercolors and playful silhouettes. Jafari, a Central Saint Martins and Goldsmiths graduate, titled her design debut ‘Waterlilies’ – an alluring combination of sweet and seductive.

Post by Amanda LaMela

When people tell me to "relax," I tend to have the opposite reaction. It usually starts with your snide smirk and "pump-the-breaks" hand gesture. And it always ends with me spending the next four days contemplating how to kill you and make it look like an accident.

The thing is, my personality is completely incapable of relaxation. Maybe it was the hours of intensive ballet instruction during my formative years or the footwear that always keeps me on my toes. Whatever the case may be, I'm usually wound tighter than a pair of Jeffrey Campbell combats, constantly hovering on the matrix between unrivaled gusto and extreme obstinacy - and I hate when someone suggests that I behave differently.

That being said, relaxation was ever-so-gently implied this season, again and again. This trend of "urban ease," although somewhat of an oxymoron, was communicated in a way that was refreshingly comprehensible and not at all condescending. Soft layers in calm palettes were trimly draped for a casual-but-polished look. The runway soundtracks were comfortably upbeat with songs like "Go Outside" by Cults at the top of the list.

Geometric shapes, cutouts, and varying hemlines offered enough movement and interest to satisfy my restlessness - proof that next season's trends extend beyond provincial complacency.

So...reeee-lax. It's all going to be okay.

Sergio Davila

Nomia

Kaelen

Son Jung Wan

Samantha Pleet

Daryl K.

Post by Amanda LaMela

After a pedicure, a cocktail, and a good night’s rest, I am finally ready to evaluate this first half of New York Fashion Week, in all of its crazy, hazy fervor.

We eased into the week on Thursday, with Douglas Hannant, The Vandelles, and the newly-discovered REALM. Champagne was consumed, dancing ensued, and the night ended with a little white lie.

But Friday was a fresh start – and my first stop was the Metropolitan Pavilion for IvanaHelsinki. After a painted procession of feather motifs and tribal patterns, I met up with Nick for Sally LaPointe’s heart-stopping runway show at 548 W 22^nd street.

As expected, we left LaPointe feeling mentally stimulated and pleasantly mystified – so the cab ride to Exit Art served as the perfect break for inspirational debate. Once we arrived to Parke & Ronen, our churning little minds were momentarily halted by a parade of men wearing -- uh… what were they wearing? Oh, now I remember…

With one flick of a hand fan and a speedy cab ride, we pulled into Lincoln Center for Falguni and Shane Peacock. Experimental combinations of patterns, adornments, and mixed-media hoisted this design couple to the top of our list. The show closed with singer-songwriter, Porcelain Black, in a bold stomp down the runway in mixed-mesh and a gun-embellished bodysuit.

Saturday started with an express blowdry at Butterfly Studio Salon. As soon as the stylist boosted me out of my early-morning cocoon, I fluttered out of Butterfly and right back to Lincoln Center for Son Jung Wan’s intoxicating collection.

Giddy off the first show, I headed back downtown for Samantha Pleet. Drawing in a vibrant crowd, Pleet indulged guests with peek-a-boo cutouts and feminine silhouettes in muted sherbets and golds. Then, just a few blocks over, Kaelen invited us to a forest fairy dreamland at Drive In Studios.

I narrowly made it back to Lincoln Center in time for a model presentation by Farah Angsana. With flounces, silk rope belts, and rising waist-lines, Angsana decorated the Box with her modern versions of Aphrodite.

Post-Farah, we took a break at the Hudson Hotel to organize our notes, update photos, and grab a drink – after all, we hadn’t brunched all day. After recharging – ourselves, as well as our phones – we headed down to Good Units for the Eva Minge runway show.

Venexiana was our last show of the day. Juxtaposing her elaborate collection with the punkish sounds of The Dickies, Kati Stern brought Day 3 to a strong and invigorating close.

Sunday morning started early with an Americana-inspired collection by Katya Leonovich, followed by optimistic motivation by Lela Rose. The afternoon then quickly approached, bringing Daryl K’s drippy floral prints, with live drummers and dancing models.

After a quick break, I made it back to the tents for GUiSHEM’s sexy and assertive model presentation. With angular motifs, color blocking, and sharp necklines, designer Guillermo Jop challenged the sweetness of spring.

Custo Barcelona was my last show of the day. Guests packed in, 3D-glasses in hand, awaiting Custo’s Mirame looks. Icons of Summer by Cold Cave vibrated through The Stage, as Custo presented his technologic prints for SS12.

And now that Monday is almost complete, it’s time to stock up on enough Starbucks and business cards for part two!

Post by Amanda LaMela

I have come to terms with my restlessness: Sleep has never been a simple task for me. But leave it to the models to make everything look easy…

Kaelen’s SS12 collection favored draped rompers and oversized button downs in crinkled cotton and silk crepe de chine. Nocturnal wood nymphs in faded stripes and creamy hues remotely cured insomnia from their dreamy paradise.

Post by Amanda LaMela