District L

B for Body Heat

districtl — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 21:31:40 EDT

Shoe designer, Brian Atwood, has been drumming up buzz with his new contemporary line, B Brian Atwood. The collection, which debuts this week at Saks Fifth Avenue, has been enjoying a steamy introduction with its provocative campaigns.

Atwood is on everyone's mind with sexy ads inspired by the 1981 film, Body Heat.

Stripe Life

districtl — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 20:13:01 EDT

It's been awhile since we've done our last Kirill-inspired street style post - so there was a lot of scandalous new material to sift through and pull trends.

It never takes long to determine la mode de la minute: New York falls fast for trends and then rejects them even faster. And at this very second, the kids want stripes.

Now, I know that a "stripe trend" wouldn't be all that earth-shattering. Jason Wu, Isabel Marant, IVANAHelsinki, and Kimberly Ovitz were all parallel to this trend back in September -- but now that the typically-daytime look has descended into nightlife, you know these freewheeling fashionistas mean business.

Post by Amanda LaMela

JWT's Fashion Fast Forward

districtl — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 16:04:13 EST

WPP group's advertising mega-agency, JWT, posted the 2011 edition of their "100 Things to Watch" Slideshow yesterday, and they had some interesting predictions for the fashion industry.

Among them, we found the above the most telling, and plausible - "Fashion Fast-Forward", as it is deemed, drives home the point that the industry is indeed turning a rather momentous corner in it's growth.

It's also interesting to note the point JWT makes in this prediction, noting the shortcomings of the traditional "season" model in developing markets - we're anxious to see how the impact of globalization on the fashion industry continues to manifest itself over the next decade.

For more on this and other 2011 trend predictions, check out the other 99 "Things to Watch" here.

Post by Nicolas Sera-Leyva

Head Cases

districtl — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 19:54:13 EDT

Oftentimes, a single accessory can completely transform a look. There is no denying the transformational abilities of 3.1 Phillip Lim opera gloves, hand-carved Rodarte platforms, or Olivier's shades. But all other statement pieces aside, there is nothing more conspicuous than the adornment on one's head. From Verrier to Hermes, Marc Jacobs to Missioni, here are the most popular hat trends for SS11.

Boater/Boss of the Plains/Gaucho Hat:

Verrier

Hermes

Yohji Yamamoto

Hermes

Carolina Herrera

Wide-Brimmed Floppy Hat:

Verrier

Marc Jacobs

Badgley Mishka

Prada

Alberta Ferretti

L'Wren Scott

Missoni

Images by Style.com; Amanda LaMela

Post by Amanda LaMela

Don't get all slouchy with me.

districtl — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 01:13:11 EST

Because I think I speak for everyone when I say- "we are, like, so not in the mood right now." Slouchy, thick-ribbed cardigans have become cornerstones of the grunge/primal backbone in many high profile collectons for fall.

As grunge and primal emerge as the season's trend juggernauts, these sumptuous pieces have played a two-fold role- a cozy, deconstructed go-to for the former and an enveloping, coccooning silhouette for the latter. On a more practical level, many designer's recent commitment to recession-friendly clothing has resulted in extra emphasis on wearable, more timeless basics that can keep a girl's wardrobe going for years to come.

Cardigans included.

Etro

Missoni

Iceberg

Clements Ribeiro

Anna Sui

Alexander Wang

Post by Nicolas Sera-Leyva

Photos from Style.com

Guess What? It's Okay Again!

districtl — Wed, 13 May 2009 23:03:16 EDT

Shopping your closet is officially okay again- just look at what Cher, Michelle O, and Lindsay Lohan have been up to.

The First Lady in particular seems to be striking the perfect balance. She has done away with the Laura Bush dark age of pastel skirt suits but isn't a fiending shopaholic. As Barney's Creative Director Simon Doonan so precisely worded it, "We do not want to ever feel that our First Lady is shopping her brains out like an English soccer player's wife."

Even the Lohan sisters are in on it- Ali Lohan recycled the above See by Chloe sequined top from big sister Lindsay. And guess what? It's totally okay. So dig back into those closets, dear readers- dig back deep, and you may be surprised at what you'll find.

Does the Twenty-Year Rule Still Apply?

districtl — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 19:30:44 EST

"Fashion famously works in cycles; what goes in must come out, and vice versa. And this process usually takes about twenty years. So if you are ever stuck for what to do for your next collection, just dig out a Vogue from twenty years ago and you won't be far off."- Imogen Edwards Jones, Fashion Babylon

Do you think the twenty year rule has kicked in for the Spring/Summer 2009 season?

Gucci: left field much?

districtl — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 07:18:22 EST

When did you think we would ever see these again?

Gucci's Fall 2009 runway was rife with polka dots. While dots are usually hit or miss, the graphic style of the print matched with Frida Giannini's typically flawless execution made them surprisingly okay. Unexpected and risky, but ultimately paid off.

Hold your breath for the $19.90 H&M version; this may be one of the season's more unexpected, winning trends. Accessible, to boot. Watch it trickle down like raindrops on a windowpane.

See? They're already claiming their territory.

Photos from Style.com

Fashion Week Just Touched Down in Londontown

districtl — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 15:49:17 EST

After checking up on the first few shows in London Fashion Week, it looks as if New York’s favorite runway trends are also popular across the pond. Paul Costello showcased similar sweet-but-tough metallic ruffles that we saw at Rebecca Taylor, Georges Chakra, Lela Rose, and Verrier. For fashion’s sake, I hope London isn’t also plagued with New York’s trend of half-full venues. But only time will tell…

[caption id="attachment_328" align="aligncenter" width="460" caption="Paul Costello: Photo taken by Christopher Pledger"][/caption]

My How She's Grown: Doo.Ri Fall 2009

districtl — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 09:31:44 EST

I've been following Doo.Ri since September of 2005 and it's really stunning to see how far she's come in less than 4 years; the former lead designer for Geoffrey Beene and CFDA-Swarovski Perry Ellis Award winner has already launched a bridge line, Under.Ligne, featuring T-shirts and her signature jersey dresses. I really have to say, however, how utterly sublime her Fall 2009 showing was. It really and truly encapsulated the mood and trends of the season in a totally cohesive and fluid collection of looks.

[caption id="attachment_282" align="aligncenter" width="320" caption="Doo.Ri- Fall 2009 RTW"][/caption]

Detailed tights, picking up on the printed legging trend, and lusciously draped jersey in a robust shade of this season's violet.

[caption id="attachment_283" align="aligncenter" width="320" caption="Doo.Ri- Fall 2009 RTW"][/caption]

Cascading iridescent vinyl fabric with bead detailing.

[caption id="attachment_284" align="aligncenter" width="320" caption="Doo.Ri- Fall 2009 RTW"][/caption]

Sheer, diaphanous detailing on the sleeves and torso- another emerging trend for fall.

[caption id="attachment_286" align="aligncenter" width="320" caption="Doo.Ri- Fall 2009 RTW"][/caption]

Balmain-inspired shoulder play, and more detailed tights. Who could ask for more?

Doo.Ri deserves every ounce of praise and plaudit that comes her way this season; what a fabulous collection. We're all looking forward to seeing your work for Spring 2010.