District L met freelance makeup artist and jewelry designer Sara Wilson during a fantastic day out in Long Beach, CA. She caught our eye with her effortless style, especially her understated grey jersey shift/shirtdress and sparkling personality to boot.
"There's a return to dressing up again. We're calling it 'refined eighties,' with good fabrics that are softly sculptured, rather than linear and hard."- Kevin Carrigan, Calvin Klein's Creative Director
Check out what Marc Jacobs sent LOVE Magazine this weekend- Blackberry-quality photos of himself and fiancee Lorenzo Martone ringing in their engagement with some high-octane extracurriculars in Rio de Janeiro:
We can only imagine what it must be like in the bedroom.
After Peter Som famously stepped down from his position as creative director at Bill Blass, which was owned by NexCen Brands at the time, we've heard nary a pindrop from the great American sportswear house.
Well apparently, the Bill Blass name has now come under the control of Korean company Peacock International Holdings L.C.C. who, according to WWD, are currently on the hunt for a new creative director to spearhead the re-launch of the Bill Blass brand.
How refreshing! Let's hope Peacock's management doesn't butt heads with whomever they decide to bring on board as much as NexCen did with Peter Som.
Saks Fifth Avenue Previews Bill Blass Fall 2008 Collection
Saks Fifth Avenue Previews Bill Blass Fall 2008 Collection
“And when I see the photographs I think, crikey, my boobs are up round my neck again.” - Victoria Beckham, on why her book covers the fit of a dress
If you haven't already noticed, the candy-colored shops that were once filled with designs by Russian daddy's girl, Kira Plastinina, are now all closed. The name-sake stores sadly stand ike deserted cupcake shops all throughout the city.
We thought this defeat would be the end of the unexperienced, sixteen-year-old designer's fearful attempts at fashion. We were wrong.
"I really want to make my experience complete by getting a professional designer's education. I want to continue to grow and evolve and inspire the girls that go to my store with stronger and more mature collections," Kira stated.
I am sure you are thinking to yourself, Which academic institution will be fortunate enough to recieve Plastinina's application?
"I was looking at Saint Martins College in London or Parsons in New York," she said.
Right.
Karl Lagerfeld is, well, Karl Lagerfeld and his opinion is one of the few that matters. During his fat days in the 80's and early 90's, Karl was seldom seen in public and when he was it was always behind his infamous hand fan.
But ever since Karl magically discovered his own diet and lost a whopping 2000 pounds, he's since ditched the fan in favor of ostentatiously high collars and Hedi Slimane suits by Dior Homme. Presumably, the entire fashion industry took it, fans were dead and buried.
So District L poses a question to you, dear reader: does the fact that Louis Vuitton just...went ahead and unveiled their own line of hand fans at an event in Madrid last Wednesday evening anyway make them okay again?
Spanish actress Rossy de Palma, who was in attendance en force at the event seems to think so.
District L thinks: no.
“In a meat-eating world, wearing leather for shoes and even clothes and handbags, the discussion of fur is childish.” - Karl Lagerfeld
In Kate Moss' recent interview in the Telegraph:
An exquisitely beaded 1920s-style flapper dress that is draped over a chair catches her eye. "Ooh that would be great for the wedding." She pauses, suddenly realising the headline-worthy nature of what she has just said. "Not my wedding. A friend’s. No. I’m not getting married and my boobs haven’t grown because I’m lactating or pregnant."
Hmmm... Interesting combination of denying statements, no? We'll keep a close watch for any new rumor updates regarding this A-list supermodel.
"In these times, it is nice to be reminded that the essence of couture is the pure joy of craftsmanship wedded to creativity"- Sally Singer, VOGUE, on the white paper headdresses in the Chanel S/S 2009 RTW.
On March 18th, Valentino: The Last Emperor opened at the Film Forum in New York. The film of Valentino Garavani's life and career just recorded the highest opening gross of any American documentary this year. Unfortunately, the District L duo had just returned from California and have yet to enjoy the fashionable cinematic experience. (We'll keep you updated.)
For those outside the New York Metro Area, Valentino: The Last Emperor will open in Chicago on March 27, and Los Angeles and San Francisco on April 3.
"Valentino: The Last Emperor" New York Premiere - After Party
If Page Six is a reliable source, Kate Moss will be making an appearance at the opening of TopShop on Broadway at Broome on April 1st. We hope the rumors are true, especcially because the store will be carrying Moss' new fashion line.
“Didn’t you hear? The devil wears Prada.” —Kelly Cutrone, after being asked about her shoes
The A/W 2009 shows will stand out as particularly memorable for years to come, as they really put many designers' integrity and ability to the test given the current climate. We saw some extremely impressive collections, and a lot of experimentation with new concepts and trends. Here are my top 5 picks from among the A/W 2009 runways:
1. Lanvin
Several designers this season, especially in Paris and Milan, experimented with creating tensions between country and urban, nature and industry. Lanvin's Alber Elbaz really stunned us with a compelling story of shape, color, and detail and a polished, dystopian edge.
2. Doo.Ri
District L has followed Doo.Ri Chung for awhile. I really have to say 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.
3. Missoni
Like other designers this season, Angela Missoni decided to take the label back to it's roots- knitwear. However, she sculpted a collection that strongly resembled current menswear trends, including bulky silhouettes and rich, full knits. Many collections this season were centered on analyzing dichotomies; Missoni not only effectively and flawlessly communicated this but did so with an air of traditional luxury and opulence.
4. ADAM
Truly wearable sportswear is an absolute cornerstone of fashion, and ADAM designer Adam Lippes really knows how to craft separates that are special but still workable into almost any wardrobe. Versatility and function, balanced with a classically feminine edge, were truly evident in the ADAM A/W 2009 Collection.
5. Karl Lagerfeld
Karl Lagerfeld's superstar status in the fashion industry translates easily into his clothing; like the elite soldiers of his supreme army, Lagerfeld models strut down the runway like towering, broad shouldered titans. His namesake collection this season combined provocative motorcycle chic with military sensibility- again playing with contrasts between soft fabrics and intense sartorial elements.
Photos from Style.com
The theme for the Met's Costume Institute Gala is "Model as Muse." Many believe that this theme is rather uninspiring, but I feel that this is a refreshing change from the usual buzz around stylist-dependent celebrities. Model-centric culture was at its height in the 80s. Is it time to revive yet another aspect of this decade?
The runway shows may be over, but the collections live on. Here are my top five favorites from Fall/Winter 09:
Elie Saab
The “New Glamour” Movement
Saab provided us with the same Hollywood glamour, minus last year's bling.
ADAM by Adam Lippes
The American Dream
It was a gorgeous game of tug-of-war: Glitzy versus Tough.
Giambattista Valli
Memories of YSL
Valli was inspired "by Yves Saint Laurent—but more his lifestyle than his fashion."
Balmain
80’s Revival – Done Right
Despite the criticism he received from others, I firmly stand by Christophe Decarnin's optimistic, powerful attitude for Fall 2009.
Dsquared2
Hi/Lo Sidewalk Chic
Dsquared2 taught the world how to mix it up. The fabulous duo combined high fashion with more casual elements.
"He's a great executive, he's a phenomenal New Yorker...he's a so-so golfer, but that's a story for another time [...] This is an evening I like to call Saks and the city,"
- Mayor Bloomberg, upon awarding Saks CEO Steve Sadove with the FIT Award
Anna Wintour made a very public statement in her April letter from the editor that she stands firmly by Olivier Theyskens side.
The letter stated, "Olivier Theyskens's recent departure from Nina Ricci suggests to me that the vital role of artistic talent has been obscured in the current economic climate. My staff and I were shocked to learn that Theyskens's contract would not be renewed; and I am very concerned that the business of fashion is undervaluing the most important asset our industry requires: creative visionaries. There's a reason we continue to see Theyskens's influence everywhere, from catwalks to the mall. He'll be back, but fashion must hold its nerve. This is the mission that we at Vogue happily shoulder."
So, expect to see big things from the former Ricci designer. This Nina Ricci breakup may be the best thing for Olivier.
Gossip Girl star, Jessica Szohr, comments on fashion and style:
"Kate Moss' look never feels overthought. It's a mash-up of fun, sexy, and a little grungy - but still accessible."
"I admire the versatility of Burberry. Everything they make can be as sophisticated or undone as you want it to be."
"Alice + Olivia does party dresses that are bright, playful, and most importantly, easy to move around in."
As of yesterday, Marc Jacobs and boyfriend of one year- sexy manpanion Lorenzo Matone- are officially engaged according to WWD, People magazine, and several other reputable sources.
Said Matone of the impending union in a statement to Fashion Week Daily-"We experienced a really great vacation in St. Barth's recently. It was during the winter in December. It was super warm, people were relaxed, tanned, and we were having an amazing time with our friends. So why not? Maybe a New Year's Eve wedding in St. Barth's would be really fun."
The couple is currently in Matone's native Brazil in Sao Paulo, breaking the news to friends and family and also opening Jacob's new store in the city.
We have one word: hot.
Farah Angsana, the glamorous designer who has created a fervent buzz at Fashion Weeks all over the world, as well as New York Fashion Week FW09, agreed to answer some of District L's pressing questions! Read on to get inside Farah's creative mind: DL: What was your inspiration for this season? FA: Chinoiserie. DL: How would you describe the women who wear your clothes? FA: Elegant, feminine, sophisticated and intelligent. Women with strong personality yet embracing their sensuality. DL: What is your design aesthetic? FA: Old world of couture with modern glamour. DL: How do you respond to industry insiders calling you "the next Valentino"? FA: I was surprised and disbelief. I am so humble and refuse to acknowledge. Because I feel like stepping into someone else identity and I didn’t want to do that. Even he was the one I grew up looking at his glamorous collection in the fashion magazines that made me wanted to be a designer Valentino is the Emperor of glamour, couture and all the beauty ever exist in this world. DL: How have you evolved since your 1999 debut in FA: I am more understanding about the market in the fashion industry. More matured in delivering wearable collection every season with intention to sell. Most definitely understanding myself and my styles. DL: What is your go-to outfit for special occasions? FA: Something Red. DL: How is New York Fashion Week different from your experiences showing in Paris, London, and L.A.? FA: Each one of them is different. Paris is all about creativity, London is more Versatile and New York is all about wearable styles. DL: How can a Farah fan purchase your creations? FA: Neiman Marcus, Jones & Jones (Texas), John Medeiros (Palm Beach), Renee Strauss (Beverly Hills), Gross Couture (Zurich) and SD Boutique (Palermo-Italy)
District L got an eyeful of ADAM at New York Fashion Week from the front row- now, we take an even closer look at the mind behind the line, designer Adam Lippes. We sat down with (well, Skyped with) Adam and really found out why he's being hailed as the next savant of American sportswear.
District L : Thanks so much for agreeing to do this; my colleague Amanda and I have been following you for awhile now and we really love your work. We were at your last show, it was just fantastic and we were really floored by it.
Adam Lippes: Oh, thank you so much, it's always so nice to hear you know?
DL: So you must be so busy right now.
AL: It's been crazy- we've been traveling alot, alot, alot.
DL: Yeah, what have you been up to these past couple weeks?
AL: Well, we've launched a line for Mango so I was in Spain right after the show which was really fun and we did a lot of work, and then I came back here for the New York launch. Then I went to Paris for some fabric and for some interviews...
DL: Oh, were you at Premiere Vision?
AL: You know, Premiere Vision this season happened before the fashion show, it happened early.
DL: Oh man, did that throw you off at all?
AL: Well yeah, it threw me off a little because I couldn't go! We usually head over there, but this season we couldn't go so now we're just figuring out how to do fabric in New York which we usually do, half New York and half Paris.
DL: That must have made sourcing really difficult.
AL: Exactly, I mean most of the fabric mills have offices in New York but not all- its nice to dedicate at least three full days to fabric when you're over in Europe.
DL: I can imagine. So, it sound like you've been up to...alot then!
AL: Yeah, and then after that I was in London, and now I'm back here!
DL: Wow, so this was all the in course of two and a half weeks?
AL: It was an incredible amount of travel, really exhausting.
DL: So on the subject of the show, what was the inspiration behind the Fall 2009 collection anyway?
AL: You know, I went to see an exhibit in Boston at the Peabody Museum, it was an exhibition of these hand-tinted postcards from the mid-1800's in Japan. What they were were these typical scenes of Japan, from your Samurai swordsman to your Geisha girl to Mount Fuji, and they were all hand colored. The 1850's was when Japan first opened up to tourism, so they were tourist souvenirs, and they were also meant to excite people to come to see Japan. I was really inspired by the images, and the colors, and the whole idea; a lot of the collection came from that. The embroideries, the colors, and the textures.
DL: We could definitely see that with the colors in the collection.
AL: The textures too, one of our embroideries was inspired the Samurai uniform, with a metal sweatshirt, and we had some embroideries that were inspired by cherry blossoms, and we also did a sequined dress based on the shape of Mt. Fuji.
DL: The concentric circle print skirt with the asymmetrical silver sequined top?
AL: That's the one.
DL: That was definitely one of our favorites. Your inspiration is really amazing.
AL: Well you know, my inspiration usually comes from some kind of art source for me.
DL: Well like for Spring 2009 you did the collection inspired by the exhibit at the MOMA.
AL: Yeah exactly, the Color Field exhibit. It always starts there but the styles come more from what I'm feeling and what I see on the street. I'm not a super, super downtown designer in the New York sense; my aim is not to be the "coolest kid on the block". I see people being on trend, I think that being on trend is important, feeling modern, but not being trendy. There was a really, really great quote by...I can't remember who, but he said "if you're never trendy, you're never not trendy." It's true, you know, and I think that's my unique take on fashion.
DL: Well that makes sense, you did start out as a basics designer. Would you say that's impacted your current work?
AL: You know, I went to Cornell for Psychology and I knew I always wanted to be a fashion designer. Then I moved to New York and worked for Ralph Lauren but then within a year moved to Oscar de la Renta. I grew up at Oscar; I spent eight years there, became the creative director, and sort of learned fashion on the job from arguably one of the best teachers. He's from a classic background, he's a very classic designer and that really had an impact on me with making things that were beautiful, wearable, and made people look good. I want people to be able to wear clothes and I hate it when the clothing wears the person.
DL: That's a really interesting dichotomy you present. Speaking of your experience, how did you react to style.com's statement that you were the next "torchbearer for new generation in American sportswear"?
AL: I saw the writer about a week later at one those things and I was like "Oh my God, what a lie!" and she said 'Well, you know, we feel it's true" and it's a very big honor I think, because you know everyone has different images of American sportswear. I have to say though that I agree with her because that's what I'm trying to do- it's sometimes hard to stand out when you're not trying to be the trendiest, coolest designer in the world. In the fashion world we get obsessed with cool and new, and I think that there is room for other things besides that.
DL: You definitely have a more timeless aesthetic it seems. So speaking of that, what pieces from the Fall collection do you think are going to emerge as hits? What's been getting orders, what have people been calling after, what have you been experiencing so far with that?
AL: Anything with color. All the strong color pieces, the sequin embroideries, the sweatshirts, the outerwear, anything that is special whether its color, cut ,or embroidery. Embroidery has been really strong.
DL: I can imagine, especially with the emphasis on texture, I feel that people respond really positively to that.
AL: Totally, and I think people are looking for things that are special. Then comes price and value.
DL: Any plans for a resort collection?
AL: We're doing Holiday now, and Resort, and then we do Spring. Right now though we're doing Holiday and Resort.
DL: Well hopefully we get to see that too.
AL: Well, it's more of a presentation for our resort show. Sort of a style.com presentation.
DL: You know, it really seemed like there were a lot more presentations this time around.
AL: Yeah, there were. I really noticed that too, you know it was the first time we showed in the tents.
DL: Well yeah, last year you showed at the church in the seminary garden in Chelsea. We really thought that was fantastic.
AL: It was really cool, but I love the idea of coming to the Tents because it's like arriving at the center point for American fashion and it's an honor to be able to show there.
DL: Have you been following the shows in Milan, Paris, and London at all?
AL: I've been traveling a lot, so a little bit I have. I've seen some that I thought were really beautiful- I thought that was Lanvin was incredible, Raff Simmons, I thought the colors in Balenciaga were amazing.
DL: Are there any trends you've seen emerging as you've followed the shows in New York and the other cities that you've reacted positively to?
AL: No doubt 80's is a big, big trend. Those who can do it the best, it's not so much strong shoulders but more about the silhouette. I think it's the biggest trend to come out of this. Cutouts, another big trend, but I think it's more the 80's vibe. People are depressed, they want something fun; the 80's were really fun!
DL: It's no surprise people would hark back to that...it also falls within the spectrum of the 20 year rule right now too.
AL: Oh yeah, the 20 year spin.
DL: So just to wrap up, I have a couple brief questions for you. Favorite hangout?
AL: The Waverly.
DL: Clothing store?
AL: My own, of course!
DL: Place for inspiration?
AL: The street.
DL: Muse?
AL: Coco Brandolini.
DL: Well we'd really like to thank you for your time today, Adam. We really appreciate it, and we're really excited to see what you come out with next!
AL: Well thanks and your welcome, we really appreciate your support!
District L would like to thank Adam Lippes of ADAM and TJ Allers at Paul Wilmot Communications for making this interview possible.
According to Fashion Week Daily:
A joint statement from Theyskens and the brand, reported by WWD, said that Ricci "wishes to re-orientate its development strategy for the years to come. Consequently, Nina Ricci and its artistic director Olivier Theyksens have decided by mutual agreement to cease their collaboration." Louis Vuitton designer Peter Copping is slated to replace Theyskens.
So it looks like the rumors were true. Let's get ready for a new Nina Ricci era.
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A model presents a creation by Belgian designer Olivier Theyskens for Nina Ricci during the autumn/winter 2009 ready-to-wear collection show in Paris,...
Vogue's best dressed list for this week was a usual buffet of everyone's favorite fashion plates- Kate Moss, Karen Elson, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Poppy Delevigne all placed within the top 5, much to no surprise.
However, celebrity greenhorn Freida Pinto of Slumdog Millionaire fame took the cake on the list at number 7, photographed at the Chanel 2009 Fall RTW show in Paris looking stunning in none other than, of course, Chanel.
It looks like everyone, including Vogue, is under the spell of the sexy Indian ingenue.
Pinto is slated to star in the next Woody Allen movie to be filmed in London (of the Matchpoint, Scoop, and Cassandra's Dream ilk) and is rumored to be auditioning for a role as the next Bond girl.
Could this be just beginning of the road to becoming one in that elite eschelon of celebrity that can actually shift merchandise? Designers are going to love her...that is if they don't already.
Which favorite street fashion photographer refused to take one of his famous candid shots of a girl in London because she was wearing a pair of Uggs?
Click here to find out!
Thank god, by the way- as if we didn't know already, this confirms that the official fashion industry stance on the Ugg boot is an emphatic, vehement "No".
"Joie de vivre, joie de fashion, joie de mode!" -Marc Jacobs
Marc Jacobs - Runway - Fall 09 MBFW
Spread those legs wide, American Apparel. Here comes a hot capital injection.
Apparently just days short of defaulting on a loan of USD 16,000,000 from Dell CEO Michael Dell, American Apparel has sought the help of British private equity firm Lion Capital to bail it out. Lion Capital, in return, agreed to purchase a fifth of the company in exchange for 16 million new shares of American Apparel stock valued at USD 2 each. This sums up to about eighty million bucks of capital coming into American Apparel's hands, which has been suffering a global downturn (no shit) since the recession kicked in.
So kick off those P.E. Shorts and leave those fake glasses on the nightstand. Don't worry, the first time always hurts a little bit.
...and it's not being sponsored by IMG. District L perused the offerings nonetheless. Kimberly Ovitz, Trovata, Smoke and Mirrors, and the GENArt Show were some of the highlights, however the lineup this year seemed a little...sparse.
Most of the week is filled with various weepy-eyed humanitarian sponsored parties (if saving a starving child is a result of my downing copious flutes of Moet, then sign me up). Obviously we aren't expecting New York or Paris here, but there's a lot of smoke and no chicken if you catch our drift.
District L will be taking California by storm this week with Los Angeles and San Francisco on our radar- we'll keep you posted with some Word on the Street and hopefully some LA Fashion Week events.
Also- keep your eyes peeled for our interview with ADAM Designer Adam Lippes regarding the Fall 2009 Collection.
Stay tuned, District L is really taking off now.
Don't worry... We don't think Elle Magazine is a legitimate fashion magazine either, but they did provide the world with trivia that every District L fashionista should know:
1. Which young NYC designer is famous for his M.O.D. (Model-Off-Duty) look? Alexander Wang
2. What fashion photographer once attended beauty school? Terry Richardson
3. In pink champagne, the rosy hue comes from: Red wine added to the base and/or grape-skin contact early in the process
4. What cartoon character does Marc Jacobs have tattooed on his right bicep? SpongeBob SquarePants
Today District L visited the Seduction Exhibit at The Museum at FIT, which showcases the various methods women used clothing to seduce throughout the generations.
"Through a strategic interplay of exposure and concealment, the seducer strives to entice, yet remains appropriately (and perhaps teasingly) modest. As one of the earliest means of power for women, seductive dress is most commonly linked to femininity." -Colleen Hill, Curator
