LYRA MAG.

RTW FOR MODERN MERMAIDS Images, Words by Judith Ecochard How Holly Dunlap manages to improve on an already terrific line of shoes, bags and ready-to-wear is beyond us… But this is her best assortment of wearable glam hostess dresses, jumpsuits and ornate sandals and handbags to date. And she thinks so too! “It was a really Blue Lagoon collection…” with sparkling cool blue waters of the Indian Ocean … and flattering lime/plush green colors dominating a summery rainbow palette. THINK : Fun, flirty, American attitude---and yes, all sizes will look great in the easy wear clothes. And you don’t have to live on the beach! THE LOOK FOR SPRING 2009: We love jumpsuits…and Holly Dunlap serves up our favorite one pieces. The short sleeves, safari-ish front pockets, a defining sash waist----all in lavender or pale bluish green----are made of a falls just right on the body- stretch silk/lycra fabric that is slimming but not clinging. There’s a sleeveless, diagonal side tie multi-shade one too-t

A “BED IN” - SEVENTIES VIBE FOR THE 21st CENTURY MARITIME HOTEL ROOFTOP, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6th, 2008 Pics and Words-Judith Ecochard Philip Stephens is a very popular London based designer we’ve heard about-from fashion forward types hailing from Dublin. So even though you could cut the heavy, oppressive humidity with a knife on that Saturday, we eagerly trooped over to the hip Chelsea rooftop of the Maritime Hotel- for this contemporary men’s and women’s wear presentation. Sweating buckets, we avoided the outdoor terrace-and stuck with reviewing the clothes on the models that were relaxing about the two rooms of the air-con suite. This included two sleekly dressed peaceniks lounging about the bed. Well hello John and Yoko ----we'd love to Give Peace A Chance. We also got a vibe that conjured up the classic British WWII comedy, “Gert and Daisy’s Weekend” about hardscrabble East Enders decamping for the safety of the posh countryside of English nobility. The clothes were a fresh t

SPRING/SUMMER 2009 COLLECTION FOCUS STUDIO, 11th Avenue- NYC September 7th, 2008 Words, Images by Judith Ecochard Many of Sari Gueron’s front row fans were dressed to the nines in her sparkling evening wear-- for this late afternoon presentation of her daytime outfits (with a few mini dress, cocktail numbers thrown in for good measure). We assume this assortment of easy luxe- is going to be priced like an “affordable’ contemporary designer collection...a smart move in an iffy economy. We really liked GUERON’s fashionable efforts…and think it might do better at retail- than similar collections, maybe more costly garb...we saw this week. It will certainly broaden the designer’s fan base. HIGHLIGHTS : Ruffles big (surrounding a plunging V neck) and small (shoulder details), and see through lace that's sexy and fresh...set this line apart from plenty of what we saw all week. A bit of sequins and Swarovski crystals are thrown in for tasteful feminine embellishments, not glitz... ver

“FUTURISTIC STREETWEAR WHERE BOUNDARIES ARE ERASED” Sunday, September 7th, 2008-Milk Studios, 6:30PM Words, Images by Judith Ecochard Tim Hamilton had an ear to ear Cheshire cat grin on his face- - when we arrived at the spacious Milk Studios penthouse , The spacious white interior space, adjoined by two outdoor terraces, was packed with a buzzy, hip group crowd sipping Bulldog gin…against a perfect NY skyline, backlit by the perfect NY sunset. It’s a terrific collection. Truth be told, we had no idea how talented this designer is. A big WOW! BACKSTORY: Toiled at J.Crew and Ralph Lauren, based in NYC…rocks out to Velvet Underground. CFDA Award nominee (2x)- launched own line 2006. THE INSPIRATION: Frank Stella’s minimalist paintings, particularly his “Black Paintings from the 1960’s…“clinical and characteristically coy.” THE PRESENTATION: We wouldn’t call these dudes prepsters but the male models- who smoked, drank, and chatted up interested parties (and there was plenty of that to