LYRA MAG.

Lower East Side-and Midtown-NYC Words, Images Judith Ecochard and courtesy of designer. We were thinking about the McDonald-ization of the luxury goods-how impersonal the entire manufacturing and shopping experiences have all gotten. Psychology often factors into consumer purchases and we think the need to conjure up unique designs with the focus on the customer-not the ‘it’ item---heralds a welcome shift back to personal attention and craftsmanship. Recently, we stopped in the wood paneled store/atelier of SEW – that serves up bespoke and RTW (“Off the Peg”) collections of finely tailored menswear with a hip twist. Garment industry veteran, Scott Evan Wasserberger pays homage to his family with this fairly new establishment…and the tradition of a Saville Row like experience, stateside. With a glass of wine in hand, we got an exclusive up close tour of the goodies last week---and once again feel ‘the clothes make the man’ especially when the attire has subtle flourishes---“cool” lini...

Words, Images Judith Ecochard Garment Center: April 23, 2009 Some retailers might role their eyes at the mention of another denim line…but our peepers were certainly lockin' on a new bunch of jeans out of (where else) California...that we previewed last week, MALIBU DENIM . Super soft (made with cashmere in the mix- sourced from exclusive Italian mills) ---the cuts include the classic boot, slouchy, and the skinny-all with the perfect fit and finish---including the distressed look that embraces the beachy elements of sea salt and sun. How did Malibu Denim get it right out of the gate? Founder Diane Sedigi is a vet of all things denim (in Europe) including the manufacturing process in her DNA. With loads of experience across the Pond, Sedigi settled in Malibu and was inspired to launch a premium line: with her “signature, and most obvious detail; her modern and unique approach to the back yoke” ---for a sexy and uplifted silhouette. Malibu Denim will be available at select retail...

Words Judith Ecochard, Images courtesy of Hillhouse Naturals It’s no secret everyone we know is spending more time at home…and that what $s our pals are spending tends to go towards creating the nest of their (affordable) dreams. One easy way to create an environment that’s luxuriously welcoming is by way of a clean and pure smelling abode. Lucky us, Earth Day delivered some samples from HILLHOUSE NATURALS , a Kentucky based, mom/daughter (Peggy Batts and Tracy Sullivan) home grown business -that sells elegantly packaged, accessibly priced home fragrance products. The eco-friendly Hillhouse Natural Living and Living Green™ Collections are both made from authentic blends of essential oils and botanicals. The Natural Living conjures up the pure air of the Southwest desert via clean burning 100% Soy Wax Candle - stylish reusable concrete container ($32), a Living Room and Linen Spray Mist ($22) a Potpourri Bag ($19) and Gift Set ($21) and our always use- Reed Diffuser ($43) contain...

INGEO™ , HAINS CELESTIAL GROUP’S-EARTH ORGANICS, VAIL RESORTS, KING PACIFIC LODGE, ECHO VALLEY RANCH and SPA Words Judith Ecochard Images courtesy of Green Depot (c) 2009, NatureWorks LLC (c) 2009, King Pacific Lodge, Echo Valley Ranch & Spa GREEN DEPOT , 222 Bowery and the WALDORF ASTORIA HOTEL - Midtown Manhatttan Part of our Earth Day’s (week) must attend events, was a sustainable lifestyle cocktail/conference in the new to us Manhattan branch of Green Depot… a retail/trade emporium stocked with environmental friendly building and household supplies (including bestselling cleaning items). A highlight was our chat with Steve Davies, Director of Communications and Public Affairs of NatureWorks®LLC -a company that processes Ingeo™-a plant sugar into a proprietary NatureWorks® biopolymer –that’s ‘eco aware-ly’ transformed (meaning uses less fossil fuel, less greenhouse gas emissions to process) into fiber, bottles, containers, plastic bags, non woven wipes, diapers etc. The end...

West 54th Street, NYC April 23rd, 2009 Words, images Judith Ecochard An intimate presentation is an ideal setting in which to preview collections from luxury brands. Last week, we took in the new styles and reinterpreted classics of the made-to-measure and ready-to-wear lines from France’s hundred plus years old cobbler, John Lobb - in such a locale. It gave us a (leisurely) chance to admire the artistry… up close and personal. And lucky for us, one of John Lobb’s acclaimed Master Craftsman, Paul Wilson , was available to answer questions and understandably so, lovingly point out the expertly applied details that make a bespoke shoe worth the cost ($6000 and up)- of every hand stitch and hand polished nuance. To commemorate the company’s relocation of all aspects of its business (workshops, bespoke salon, corporate offices and the famous climate controlled last storage space)- to new stately quarters at 32 Rue de Mogador near the Paris Opera…in, naturally, Paris, France. John Lobb...

Garment District April 20th, 2009 Words, Images Judith Ecochard In the land of perpetually fine weather, a lifestyle attired in casual wear gets jazzed up with sassy beachwear to streetwear from Hurley , a legendary surfboard and surf/skatewear line. Hurley’s DNA combining the realms of surf, art and music -is captured with an expansion of separates ready to hit retails shelves starting in the late summer. The collection for gals has easy, mix-it-up pieces that are cute and inexpensive. Camis, and cotton tops with well-finished ruch details come in saturated solids like sunflower and burnt orange. Board shorts sport terrific graphics. Later gals can switch to plaid long sleeves with lace inserts and tiny pleats at the shoulder and yokes that make the collection special. A puffer vest with a fake fur hood, a cable knit toggle sweater, cropped and regular length distressed boyfriend jeans--- and a long tartan dress can suffice as throw ons after the beach---or for landlubbers looking...