LYRA MAG.

ROJAS, THREADS 4 THOUGHT, GESTUZ, SAO PAULO Garment Center, NYC June 29, 2009 We recently had a quick review of some of the trendy labels Agent R.E.D. showroom reps…in its spacious midtown loft in midtown Manhattan. ROJAS is an edgy casual Los Angeles based label designed by fashion vet Freddie Rojas who has scooped up celebs and regular types as fans. And print editors too…half the samples were out on spec when we stopped by. For Fall 2009, Holiday and Spring we did preview some well made and affordable separates. We really liked Rojas take on the popular plaids-in tunics, tops and minis. THREADS 4 THOUGHT is a a best seller for the showroom. The comfy tees, leggings that look like jeans, and artist designed graphics we saw (men’s line) are hip, made in fair trade environments and made from ORGANIC or recycled fibers. Yeah! PLUS; Two percent of sales, not profits…goes to the Natural Resources Defense Council and the International Rescue Committee . GESTUZ is Danish line with a “l...

SHOES THAT GRAB ATTENTION Words, Images Judith Ecochard For gals that plan their outfits around statement making footwear… Poetic Licence is a fun collection worth scoping out. As soon as we walked into the midtown showroom of this division of Consolidated Shoes, exuberant mixed patterns and bold color mashes grabbed our eyeballs. Boots (an embroidered suede Persuade Me ) and wedges, cork bottom peep toes, oversized hardware (zippers) and buckles are some of the distinctive details that we think…sets the brand apart form more conservative lines. Especially at these price points...topping out at $199-$269 for boots and most shoes falling into the $99-$139 range. For Spring 2010, look for jeweled sandals, contrast cross stitching, mixed fabrics (fabric/leather, suede/patent) and embellished snakeskin…to bump up t-straps, pumps, wedges and booties with sculptural heels. RETAIL: In boutiques and online at MUST HAVE SHOES

“BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN HIGH STYLE AND AFFORDABILITY…” FFANY-6TH AVENUE Midtown Words, Images Judith Ecochard MADELINE: It’s hard to deliver inexpensive footwear-manufactured from manmade materials- that looks like it should cost a whole lot more. Madeline, a fashion forward collection owned by Consolidated Shoes , manages to deliver the goods-with stylish affordability. We had a quick run through the showroom and saw lots of flats, pumps, peep toes, and boots in trendy profiles- in on target colors and print patterns. For Fall 2009 menswear inspired tie oxfords with stacked heels (Deedi) and cute fringed (Celsa) and ankle buckled booties (Sena) in faux leather respectively are easy to wear options with trousers, or jeans. Up to the knee boots- with a wedge and a sample with slim strap, buckles at the calf and ankle (Railey) –make these fashionable kickers something more than just practical footwear to slog through winter slush. Even the always “hot” snake skin pattern (image up t...

Flare Fabulous Faux Fur Accents Jazz Up Outfits It was a light bulb moment for Kim O’Connor when she snipped away at “old tried and true (ski) pants” and fashioned her first pair of Boot Chic to wear with her ski apparel. Now a full fledged, fun fashion accessories’ line…Boot Chic, made of faux fur in assorted colors and patterns, are over the boot cover attachments…with coordinating scarves, headbands, and wristlets. It’s an inexpensive way to dress up an outfit-on or off the slopes. We missed Boot Chic at the recent Outdoor Retailer show but met the founder on a sunny day in NYC recently. Turns out, Kim O’Connor’s first pair was a pink ostrich boot cover to pair with her white jacket and black pants. “Everyday is a new look and at the end of the day, you can shake them off and they dry,” she told us. Popular options of the easy to put on (via an adjustable elastic cinch with a button hole)--- include bold animal prints. Boot Chic comes in two adult sizes…s/m and large. And an ador...

The Men's Wall of Fame Tatoo Collection AMERICA’s ICONIC KICKERS and CARRYALLS FOR SPRING 2010 FFANY June 10th 2009 Fifth Avenue, NYC Words, Images Judith Ecochard We were beyond excited to preview the massive Frye collection of peds and accessories during the recent FFANY tradeshow…a bi-annual gathering of exhibitors from around the world who descend on midtown Manhattan’s Hilton Hotel…or serve up their Big Apple showrooms to entice retail buyers…and thereby their customers…with apparel for the feet. Ahhhh… no wonder women love shoes…and devote sizeable portions of precious living space to house them all ...and ovens as storage too. WHAT WE SAW: Lucky us, we got the first class tour with Michael Petry , the creative eye and very congenial guru of Frye boots and shoes. Naturally, he was one happy camper when we met up with him in the late afternoon…the feedback from the retailers was phenomenal. Here’s why… HOT TRENDS: Neutral tones (natural, smoke, taupe, black, dark brown) c...