LYRA MAG.

POWERLite and PROPULSION PLUS = REDUCED WEIGHT, DURABILTY & COMFORT OUTDOOR RETAILER MARKET, SLC-UTAH Words, Images Judith Ecochard After trekking the planet with three different pairs of kickers, we returned to Stateside’ trails only to have the trusty trio all fade away in the same week. Our second home at that time, the Arlington V.A. REI, stocked scores of brands…but it was the Asolo that got the nod. So we were curious to see if we needed an upgrade to our now well-worn pair of ASOLO, made by a fourth generation family owned Italian biz that’s toasting its 10th USA anniversary. Well we do…cause there is a bunch of “new Asolo stuff’ that significantly raises the bar of what hiking boots should be. At OR, we learned the mission: “Asolo started at the mountain (Alpine))… trickled down to Hiking…and addressed the desire to lighten up…” POWERLite is the moniker attached to the souped up, feather weight hiking boots (set to deliver January). Without sacrificing durability or fit,...

Cool Casual Comfort With Eco Components OUTDOOR RETAILER MARKET, SLC-UTAH "TREAD LIGHTER" Words, Images Judith Ecochard It wasn’t until after our chat with the Rafters/Bogs reps at OR, that we realized how we’d just been granted insider status, feet-wise. Because = walking around afterwards= with our new Rafters flip-flops, a basic black pair with snazzy patterned webbing …we earned “Oh cool, Rafters” comments. And then while hanging around the SLC airport prior to our flight…we noticed a handful of OR attendees wearing Rafters… Yes. RAFTERS sandals and shoes are all about quality, comfort and fit at great price points. There’s an internal midwedge for stability (water shoes), sculpted footbeds for arch support, drainage holes and non-slip rubber “channeled” outsoles (in two tones for the flip flops!) that “direct water away” so one can grip slippery surfaces. ECO BONUS POINTS: The colorful upper webbing is made from recycled PET (plastic water/soda bottles), the ou...

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, NY We went to the Custo Barcelona runway show in Berlin, back in July. (REVIEW) . We loved the colorful and accessibly priced collection back then…but cannot wait to see the New Collection being shown in the big Tent at Bryant Park. After all, this is New York... For sure---- it will be colorful, sexy and modern. AND A FUN SHOW!!!!

“ SENETEK , ORIGINAL DEVELOPER OF KINETIN , INTRODUCES THE NEXT GENERATION OF CYTOKININ - BASED TECHNOLOGY FOR THERAPEUTIC SKIN CARE” WORDS Judith Ecochard IMAGES Courtesy of PYRATINE XR™ New York, NY: August 26, 2009 It was a hot, hot day when a gaggle of us went to the Meadowlands Stadium in NJ- for a major soccer match. The sold out game’s swarms of humans, the heat and humidity, and the abstract concept of crowd control didn’t phase us, but our gal pal looked positively ill, with a red flushed/blotchy face that had us thinking she wasn't going to make it. But even seated in the shade and hydrated, she still looked weirdly “red” to us…with yech inflamed patches across the bridge of her nose sprawling out onto her cheeks. And that’s characteristic of Rosacea. Apparently, there are 14 million sufferers of Rosacea , a skin condition (with no known cure) that manifests itself via lesions (papules and pustules that resemble white heads/acne), redness (ery...

NEW DESIGNER DEBUTS AT MERCEDES BENZ NEW YORK FASHION WEEK Central St. Martins alum, Molly Grad, is a seasoned designer...most recently at Gianfranco Ferre. We look forward to seeing her latest efforts...a collection of swimsuits for GOTTEX. " Gottex has an amazing heritage," Grad observed. " I am going to take the DNA of the brand and give it a fresh direction with out foresaking its incredible past. ” Should be terrific.

FREERIDER Words, Judith Ecochard Images from website and J. Ecochard OUTDOOR RETAILER, SLC-UTAH S/S 2010 We didn’t have much time at the Five Ten® but what we cruised through, we really liked. CLAIM TO FAME: The Climbing Shoes …Five Ten® has many “ Vertical Meters” selections designed by climbing legends like Fred Nicole and Dave Graham. Different rocks and MOs of climbing/bouldering require different shoes…and Five Ten’s® proprietary technology (like the ground-breaking Prehensile™) gets a grip like no other. New for S/S 2010 is the men’s Team 5.10® ($144.95) with ultra thin Mystique™ for bouldering and sport climbing… (the Women’s Daescent shares the same thin toe plus mesh breathability). The dual Velcro closured Rogue , a value priced ped that works indoor on walls and outdoors on rocks=== also debuts. "Vertical Mileage" shoes go the distance and the new Grandstone , a high top traditional shoe, has leather uppers for support, and a supportive midsole and durable S...

We had a Deborah Harry/BLONDIE flashback with the new Fall 2009 ad campaign for the hip Spanish retail-powerhouse MANGO . ... Succeeding Penelope Cruz, the very blond American actress looks sultry sexy in the major trends for the season- like skinny jeans, motorcross jacket (done REALLY well-- in a great patterned fabric), animal prints, sky high heels with grommet embellishments, and a versatile cozy over sized wool cardigan . And the it color GRAY flatters a lot of skin tones, unlike black. We're assuming the shredded hosiery is pictured for effect===for those that didn't rock that look back in the eighties.

IMPROVED PERFORMANCE AND RECOVERY FOR ELITE ATHLETES AND WEEKEND WARRIORS OUTDOOR RETAILER MARKET, SLC-UTAH Words, Judith Ecochard Images from the website and J. Ecochard Compression garments have been gaining big time-in popularity as the buzz about the benefits blasts the media and filters out. WHAT IT IS: Think what an ACE (All Cotton Elastic) bandage did when we sprained our ankles as kids. Since then the mash-up of medical types, athletic wear companies and the birth of Lycra Power® has yielded a host of performance labels that offer tops, tights, shorts, sleeves, calf guards, and socks under the compression umbrella. The basic premise is that carefully ‘engineered’ garments graduated in fit (tighter at the extremities-like at the wrists of a long sleeve top- to aid blood flow back to the heart) improves performance, aids recovery, and reduces fatigue. 2XU: This company was new to us…but then we went on 2XU’s website…and went WHOA… As this entity manufactures a wide range of...

POPULAR FLAG BACKPACKS GROW GLOBALLY OUTDOOR RETAILER MARKET, SLC-UTAH Words, Images Judith Ecochard JANSPORT s’ backpacks may have “been tailored to outdoor geeks,” ---- but has morphed into one of those GIANT brands of haulers that cover a wide range of ‘carrying’ needs. Seemingly every other person we see on the subways or on the mountains during day hikes, is sporting a Jansport something…whether the technical kind or the more fashion forward packs. New for Spring 2010, the company is smartly, expanding its reach with a new Career Collection …aimed at college and biz types who need a well tricked out, padded bag that’ll carry electronics and stuff----easy and organized. We loved the magnetic closures ... and ergo backs that are curved just so to fit human backs. And a back zipper on the internal padded laptop sleeve reveals this staple of our lives with a quick unzip--- that makes cruising through the airports less of a chore. Several sizes are available---up to styles cradling 1...