LYRA MAG.

A COMPLETE MENU OF WEARABLE ENSEMBLES Astor Place Hair 2 Astor Place at Broadway, NYC New York Fashion Week 7PM 9/13/2009] Words, Images Judith Ecochard We were so impressed with a showroom preview of the men’s label Commonwealth Utilities, that we soooooo looked forward to a runway show. At the epitome of a hip punk NY Salon…Astor Place Hair…that amazingly, we have never been to. And with NY Rangers, former Vogue intern Sean Avery signed on as a power play front line with l abel mates Brit Anthony Keegan and Aussie Richard Christiansen …the show was maybe even more packed than usual. The RTW show was very cleverly staged…with some models ensconced on the barber chairs getting a trim…before getting a spin and eventually struttin’ the makeshift catwalk down the center of the salon…alternating with the backstage dudes. We thought the strong points were definitely what attired the guys from the waist up…a grey WESLY blazer in tonal seersucker, terrific dress shirts, tanks in white modal...

50 Rockefeller Plaza, NYC September 29, 2009 8:00 PM Words, Images Judith Ecochard Well, we thought, no wonder the innovative retailer Anthropologie- does so well. Keith Johnson , their buyer at large so-to-speak -of handicrafts, textiles, furniture and antiques--- that wonderfully outfit the stores…managed to capture his adventures on tape. The TV series about his quest for the unusual, titled – MAN SHOPS GLOBE- airing October 7th at 10PM ET- on the Sundance Channel. We had met the man of honor at the Leifsdottir Spring 2010 Presentation …during NY Fashion Week…so we knew that the series will “truly change the way that you look at the world around you.” And no, it’s not a how to on bargaining (though that comes into play, particularly in the Parisian episode ---quelle surprise----), but features the “hunt” for objects, old and new , lovingly crafted ---and of course, sourced from the familiar and remote locales across the globe. The eight-part, half hour series just got the green li...

General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen Library West 44th Street, NYC 3:00 PM Words/Images Judith Ecochard How appropriate that Araks Yeramyan ’s latest collection of separates debuted in a tableau vivant format-amidst a traditional library setting. (Open Stacks Books!!!). The 13 ensembles of daywear, initially appeared “very proper” as styled on the models. Closer inspection of the materials and details revealed that the gals who wear this label could easily be the coolest gals on the planet. And the smart ones as well. Hello retailers. We prefer a presentation…but could have really appreciated the textiles used…silk cotton, linen, terry cotton etc - and tailoring/draping skills of Araks - from moving mannequins. One winner-a pretty flower print dress with delicate, lingerie like pintucks--that give the frock shape. Our favorite look is the creamy beige (“Buff”) linen skort dress (we know this from the run of show…the model was sitting when we were there)….effortlessly paire...

A STATESIDE FOLLOW-UP TO MERCEDES BENZ FASHION WEEK, BERLIN GRAMERCY PARK HOTEL, NYC September 22, 2009 3:00PM Words, Images Judith Ecochard We thought the sophisticated, very elegant and modern RTW Summer 2010 runway show by Dorothee Schumacher (-Singhoff), celebrating the 20th anniversary of her eponymous label, was the ideal way to start Berlin’s Fashion Week . Yet, it’s only when we made a sojourn to see the collection at the tastefully, hip Gramercy Park Hotel, did we fully appreciate the clever details, textiles, design flourishes…AND the amazing woman behind this Manheim, Germany based label. PLUS: Assigned to the nether regions for the show, we didn’t see the shoes at all. Now, we finally got an up close look and tactile-wise experienced those fab accessories too. BIT OF BACKGROUND: Dorothee Schumacher was raised in Düsseldorf , and got her fashion education/training via the high-end Italian and French textile industries. (Which explains why the exclusive fabrics used in h...

BEAUTY at THE PLAZA by WARREN-TRICOMI and REBECCA TAYLOR WORDS Judith Ecochard Retail merchandise turns a pretty pink every October , as fashion and beauty companies offer limited editions…with proceeds going to worthy 501 (c)3s…as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month (education/research/benefits). Two of our favs arrived in our inbox. BUT FIRST- A DIGRESSION: The best haircut we ever had , we are so not kidding…was on the last day of NY’s Fashion Week…at the Warren-Tricomi Salon. Besides the fact that we practically fell asleep in those plush massage chairs as we had our hair washed (hint---get a double wash cause the head massage that goes with it cannot possibly last too long)… J. Ecochard …we only trust salons where a meaningful portion of the stylists have long locks -done right. Because that means to us that healthy hair is as important an MO- as getting a trim. Thanks Aurora who snipped our- at first wet -then dry hair to perfection. WE KNOW: When we got back to the Bryant...

EXPLORERS CLUB East 79th Street, NYC September 17th, 2009 Words : Judith Ecochard An invite from “the father of modern adventure travel” Richard Bangs to preview his latest American Public Television special ADVENTURES WITH PURPOSE : ASSAM INDIA: QUEST for the ONE-HORNED RHINO ---- enticed like another New York Fashion Week RTW catwalk romp couldn’t possibly. THE EXPERIENCE Entering the historic Explorers Club in Manhattan’s Upper Eastside gave us goose bumps…and not because there was this dead stuffed grizzly posed in the corner, snarl in tact. But partially because this non-profit org. “Promoting Field Sciences and Exploration Since 1904 ” ---with the Mt. Everest ‘conqueror’ Sir Edmund Hillary as honorary chair in perpetuity (he died in 2008)---is dedicated to preserving the “vital instinct to explore” -----which we feel also means preserving the planet’s threatened animal/bird species, not shooting it (anymore). And more partially because raconteur Richard Bangs , founder of wha...

A SUNNY REVIVAL FOR A RIVIERA BORN FRENCH LABEL FIFTH AVENUE, NYC Words, Images Judith Ecochard Blue skies and bright sunshine greeted the beginning of New York Fashion Week. The weather was sooooo appropriate for the transporting presentation hosted by the chic French brand, Façonnable . Call us biased, but the Europeans seem to GET the elegant sportswear category better than its counterparts across the Pond… Meaning casual but au courant/dapper/stylish…not sloppy and in your face with the overblown logos. Accordingly, it’s not a surprise that Façonnable, under a new creative talent, the fashion veteran Eric Wright “…is concentrating on its original DNA.” Think “the magic of the Cote d’Azur “ of the mid 20th century… the posh Mediterranean yachting scene…the allure of al fresco dining in Monaco. Not to worry though, these clothes work in urban settings too for subway/office warriors everywhere… WHAT WE SAW: The well made, modern chic attire was displayed on racks and mannequins thr...