LYRA MAG.

Words/Boutique Images by Judith Ecochard Design Miami Images Courtesy of Fendi CONTEMPORARY CRAFTSMANSHIP, TRADITIONAL HANDMADE TECHNIQUES PLUS MODERN TECHNOLOGY Although luxury goods (and not the mass market kind, ahem) are truly available on a global basis, the values and customs of those customers from around the world, still differs greatly. As an example --- having spent time/lived in Western Europe…we felt how integral culture and the arts are--- to the way of life over there…we can’t think of any country where school budget cuts start with the arts programs for example. It would be like choking off the oxygen supply. We thought about this as we stepped inside the spaciously elegant Fendi store on Fifth Avenue…to take in a one day only “live’ installation of geometric functional sculptures based on nature’s quasi-crystals-molecular structures that never repeat, fyi--- created by expanded polystyrene foam, coated with industrial Line-X spray --- and now covered with the ex...

West 37th Street, NYC Inspired the the exuberant canvases of Latin American artists, the cordial Angle Sanchez delivered a knock-out collection of  evening wear in his showroom. The models, posed in sky high heels ...in beautiful, one shouldered and strapless beautifully draped cocktail frocks. Black Crepe One Shouldered Dress- with folded front panel and sequin detail at the neckline. Yves Klein Blue popped---on left Color blocked, geometric designs ---also nods to the artwork of that early part of the decade---with intricate sequins detail  and insets. We thought this amazing--- This Orange Crepe cocktail dress with one shoulder folds draped and tiered skirt --- elegant and flattering.   Orange strapless crepe cocktail dress with side draping that continues to cascade in the back ...perfect.  The designer, Angel Sanchez with two gals from his showroom. Some skinny pants.  Like wearing a work of art...geometrically pieced coc...

 UNIVERSITY Lincoln Center, Wearing April Howard New York City Words/Backstage Images Judith Ecochard The Academy Of Art University  is an Art School with a very strong fashion department--- hailing from San Fran---This institution ventures east, staging a bi-annual runway show during the New York week (plus) of fashion eevents. We only had time for backstage...as it was also the huge Fashion Night Out evening...and there was just too much going on. In general, student shows veer towards the more creative vs. the practical...as we have found these kind of runway events highlight the possibilities and technical skills of this select group of students. This show  really gave us an eyeful of how unusual materials can be manipulated for dramatic effect. very skillfully rendered and all who participated did great work. We loved this dress by Camilla Olson...who was inspired by Blade Runner---aka women as rebels breaking restrict...