LYRA MAG.

It's doubtful most holiday time purchases of apparel/footwear set off brain cells on just how 'dirty' that industry is.  Still-companies themselves are getting schooled and acting on environmentally friendly initiatives to clean out some of the toxicity from sourcing-manufacturing-delivery chains. On the home front brick/mortar retailers...are selectively editing their offerings -with greener merchandise getting stocked.  In lower Manhattan... Bishop Collective  's (143 Ludlow Street) careful picks include multiple indie designers making (in the USA) modern clothing/jewelry-all  ethically designed and sourced. In town???- The  Designer Series Sessions  this month  feature meet/greets with seven designers-for not only in person style help- but also highlighting exclusive one-off items-which is pretty remarkable for the 99.9% of us who can't 'touch' price-wise , couture handmade anything. Voyager Sleek Parley w/ Boost and Stealth out...

GORE-TEX®, LYCRA® Organic Cotton-Recycled Plastic, OrthoLite, Polygiene Favored apparel labels of  Millennials -includes hybrid athlete- athleisure brands...which imo...implies a casual lifestyle AND clued in consumers -reading the info mandated on labels...like listing country of origin (manufacturing), garment care, fiber content and other finishings/treatments. Just like reading the ingredients label on foods/liquids...savvy customers demand transparency. Hangtags that hang with those of the maker- usually adds to a garment's caché...and  helps explain the prices commanded by premium products-in apparel and footwear. Some of the most common that we see... Gore-Tex ® was the first lightweight waterproof/breathable membrane addition to our winter wardrobe ...back in the 80s. Their GTX appearance on hiking and winter boots=game changer. via GIPHY source imgur.com Today there are many Gore-Tex fabrics with varying degrees of windproof/waterproof/breathable-from pro...

Jun-Inoue Live Painting at Backwoods Gallery The Asian aesthetic-specifically Japanese - is a very distinct point of view that translates into the visual arts and fashion: it's reflective of nature in its wondrous simplicity and complexity. With this month's Costume Institute - Metropolitan Museum of Art honoring the Japanese fashion icon Rei Kuwakubo (Commes Des Garçon+Dover Market's leading light) -we found three footwear styles that would pair well with any of her apparel designs-aside from those of her own collab with NIKE... Vibram's FUROSHIKI Original style-inspired by the Japanese custom of packaging items by wrapping them in cloth- gets some bright print patterns for SS 2017 Vibram's FUROSHIKI $110 -A Vibram outsole that cradles the foot-including tippy top toe bumps+ fitting stretch fabric in a wrapped style -snuggly attaches at the ankle with velcro closure. Comes with a traveling case (seen upper right)-great for travelers. Unisex sizing. ...

Part 3 HARD TAIL FOREVER, SPIRITUAL GANGSTER, THREADS 4 THOUGHT Metropolitan Pavilion Bold Black/White stripes from Hard Tail Forever (MADE IN THE USA)-can see how these graphic pieces work with cool black or white lifestyle staples-like their cool  to jacket Hard Tail. ..also had several shades of gray-in subdued camo casual sweatpants-jogger style with comfy drawstring waist- and tie dye patterns in stretch pants/leggings hybrid with slimming flat waist. At this tradeshow-we saw prints in layered bands as pictured above on the left-which imo-more flattering (slimming)---vs last season's overall bright patterns that add visual inches to thighs. Probably why we see very few overall print pattern bottoms at the gym we belong too-but see loads of-mesh inserts in all black leggings/capris-that adds a fun lingerie element to gym wear. Spiritual Gangste r-yoga inspired clothing-black/white crop new High Neck Bra top-racer back available now $48... Threads ...

AKA the reason why it $s so much for some apparel/footwear Part 1 Convex Vest -Voormi   Tis the season for 2016 F/W apparel  deliveries...and consumers are carefully counting their pennies when it comes to clothing buys. With performance/athletic wear- outdoor urban types-with limited time for adventures and closet space...are demanding more that just style/fitted 'stuff.'  PLUS- the more rugged and risky outdoor pastime, the more the garment components need to perform-including versatile textile features and superior manufacturing quality...with meaningful warranties.  When one's life is on the line- trekking a summit, snowboarding backcountry-or 'just' strolling around town- multi-tasking apparel-made with performance-more eco/sustainably made fabrics/wools/synthetics- are the norm...including many of  the musts- breathability, moisture wicking, warm when wet,  four way stretch, anti-odor...easy clean. SOME HIGHLIGHTS: S...

Outdoor Retailer Winter 2016/17 WOOLRICH, NAU, FLYFLOW Notably, many outdoor apparel makers showed off  classic parka jackets with big front flap exterior pockets, and attached hoods... CPO shirts styles (the dark navy wool versions of yore-inspired by the USA Navy ones)-but beefed up with down or synthetic insulation,  and variety-baseball jacket silhouettes ---but this time made from modern textiles and/or DWR treatment for better warmth-weatherproof wear-and breathability...than what was worn in say Shackleton's time...but interesting...lacking the state of the art body mapping designs...that are popular selling points. New additions are found in some of these jackets=more interior pockets...for all the personal electronics we live with... velcro closures (patented in 1955)...and cutting edge synthetic insulation that rivals down for warmth. SOME of OUR FAVS... Woolrich ® parent has several labels-including their premium collection- John Rich&Bros. --named a...

SLC/Outdoor Retailer & TERNUA -North American Debut Outerwear Collection In demand outdoor gear and apparel functions at a premium-and imo-it's the new fabrics-textiles-materials-with design assists that push the envelope when it comes to the performance pieces/gadgets for adventure/athletic types. AND renders the outdoor stuff  we own over 3 years old-completely outdated. Exciting new materials were introduced from worldwide companies-at the latest Outdoor Retailer Fall 2015 show-sometimes originally developed for military uses-or eco-sustainably sourced/made less toxic -ally (like the fluorocarbon free waterproof/breathable laminates)-as demanded by consumers+regulators-and companies themselves … NAU-down hoody-men's-recycled European down $380  Fall 2015 But we got most excited= fav label NAU and prAna  ( new to us) TERNAU-joined teamed up with sock brand LORPEN-are using re-purposed-recycled down that has been sterilized-sanitized and processed...