LYRA MAG.

IN OUR INBOX... Two thumbs up for Levi's -a clothing giant with a conscious---taking an eco take on re-purposing artisan hand crafted vintage blankets from India-and interweaving them with modern twills and  chambrays fabrics-over-dyed in indigo ...then made into stylish apparel...in the basics we live in. This Capsule Collection-dubbed the  Artisan Blanket Collection--- are for women...and each item- woven shirts, cropped pants, shift dresses and reversible vests) are available at select Levi's® Stores and Levi.com this week $148 to $198.

A Kick-Off of New York Fashion Week words/showroom images Judith Ecochard Hosts with the most-shoes, that is,  that we can actually walk in all the live long day...HH. Brown (owned by Berkshire Hathaway, FYI) midtown digs hosted the launch of "A DESIGN AFFAIR"-whereby the 300+DSW footwear/accessories chainstore sponsor/Fashion Institute of Design contest invited students to submit creative designs in the hope of winning the fab prize of actual production and distribution of the winners. Limited run productions -will be available online and fittingly of course, NYC-DSW stores. As inspiring and fun as that was, we loved our tour around the showroom- where we got to eyeball the Fall 2012 collections from Vintage Shoe Company, Walk-Over, and Kokese. Vintage Shoe Company's men's shoes for the upcoming season boasts the same fine hand washed/distressed leathers, detailed hardware, and hand burnished rich patinas this 125 year old company is acclaimed for. ...

eBay SUITE: ROYALTON HOTEL, WEST 44th STREET, NYC FEBRUARY 18th, 2009 Words, Images Judith Ecochard Our conversation with eBay’s knowledgeable and au courant Style Director, Constance White was a highlight of this past NY FASHION WEEK's activities. We met up with this guru of all things sold with flair-on an afternoon where we looked forward to, CRAVED REALLY- an engaging conversation without any ear splitting music rockin' the background. Ensconced in the spacious bright penthouse of the recently refurbished Royalton Hotel , we found White chatting with pals R.Scott French and Meredith Garcia (The Fashion List ) and PR maven Linda Gaunt . Revived with a quick jolt of java, we joined the conversation to find out White’s take on Spring fashion picks and eBay’s Green initiative. LYRA MAG: What do you think will be the hot eBay picks for the upcoming season? WHITE: What people are bidding on for Spring are (1) statement necklaces from prestige names like Kenneth Jay Lane and To...

Words, Judith Ecochard Everyone from the fashionably attired to Red Carpet stollers have worn high-end vintage clothing. There is a huge demand for these luxe garments that what work forever…but access to the truly luscious and hard to find couture names is nearly impossible. PROBLEM SOLVED: Juliana Cairone, a passionate collector of vintage fashion -has opened a light-filled atelier-stocked with her high-end, iconic finds. A frisbee throw from Bergdorf’s and Saks…Rare Vintage gives Big Apple dwellers and visitors access to dresses and separates similar to the glorious frocks by Dior, Chanel, Madame Grès, Halston, YSL etc... sold in top LA shops Lily and Cie, Decades and The Paper Bag Princess. PLUS: In addition to vintage couture pieces hand picked by Cairone from her exclusive sources, up-to-date RTW and accessories round out the retail selections. INFO: 24 West 57th Street, Suite 501, Tuesday-Friday 11:30-6PM IMAGES: Courtesy of Brand Building Communications