LYRA MAG.

Luxury Leather And Clothing Press Preview Text/Images J. Ecochard Exiting the bustling tourist clogged Fifth Avenue, NYC for the hushed, deep chocolate toned sanctuary of Bottega Veneta’s two storied boutique, we felt ourselves slipping into a calm meditative state. That is until we caught a glimpse of the two-story high, dramatically spot lit shelved wall of chic handbags and plush satchels on display as if they were holy sacraments. Now that got our hearts’ a pumping. Under the creative vision of former Hermés and signature swimwear designer, Tomas Maier , the decades old, Italian Bottega Veneta has reinvigorated itself way beyond its classic but always-sumptuous basket weave textured leather goods. New for resort/spring for men are fresh colors and fabrics for the Neapolitan structured shoulder four season lightweight charcoal gray double breasted suit and a timeless bomber-now cut in lightweight silk gray or plaid. Naturally the woven leather theme is prevalent…deftly used in clas...

Text/images by J. Ecochard It still amazes us (and many a lass)… that cost per sq. inch of high end men’s clothing, particularly two- piece suits, are significantly lower than the female equivalent...but significantly higher in quality. It used to be that the most ladies’ garments were of complicated construction- darts, seams etc for a more fitted silhouette. At least that’s the argument dry cleaners still use to explain the out of whack price differentials to clean similar clothes of two different genders. But most upscale clothing for men now feature sophisticated designs and couture like details. Hmmmmmmm! COLLECTION ENVY On a recent preview of the updated classics of Italian menswear line, Canali …we were reminded of these sentiments. The everything made in Italy superb quality of the precisely cut, natural fibered (silk, wool, cotton), hand finished suits was obvious. Even the casual follower of tailored modes can spot the polished structure of Canali’s traditional boxy and/or...

Text, Vivian G. Kelly and Laura Wood Runway Images of Ecoganic runway show, courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Images of Beau Soleil courtesy of Beau Soleil. Images of Eco Gem jewelry, courtesy of Hovey Lee The big news at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios [October 14-18] was the strong green initiative. Three months prior to the shows, a press release went out [from IMG Fashion] announcing that “the twice yearly event in Culver City, CA will be ‘greener’ in October, with a focus on sustainability, eco-friendly fashions and designers.” Below, we highlight jewelry, cosmetics, and two eco collections. Jewelry: Designer Hovey Lee’s Eco Gem collection at the Design Suites The Eco Gem collection is under the umbrella of the designer’s larger Eco-Jewelry Collection. We met Ms. Lee in her booth at the Design Suites, drawn in by her colorful gumball cocktail rings. Ms. Lee is committed to sourcing her raw materials from Fair Trade and ethical vendors who pay fair wages a...

Feminine Innovation By the Masters of Italian Leather Text, J Ecochard Images, Richard Spiegal An airy showroom on lower Fifth Avenue, NYC was the setting for Furla’s elegantly simple display of genuinely timeless handbags, shoes and accessories. There were several distinct collections for the ladies. We loved the go anywhere semi-structured bags in vibrant colors (sunflower yellow, dahlia orange, geranium red) that featured distinctive zips, fastenings and shoulder straps in polished calf or croc leathers. Given the powerfully colorful flower printed fabrics set to dominate summer wardrobes, these handbags should fly out of Fural's numerous retail outlets. Another line of larger, unstructured bags in soft plush hides had a bit of bling going on…with studs and chains adding edgy drama. These bags came in summery pearlized and metallic leathers in pastel and natural palettes including soft pink and pearl…and would add a bit of punch to the neutral toned garb we saw on the New York...

Timestamp: October 10, 2007 Location: 37 Wall Street Text, Vivian G. Kelly Images, courtesy of Tiffany & Co. We arrived at the tail end of the opening festivities in which Tiffany brass rang the NYSE opening bell and the Founding Ceremony, attended by Dignitaries including Chairman and CEO Michael J. Kowalski and Deputy Mayor Doctoroff. Also in attendance a gaggle of Wall Streeters who looked on while enjoying coffee and Tiffany Blue-and-white cookies dispensed from coffee carts with Tiffany Blue ® umbrellas no less. The ceremony kicked-off the opening of Tiffany’s 11,000 sq. ft. store, a great addition to the downtown area that’s still in the process of revitalization, post 911. The 25- Story Beaux Arts-style building was constructed in 1907 and underwent extensive restoration prior to the opening. Tiffany kept to the original classic setting and commissioned the architectural design firm, Yabu Pushelberg, to design a modern environment of glass and light. A focal point is ...

A Fashion Show That Deserves To Be A Harvard Business School Plan On What To Do Text, Images by J. Ecochard American photographers hanging around the media riser got a few chuckles during the pre-show models’ run thru for Hugo Boss’s Spring 2008 Collection in the magnificently ornate, former booking hall of the Cunard Line (at the Cunard Building, 25 Broadway, NYC) The October 17th fashion show was strictly choreographed by a headphone wearing German Producer…who’s heavily accent English brought back memories of Colonel Wilhelm Klink of TV show Hogan’s Heroes. However, this guy directed a show…with results of polished perfection … impressing jaded editorial fashionistas returning to the States after the season's European runway jaunts. Entering the dramatic, high ceiling, marine themed marble lobby, guests were greeted by straight-backed waiters wielding Moet Chandon Champagne poured from appropriately chilled Jeroboams. This being a European show, all were encouraged to keep...

Timeless Elegance For Spring 2008 Text: J. Ecochard Photos:Rich Spiegal We love the unseasonably warm autumnal weather (though, naturally- we're terrified as to WHY). So previews of Spring 2008 luxurious clothes, handbags and shoes…made us want to reach out and touch (grab, wear) everything RIGHT NOW. At the stately Italian Consulate on Park Ave. NYC, Fratelli Rossetti -, a decades old, family owned/managed Italian manufacturer of luxe leathers- displayed sophisticated gear for the resort and spring 2008 season. Quality driven Europeans, as well as clued in Americans, already flock to the company’ stores throughout Europe, Monaco, NY etc -for the well made, hand-stitched wing tip, and loafer shoes for men (in brown black, deep beige), and go with everything neutral/black patent leather or sumptuously detailed Swarovksi crystals’ strappy sandals- that ladies can actually walk in. New for Spring is the expansion of the more casual line of driving mocs and stylish not really...