LYRA MAG.

BAND and BOY LOOKS FOR MEN and WOMEN Lower Manhattan, NYC February 15th 2009 Words, Images Judith Ecochard Scott Sternberg’s finely tailored suits have garnered a feverish following among a lot of guys we know-the ones with real jobs BTW---because the threads are polished perfect with a bit of American swagger. And fit beautifully with slim silhouettes fused with sharp American shoulders. For this season-33 layered ensembles on models staged in amusing/ironic prop populated vignettes allowed for a leisurely stroll/look see in the spacious, sun filled loft. And IMHO…Band Of Outsiders nailed it. The Band looks (for guys) has plenty of those terrif blazers/jackets- B of O’s signature pieces- including a nifty black worsted wool tuxedo jacket with a silk satin lapel (paired with lux grey shetland wool/cotton terry tuxedo sweatpants!), and a gray waxed cotton corduroy suit. Overcoats are handsome-we saw several winners --- a brown wool Donegal tweed car coat, a camel hair and grey wool ove...

SEASONLESS DRESSING WELL DONE THE INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY CENTER 43rd/6th Avenue February 16th, 2009 Words, Images Judith Ecochard The legendary Adrienne Vittadini outfitted generations of American women in sensuous, affordable, and comfortable, well made of knits. The company is now headed up by lead designer Kristiina Salminen and execs that “ have a DNA understanding and can make modern…what Vittadini is about.” We took in the presentation of 24 looks in galleries that appropriately featured exhibits on Fashion photography –the old (Edward Steichen) and the new (Weird Beauty: Fashion Photography Now). We noticed right away the light and medium weight textured knit dresses and layerable separates adorning mannequins throughout --all in lovely Fall colors of forest greens, peacock blues, and grey…and a few light taupe pieces. Signature cardigans and coats (including a hand crotchet gray tweed knit sample) in cocoon shapes, and dresses in luxe fabrics like panne velvet and satin ...

GEORGINA CHAPMAN and KEREN CRAIG =ANOTHER KNOCKOUT COLLECTION February 18th, 2009 It’s a bit absurd reviewing a Marchesa collection…it’s all so fabulous. Whether it’s layers of tulles, detailed embroideries and dreamy sequins, confections of airy chiffon ruffles artfully put together, cascades of silk, ribbons and feathers, etc, etc…well no wonder half these gowns were probably on a plane by 6PM, headed to LA for the Oscars. Colors were pastel pink, scarlet red, a smoky lavender, plum purple, pewter, black and gray. We also liked how the silhouettes were varied giving real women (not just Red Carpet strollers) wearable options that are age appropriate. We could see as a formal alternative-for an Ellen Barkin type (or us) a strapless scarlet wool jumpsuit or the “sculptured black silk wool jacket with a cut out star shoulder detail” and narrow tuxedo pants. And in a nod to chilly temps…there was a fantastic plum suede fitted coat with a great embroidered belt that harked back to somet...

TRENDY Men’s & Women’s Layered Warmth February 17th, 2009 Words, Images Judith Ecochard Generra reminds us of a Euro-chic version of the GAP…meaning stylish, interchangeable separates, well made basics we never seem to have enough of…and a certain cool that seems to flow effortlessly when topped by a knitted cap. Like the getups of streams of Generation Y-ers and Millenniums individuals- i.e. our Manhattan born and raised nephews and nieces. They always got it going. In a midtown space the presentation featured 27 guys and gals with piled on multi-textured garb that managed to be smartly put together and NOT MICHELIN MAN BULKY. Fall perfect, we can see a light heather aluminum grey mohair/wool cardigan becoming a cold weather staple in many wardrobes. Here the long sweater was paired with a feminine ruffle neck top under a grey ribbed tank… over a mini girly shadow flower plaid pleated hem skirt. Other separates we loved included a knobby wool Bordeaux bouclé plaid hooded poncho c...