LYRA MAG.

ANDREW BUCKLER FALL/WINTER 2010 RTW and NEW MADE –to-MEASURE MENSWEAR COLLECTIONS Words, Images Judith Ecochard We have been following Andrew Buckler for several seasons now …and how always been impressed with his label---contemporary with an English/Aussie twist…attitude…and made well. Modern and with a Euro humorous flair. This latest effort really jumped the POND however—more Americana than “cheeky bastard.” We ran into several guys on the way out…raving about this “On The Road” by Jack Kerouac inspired outing-- …that came through in the plaid prints, roughed up boots, and what we felt was an American male kind of silhouette--- for example: a little loose, and swagger comfy…but not sloppy. After all this is FASHION WEEK (though with the weather...lots of attendees dressed for cover). There was...

HEADWEAR FOR EVERYONE, ANYWHERE, ANY STYLE, ANY OCCASION SERIOUSLY-urban to alpine hats... Outdoor Retailer, SLC, UTAH Words, Images Judith Ecochard To say that we had sensory overload eye balling the hundreds of hats and technical head coverings that were displayed on every square inch of the CHAOS exhibit’s wall space…is an understatement. And it got us thinking…retailers must really know their customers because there an insane gargantuan amount of styles, colors, textiles--- that make up this brand…” the backbone of the industry .” We got the tour…and are highlighting what’s poppin’ for Fall/Winter 2010: CHAOS NATURAL COLLECTION : This four seasons collection gets its eye catching hues from natural pigment dyes . The saturated rich colors liven up several products we saw…including styles made from blends of organic wool, organic cotton, organic bamboo, and recycled poly. Very cute and fun…and with retail prices ranging from $32-$38...

Chelsea Art Museum, NYC Feb. 2010 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week New York IMHO: It's a bit superfluous at this point to REVIEW a Marchesa Presentation during Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2010. KEREN CRAIG, PEACHES GELDOF, GEORGINA CHAPMAN Not to sound ho-hum but we know we are going to see Red Carpet knockouts: VERY JOSEPHINE BONAPARTE in a good way... ???? ... with the most amazing attention to detail, feminine silhouettes, ruffles, tiers of tulle, feathers, sequins and hand details that make us want to have Keren Craig and Georgina Chapman ---the designers---as BFFs forever if we orbited in that universe of fabulousness. More accessible...the lovely cocktail frocks. The inspiration this year---was the definitely unconventional,  Limerick Ireland born dancer/courtesan/3x married Lola Montez (b1818 or 1821 as Eliza Gilbert-died 1861 in NYC)---- who had many prominent men on her "list"...and was famo...

St Regis Hotel, NYC February 2010 Words, Images Judith Ecochard Trudging through the slushy snow en route to the Fall/Winter Presentation of made to measure clothier (and RTW) designer Norman Ambrose, we felt protected from the weather, but immensely under-dressed. As we remembered from the Spring 2010, this luxurious label, made with old school/ French couture techniques, elegant fabrics, and high-end, hard to source embellishments…is a testament to women who know the difference between any pricey off the rack garment made somewhere else, versus clothes carefully crafted under the watchful eyes of a New York production house--- right near a Big Apple showroom. For this outting, Norman Ambrose is inspired by the glorious French ship===the Normandy ocean liner…” a romantic moment in time.” Indeed, we could picture a woman making her grand entrance, descending a staircase in the feathery organza gown …that required hours of hand dying to get just rig...