LYRA MAG.

"FROM CHINA WITH LOVE"  Wool Coat-Velvet Collar (l) / Rice Field Silk Qipao, Cloud Waist belt Words/Showroom Images Judith Ecochard When we used to travel around the globe, back in college---besides the affordability factor of youth hostels only, we always had a strong sense of where we were---by the topography/landscape, food, language, climate, ethnic types,  and absolutely, the clothes. Washed cord jacket-Checker cashmere knitted scarf Silk Cashmere Jacket Cardigan  Cashmere Pullover with contrast placket Now, everyone kinda looks the same with traditional garb worn for only tourists in many instances...and the unique styles---gone, replaced by mostly denim with a tee---now universal. EVEN luxury brands are mass market nowadays...the same goods are available everywhere just about. Which is why we really liked the Shanghai Tang Fall 2011 collections for Men and Women RTW---with the MO: "A re-discovery o...

West Village, NYC WORDS/IMAGES JUDITH ECOCHARD Women's Supersuede Beachrider made of 100% recycled poly $29 Hurley is a youthful skate, surf, outdoorsy brand of apparel and swim/surf wear...we always look forward to the media preview...and we always walk away impressed by the style and technology...and affordability! BOARD SHORTS are for us, Hurley's claim to fame--- The Phantom 120-made of the top-of-the line P120 Phantom Fabric (compressed micro fibers woven with spandex for 140% stretch)--featuring the patent pending and proprietary Nike Flywire -a thread that morphs into a supportive fiber-individually thinner than human hair wow---(Nike being the parent company of Hurley, fyi---where the techy thread, composed of Vectran, was developed by the Director of Innovation, Jay Meschter--)... AND the precisely engineered/designed...with welded seam construction (fyi improves durability and >50% stretch over traditional stitched seams), patented ez fly clo...