LYRA MAG.

Text, Images-Judith Ecochard June 17th – Mid-Town Manhattan One has to have the “A” team going all full court press with a solid business plan to make one’s retail mark-even in the tourist-clogged streets of New York. We dropped in on a new establishment last night - STUDIO MIX (127 Madison Avenue) -with a savvy merchandise mix that should capture curious passerby-ers, those with limited time to shop… AND a sophisticated clientele that appreciates seasoned editorial eyes and quality work crafted by global artisans. Simply put-this is definitely the unusual in home décor. We let go a loooooong exhale as we entered the plush earthy sanctuary of Studio Mix that’s part retail establishment (ground level), part full staff design service for clued in decorators and architects. The calm emporium is softly lit by magnificent wood and metal sconces lighting fixtures-that are unique to the store and custom manufactured in far flung locales like northern Morocco. Obviously Studio Mix is way MORE...

Text- Judith Ecochard, Images- Courtesy of Storm of London Honestly, we used to rarely wear watches. Laziness, iPhone toting, everyone else wears one… are our excuses. But now that watches are firmly in the accessories category, and like sunglasses, are wardrobe staples that require different ones for different occasions...we've actually wrapped a few around our wrists as of late. NEXT ON OUR RADAR : STORM OF LONDON watches are affordable fashion pieces ( Recently, Storm (a major accessories/denim brand out of London-duh) launched a more sophisticated jewelry-ish, bold silver and/or gold metals- and polished stainless steel watches-that have the heft of eye-catching bracelet ornaments that grace hip wrists. These are luxe looking pieces without the expense AND without the bling. “ Sleek, minimalist and contemporary ” are more adjectives that apply to the latest offerings…but we add elegant, well crafted, and with adjustable bands -a perfect fit attainable...too. FOR SENSITIVE TY...

SURFERS LIAN MURRAY AND ZIGGY WILLIAMS LAUNCH AFTER-WETSUIT GEAR FOR THAT CALIFORNIA VIBE TEXT: JUDITH ECOCHARD Read the retail trades and weep EXCEPT if the company is involved is aiming for that booming street/performance/casual space that’s seeing earnings growth this year. Which is why we think the brand new brand AQUA VI is a fashion forward line that’s in the sweet spot-with tops, board shorts, and denim that’s already donning the hip bods of celebs like James Denton the not so desperate husband on Desperate Housewives - and Britney Spears. BACKSTORY: Lian Murray toiled at surfwear companies that's a who’s who of ocean lifestyles- Quicksliver, Billabong, and Hurley International (which she co-founded). Now she’s setting new waves, teaming up with Ziggy Williams -another avid surfer- to “fill a void of premium surfwear that has yet to be fulfilled.” THE GOODS : For the 16-26 years old (or more LIKE US) who’s living California Dreaming-there’s clingy knits, ...

Text, Vivian G. Kelly Images, courtesy of A-Line Public Relations and from www.velvetangels.com VELVET ANGELS can best be described as “traffic stopping street couture footwear with a rock n roll edge”. We discovered the line on a visit to A-Line Media's Santa Monica Showroom. Designer, JOE PONCE, was the man responsible for designing Gwen Stefani’s L.A.M.B. footwear. He decided to go on his own and launched Velvet Angels at the WSA Shoe Show in February 2008. It didn’t take long at all for his new line to take off. A STAR IS BORN – A HOLLYWOOD HIT Fans who’ve bought items off the line include: Lindsay Lohan, the Pussycat Dolls and both Simpson sisters [Jessica and Ashlee]. THE VIBE Joe’s new line of footwear, like those he did for L.A.M.B, has a distinct rock n roll edge, but it’s hard to feel guilty indulging as these fun and edgy shoes come at an attainable price. OUR PICK “PEEPSHOW” - VA’s sexy peep toe ankle boot from the winter 2008 collection. The Peeptoe Ankle boot was a ...

ÉDITÉ SHOWROOM- EDITORS DEVOUR THE LATEST Garment District, NYC July 11th Text- Judith Ecochard-Images courtesy of ÉDITÉ SHOWROOM and J. Ecochard A quick visit to see the latest stock at the under-the-radar designer haven, ÉDITÉ SHOWROOM is always rewarding…as print editors from InStyle, Elle and Vogue and major buyers from Neiman’s, Nordstrom’s and Saks Fifth Avenue have discovered! One designer we simply drool over is Tamae Ishii , an industry veteran who has toiled at chi-chi houses like Valentino, Jean-Paul Gautlier, Calvin Klein and Zac Posen. Her past labors help explain what grabs our eyeballs PRONTO when we preview Resort 2009- Ishii’s luxe fabrics . We love, love, and love the sumptuous Italian materials in silks, mesh and linens - with a palette inspired by the golden yellows, hot reds, and bright blue teal of Sardinia’s topography and the Mediterranean Sea. Needless to say, these colors will absolutely pop against a tan (real or not). We also feel Ishii’s meticulous abil...

Text, Vivian G. Kelly Images at ENK, Vivian G. Kelly All other images, from www.shopknitwit.com We discovered this LA based line on an earlier visit to LA’s Cooper building this year and got a second look at the ENK shows last month at the Piers in New York. It wasn’t until we actually picked up one of her lightweight cashmere tissue hoodies though, that we really got on board, 100%. We’ve joined the ranks of the rich and famous in that after wearing our new aqua bobcat hoodie on a trip to LA, we can say that this IS THE cover-up of choice for warm-weather dressing. Our Knitwit hoodie is going into our suitcase for Mercedes Benz Miami Swim Fashion Week in July. Knitwit is good news for those of you out there who [like us] always seem to exceed the suitcase weight limit and get stuck for a $25 or $50 surcharge. These tissue light pieces won’t contribute to your “overweight” charges! THE AESTHETIC: “the elegance of cashmere with edgy prints and quirky aesthetics for year-round wear”. Th...