Raised in the sweet South, Abigail Lorick was off to the fashion capitals of Europe, Milan and Paris, at the tender age of 18. After working as a model and then a designer at T.S. Dixin, Lorick started up her very own line in ‘07. As entrenched as she may be in the high fashion world, she can’t escape those Southern belle roots, as proved by the playfully feminine details and rich fabrics evident throughout her fall collection.
For the most part, Lorick sticks to tried and true silhouettes reminiscent of Jackie Kennedy or if you want to go contemporary, Blair Waldorf, as Lorick’s pieces stand in as Mrs. Waldorf’s line on Gossip Girl. The high-waisted skirt with shirt combo transitions seamlessly into fall with warmer colors and more sophisticated fabrics, especially with her blue-gold combo. Her boat-neck, knee-length black cocktail dress bells daintily at the waist, and the red number is a fantastic combination of a smock dress and a cocktail dress.
Though some of Lorick’s retro looks end up looking like stewardesses’ uniforms, the surprising bermuda short pairing for fall is still quite inspired. Her high-necked, tailored black dress recalls Alice in Wonderland’s Queen of Hearts, but still landed right at the top of the wish list.
The French-Moroccan designe , Yigal Azrouël, who hails from Israel drapes in a way that eclectically melds strength and superhero with his dynamic Fall 2009 collection. With about a decade on the fashion scene behind him, Azrouël has truly developed a clear and unique voice, and his fall collection is no exception. Each piece in the collection is nothing less than pure drama, from the patterned black coat with an oversized collar to the refined and angular ivory dress starkly paired with opaque black tights. In line with this theme of dramatic exaggeration is the use of metallic-infused fabrics, which many designers failed with this season but Azrouël pulled off effortlessly.
Amidst the black Azrouël uses in the gothic-inspired pieces of the collection are more feminine, but equally striking, uses of colors that can only be described as a cross between jewel and earth tones. A heathery green strapless cocktail dress would flatter any skin tone, and his long-sleeved draped scarlet dress screams sexuality despite its extreme coverage. While the boho, floor-length dress may seem a bit out of place in this otherwise bold and sleek collection, its graphic print is beautiful and part of trend that seems to be picking up steam.
Good news for all young designers looking to get a jump start. Camilla and Rand of Thistle & Clover just announced they are holding their next Open Call on August 12 from 11-6pm. They are looking for fresh NYC and Brooklyn talent. If you’re ready for your designs to be in one of the best Brooklyn shops email them at info@thistleclover with a short bio and images of your work, if selected they will schedule a time on Aug 12 to see your collection. The selected designers from the Open Call with have an opportunity to sell their designs on consignment at the T&C. Good luck!
Owl’s Lab may have just reconciled the East Coast/West Coast debate into a draw. Owned by California native but located just south of Union Square, this boutique has the clean and carefree feel you’d expect in L.A. with the edge and style you’d expect out of downtown Manhattan. And though often catering to a young, NYU-esque clientele, Owl’s Lab holds on to its glamorous Cali roots with its frequent celebrity events, from throwing in-store parties to creating gift bags for the Sundance Film Festival.
Owl’s Lab is located at 20 E 12th St, NYC in the West Village
No one can resist a good old fashioned success story, and Doo-Ri Chung, who is at the helm of her namesake line Doo.Ri, sure has one. After graduating Parsons and doing a 6-year stint at Geoffrey Beene, Doo-Ri started her line out of the basement of her parents’ dry-cleaners. And in just three years on her own, she won the coveted CFDA’s Swarovski Perry Ellis award for emerging talent in womenswear–impressive to say the least.
Quickly on her way to becoming the next big thing of her generation, Doo-Ri is famous for her work, particularly in draping with jersey. This fall’s collection features also features more tailored fabrics which she proves to master just as well as the jersey. The palette is pretty much like every palette we’ve been seeing for fall: black and white with a punch of color. In this case, that punch is a muted and versatile hazy shade of purple. There’s an odd splash of a metallic too.
The highlight of this fall’s collection is most definitely Doo-Ri’s combination of tailored lines with girly accents and embellishments. The embellished lace tights paired with each of the skirts and dresses also add a pop of fun to her clean lines and solid colors. And the fur she pairs with a classic gowns amps up the simplicity while maintaining her signature understated beauty.
The two coats featured in the collection are nothing short of perfection. A neutral-colored coat that has a shimmer throughout and a woven embellishment around the waist is quite the statement piece. And the black coat with an oversized collar would pair perfectly with your favorite pair of jeans or your fanciest cocktail dress.
Designer Victoria Bartlett’s mission? It’s obvious: “Drawing the innerwear out” and finding a happy medium between lingerie and sportswear. VPL breaks all of those rules with every collection, including this fall’s, and we are deviously and deliriously loving it. As always, all of the pieces layer perfectly, making these highly designed pieces extremely wearable.
More of the structured pieces from the fall collection features black and blue. Graphic crosses stretch across the middle of the fantastic black and blue dress. Slouchy sweaters that hit the calf look refined while sweeping comfortably across the body. Even the fur vest accented with zippers looks effortless. Odd but refreshingly original colors for the fall like yellow and light green soften and brighten what is normally the season of the muted palate across the board. Now do you see what we’re talking about with the rule breaking?
Spattered in the midst of this collection is a group of statement necklaces. While they would hardly qualify as daily wear jewelry, they could be the perfect way to blend in, more like stand out—at some hip gallery opening. Normally, this would be the part to complain about some off part of the collection. And while the leotard-like onesies might seem to fit that mold, there’s something about them that is indubitably intriguing.
VPL can be found at Creatures of Comfort and Satine in Los Angeles, Hejfina in Chicago, and Mick Margo in NYC.
If you didn’t feel trendy enough wandering the tiny and beautiful streets of the West Village, you will for certain if you step into Castor & Pollux. The shop is a mix of elegant luxury, equestrian accents, and bohemian culture that combine to create what owner Kerrilynn Pamer proudly calls her “luxe boheme” aesthetic. The beautifully detailed pieces she chooses have fresh, new designs with a hint of vintage, and they’ll likely join the ranks of your wardrobe staples in no time. And just in case you were scratching your head at the name of the store, here’s the deal: “Castor & Pollux” refers a Greek myth of the twin equestrians, one mortal and one immortal, who were turned into the Gemini constellation.
C&P recently started a year-long project The Ladies of Castor & Pollux where they feature an especially interesting customer, colleague, or friend. The newest edition is set designer and prop stylist, Cindi DiPrima, check it out here.
Castor & Pollux is located in the West Village at 238 W 10th St, NYC
