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
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
Vena Cava, Rodarte, Zac Posen
Wwd.com asked some of their favorite designers to draw sketches of their interpretations of space chic. Of course Lisa Mayock and Sophie Buhai of Vena Cava envision aliens in space and Erin Fetherston pictures a beautiful goddess walking on the moon.
Yigal Azourel, Brian Atwood, Erin Fetherston
all images via wwd.com
Stella McCartney takes her love for animals to new heights featuring Bambi and friends in her new campaign shot by Ryan McGinley in the woods of Worcestershire, England. Being a fellow vegetarian, McCartney has naturally been one of my favorite luxury designers and her willingness to have some fun wins bonus points. With the characters from Bambi, dense woodland setting, and real animals it somehow still works with McCartney’s fiercer than normal designs.
One of my favorite shops in San Francisco, Acrimony, is offering a sweet summer sale for both men and women. If you are in San Fran definitely check it out but the rest of us can shop the website for 40% off all regular priced items and 70% of sale merchandise. Details about Acrimony can be found here.
The Council of Fashion Designers of America and Vogue announced the ten finalists for the 2009 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund. For the sixth year the emerging talents have the opportunity to win a cash prize and mentorship programs from their selected industry leaders. The winner and 2 runners-up will be announced November 16. Vogue’s Editor In Chief, Anna Wintour summed up the nominees “The ten finalists we selected are a talented, diverse group, who are building healthy independent businesses in challenging times.” The Fashion Fund is one of the most coveted awards as previous winners include Alexander Wang, Rogan Gregory of Rogan, Doo-Ri Chung, Trovata and Proenza Schouler’s Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough.
ALABAMA CHANIN – Natalie Chanin (eco-conscious, womenswear)
ESQUIVEL SHOES – George Esquivel (shoes)
GARY GRAHAM – Gary Graham (womenswear)
HOUSE OF WARIS – Waris Ahluwalia (jewelry)
MONIQUE PEAN – Monique Péan (jewelry)
OHNE TITEL – Flora Gill and Alexa Adams (womenswear)
PATRIK ERVELL – Patrik Ervell (menswear)
SOPHIE THEALLET – Sophie Theallet (womenswear)
SPURR – Simon Spurr (menswear)
WAYNE – Wayne Lee (womenswear)
