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.

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

Owl’s Lab is located at 20 E 12th St, NYC in the West Village

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.

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.

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.

Frank Tell can be found at Satine in Los Angeles and Susan in San Francisco.