Fall 08

If you're feeling our love for this shoe, call Sigerson Morrison and get your name in the books. You see, a few seasons ago Sigerson Morrison created the perfect peter pan shoe in both suede and leather (the leather version does not, in our opinion, do this shoe justice). The suede came in a dusty grey color and it was, in a few words, the most perfect peter pan shoe in the world. Well, we tried the shoe on and hesitated because, at this time, the vintage stores were stocking the woven versions that had a similar shape and look to them (this season Dolce Vita has ripped those off) but, what we realized long after the suede Sigerson Morrison version went out of stock, was that the vintage pairs only last for a quarter of the season and that the suede, modern version would have been the wisest investment. So, needless to say, since that time we've asked, every time we walk into the Sigerson Store, if they'll ever remake the suede version of the shoe. We have no shame.

This weekend when we popped into the store and went through our drill of picking up the patent leather version and asking the clerk whether the suede version would ever grace the floor again, we were given a response we thought we'd only hear in our dreams: "Why yes, it's about to deliver in that dusty grey version any day now". Say what? Cardiac arrest best describes our reaction to this news. We know everyone can say something about 'the shoe that got away' and we just had to share this story of hope. Peter pan fans, your day has come.

As much as we hate the word 'bubble' in our fashion lexicon, we do love this Marc by Marc dress. In fact, we've kind of been on a frock kick these past few weeks because its an investment that works now and will last through the fall. This neon (ahem) bubble dress is a perfect example. This cotton blend dress with 3/4 length sleeves is perfect with bare legs and flats (we hear a fashion week outfit calling) and will work with black opaque tights and black booties come fall. On that note, we're particularly obsessed with that combination for fall. Brights and whites on your frock and an all-black look from thighs downward is a sharp trend for Fall 08 and one that is easy enough to manifest a million times over. Below, that neon number from two different e-commerce sites (take your pick) and a few other Marc by Marc frocks that follow the same set of rules. This is a look that's not hard to wrap your mind around and, let's face it, some mornings that kind of simplicity is appreciated. To see these frocks on the Fall 08 runway, click here.

For fall and holiday, Lucky Brand is turning to its artisan roots. We just received a press release for Lucky Brand's fall and holiday ad campaign and, as often as we dismiss these efforts because we know the news will turn up in a million places on the same day, we felt like this endeavor was something pretty neat for the brand. Lucky Brand has found an eclectic group of interesting artists and creative people, with the help of Gen Art, to feature in their upcoming campaign. They said of the campaign, "Lucky Brand has always been inspired by the idea of serendipity and possibility. The possibility that you can pursue your passions, and, with a little luck thrown in, live your dream. The artisans we feature in our campaign inspire us because they are following their passions, often times despite hardship. We find, in general, the people who wear our brand are a soulful bunch. The company itself is an eclectic, soulful, group who doubles as employees by day and musicians or artists by night." Which we think is really sweet and should, no doubt, give the brand some special attention this season. The handful of other companies who have employed similar tactics, like Uniqlo or Nike, have, as far as we can tell, been successful with their campaigns. Showing models who are attractive for their moral fiber and extracurricular efforts always, as we know, strikes a chord with the consumer. The first glance at the campaign, shown left, and below, our roundup of some current Lucky Brand duds we'd put our stamp on.

Despite their placement on the fashion calender, Lyell will not being showing this Spring 09. We discovered this yesterday when we requested a pre-fashion week video interview. A representative for Lyell told us that the brand will be showing in February but that the Spring show has been canceled. After news that Mayle (located just down the street from Lyell in Nolita) would be closing down, we couldn't help but feel nervous that the entire contemporary market was shattering before our very eyes. Brands bounce back, we know, and come fall perhaps everything will be just fine. After all, Lyell just got a nice little shoutout in Vogue's September shopping guide (alongside Balenciaga, Balmain, and Topshop) and their new store renovations have enlivened the recently delivered fall collection. A little secret to those who haven't visited the Lyell store; they're one of a handful of boutiques who keep like-new Ferragamo riding boots in stock. For that, among other things, we will stand behind the brand. Ferragamo's will do that to a girl.

With news that fashion brand, Mayle, is closing down after Resort/Holiday 09, we think a spread is due. Perhaps you've only loved the Mayle aesthetic from afar, perhaps you've indulged in every smart frock and pair of trousers from previous seasons, or perhaps the brand hasn't meant much to you until now. Either way, we have a feeling these last deliveries will mean much more to many of us. To think, just last week we wrote up an immaterial about a shearling caplet that is part of the Fall 08 collection. Little did we know it would be one of Mayle's last quirky offers. If anything, this should stand as an example of how difficult is is to run a fashion business in general, and how the contemporary companies in particular, often get thrown the wolves if they don't peddle their clothing properly and act as total slaves to the buyers (who have peddle on their own accord). It's not easy, especially in our current economic climate, to endure the season-less demands of the contemporary shopper. Jane Mayle, in her conversation with WWD, referenced perfumery and home goods as being her next endeavor so we're sure we haven't seen the last of that magpie/indie girl aesthetic. That said, it's still the end of a clothing line beloved by many young burgeoning chicsters. Below, our spread of Mayle from Spring 08 (all on sale) and Fall 08 (just delivered). If you shop only for the sake of archiving, we won't blame you.

To wrap up today's content we're going to give you a sneak peak at what's happening over in Coutortureland. We've a big shoot on our hands and one that will go live just in time for your fall shopping trips and pre-fashion week expenditures. Our shoot, though we won't reveal too much, will cover the fall trends at price points high and low. Our Network Partner, Liz Baca from the website M.I.S.S. Crew, is helping us style so we'll be sure to include an interview with Baca on how she put together the looks for the shoot. Have yourselves a wonderful weekend and stay tuned for all things fall, all the way until the Spring 09 shows get underway.

New sections of the La Garconne e-commerce site have been added, just in time for fall. The new horizontal menu at the bottom of the front page called Le Magazine is comprised of four editorial sections. "Moods & Trends", as you might have guessed, is a series of trend reports which call up La Garconne product as evidence. "Garconne We Love", is a 'lifestyle' kind of section where a starlet or 'style icon' is made into a girly collage, complete with like minded products. The grammatically curious "Designer We Love" pulls up a brand page easily enough but in this space the page is enhanced with images and interviews, and "Editorial", shows photo spreads which pull together new items in an atmosphere that says 'this is who we are'. So, for the first editorial from La Garconne we got exactly what we were asking for. Namely, a sinewy, pale skinned model, lounging on plush bedding, bathed in white sunlight, donning Mayle purses, Acne jeans, and Sigerson Morrison flats. We're curious how many bells and whistles La Garconne can add to its front page before it's less minimalist gamine and more, well, Net-a-Porter.

After posting on our reluctance to purchase anything resembling a 'fashion coat' this winter, Mayle solved all of our problems. First of all our love for shearling is strong. When we saw shearling this season from Richard Chai, Matthew Williamson, and Preen, we were just about beside ourselves. Shearling is like the morally sound alternative to fur and it's likewise really, really warm. Although we've never donned a pair of UGGs, we've long been fans of shearling. So Mayle, ever the clever indie star, came up with a little shearling caplet which can drape around the collar of your favorite trench or not-so-warm 'fashion coat'. It's darling, really, and might just solve your warmth problem come snowstorm time. The only snag in this plan is that the caplet itself is $240 dollars. Now, that might be nothing to some fashionistas and if so, all the power to you. We do know, however, that not every chicster will want to spend that much post-coat purchase. The only answer we can come up with is to act like Steve Madden and hit up the garment district on a DIY adventure, or, make the fashion coat purchase now and save the caplet investment for later, when you've long forgotten the former investment.