Love, love, love Morgane le Fay's spring line. This is an Argentinian designer with stores in NYC, Malibu & Santa Monica only. It's a very artistic high-end collection of dresses/skirts/tops that have a sport nature about them thanks to choice of fabric, fit and structure. Prices are celebrity/socialite level but every piece is a graceful work of art that even a sporty girl can pull off.
On their website, they show a fine cape that was featured on a bicycle in Vogue:
I must say that I found many great new silhouettes this season that got me excited enough to try on. Actually bought a few things at Fred Segal Santa Monica and am still agonizing over a pair of handmade French boots I left behind. The look for spring that caught my eye was all about light layers of different lengths on top; leggings, layered skirts or baggy boyfriend cropped bottoms below. In particular, Alexander Wang (check out spring 10 runway) had really wonderful thinly threaded tops that feel great and have something special about them in terms of proportion. Scored a loose fit, stylized black "football" tank and a cropped heather gray long sleeved pullover that I'll probably wear out this year. I also bought my first pair of boyfriend khakis by Babakul, a casual wear line started by one of the founders of True Religion. I resisted the baggy boyfriend trend a year ago but it looks like it will stick around for a bit and is much more wearable in a cotton khaki than a denim.
Another interesting line combining sport and fashion is Prayer Haute Couture. Super chic, form fitting sweats that are designed for the elite; $400 cropped, short sleeve hoodies and heavily detailed, hand embroidered bottoms from short shorts to cargos. Everything's brilliantly unique and comfortable.
On hip-happening Abbott Kinney Blvd in Venice, I was thrilled to see that cycling has become a primary resident.
First, everybody's riding bikes there to shop/dine/hang out day and night. This is partially due to the ease of commuting to beach and around the canal neighborhoods but it has even more to do with bike as fashion accessory. There's even a cool new bike manufacturer right on the street: Linus Bikes. They make affordable ($350-$550), utilitarian, city bikes inspired by 50's French bicycle design. Models range from fixed gear roadsters to 3-speed Dutch bikes and fendered/racked Mixte.
The latest cycling-related trend to watch is a new fitness concept called Yas.
The only one of its kind in the US (3 centers in CA with more on the horizon), it's a simple combination of classwork -- yoga & cycling. Classes can be purchased individually ($17) or by the month ($225). Founder Kimberly Fowler is an ex pro triathlete and creator of Yoga for Athletes.
Abbott Kinney is a leading avenue for boutiques and the newest of the new. That said, vintage is still a big influence although we're talking new vintage, not the real thing. Lots of distressed tees, washed leather boots and lightweight printed/plaid scarves to wear with casual stuff.
Another notable apparel item I nearly picked up at Heist was from the Netherlands: Humanoid. Very ethereal, lightweight and longer/layered.
Saw a few pieces of G-Star Raw that were intriguing and a review of their most recent runway shows on Style.com cemented them as one of the leading innovators in denim/sportswear. Plus, they're not afraid of color and I find the Fall 10 RTW to be extraordinary. Great skirt silhouettes.
Photos:
1-4) Morgane le Fay
5) Morgane le Fay cape, Vogue
6-9) Alexander Wang SP10 RTW
10-11) Linus Bikes, Venice
12-13) Yas Fitness, Venice
14) Humanoid home page
15-20) G-Star Raw, F10 RTW
