Man is a political animal according to Aristotle and we are pleased to discover that for many fashionistas that doesn't simply evoke zebra stripes. Charles Nolan, fresh from his Americana Cruise 2009 collection has been supporting his life partner Andrew Tobias, treasurer of the Democratic National Committee, at the Democratic Convention WWD has a delightful interview with the political animals. Concerns about the economy, rights, and free thinking were thankfully a higher priority thank who wore what pant suit to the couple.

Jil Sander is expanding into inner and beach wear. In license with Italian manufacturer Albisetti SpA the first innerwear collection will launch in September 2009 with beachwear in 2010. We personally can't wait for the minimalist bandeau suit possibilities.

Giorgio Armani is designing a nearly two billion dollar gated community in Egypt.

So Kate Moss is worth more than her weight in gold.

Los Angeles County Prosecutors have dropped half the charges against designer Anand Jon. Accused of a slew of sex crimes, the remaining charges could still put him away for 122 years to life.

Origins wants Coloradans to feel like its a local favorite, just like all the other actual local favorites. But these days you have to be big to afford to be good.

Its going to be a fall full of Rei Kawakubo thanks to her high profile collaborations. While the Third Estate has to wait till November for her collection with H&M. But her work with Louis Vuitton is making its debut next Wednesday in a temporary concept store in Tokyo designed by Rei herself. Because its not a money making venture for Vuitton supposedly (har har, though it does "quietly mark its 30th anniversary in Japan) you can only place your orders at this pop up but you will not be back to get your bags till 2009. If we were planning a trip to Tokyo anytime in the near future we might actually consider buying this "noodle" handle bag.

Vogue and and the New York Times remember modeling maverick Jerry Ford.

Form versus function frustrates athletes. The sister debate, modesty, is also gaining some traction.

Reports are coming out of WWD Magic that buyers are sticking to comparatively cheaper American made lines.

Charles Nolan is doing his part to keep his partner Andrew Tobias, The treasurer of the Democratic National Committee, hip despite the best efforts of handlers.

J. Brand Jeans and Topshop are working together for a lower priced denim collaboration coming out November 30th. The jeans are to be named after New York neighborhoods. The skinny jean, one of J Brand's classics, is to be named the Brooklyn. We would have gone with the Williamsburg.

Few designers are as articulate about their inspirations as Charles Nolan. We suspect his expressive personality comes from his detail oriented work process that focuses not only on the big picture of a season but on the tangible needs of his particular customer base. One never gets the impression that anything is haphazard when at the house of Charles Nolan. We were privileged to have a quick word with Mr. Nolan before his Cruise 2009 showing. Please take a moment to enjoy it.

A gracious host is a welcoming host and designer Charles Nolan knows how to make his customers feel at home. His Americana Resort collection was an exercise in gracious living.

Tables of finger sandwiches, baskets of cookies, tumblers of lemonade and iced tea were arrayed on linen covered tables. Charles proudly told us it was an in-house affair, none of the nibbles were catered but all created by family and staffers. It is that kind of attention to detail and homespun charm that is central to the appeal of the Charles Nolan brand. Everything has been thought out, tweaked, and arrayed to best highlight the designer's artful vision.

And what a tightly edited vision it was, with every piece shown serving multiple functions. Nolan informed us that in his view resort is a season for travelers which necessitates a smaller and more versatile collection to serve the needs of women that require versatile wardrobes on the go. An indigo tropical wool crepe draped trouser was light as a feather and perfectly packable. And Nolan had plenty of separates to wear it with including tennis vests, crepe cardigans, cotton smocks, and chiffon tunics. The 17 looks in the collection are supremely easy to wear, a veritable parade of Americana sportswear. A few innovations like a swim/sport skirt that doubles for sports, aquatics and day wear were particularly intriguing.

But beyond the wearable clothing there was another message. The shifting political climate towards a more hopeful America, one in which we can proudly claim citizenship, was central to the collection's appeal. Resort as a season is about internationalism, travel, and foreign lands but its clothing is also deeply routed in the sportswear tradition; a tradition given birth to by Americans and nurtured in our boardrooms, sports competitions and backyards. Charles Nolan is tapping into a change in our nation's collective psyche that showcases resort as a metaphor for a new America, one that is global in outlook but proud of its home grown style.

In other words, no longer will we be tempted to claim Canadian citizenship when on foreign soil. When the collection goes to market in January of 2009 we certainly hope it will be a new day for Americans and our style ambitions. A new president will be inaugurated after eight trying political years of war, economic woes and cultural divides both at home and internationally. If Charles Nolan has any say about it our future is bright, proud, and graciously American both at home and abroad. And nothing would please us more than feeling at home in America, and as Americans, once again.

Yesterday, a beautiful Sunday afternoon indeed, Charles Nolan showed his A/W 08 collection. We'd been to his studio recently, for the FGI Rising Star Awards party he hosted, and, like last time, the large space filled up in a casual Thanksgiving-dinner sort of way. Children were running between legs, people were sipping coffee and eating bagels with lox and cream cheese. Sure, there was the usual chaos of preparing for a show, but the Nolan-way was present. It was our pleasure to interview Mr. Nolan before the show, where he told us a little bit about the collection and its mix of tradition and technology. Soak up that bright light (that's a sick river view you're witnessing) and the amiable manner of a gentleman who can manifest 'lifestyle' from backstage to brick and mortar.