Funnily enough, the Brooklyn Royalty Fall 08 show took place in Manhattan. In true Brooklyn spirit, though, designer Bob Bland wore a screen printed t shirt that read "I'd rather be in Brooklyn". Well said, Bob. The show was packed full of Vodka swilling Brooklynites, a true representation of the young back-end of the fashion industry. Bland just finished up as a menswear designer for Triple Five Soul and so her crew consists of many young twenty-somethings who sweat and slave behind the scenes at like-minded companies (Bland has also worked for Banana Republic, Rugby by Ralph Lauren, and Tommy Hilfiger). The collection included screen printed t-shirts and bags, along with painted denim in gold and silver, and one leather corset-like dress that would turn heads from Bedford Avenue to Central Park. The jeans, hand painted with a special technique Bland developed with her experience in printing and design, are meant to improve with age. As any good Brooklynite knows, this is the deal breaker when making a purchase. If you can wear it for as long as you save up to buy an apartment, you're one version of a proper New Yorker.

Every girl loves a trunk show. Brooklyn based plus size boutique Lee Lee's Valise hosted a trunk show for designers Anna Schoulz and Jessica Svoboda's Fall 2008 collections last night.


Attendants enjoyed finger food and champagne while having an opportunity to receive fashion advice straight from the designers. Women bonded over the challenges facing the fashion conscious plus size consumer, and found positive reinforcement while trying on the latest in both Spring and Fall fashions.


Lee Lee's Valise, located on the corner of President and Court streets in Brooklyn carries quality women's apparel in sizes 10 - 28. The knowledgeable and friendly staff are eager to assist with a wide variety of clothing for all occasions.

New York designer, Samantha Pleet skips the 'lively model hopping into cab' look book, in favor of a more direct aesthetic. This season, her Fall 08 look book is chalk full of Brooklynites (from bands like The Boggs and Apache Beat) lining up for their mugshot. They say modesty (think high necks, long dresses, thick tights) has been encouraged for the Fall 08 season and if there ever were a girl for the job, it would be Miss Samantha Pleet. The line is perfect for those local fashionistas who wear turtlenecks and long johns, like reading, and prefer the radio to their roommate's Wii games. If there's a stock character to make modesty look sexy, it's a proper New York nerd. To that end, we like Pleet's grown-up vibe, her penchant for librarian-esque costumery, and her signature usage of the ladies neck tie.

nostalgia

brace yourself

spin me right round

subversive