La Calla!

Ah Fashion Week – a time for dreaming of the far away Spring visible on the runways, but also a time for fast pursuit of the Fall collections that are finally in full force on the store floors.

We were the first stateside boutique to carry Calla, and with the sophomore collection beating expectations we have been anticipating the delivery for months now. So each time our minds wandered towards another t-shirt purchase we reminded one another, “must wait for Calla.” Thankfully, we did – and it feels right!

This season’s collection – inspired by Abstract paintings and elements of the natural universe – offers sleek, everyday and every night attire. Each design represents a firm grasp on Parisian insouciance, referencing Calla’s current hometown, yet couldn’t be more versatile or globally appealing. Her unique prints are standout: matte, tightly knit jersey is rendered in moody pixilated mixes of purple-blue and black-grey-green; smooth viscose is brushed in watercolor strokes of gradient color and finished with woven Ikat trim.

The range is tight and meant to be mixed: a tank with lean stirrup pants, or tucked into a fitted pencil skirt to appear as a dress; a dress that looks like two separate items – but is in fact an easy sheath. And by popular demand, we herald the arrival of Calla’s much-sought after body conscious bustier dresses - to be saved for the ultimate fashion moment.

Calla "Gaine" Black Bustier Dress - $1,225

Calla "Gaine" Atter Print Bustier Dress - $1,365

Everyone Who is Anyone

Last year we dubbed it “Fashion Halloween,” a moniker that most people stumbled similarly upon in their post-mortems of the evening. If Fashion Week is a circus then what is this sideshow that is Fashion’s Night Out?

Like any Halloween, it is multi-layered, presents the unknown, and has many variables: we might eat too much candy; we might have a wardrobe malfunction, and we’ll undoubtedly be overwhelmed by the crowds. We wait with baited breath, planning our outfits, and hoping things will surpass our expectations.

At the risk of overstimulation, we are all about FNO’s purpose: to integrate retail and fashion in a perfect evening of spectacle and commerce. For the occasion début will be joined by hosts Michael Fink (esteemed industry veteran, and current head of the Savannah College of Art and Design/SCAD), Lynn Yeager (cult Manhattan fashion icon and writer) and special guest for the evening, Mr. Andre Leon Talley (no introduction necessary).

Along with our hosts and guests, début will launch the Faces of Fashion T’s benefitting SCAD. The limited edition T Los Angeles designs are of the lean-but-slouchy variety, hand painted by New York artist, Victor-John Villanueva, in vivid colors with the visages of Simon Doonan, Glenn O’Brien, Kim Hastreiter, Olivier Zahm, Mr. Talley, Ms. Yeager and Olivier Zahm.

We have also invited The Nouveau Classical Project to perform. Directed by Sugar Vendil, the group is aimed at fusing classical music and fashion to reach new audiences – new, chic and authentic, the Project will provide a haunting dimension to the evening. 

Lynn helmed the Village Voice’s fashion coverage for 30+ years, and contributes to Vogue, the New York Times Magazine, New York Magazine and more. She is recognizable for her distinctive pen and approach to clothes, accessories and cosmetics as well as for her fabulous style.

Andre Leon Talley began his career at Andy Warhol’s Factory in the 70s. He reigned as Editor at Large at Vogue for many years, where he famously encouraged a dialogue amongst the editors about fashion.  Currently, he is a Contributing Editor to the magazine.  Beyond writing, Mr. Talley is renowned for his signature couture capes, Vuitton tennis luggage, and diamond Piaget that he wears to play the sport.

Simon is window-dresser extraordinaire, author, journalist, trend-setter and more. The holiday windows at Barneys New York are a much-anticipated tradition for fashion insiders, New Yorkers and Holiday visitors. We’re all familiar with his sharp Paul Smith shirts, work, whit and whimsy.

Like Andre, Glenn began his career with Warhol. Today, he is one of the city’s most revered writers and Creative Directors recognizable by his white hair, warm smile and impeccable style.

Editor-in-Chief of Paper Magazine, the first niche social-fashion-culture publication, Kim is a downtown doyenne known for her artistic sensibility, and as a mainstay of the New York editorial world. 

A dashing and somewhat controversial figure, Olivier has made his mark with an affinity for all states of undressed as Editor-in-Chief of Purple Magazine. He is a hands-on fashion reveler, multi-hyphenate: photographer-editor-stylist-blogger.

Limoncello...where are you?

Welcome back! Following a seemingly endless, sultry summer, we’re all yearning for a palette cleanser. Smooth, weightless, but character-filled transitional items that will help us segue perfectly into the fervor that will be back-to-everything come Labor Day.

Some of us have been away for August, and upon return to our little oasis at début I’ve come face to face with yet a new collection, Porcelain. What a perfect name for this sea wall grey range of items (some pieces with hints of lurex sparkle, others in chiffon with all-over nude sequins). A perfectly contoured sleeveless jersey dress mimics the lines of a bustier without the boning and threat of breathlessness. The melting butter-soft long-sleeved tee will be a perfect throw-on-over-everything filler for our closets, and a neat little long-sleeved sheath will take us all over the city starting, oh, probably sometime next week. There is a reference to post-war industrial garb throughout the collection; however the subtlety of this provides depth and quality to the garments, without appearing theme-oriented.

Long live neutral colors, the simplicity of seaming, and a touch of sparkle as we herald the excitement yet to come this fall! Also: Need I say, “Stay tuned for Fashion’s Night Out?” Thought not…

Where the Fashion Things Are...

We’ve all been party or privy to it: the eye roll incited by designer children’s clothing past the dreamy baby shower stage. Kids grow out of things! They rip and roar around – little machines of accidental destruction! They touch anything white with tiny hands covered in chocolate ice cream! While the look of a frilly frock is endearing on a young one, in the current mode of “sensible” parenting a dichotomy exists between children and designer garb.

We believe that the way one dresses is a form of personal expression, and the same is true for kids. The curiosity of a little girl in the throes of a wardrobe crisis, or on the high of donning a new princess concoction is telling: the way they respond to colors and textures a sign of who they are. Some of our happiest recollections are of our own mother surprising us with something new and crisp from Laura Ashley, an excitement we maintain still. The mutual joy of the exchange of beautiful things is undeniable, so why not sprinkle a few lovely items into their wardrobes?

With this in mind the owner of début, a mother of two, was inspired to source the perfect offerings to incorporate into a children’s pop-up boutique, set to be a one stop stock-up for pre-fall treasures. From France we have custom mother-daughter handbag sets in glossy, hand-crafted scalloped patent leather (The French & English Confectioners)…from England we have the venerable Lucy Sykes collection of delicate separates…from New York via Brazil there is Melissa’s collection of non-toxic, sustainable plastic shoes for little girls in collaboration with Vivienne Westwood. Imagine cotton candy colors, hearts and bows. And since it's about fashion 24-7, Matooka Kids provides the whimsy with playful appliqués and details including star studded collar dresses, lace pocket tunics, heartshaped buttons, mini trench coats and lots of leopard. Kiki Catlett brings original prints to silk and cotton dresses.

It’s a celebration of youth and creativity. Designer, yes – joyful, more so.

Children's Pop Up at Debut - Kiddy-Up!

Lisa Weiss invites

you to cool down with your kids

Cones and coffee

from Van Leeuwen Artisan ice cream

Tuesday, July 27

4:00 - 7:00PM

I Pursued Nature to her Hiding Places

There is a time for each human when he or she will be struck by the full visual power of nature; from the beautiful yet torrential and forbidding waters of a deep ocean straight, to craggy centuries old land formations along the shores of Southern France. The latter is dappled with branches and trees in wild, restless formations… keepsakes from another lifetime, just as the sun-scorched rocks are.

There’s an innate force in the natural world, drawing us to what is dangerous – fire, unsafe ground and extreme temperatures – in pursuit of the raw and the real. It’s the rare artist who can coax these same elements into something more human and personal, but no less awe-inspiring.

Valerie MacCarthy of Paris is a jewelry designer – singer – songwriter, who has achieved this with her debut collection, titled “Ring of Fire”. The range has a smooth, hard-looking but weightless appeal, rendered in rich naturally finished wood evocative of 1970s sleek.

Liquidy silver drips mimicking the licks of a white-hot flame have been applied around perfectly circular rings, bangles and earrings. A superhero-worthy ring of silver and smoky quartz packs a glamorous punch. A nod to deco is apparent in the mix and balance of materials and juxtaposition of shapes, while simplicity – owing to the natural references at heart – is inherent. These are destined to become keepsakes indeed. 

Ring of Fire Smoky Quartz Ring - $525

Ring of Fire Large Wood Bangle - $865

*Opening photo courtesy of Valentine Merriman

Gone Fishing

We love when a collection of well-researched and innovative – yet of course deceptively simple – garments makes its way into Début. This is what business and commerce are all about: fuel for the creative boiler rooms driving the retail industry.

Los Angeles-born and raised Kevin Joo Hwang is but one of the hard-working talents coming out of Parsons (he participated in the recent designer showcase at Début in June). His collection shown comprehensively, resting on brushed steel fixtures looks real, and exudes a calm sophistication.

View his slouchy olive shorts layered over loose, knit leggings, or a buttery beige silk jacket with the relaxed, billowing nature of a Poiret gown, and it is apparent that Hwang has direction smacking of newness without overwrought or displaced characteristics. On the body, each piece takes on a new life – alternatively flirty and chic, or utterly relaxed. Jackets are hand-tucked, seamed and contoured with grosgrain applications or jet bead trim. Skirts and pants feature unique characteristics – ivory canvas belts or minimal applications of cargo-inspired pockets.

When asked about this collection, Hwang mentioned beginning with research of American utilitarian work wear, which evolved to an exploration of fishermen clothing – from a Western perspective and then South East Asia. He wanted to capture the genre’s modern ease balanced by function and elegance. Nor did he forget who his likely, city-dwelling customer is: a woman who wants the new, often the contemporary, without sacrificing originality and technique.