A new plan to protect Lower Manhattan from rising waters and the effects of climate change was unveiled last week, calling for flood walls, improved stormwater infrastructure, new open spaces, and a drastic reshaping of the shoreline.
The master plan from the Mayor’s Office of Climate Resiliency and New York City Economic Development Corporation aims to defend the one-mile stretch from the Brooklyn Bridge to the Battery from future storms like Superstorm Sandy and intense rainfall, like the soaking the city got from the remnants of Hurricane Ida last summer.
The plan would dramatically reshape the neighborhood’s relationship to the waterfront — adding more soft spaces to absorb water and extending the shoreline into the East River via a walkway. It calls for a multi-level construction that would add a water-level esplanade underneath the extended shoreline, where floodwalls would absorb waves from coastal storms. Piers and terminals for the NYC Ferry would also be reinforced.
The problem the plan is addressing is one that much of the borough, and the city, is facing in the climate crisis: Manhattan is made of hard surfaces, which give rain and floodwaters nowhere to go. The new plan would fix that via new stormwater pumps and green spaces that sponge up the water while creating coves to protect wildlife.
The project is expected to cost between $5 to $7 billion and would take an estimated 15 to 20 years to design and build. That’s already a tight timeline: according to the New York City Panel on Climate Change’s projections, rising tides have long been expected to flood Lower Manhattan on a monthly basis by the 2050s; in another 30 years after that, floods could become daily. Some frequent tidal flooding might occur as early as the 2040s, less than 20 years away.
This master plan is the last link in an overall Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency Strategy that has already proposed makeovers to shore up the rest of the tip of Manhattan. This particular stretch of neighborhood holds extra challenges because the built infrastructure — like subway tunnels, roads, and shipping ports — provides less green space and less wiggle room than other stretches of the waterfront.
The plan used input from the Climate Coalition for Lower Manhattan, which includes the Alliance for Downtown New York.
A beautiful sunny day made for a welcoming beckon into New York City for fashion week. It seemed as though Mother Earth was, too, celebrating the return of the beloved event like the rest of us. Sunday, September 12th marked the return of Nolcha Shows – the award-winning fashion event held during New York Fashion Week for independent fashion brands.
American Spirit at Fashion Week
The show nodded to the themes of Americana and patriotism that are emanating from the big apple this week, with the 20th remembrance of the American tragedy 9/11, a Met Gala theme appropriately titled “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion”, and an almost complete return to American life and tradition after the pandemic. Fashion Week, and this show, in particular, was surely an indicator of the latter. Cheers swelled from the crowd when Nolcha Co-Founder Arthur Mandel stood before them, acknowledging that the shows were finally back after two years.
The show began with a performance of the national anthem from the beautiful voice of Army spouse Deidra Lee Stubbs. Over the loudspeaker played the American classic, “Old Time Rock & Roll” by Bob Seger during the opening looks. Sitting front row was not only Miss USA and Miss Universe, but also a group of women deservingly recognized for their contribution to the safety of the country: military spouses. Nolcha Shows and in partnership with InstaSleep Mint Melts routinely recognizes these women as highly deserving individuals who sacrifice so much to be a part of the framework of the military and behind-the-scenes heroes.
Miss USA Asya Branch and Miss Universe Andrea Meza at Nolcha Shows NYFW 2021
Nolcha Shows NYFW Presented the Following Fashion Brands at the SS2022 Show:
KavenLiu DIMOR
The looks at KavenLiu DIMOR floated down the runway in silky blues, whites, and shades of shiny black. The collection, centered around the celebration of the female form married with elements of structure and architecture, made for delicious juxtaposition and an understanding of women’s bodies. The flattering silhouettes were complemented by what they were made up of: silk, hemp, and cotton.
Photo by Jess LugoNolcha Shows NYFW Spring Summer 2022 KAVENLIU DIMORKAVENLIU DIMORKAVENLIU DIMOR
KOREANO
The looks at KOREANO showed versatility, playfulness, and sophistication. Deep burnt oranges and antique patterns hinted at a potential for 70s inspiration. Different iterations of the little black dress revealed a keen understanding of what women seek to wear, no matter the occasion. The modern woman is sure to find her ideal look in this collection alone.
Photo by Jess LugoNolcha Shows NYFW Spring Summer 2022 KOREANOKOREANOKOREANO
KLOVA
Minimalism is KLOVA’s middle name, and this collection was a signifier of just that. This collection in particular, centered looks around two legs. Long flowy pants and jumpsuits swooshed around ankles in a beautiful display of exquisite tailoring and textile choice. Comfort, grace, and peace were all celebrated elements in this KLOVA collection.
Photo by Jess LugoNolcha Shows NYFW Spring Summer 2022 KLOVAKLOVAKLOVA
The 5th Season
Inspired by birdlike elements, The 5th Season got playful this season with patterns, unique textures, and explorative jewelry. Complementary blues and oranges made the collection contrast yet unify in a delightful manner. Tailored garments were crafted exquisitely and with precision. The 5th Season proved their collection to be born from rebirth, elegance, and freedom.
Photo by Jess LugoNolcha Shows NYFW Spring Summer 2022 THE 5TH SEASONTHE 5TH SEASONTHE 5TH SEASON
The above collections were complemented by stunning jewelry from Calista and Ashton Jewelry. Diamonds poured off of earrings, eyeglasses, and necklaces and dusted the shoulders of those strutting the catwalk. Stunning pearls dropped down from ears. Golden rings glittered at waistlines.
The show wrapped and patrons exited jubilantly and with a distinct satisfaction. Fashion is back – and better than ever – and New York couldn’t be happier.
For more on Nolcha Shows from Downtown, click here.
In today’s fashion landscape, influencers are everything.
Influencers have become the new innovators and early adopters that oftentimes will take the place of major mavens from yesteryear, as the runway designers. The beauty of such fashion leaders on the tiny screen is the direct link between them and their followers.
Why do you think influencers’ brand representation is so coveted?
Think about the spike in sales when influencer Kendall Jenner started tagging Alo Yoga in her social media channels, or when Emma Chamberlain nearly made Amazon sell out of yoga pants from one hard Instagram post. It is this kind of philosophy that birthed Lauren Wilson’sDora Maar. The luxury consignment brand that centers around the link between influencers, their coveted closets, and customers.
Dora Maar ingeniously links these “Muses” of all different walks of life with their customers. Now, followers can own their favorite influencer’s best pieces.
Wilson is changing the game of luxury consignment, with the help of her brilliant concept for Muses that offer up their beloved high-end pieces to be sold on Dora Maar, lovingly nicknamed DoMa. You’ll find that this born and bred brand is reimagining what it means to consign.
Lauren Wilson, Dora Maar’s Founder
Downtown: What is your personal background in fashion?
Lauren Wilson: Fashion has been an integral part of my life on both a personal and professional level. I’ve always felt that fashion is synonymous with storytelling, which in essence is the brand ethos of Dora Maar. Fashion allows one to express themselves and share creativity, emotions, and feelings in ways words cannot. Curating outfits and being thoughtful about the craftsmanship of clothing have always been important to me.
As for my career, following my graduation from USC, my first full-time job in fashion was at Gucci as an assistant in their celebrity PR dept in NYC. After Gucci, I began my Master of Art in Costume Studies from NYU, which I describe as the anthropological study of fashion. I was so passionate about the program and it played a large role in my interest in vintage clothing. Outside of fashion, I also worked in the art world at Christie’s where I was a part of their marketing team for luxury. There, I developed the keen ability to identify the importance of provenance or the origin of a piece of fine art. I realized how this concept of provenance to showcase value and authenticity was missing from luxury fashion in the secondary market. Following Christie’s, I moved back to luxury fashion e-commerce at Moda Operandi. Through the mix of these experiences, my idea for Dora Maar was born.
DT: What is the story behind Dora Maar’s name?
LW: I named my platform after Henriette Theodora Markovitch – also known as Dora Maar – an influential French photographer, painter, and poet. She was depicted in many of Picasso’s paintings, including his famous Portrait of Dora Maar and Dora Maar au Chat. She’s widely known as Pablo Picasso’s ‘muse’ which does play a role in the idea behind my Muse concept. Our Muses are influential to our consumers by providing a human element to buying clothing. That being said, Dora Maar was my point of inspiration for her unprecedented, independent, and fresh perspectives and ways. She challenged the norms through her surrealist art whether it be her paintings or poetry.With my platform, my mission is to do the same. We’re reimagining our relationship to pre-owned luxury fashion by leveraging the story behind each item through provenance and storytelling.
DT: How many designers do you carry at Dora Maar?
LW: We carry over 300 designers at Dora Maar, from Chanel to Emilia Wickstead and Carolina Herrera. We’ve designed our platform to be extremely user-friendly and serve as the link between influencers and our consumers. We’ve strategized our layout so our customers can be inspired by the apparel and accessories through various lenses. First, consumers can go through a dedicated closet page, carrying the items in a Muse’s closet. Or, they can opt to buy by the designer if they’re specifically looking for a Chanel or Saint Laurent item. We also curate special Edits which are theme-based and always a big hit for our clients. We’re really excited about our recent Bridal Muse Edit, a curated collection of hand-picked favorites for all types of wedding celebrations. We have innovative silhouettes from Huishan Zhang to incredible Balmain pieces.
DT: What does the consignment process look like at Dora Maar?
LW: Dora Maar is a high-touch consignment service, meaning we take all of the logistics in-house. Trust between our Muses and our customers is our number one focus, which is why the process behind each consigned piece is highly specialized. We handle the authentication, styling, and photographing, all the way through to the packaging and delivery of the item to our customers once a piece has sold. The reason we decided on this business model is that our mission is to connect our Muses and consumers, and we serve to make the consignment experience easy and bring a high level of trust to our customers when they are shopping for pre-owned luxury.
DT: Tell us about your “Muses” at Dora Maar. It is a really smart concept that is unique to Dora Maar. How was that idea born? What does being a DoMa muse entail?
LW: Thank you! Along with our commitment to sustainable fashion, our Muse concept is our favorite part of the platform. The idea was born when I ideated Dora Maar and was searching for a way to link influencers and customers.
We are thrilled to see how our Muses have connected the Dora Maar customers. Our Muses are inspiring tastemakers of all different shapes, sizes, and voices. We scout women (and some men!) who care about the craft and quality of clothing, and want to see their clothing passed on. Some of our Muses includeLauren Levison, Edward Barsamian, Lyn Slater, and Krystal Bick. Many of our Muses use their proceeds from their closet sales to raise funds for organizations that are important in their lives. For example, Lauren Levison recently donated 100% of her proceeds to the Present/Levison Advanced Fellowship in Inflammatory Bowel Disease at Mount Sinai Hospital.
DT: Does New York City influence and inspire Dora Maar in any way? If so, how?
LW: New York is certainly an incredibly huge source of inspiration for Dora Maar– so much so that I would say the city is a Muse in and of itself for me and our team. I moved to NYC right after college to pursue a career in fashion, so the story of New York is woven through everything we do. The energy and collision of ideas, innovation, and joy for life are all that make New York one of a kind. We are a born and bred NYC brand and our studio is headquartered in Brooklyn. All of the creatives– from photographers to our models (who are also Muses to us!) are based in the city. It’s amazing to be able to bring so many forward-thinking, talented individuals together to create Dora Maar amidst the backdrop of New York.
DT: What is your personal favorite spot to get inspired in NYC?
LW: That is a tough question! What I love about NYC is that every neighborhood is its only little world, so I am constantly inspired by so many different pockets of the city. When I am in need of an injection of inspiration, I am a sucker for the Met or Neue Galerie, an old 5th Ave mansion that was converted to a museum for early 20th century German and Austrian art – the space is just beautiful. On the flip side, my first apartment in NYC was on Bleecker Street in the West Village, so when I need a dose of New York City magic, I love wandering the streets over there. They are beyond charming, and I love popping into the small neighborhood shops and cafes, like Rosecrans on Greenwich Ave for delicious coffees, beautiful flowers, and small and unique home goods. I could probably go on for days about the places and people that have inspired me in the city, that’s what’s so amazing about it, I am always in awe of New York.
Meet Your Neighborhood Jewelry Co. That’s Putting the Whimsy Back Into Accessorizing
Gen Z-ers and millennials know the grip that colorful beaded jewelry had on us in our adolescence. Our fashion identities were measured by how many charm bracelets, necklaces, and rings we could stack on.
Furthermore, the more varying colors you had on your plasticky-crystal adornments, the better. Think highlighter oranges, lime greens, bubblegum pinks, and so on. Meet Susan Alexandra: the jewelry and accessory company that is right under your feet here in NYC. It is time we bring this gem out from underground.
The Susan Alexandra success story had humble beginnings, starting out of Susan Korn’s Chinatown Apartment.
It all started with Susan Korn’s Merry bag, named after her mother. It is boxy, crystalline, and evokes a true sense of nostalgia. It was when Gigi Hadid posted a photo with the adorable accessory in the foreground to her X-follower Instagram page that the brand took off.
“I’ll be sitting on the subway and just look down at my purse and I just feel sort of a sense of delight and calm. It’s my personal antidote to such a strange time that we’re living in,” Korn told Glamour in an interview.
Susan Alexandra is bringing that childhood joy back – and taking over the jewelry industry one sparkly bead at a time. High fashion and nostalgia meet at a crossroads in the creator’s studio; a “warm, welcoming and inclusive home for creativity and design”.
Customizable Jewelry
Alexandra’s products range from jewelry to bags to accessories to home, and more. More, includes, of course, a Bead Box, which allows SA lovers to curate their own personalized pieces from the assortment of signature beads. The thing is on a page ripped out of the late nineties and early 2000s. Seriously.
You can get as playful as you want with Susan Alexandra’s pieces. Try a lovely beaded bag or a pair of statement earrings that resemble a shrimp cocktail. Customize your own piece on the more sophisticated side with the “*Make Your Own*” “Spells” pieces. Or try the “*Make Your Own*” “Tiny Joys” collection, where you can choose from charms that represent you, like shrimp, dollars, boobs, smileys, fries, rainbows, eyes, watermelons, moons, and more!
Ethical Accessorizing
The best part about SA is the message behind the company. Every piece is handmade right here in NYC, offering a plethora of job opportunities to the market. “We believe that pieces made with intention and heart feel better, look better and create a better world,” per their company’s website.
They also make a significant effort to give back. SA uses their platform to promote charities such as ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union), G.L.I.T.S. (Gays and Lesbians Living in a Transgender Society), No Kid Hungry, and Black Girl Smile. “Our community has given us so much and in turn, we want to do the same by giving back to communities that inspire us.” Talk about ethical fashion.
Whimsy and Delicious Nostalgia
Take a gander at some of Susan Alexandra’s signature pieces and let them tickle your fancy!
The summer might be halfway over (to our dismay) but this season’s trends are steadfast. This summer’s best brought back color into our lives and a nostalgic sense of playfulness that evoked a time of yesteryear. Here are some of the best trends to come out of this season. Are they here to stay?
From Head…
Undeniably, the most resounding hairstyle of the summer and potentially the year is the ever-so-versatile and practical claw clip look. It’s practical, adorable, easy to do, and perfect for any occasion.
Another recurring hairstyle of the summer and one we will see into fall is the ever-so-romantic tousled-down do’s complemented by mini braids. Think Gabriella Wilde in Endless Love (2014).
Endless Love (2014)
Silk scarves have to be one of the more timeless, effortless, and versatile wardrobe staples. This summer, untie the scarf top and wrap it around your head instead. This is the chicest accessory and will complement everything from your bikini and linen button-down to your LBD. Try one like this, by Malaika Apparel:
Photo by Malaika Apparel
… to …
Canary yellow has fluttered around like a canary this summer, flying itself into every piece it can this season. Swimwear is no exception! This delicious scrunch one-piece is sure to complement every skin tone and silhouette. Wear it to brunch and venture to the pool or shore afterward in this colorful number by Reina Olga.
Reina Olga
Your one piece needs a skirt to go with it, of course! Knit patterns are all the rage this summer. Take a page out of the 1970s book and get your hands on this reimagined trend before it’s too late. This Mika skirt from Dodo Bar Or is the perfect poster child.
Dodo Bar Or
No, believe it or not, this ring did not come from one of those bubbles out of a Walmart toy vending machine. Instead, it is one of the million rings of the summer. The bigger, brighter, and more edible-looking, the better.
This one from La Manso, a chunky ring trailblazer, is a great place to start – that is if you haven’t already.
La Manso
… Toe.
Compliment the mule you have in a rocks glass in your hand with mules on your feet. These baby blue ones by Ferragamo are *chef’s kiss*. Slip these on with your chicest wide-leg jeans or a with your best cocktail dress – to stay on theme, of course.
Salvatore Ferragamo
Vogue said it best in the latest August issue, “The New Bags (and boots and belts and baubles) are graphic, oversized, textured, lucky, and perhaps strangest of all: perfectly useful.” As told by theseKhaite sandals that check most of the above boxes. Perfectly comfortable, flattering, on the nose, and available in three transitional shades.
Khaite Alba Sandals
Our hearts swell for these woody logo-print canvas slides by Chloe. Picture these at a farmer’s market in upstate in New York, or on the streets of picturesque Positano. Wherever they transport you, these slides are everything.
Chloe slides
Soak up the sun and the remaining time to rock the summer’s best! Unless of course, they’re here to stay…
It has been a tumultuous year and a half for many. (By many I mean everyone). It seemed as though the world was devoid of color. Now that life is accelerating toward normalcy, the celebration of fashion is at an all-time high. This summer, fashion is back and better than ever. Here are our picks for what you’ll see trending on the streets this season.
When life gives you lemons, wear them! This linen-rayon button-down is the perfect piece to throw over your bikini or tuck into a skirt. Furthermore, fresh fruit prints have been seen plastered on every clothing piece possible this summer, so join in on the fun.
Three criteria for trendy summer pants: wide leg, printed, and filled with color. These Zara pants will have heads turning wherever you wear them. (Note the accompanying halterneck top!)
Hang up your denim hot pants to dry this summer, and swap them out for the much more practical, (more formal?) oversized alternative. These flattering mom shorts are the way to go on the beach, out to brunch, or at work, dress code permitting.
Extra! Extra! Fashion is back! Maxi skirts are back! Marry your maxi with a great white sneak or cowgirl boot for a modern take. This gingham number from Free People gets it right.
Cowgirl boots are the seasonally confused underdog of the summer. Pair a cherry red or white pair with anything in your summer wardrobe. These summer staples look best with your best frilly dress. Think Shirley Temple meets Dolly Parton.
Orange really is the new black, according to these lace-up sandals. These ballerina-esque kicks are sure to wow -and are more versatile than you might think.
We have Yeezy to thank for this next footwear sensation; the ugly-cute foam slide. These Vogue-approved slippers are sure to be seen everywhere this summer.
Mesh Beach Comfy Anti-Slip Pillow Slides
Accessories
We promised this summer would be a colorful one! Anything chunky, plastic-y, and fun will pass this trend test. Susan Alexandra is one accessory designer who has been a trailblazer for this trend. Most importantly, all of the brand’s pieces are made by hand in NYC.
Fashion is back, and so are trucker hats. Take a page out of Paris Hilton’s book and don a trucker hat this summer. Throw one of these bad boys over your beach hair and become an instant Coolgirl. Surely you’ll want to pick one from the trucker hat pioneer, Von Dutch.
Dig up those old canvas bags you’d get with your subscriptions to your favorite publications! Not only are these bags practical, they’re on fire this summer, and store so much.
