Help Us Welcome Urban Zen to Denver!

“Urban Zen designs forums, partners with and provides funding for like-minded organizations and brings together experts to define solutions, implement action and create programs and meaningful events.”

We’re so happy to welcome the Urban Zen Foundation to Lawrence Covell and the city of Denver. Established by American fashion icon Donna Karan in 2007, Urban Zen is a charitable organization that focuses on a multitude of initiatives, one of which is the “empowerment” of children. This empowerment is rooted in educating and broadening the horizons of today’s youth. A local organization that shares these ideals is Breakthrough Kent Denver.

“Breakthrough Kent Denver is a tuition free, educational non-profit program in conjunction with Denver Public Schools and Kent Denver School to provide increased educational opportunities for under-resourced middle school students…” The Breakthrough Kent program fits seamlessly with Urban Zen’s mission to motivate children to become their own advocate. It’s about establishing relationships, encouraging, and most importantly, empowering children who may not have these resources available to them otherwise.

A look from the Elements II collection

On Friday May 4th and Saturday May 5th from 10am-5pm we will be hosting one of Urban Zen’s pop-up stores. This “store within our store” will have multiple products from Urban Zen Design, including the Elements II collection and jewelry by Elizabeth Martin. The aesthetic of Urban Zen is an extension of the Donna Karan brand. The collections are eclectic and luxurious, which is a reflection of the many cultural influences. Starting Friday, you’ll have the opportunity to shop in the Urban Zen pop-up store for two very special days; and a portion of both the proceeds from Urban Zen’s sales, as well as our own, will be donated to Breakthrough Kent.

For more information, check out Urban Zen and Breakthrough Kent Denver

Prints and Tees for Spring!

 

Prints: they’re everywhere. We’ve seen it from Etro, Jil Sander Navy, Rag & Bone and Reed Krakoff. All are different, some more graphic and modern, while others are whimsical with bold bursts of color. One in particular that we’re sure will catch your eye is John Audubon’s Birds of America inspired Falcon print at Reed Krakoff.

Encompassing so many trends for the season and seen throughout his spring 2012 collection, the image of the falcon is abstracted to highlight just the wing on our sheer sleeveless silk top ($890).

The choice of material only accentuates the print, giving the piece a great deal of movement and ease. Paired with the cotton sateen ankle cuffed pants in pollen ($590), also from the spring 2012 collection, it’s a great update on a timeless summer style. And of course, you can’t forget one of the collection’s classic Boxer bags ($990) to pull the entire ensemble together!

Who isn't always looking for their next favorite t-shirt? We love Majestic tees and this season we have an exceptionally great selection.

For the first time we have a silk tee ($165) that’s available in three different colors; light blue (as shown), mist and pink. Slightly sheer with a wide scoop neck, short sleeve, and scalloped bottom, it would work just as well as a layering piece under your favorite sweater or on its own in the middle of the summer.

We also love Majestic’s version of the eternally stylish striped tee.  Available in white slub cotton with silver “painted” horizontal stripes ($160) it's has the ability to bring you from the boat to the beach.

But, if you're not making it to the beach anytime soon, it also looks chic paired with our Red Engine Ruby jeans in cherry ($195), Orciani Gomez belt ($195), Faliero Sarti modal scarf ($225), and Henry Cuir small tote bag ($1,125).

New Resort 2012!

After completing his degree at Parsons in the 80’s, Connecticut born designer Reed Krakoff has worked for iconic American sportswear lines such as Tommy Hilfiger and Polo/Ralph Lauren. It was in 1996 when Krakoff joined Coach and started to develop a partnership that ultimately would help mold his future ventures as a designer.



Mini shoulder bag by Reed Krakoff: $525

In 2010, after practically rebuilding the Coach brand in the late 90’s, Reed Krakoff launched his namesake label. Although only a few seasons old, Krakoff’s strengths are clear. He refers to his designs as “warm minimalism.” If that doesn’t exactly provide an immediate image, Krakoff goes further to explain that the roots of his aesthetic lie closest with the ideas of minimalism, but with a downtown edge. Inspired by “New York style,” Krakoff can be associated most with a streamlined silhouette that is often accented with one of his covetable bags or pairs of shoes.

Boxer bag by Reed Krakoff in range of sizes and colors from $990 - $1,490

This season we’re excited for all aspects of Mr. Krakoff’s line. Like we mentioned earlier, his label is young when compared to many of his competitors, but with that said it has already developed signature accessories and pieces that we can’t wait to share with you. One of which is the Boxer bag. The simple and succinct design is timelessly stylish. Fortunately, Krakoff’s design goes beyond the stigma of an “It” bag. It has hints of a Hermes Birkin Bag structurally, but with Krakoff’s downtown spin. We’re also expecting shoes and pieces from Krakoff’s ready-to-wear line. Much like the Boxer bag, Krakoff is also known for his “baseball” tops. The style reappears through out Krakoff’s collection, whether in the form of a jersey, cardigan or sweater. We went with a nude cardigan that would be the perfect cover-up for your early spring wardrobe.

Baseball cardigan in nude by Reed Krakoff: $580

Reed Krakoff is yet another designer that we’re excited to bring into our store and hopefully into the closets of our customers! Please come by and check out the selection for yourself, we’re sure it won’t disappoint. Plus, it’s never too soon to start thinking about your summer wardrobe and warmer weather!



Scarves: Super Manly! Really.

Okay I know what you're thinking: scarves on men may seem to some (perhaps you) as too French, too Euro.  Au contraire. Scarves are not only fashionable (nothing wrong with looking better than your peers) they are also functional. A recent AMA study concluded that men who wear scarves are 41% less likely to develop the common cold during the winter months, luxurious cashmere or wool blends increased the number to a whopping 73% (okay I made that up - but it's probably true as they keep you warm and duh we live in a cold climate during the winter). If you're back East or in Europe, you see many men wearing scarves because they walk outside in the winter.  Now in our Western (meaning Western US) car culture, we often drive most places - more often than we have to (I rode my bike today to work, bundled up, and it was exhilarating!) but on occasion we do walk.  Out to lunch from the office, or to the restaurant after parking the car, or from the parking lot to an Avs or Broncos game (that's blasphemous you say to wear a scarf to a Broncos' game - no it's not and I might even have one in orange if you so desire). . . on occasion we even walk the dog (I certainly hope - or does that explain why Mabel has developed a bit of a paunch around her midsection?). 

All of these instances warrant a scarf when it's cold outside.  And don't worry it doesn't look wimpy to protect your neck from the cold - that's why we wear clothes after all.  We evolved from hairy apes to be primarily hairless, clothing-loving humans (some more than others - clothing-loving that is, well actually both). Nothing is less masculine to me and more asinine than seeing some guy trying to "brave" the elements on his lunch hour while scurrying (hands in pockets, head scrunched over, obviously freezing) from his office to Chipotle in a dress shirt and pants. Buy a coat. Hell, wear a scarf. Then he could enjoy all of the seasons to their utmost potential. And if you're wife or girlfriend is shivering on a cold Winter's night, you'll have your scarf to give to her (assuming she forgot hers) - and what's more chivalrous than that? Isn't that word of French origin? Mon dieu!

Pedro doesn't mess around: He wears a scarf when it's cold out.

Nili Lotan's Downtown Chic

Nili Lotan 'Western Shirt,' $295

After relocating to New York City from her native Israel in 1980 to pursue a career in fashion, Nili Lotan has actively developed a distinct aesthetic. Working as senior design director for companies such as Ralph Lauren and Nautica, it was in 2003 that Lotan launched her namesake label.

Her designs seem to epitomize the idea of “downtown chic.” She appears to be inspired by classic American sportswear, but if it were for the tomboy next door. When you see a piece by Nili Lotan you can’t help but think of the word effortless. There’s freshness to the classic designs that Lotan presents. The “Cash Shirt” takes the classic western style and turns it on its ear, but only slightly. Available in black silk in a slim cut, the “Cash Shirt” offers a stylish and playful alternative to a design that could be considered kitsch.



Nili Lotan 'Cash Shirt,' $475



Another great piece that we received this season is the herringbone hook front blazer. Again, the boyish style is feminized with the small lapel and single industrial hook closure at the waist, revealing an evidently feminine silhouette. The classic jacket could bring you from one year to the next without losing its appeal or place in your wardrobe.

It’s always fun to look as if you’ve stolen something from your boyfriend or husband’s closet, and Nili Lotan’s clothing has this unspoken charm. The play on the masculine and feminine and the mix of textures make her collection accessible to women with a range of taste. You can take one piece or five, these clothes don’t wear you, you wear them. As Nili Lotan said herself, “we express ourselves through the clothes we wear, reflecting our own personal style, mood or attitude…A woman’s beauty and self should be enhanced, not defined by the clothes she wears.”

Nili Lotan Herringbone Blazer, $595





Runways and Rockstars

L’Wren Scott designs clothes that will put a wiggle in your walk and add instant glamour to any outing. Reading about SuperHeavy you might think that Ms. Scott took a few pointers from a man that’s a bit of a style icon himself. Of course, we’re talking about boyfriend/rockstar extraordinaire Mick Jagger, and the man whose new band was founded on blending multiple genres, cultures, and the old with the new. L’Wren Scott’s clothing could be described the same way.

The designer with Jagger

Body conscious, figure flattering, and feminine, any of Scott’s designs have the ability to have a vintage spirit, but modern styling. Like the blue velvet cocktail dress or red lace dress with a sleeve, either piece could be imagined on a woman such as Lauren Bacall or Grace Kelly, but looks just as fresh on modern starlets Nicole Kidman and Penelope Cruz. It’s this fusion of impeccably cut clothing and classic sexiness that give L’Wren Scott’s line distinction amongst other designers as well as a place in our store.

Lauren Bacall in How to Marry a Millionaire, 1953

Nicole Kidman in a L'Wren Scott design that we have in store!

Whether having a few cocktails with girlfriends or looking for that special piece for your upcoming holiday party, you have to stop in and see this exceptional collection for yourself! It will be sure to take you from one party to the next while also making you feel like the most glamorous woman in the room!

SuperHeavy

If you're a frequent visitor to the store, you know that we're big fans of music.  And that is many genres of music. We've always had a place in our hearts for the Stones - since our beginning in '67 - and Mick Jagger's latest venture is a group called SuperHeavy. (Perhaps he and Keith are testy over Keith's latest biography Life where Keith took some parting shots at Mick - but to be fair, both have done many solo stints throughout their careers - but we hope this isn't the start of a breakup because we all want to see the Stones' 50th anniversary tour).  SuperHeavy came about after Dave Stewart (formerly of the Eurythmics) and Mick discussed what it would be like to have a group with musicians from different musical backgrounds. The band that soon formed is comprised of Mick Jagger, Dave Stewart (he has some great bluesy solo albums - way different than the sound of the Eurythmics), Joss Stone, Damian Marley and A.R. Rahman (Oscar winning and nominated musician respectively for Slumdog Millionaire and 127 Hours).  The influences are obviously: Rock, R&B, Reggae and Hindi pop.  Like anything, you need to listen to it a couple of times - but it definitely grows on you. Some of my favorite tracks are: "SuperHeavy" (the title track), "Warring People", "Satyameva Jayathe", "Miracle Worker", "Rock Me Gently" and "Common Ground" - which sounds a little like Macy Gray at times in the refrain. It's not one of my all time favorite albums - but it is enjoyable. Despite the stardom of the group, this album won't likely get much air play given the unfortunate corporatization of radio so be sure to have a listen to support new and different music. And next time you're in, if you have any great music suggestions, be sure to mention them.  

As for a clothing mention - we just received our women's debut collection of L'Wren Scott - an extremely talented American designer - whose boyfriend also happens to be Sir Mick - for all of the cynics she was well established before their relationship. (Though we do hope someday she'll make a personal appearance at the store and Mick, Keith and the boys will play a private concert for us - we'll keep dreaming - but that would be awesome!).  

Check out the video here (the video montage on the first video is good but doesn't do the album justice, as for the "Miracle Worker" video, the feed is slow, but how fun is it to watch a vidio again - remember MTV? I especially like Mick's pink suit!) and listen to it on Rhapsody or download from iTunes. Also, Brent Saunders had a great interview with Mick recently on KBCO:

http://www.kbco.com/cc-common/podcast/single_page.html?podcast=bcomorningshow_podcast