We typically don't post about sample sales but since twice as many chicsters will be in town this week, and because Sophomore is one of our favorite basics brands, well, we just have to. If the Barneys Warehouse Sale frightens you, skip over to Circa Now in the East Village in between shows for some cotton basics at serious discounts (we're talking in the 15-90 dollar range). Want to plan ahead? Check out the Sophomore Spring 2009 look book and devise your strategy.
We don't know what it is about New York label Sophomore that has us positively enchanted--but we're not going to analyze it too much. Let's just say that we have a weakness for DIY look books, thick eyebrows, cotton basics, and goofing around. We could try to talk about the color palette and the cuts but it's hard to go from trend reports of the Paris shows to an easy-to-wear contemporary line made primarily from cotton. There's a place for both in fashion and we're just saying that Sophomore tops our list when it comes to that kind of thing. We will say that there are silhouettes and zippers in this collection that are spot on in the trend-department and suggest maybe Sophomore is, well, graduating. Click the link below for the Spring 2009 look book.
We're happy to see the color orange and inclusion of zip dresses from Sophomore though as trend aware as the Fall 08 collection may seem, it's still a very simple formula--we're loving the new look book shot by Cass Bird, who also shot the Spring 08 collection. Little New York brands like this make fashion so easy to break down. There are more important things, they remind us, than fashion. Sophomore is excellent at communicating the importance of simple, sexy style over thousand dollar handbags and it-frocks. In fact, these are the depictions of women that your boyfriend probably prefers nine times out of ten to the glossy magazine spreads. And, no matter how accessible cotton-basics might be, we think that's saying something.
Or, you could just say there's a little more cotton in the world. New York label, Sophomore, is the next Hipsters For Basics brand making waves with twenty four dollar leggings and the like. If there's anything that's perpetually 'downtown' it's interesting basics paired with eccentric vintage and market finds. Unless you're sample sailing (hehe) for a living, there just isn't another option.
So Sophomore, run by young downtowners Chrissie Miller and Madeleine von Froomer, addresses that fact in their brand's 'about me' manifesto. They reference the seventies and the Lower East Side, which is basically all you need to know to understand their contemporary price point and demographic range. Our favorite pieces from the Spring collection (which make them stand out in terms of actual design) are the 70's inspired a-symmetrical snap pullover, twist racer back tank top (much like something you would see from Alexander Wang), and t-shirt printed with the slogan 'The New York Crimes'. Call us downright smitten. Sophmore is sold at Opening Ceremony in New York and Los Angeles and online here.
