Eye-popping streetwear brand Limoland unveiled its U.S. flagship today, a splashy 750-square-foot space abutting the Highline. Like the neon-hued polos and double-L-printed hoodies lining the shelves, the shop is flashy and bold, with Astroturf-covered floors, color-changing LED lights, and poppy music blasting overhead. The brand was founded in 2007 by Jean Pigozzi, a French photographer and famed African art collector who now spends his time jetting between Switzerland, Panama, France, England, and the U.S. (The blue-faced logo, Mr. Limo, is based after Tanzanian artist George Lilanga.) The busy prints and color-block jackets take confidence to pull off, but true Limoland peacocks will be pleased with the details, like polos knit from Pima cotton and hoodies lined in silk. Though the apparel caters to men, women can check out the brand’s sturdy cotton-canvas and leather travel accessories, a collaboration with Japanese bag brand Yoshida Porter. Click ahead to check out some eye-catchers from the current selection.

Limoland, 829 Washington St., nr. Gansevoort St. (212-366-5466).

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Filed Under: buyer’s guide, limoland, shopping, slideshow, yoshida porter

After working through some power issues, Lanvin’s first New York boutique bowed last week on Madison Avenue. The 3,550-square-foot space is fashion porn for the well-to-do set, filled with daintily distressed dresses and colorful silk cocktail frocks, bejeweled heels, cascading skirts, and python bags dangling from gold chains. The store spans three floors (the top two in the five-story building will be turned into the brand’s offices) and is meant to resemble a luxe women’s club, decked with zebra-print rugs, Art Deco chandeliers, Louis XV–style couches, and black-and-white photos from the Lanvin archive. The cream-colored third floor is devoted to the Blanche bridalwear collection; the second floor offers shoes, jewelry, and the fall collection; and the first floor is devoted to spring apparel, handbags, and gifts. Click ahead to admire the high-end wares.

Lanvin, 815 Madison Ave., nr. 68th St. (646-439-0381); M—S (10—6).

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Filed Under: buyer’s guide, designers, lanvin, shopping, slideshow

Corey Lynn Calter has Patricia Field to credit for plucking her from obscurity in the early nineties. Back then, Calter was the “guest-list girl” at the Ritz, sewing her own clothes and crafting accessories out of her kitchen. After spotting her out at various events, Field invited Calter to bring some of her designs into the store. She started selling a line of corsets, Milkmade, in 1992, which led to a three-year stint creating elaborate costumes for the San Francisco Opera. Eventually she relocated to L.A. to launch her own eponymous line, Corey Lynn Calter, in 2000.

Now Calter’s work is stocked in stores across the country — including TG-170 and Barneys in New York — and has a slew of collaborations in the works: She’s unveiling a limited-edition dress for Target in August, launching a bridal line at Anthropologie in January, and collaborating on another exclusive dress with Gravity and Breaking Bad star Krysten Ritter for her spring collection. We chatted with the designer about her penchant for mood-boosting prints, the power of a pretty dress, and begrudgingly relinquishing the double-C logo.

How did the collaboration with Krysten Ritter come about?
A stylist friend of hers first recommended she take a look at CLC, and I’m just a huge fan of hers. I love her face, of course, but on top of that she’s super-cool: girly but a little punky; adorable and smart. We’ve been lucky enough to draw some of these confident, fashion-forward girls who don’t feel like they always have to wear “serious” fashion.

You’re also launching a bridal line at Anthropologie this winter. Is this your first foray into bridal?
I did some bridal in the past; when you design corsets, people kind of hit you up for that. A lot of my training is in making custom gowns for people, especially when I worked for the opera. Those costumes are the closest thing to couture you can do in the United States.

What’s the inspiration behind your label?
It’s definitely quirky and playful. People aren’t coming to me for basics — they get their black pants at Theory, then they come to me for the fluff.

What kind of person wears your designs?
Someone who’s a little excited to talk about what she’s wearing. I have this great planet print for spring 2011, with this giant Saturn on it. You can’t be a wimpy girl and wear it. You’re also not going to be in a shitty mood when you wear it. There’s a confidence to our girl; she’s already coming to the table with quite a bit of taste.

Looks from the Corey Lynn Calter pre-fall collection.Photo: Courtesy of CLC

Who are your favorite designers?
I have a real weakness for YSL and vintage. And Dries van Noten is so beautiful to look at — no one does color like that.

What’s the first designer item you bought?
An oversize blue button-up silk shirt from Comme des Garçons in the late eighties. I’m sure I wore it with white Doc Martens.

Where do you shop?
For the most part, it’s the Rose Bowl Flea Market and eBay mixed with Chanel. Those two Cs really screwed up my ability to use the double-C logo, by the way.

How would you describe your personal style?
My clothes are an expression of playfulness — it’s dress-up. I really enjoy and love clothes. Today I’m wearing a gauze blouse, a puffy skirt, giant leopard wedge shoes, and a big bun. Yesterday it was a mini-shift with Chanel flats.

What trends are you appreciating now?
I love Victorian and anything with an heirloom detail. I like how it elevates certain things to be a little more precious and knocks down precious things to make them more grounded.

What trends are you ready to see retired?
I live in L.A.: talk about beating trends into the ground. I’m sick of tough girls — they look a little too hard. This sounds so corny, but boys love girls in pretty dresses.

What’s one item you’re saving to buy?
A classic Chanel caviar bag. I’m finally old enough to buy it.

What should every woman have in her closet?
A pretty, feminine dress for those occasions that really call for it. The right dress can really alter a night’s events.

What’s something you never leave the house without?
My sketchbook to write down ideas — even shitty ideas — because I have a horrible memory. I keep it by my bed at night. True story: A friend of mine passed away in 1992, and I had a dream about her. She said, “I’ve learned the secret to life, and all you need to do to be happy is this … ” I woke up and thought, Of course I’m going to remember this, and I didn’t write it down. I’ve been trying to remember what she said ever since.

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Filed Under: tastemakers, anthropologie, chanel, collaboration station, corey lynn calter, designers, krysten ritter, target

Though not everyone can shell out for a Burberry trench, the Brit brand’s foray into beauty is accessible to the masses. With nail polish and eye shadow trending toward the bold and glitzy this season, this collection is refreshingly natural, offering high-quality basics in ageless shades. The lip cover is a standout: creamy, richly pigmented, and packed with moisture — no Burt’s Bees or gloss required. Try Nutmeg, a spiced-up rose, for everyday, or the wine-red Burgundy for after-hours. And though you can’t judge a product by its packaging, these Haymarket-checked gunmetal cases are particularly lovely. They snap shut with magnetic closures, so your makeup won’t wreak havoc on the lining of your handbag.

Burberry Lip Cover, $30 at Burberry.com

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Filed Under: best bets, beauty, burberry

The soft-opened Nolita Rag & Bone shop is hosting a press party tonight to show off its jeans, button-down shirts, and knits. And though the label’s impeccably tailored basics are worthy of your rent money, the real draw here is the brand’s first-ever shoe shop, which will feature the full fall women’s collection in the former Café Colonial kitchen space. The shoes won’t be in stock until later this week, but we got an early preview of the styles. Click ahead for a look at the stacked-heels, oxfords, wedges, and combat boots in store for fall.

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Filed Under: buyer’s guide, designers, fall 2010, first look, rag & bone, retail therapy, shoes, slideshow