In-Studio with Heather Lawton at New York Fashion Week! / #NYFW

After having the privilege of seeing first-hand Heather Lawton's fantastic debut Collection at New York Fashion Week, I had the chance to meet her in person at her Studio in Chelsea. I was accompanied by our production team (those of whom I am collaborating on this new film project with) to interview her, see and feel some of her incredible Collection pieces, as well as talk about this new collaboration we've been working on.

Heather was an absolute pleasure to meet and chat with. Not only is her aesthetic fiercely bold and totally on-point seasonally; but she is a charming, creative, and passionate designer totally devoted to taking her line to the highest ranks possible. Hailing from Canada, premiering in Toronto, and finding growing success in New York; Lawton embodies a vibrant energy that is personified in her immaculate clothing; exceptionally detailed, boldly shaped, and cut with laser precision. Not only did we have a moment to connect, but I even got to try on some of her brilliant pieces! The only words I can think of when touching a staple Lawton piece are chic, edge, and tundra! It's animality meets urbanity; flowing fabrics and billowing textures - everything I adore!

This new collaboration we are working on will feature select pieces from Lawton's previous Collections, evoking the energy and feel of her clothing in a visually impactful art-house film. Playing with light and darkness, shadows and silhouettes, and the concept of duality; we hope to create a provocative short that reflects the enigmatic characteristics of Heather Lawton's iconic design sense. We are filming before the end of the month! And I am so excited to share with all of you what we come with. We are hopeful to premiere at Toronto Fashion Week and re-solidify Heather's presence in Canada as a fresh, new, youthful designer with a killer look.

Wish us luck!

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Leather Vision / Heather Lawton Fall 2013 #NYFW

Hello Winter! I see you've not spared Toronto a single bit since I've been gone! But it's all good; 'tis the Season for Fashion, right? As you've probably guessed, I'm back from a fantastic week in New York City for Fashion Week. I hope you all joined me on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to keep up-to-date on all the fabulous; after all, there was quite a bit. From the dense, sparkling streets of Manhattan, to the industrial lofts in Chelsea, to the boutiques of SoHo - we had a brilliant time, thank you New York! I'll be seeing you again soon, I'm sure. You can read about my experiences in NY more in-depth on my sister-site, DylanInTheWorld.

Toni Francis, Myself, and Jossyl Bacalla at Heather Lawton's Event in NYC.

Now, onto the Fashion. Who was as obsessed with Heather Lawton's presentation as I was? Pretty difficult not to be. We were invited to attend her first NYFW Presentation at Studio450; a tucked-away, inner-city loft at W 31st and 9th. The entire gallery was a wicked, bright open-concept space that masterfully blended the edged, industrial elements of the building (not to mention the incredible view of Manhattan) with the stark, cold, bareness of the design - Winter branches, white as snow bleakness, and the dark palette of the Collection itself. It was a presentation that acted more like a gallery of fine portraits. Enthusiasts were invited to drink, chat, socialize, and admire the aesthetic of Lawton's rich designs in a friendly and touchable voyeuristic atmosphere using live models.

Rich, dark leather, obtusely-formed new silhouettes, and over-sized outer wear dominated Lawton's diverse and enthralling aesthetic. If any of my readers know me at all, they know that I'm obsessed with anything and everything Fall Fashion - big scarves, dramatic knitwear, and coats! You can never have too many fabulous coats! I adored Lawton's incredibly dramatic, almost cape-like coats; draping completely over the model, either in the front or all over, much like a wrap. It was almost like mixing the elements we love so much about move-able scarves and knits and turning them into a shaped coat; creating new, purposeful cuts that took the eye on a journey of new silhouettes. I am absolutely digging this trend of over-sized, over-fabulous, and over-covered. I've seen it evolve over the past year in this industry and I'm still not tired of it! It's so inner-city urban meets Winter tundra; fabulously trekking through the trials of a concrete jungle? Survival of the fittest no doubt, especially in New York! Skinny cut pants and leggings were a perfect, chic balance to all the dramaticism happening up-top; from billowing, fur stoles to lion mane-esque, neck-hugging shawls.

But all the obtuse forms, though brilliant, did not outshine the classic elements of this same presentation. Lawton is quite genius when it comes to the details of her tailoring; and all you really need to do is touch, feel, and really look to see all the brilliance of one her perfectly cut leather jackets; and all of a sudden, it's magic! Perfectly shaped, perfectly cut, and perfectly fitted pieces were the true majesty of this Collection; sitting in silent brilliance behind the visually dominating, bolder elements. As a matter of fact, perhaps my favourite piece from Lawton's entire Fall 2013 Showcase was a stand-alone, stand-out, hot pink Moto Jacket made out of the most luxurious, supple leather. It was like butter to touch and like candy to look at; absolutely divine. The chic simplicity of something like this is what will always be remembered in a proper Collection, because it actually works. This is something that wears the same way that it looks on the model and on the rack, chic and sharp from beginning to end. A stunning, on-point, on-trend, and perfectly composed Collection. Congratulations on all your success Heather! And all the success you will undoubtedly find in New York in the future. I am privileged to be working with someone so fresh, new, and exciting; and I can't wait to see where this new project will take me.

The collaboration we are working on will be taking place very soon in Toronto featuring some of Heather's most iconic and memorable designs from her previous Collections. Keep your eyes locked on DylanInTheCity for everything that will be evolving out of it, and especially come Toronto Fashion Week, where we hope to premiere! Only 1 month away, are you ready? View Heather Lawton's entire Fall/Winter 2013 Collection at New York Fashion Week right here at Women's Wear Daily.

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New York City with Heather Lawton / #FashionWeek

Where have I been?! Well, many places, doing many things! I apologize for my slight absence. Regardless, Fashion hasn't escaped my eye and I am absolutely loving some of the fantastic things I'm seeing for Fall/Winter 2013 from all over the Fashion Circuit. I simply cannot wait to see what some of the best talent in this country will have to offer come our very own Toronto Fashion Week in March.

I've been incredibly busy working on a number of freelance projects this year! 2013 began rapidly with some great opportunities for magazine spreads, published editorials, and new artist collaborations! February has only just arrived and I think I've already planned out most of my freelance hours through until the end of the Spring. I'm so excited to share with everyone the fruit of all our work; all of which will, in due time, appear right here on DylanInTheCity. Working with different artists, enthusiasts, and even designers has been an ongoing, growing process for me; I'm so thankful to able to share creativity with people who embody the very essence of it. It really is a magical thing.

Incredible Photo by © Steve Kelley

What's the latest? Why, New York of course! She does look lovely. I'm sure you remember the last Fashion Film I helped produce and participate in with powerhouse Directors Jossyl Bacalla and Toni Francis for JUMA last year. Well! We have a new direction. The team and I are partnering with Heather Lawton, a fresh and dynamic NY-based designer that's relatively new to the Fashion stage, to produce a short Mood Film to embody the energy of her aesthetic. As a result, I will be in town for New York Fashion Week (!!!) this year, as well as a guest at Heather Lawton's Fall 2013 show in Chelsea.

I couldn't be more excited for not only NYC but the chance to meet and build a rapport with Heather, who is essentially my first New York connection. Her taste is minimalist but bold, and she often plays with unique, graphic shapes in her pieces while maintaining a simplistic, chic tonal palette. The girls and I are planning some vibrant and intense visual ideas for this film, and we couldn't be more thrilled to be collaborating with a designer of Lawton's skill and potential. New York used to be just a photo on my wall, as I used to say, and Toronto used to be larger than life itself. It's amazing, the places we've come from and the places we go. For the first time I'm not just going to New York for New York - I'm going to New York for Fashion. Fashion takes me there.

I'll be flying to New York City next week and will be updating you all on my adventures in the city! Both on the Runway and off, so be sure you're tuned into my network to see everything first hand - from our meeting with Heather Lawton to Bryant Park to the streets of Midtown. Share it with me.

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From Toronto to NY,

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