Shop Till You Drop

After the heroic effort of our redesign last month—a giant-size thanks right back to y'all for the many kudos on our new look—we've returned to our well established routine, our brand of normality. That is if you're comfortable calling high-flying international design "normal." I say, "Anything but."

Our April fashion issue is an all-you-can-read feast of prêt-à-porter, street-wear, and accessories displayed in the glamour temples created for them by interior designers. Emboldened by past years' explorations, we intrepidly peeked and poked in all directions, east and west, rather than simply dialing 39 for Italy. We're exceedingly glad we did and equally delighted to share this fat spring catch of retail style with you. Italy's neighbors, France and Switzerland, provided us with two showstoppers, the legendary Lanvin boutique reinvented by Architecture & Associés and a veritable TAG Heuer museum by Carbondale. But it was Asia that really blew us away. You're probably already guessing Tokyo. But a Brazilian designer? (That would be none other than Arthur Casas.) Or sneakers on conveyor belts? (That's BAPE by Wonderwall.)

Oops, I almost forgot! Quickly, but extremely fondly, let me also introduce the snazzy lineup in the pages immediately following my new up-front spot. In "Crosslines," the very fashionable powerhouse Robin Kramer lets us into her idea lab. Our trusted Jeffrey Beers shares candid shots from a family trip to Japan in "Offsite." We catch up with Ian Schrager at the Gramercy Park Hotel in "Mover/Shaker"—during a pause in his meteoric trajectory around the world of hospitality. "Mixed Media" again delivers the perfect man-meets-materials match: Joey Shimoda and his love affair with chocolate. In "Market," the rich crop of new talents includes Eugène van Veldhoven with his fab fabrics. But enough! Step right in. The merchandise is calling. —Cindy