Word on the Street

Top style moments from NYC's indie trade shows

July 25, 2007—What Sundance is to independent cinema (or used to be, anyway), Project and its newly minted competitor, Capsule, are to indie fashion. We scoured both and picked four Spring 2008 standouts from each.

CAPSULE

CO Lab sunglasses: This new line takes outsourcing to a new level by picking five designers per season to create its collection (hence the name). Our favorite: Perks and Mini's Wayfarer-style shades.

Henrik Vibskov accessories: Can you see yourself in the market for a buttery-soft cashmere scarf adorned with eighties-era video game–style patterns? Vibskov's your man. Great sunglasses, too.

Oak UV-activated T-shirts: The Brooklyn retailer's glam-tastic new tees change color when exposed to sunlight. Sort of like Generra Hypercolor without the sweat stains.

Public School: Streetwear guru Dao-Yi Chow and partner Maxwell Osborne's new collection is inspired by seventies NYC gangs. Standout item: a "Black Apples World Tour" tee that replaces tour dates with a list of U.S. cities with the worst high-school graduation rates.

PROJECT

Bureau: Former Greige designer Cory Gomberg's new collection (above) finds inspiration in JFK's leisure pursuits (the sailing part, not the womanizing). Not the most original template, perhaps, but the execution is spot on.

PF Flyers Bob Cousy reissues: We expect these kelly-green sneaks, which were originally worn by the legendary Celtics point guard, to be among the season's most sought-after. (Provided the email- and cell phone–averse Cousy gets around to signing the contract, anyway.)

Lova: Think of this line—which was founded by a trio of Aussies and makes its U.S. debut this spring—as perfect for the Band of Outsiders fan who's gotten sick of running into other guys wearing Band of Outsiders.

Rogues Gallery high-top boat shoe: It's a freakin' high-top boat shoe—what more do you need to know?