A dispatch from the fully caffeinated, sugary sweet Coffee Break at Tinlark.

About that gutsy admiral of the open sea: If your squadron were making off for Hispaniola, you’d dress to impress, too.

Checklist for the navigator, explorer, and colonizer in you:

- A stole to guard you from westerly winds.
- Sturdy boots.
- Lots of plumage.
- A pair of heels for dry land (which remind you of the ocean blue).

Paul & Joe cape
Keller shoes
Ralph Lauren feathers
Chloé Minnie Mouse heels
Windy Freda feather hairpiece

Bettina Hubby takes on street fashion tomorrow during her once-only bus tour of Silver Lake. Inspired by her favorite haunts, Hubby’s curated a wild ride through her neighborhood with stops along the way to meet models wearing her location-specific garments. The three-hour jaunt hosted by conceptual artist Maynard Monroe includes live performances, gifts, victuals, and libations, and culminates with the opening party for Hubby’s fire hydrant-themed pop-up shop at A+R.

For tickets and more information, go to hubbyco.com.

The circus has come to town and the city is in a fashion frenzy. Or is it? We took to the streets to see how three civilians feel about London Fashion Week.

Robert, Cab Driver
DC: Erdem was a type of belt worn by men in the ’60s. True or false?
Robert: True.
DC: What is Bora Aksu?
Robert: A brand of sewing machine.
DC: What do they sell at Aquascutum?
Robert: Suits.
DC: Did you know it’s London Fashion Week?
Robert: No, can’t say I did.

David, Painter
DC: Paul McCartney’s daughter designs sportswear. True or false?
David: True.
DC: Designer Paul Smith was knighted by the queen in 2001. True or false?
David: True.
DC: What is Bora Aksu?
David: A breed of pig from New Guinea.
DC: Who is the editor of British Vogue?
David: Anna Wintour’s cousin. (This is technically the wrong answer but we are still impressed).
DC: What do they sell at Aquascutum?
David: Raincoats.

Sarah, Waitress
DC: Paul McCartney’s daughter designs sportswear. True or false?
Sarah: False.
DC: Who is the editor of British Vogue?
Sarah: That lady with the white hair from the movies. (She refers to Meryl Streep, wethinks.)
DC: What do they sell at Aquascutum?
Sarah: Fish and aquariums. No, sorry, scuba diving equipment.

There was nothing partyficial about it: the launch of our new book, Fictionary: Words That Don’t Exist But Should, was a truly memorable affair.

Proceedings kicked off with a bang as hoards flocked to Austique (London’s friendliest boutique) to nab a copy of the book and make the most of our exceptional (although we do say it ourselves) hospitality.

Beverages on offer included Red Bull Cola (we were flying), Firefly juices (we flew higher), Sip drinks and Sabai pomegranate spritzers.

Incredible edibles, meanwhile, came courtesy of Effortless Eating (glitter-sprinkled mini iced cupcakes, the best chocolate brownies this side of Mars) and TShirt Patisserie (DailyCandy logo chocs, chunky carrot cake). The latter also provided a team of vintage-style waitresses to serve the sips and sweets.

Those who bought a book received a bulging goodie bag filled with serious booty.

It was, dear fictionarists, perfectly partylicious. We’d happily do it all over again.

We’re not ones for long, drawn-out goodbyes. But we will R.S.V.P. for the farewell party. Doss, your time is up in NYC. On to London Fashion Week. (Check back here Monday.)

Tired of the long lines and cramped seating arrangements, we ventured over to the 13th Street block party hosted by Housing Works and Rebecca & Drew. Family-friendly tables offering arts and crafts and face painting swayed the underage crowd, but we were drawn to the hot pink design of Rebecca & Drew’s newly renovated shop. An extra surprise? The Van Leeuwen, Mud, and Treat trucks parked on all sides. Even better, 20 percent of all proceeds from the day’s sales went to Housing Works, the nonprofit committed to ending AIDS and homelessness. What a sweet deal.

Can't get over all the totally lovey-dovey, cutesy-whootsey sweetness of fashion avant-gardists/love bird couple Isabel and Ruben Toledo. She is currently working on a line for Anne Klein (and a return to powerful silhouettes). He is wrapping up a book of illustrations for Karl Lagerfeld. Together, they are mentoring students at the Otis College of Art and Design.

At the Pacific Design Center's SilverScreen Theater, the designing duo (who fell in love in middle school) talked about their creative collaborations in art and illustration, their life as balanced opposites, and their love for "scathing fashion absurdities."

No better place to be inspired than the Rose Bowl flea market, home to bandana collectors, metal-detector hobbyists, and thousands of unclaimed vintage ganja patches.

Also the birthplace of "Hey! What's in Your Flea Bag?" The game where unsuspecting treasure hunters reveal their favorite purchases of the day to two strangers with a point-and-shoot camera.

There were stylish locals, Japanese tourists, thrifty resellers, bloggers galore. Even the amazing, out-of-left-planet designer Jeremy Scott (who you may remember from such unconventional looks as the one-legged pant) fresh from a Paper Mag party celebrating his latest Lindsay Lohan stylings. Scott scored a pair of motorcycle boots that would make a Hell's Angel weep like a hormone-frenzied preteen.

Others struck gold:

Taylor De Cordoba hosted the fall preview party for the lovely Melissa Coker's Wren (Sweetest Things '07 winner). Against a backdrop of Amy Jo Diaz's big birdcage paintings and Alia Raza's newest videos (which featured Bat for Lashes, Margherita Missoni, Arden Whol, and Kim Gordon wearing pieces from the collection) guests sipped bubbly St, Germain cocktails and scoped Coker's rich new collection that ups the sophisticated, fancy ante for everyday.

DC: What was on your mind when you were working on fall?
MC: Jumping-off points were the fabrications I came across. Moiré, cashmere, lace, metallic tweed, they are all opulent fabrics that are dressed up but still really wearable. I thought about the Ballet Russes and how the costumes look to the contemporary eye, how they've aged and faded, and how the decadence has been brought down a little bit with the patina of time.

DC: How does opulence factor into your day-to-day life?
MC: In my own life, through dresses. I would wear one of the more dressier pieces, like the hammerred metal sequin dress, tie some old ribbon around the waist, and put it with a more casual shoe for when I'm just running around.

DC: What's the most important clothing item to have right now?
MC: The skirt. We've had the shorts thing and the dress thing, but the skirt has fallen by the wayside. I'm finding myself wearing these two more and more: a high-waisted, super fitted one, and then one that is fitted only at the waist and then full.

DC: Where do you pick up inspiration?
MC: It happens naturally and organically, when I come across something randomly or in a conversation with a friend. I'm lucky to have a fantastic and inspiring group of girls around me.

DC: What can you simply not live without?
MC: My friend's site Inspirationresource.com for its fantastic and amazing imagery, Annie Costello Brown jewelry, my LD Tuttle boots, and dinners with friends at Cafe Stella.

www.wren-clothing.com

He's the kind of guy who really gives a shirt about fashion. Steven Alan has opened his first West Coast outpost over on North Robertson (just a few doors down from the always lovely Lily Lodge). His signature men's and women's lines fill the shop, along with a few choice accessories. Button up and head over.

Steven Alan, 638 North Robertson Boulevard, between Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood (310-854-1814).

It was a tight squeeze at Kreiling & Dodd in Echo Park last night. A solid crowd packed the mini art mart to hear poems, ponderings, and the Los Angeles All Girls Comb Choir. A cross between the sirens from O Brother Where Art Thou and Emmett Otter's Jug-Band, the downtrodden hotties in aprons, slips, and coal-smudged cheeks expertly kazooed Cat Stevens's Trouble and a rocking rendition of The Stones's Paint It Black. After the show, the ladies served up johnnycakes and peddled wares on the sidewalk. In a make-you-melt baritone, a tuxedoed Daddy Beat spouted verse inspired by Mexican horror movies in London. A line we loved: The ocean turns to liquor at his whim.

Owner Lucy Dodd in a stained communion dress and a dapper Christopher Kreiling presided over festivities. And we must confess, the latest member of their collection from artist Jeff Copp made us giggle.

Krieling & Dodd, 1282 Sunset Boulevard, between Innes Avenue & Marion Street, Elysian Park (213-884-8950).

Saturday was opening day for A+R and Gen Art's first pop-up shop in Silver Lake. Usually a haven for smart design of the home-friendly kind, clothing from New Garde stars Jesse Kamm, JMary, and Les Sang Des Betes by Trang Chau will share the shelves and racks with last season's Fresh Faces talent Wren clothing, Cerre leather goods, Shane belts, and milliner Anita Hopkins. A few A+R favorites such as Malin Smallcombe and Carlo Carmelo are in the mix as well. The bubble bursts on March 30 so pop by soon.

A+R, 1716 Silver Lake Boulevard, b/t Effie Street & Swan Place, Silver Lake (323-913-9558).

Good news! It's not too late to get your Gen Art tickets for The New Garde, tonight's fashion showcase at the Park Plaza Hotel.

We don't want to spoil the indie-design feast, but how about the tiniest taste?

Local gal Jesse Kamm whets our whistle:

DC: Describe your new collection, Hemingway style (in six words or less):
JK: Sexy explorer goes into the Bush.

DC: What's your favorite (or most representative) piece?
JK: The aubergines flight suit.

DC: How are you celebrating after the party?
JK: With a large Jack on the rocks at The Prince for my dear friend Corbett's birthday.

DC: Where to for a Fashion Week pit stop?
JK: Into my shed, to fuel the Mercedes veggie-mobile up with some dark and murkey recycled soybean oil from my neighborhood Mexican restaurant.

DC: Personal item of clothing that will get the most use this weekend?
JK: My YSL glasses, as my eyes are too tired to wear my contacts!

DC: Zodiac sign?
JK: Scorpio, watch out.

You bet we will.

Welcome!

For those of you wondering who's the Doss, here's a little history: Way back on January 31, in a chilly little city they call New York, the DailyCandy Dossier launched to cover all the newsy, irreverent, borderline ridiculousness that is Fashion Week. And good news! The Dossier has landed in Los Angeles to deliver more of the same and then some. Starting tomorrow, check back early and often for the latest from the runway shows, designer reports, fall forecasts, general fashiony happenings, and chances to make out like a lucky, lucky bandit with goods from designers we think you'll you adore.

But for today, we leave you with three sweet sales you don't want to miss.

Bye for now.

Photo credit: Wyatt Troll