With seven consistently stunning collections behind her, I was surprised that Lina Österman’s Pudel label only launched a few years ago. Most designers take far longer to achieve the same coherence of elegance, edge, concept and practical wearability that she brings to her “Scandinavian yet London-based” style — if they ever achieve it, that is.

The Pudel Autumn/Winter 2008 line thrives on Österman’s expert crafting and imaginative deconstruction, perfectly suited to her experiments with “gender-free fashion”.

With cult status already spreading like wildfire in Scandinavia and Japan, New York boutiques have started boarding the Pudel train, too, stocking Österman’s equally addictive Spring/Summer line.

All aboard here.

FYI: It’s 10% off all month at Housing Works Used Bookstore & Café, so go take advantage of it.

Monday, May 5, 7:00pm
Housing Works Used Bookstore & Café (126 Crosby Street)
Art & Activism: Writers on Politics

Writers Stephen Elliott (Sex for America, Happy Baby), Nick Flynn (Another Bullshit Night in Suck City), and Janice Erlbaum (Have You Found Her) will gather at Housing Works tonight to read some of their more political work, and talk bout what it means to be a writer and an activist.

Tuesday, May 6, 7:00pm
BookCourt (163 Court Street, Brooklyn)
Fiona Maazel, Last Last Chance

There’s substance abuse, a widespread plague, and a quiet Viking. Sound good? Yeah. Maazel’s sense of humor is…unique, and her voice is too. Check out her website for the book here, and be sure to check out the movies.