May 2013
1 post
April 2013
3 posts
I Love Eyelet!
Actually, we are ALL loving eyelet around here this Spring. We like to think of it as Lace’s sturdier cousin, or as The Guardian UK puts it, “[Eyelet] is for eating ice cream, lace is for drinking cocktails…”
The fabric itself is a descendant of 18th Century embroidery techniques, developed in Western Europe. The French version was called Richelier Embroidery, Italians called it Cutwork, it was...
Rain, rain go away...a sunny weekend's on its way!
It’s finally spring here in NYC, and we couldn’t be happier. We’re kicking up our heels (our Lexa Linen Espadrilles to be exact- worn by our Colorist- extraordinaire, Susanna) and getting ready for some warm-weekend R&R. And we thought this fun pink-drink sounded like just the thing to have on hand! Happy weekend everyone!
You can find the original recipe and others at Skirt.com.
And if...
Behind the scenes of our April collection!
Each season, we go through a process we call “concept.” During this time, we decide what sorts of things are inspiring us (like Red and Turq from the previous post!) and what the feel of the collection should look and feel like for each month. This means determining the palette (all those gorgeous linen colors this season aren’t an accident!), the types of prints we think you’d like, and the...
March 2013
1 post
The Colors of Spring!
This spring, we’re just loving red and turquoise. They’re the perfect spring duo- vibrant, cheerful and bold enough to shake off that winter gloom! Below are just a few of the ‘red and turq’ things inspiring us this season. From turquoise vintage convertibles (we’d tie our Floral Stripe Wrap around our hair, Thelma and Louise style!) to raspberry ice pops, we just can’t wait for that warmer...
February 2013
3 posts
Our final February art & artists appreciation...
We can’t end our month of art and artists with out mentioning a few more of our favorites. First, we love Matisse. We found a beautiful multi-hued paisley print at a market, and it reminded us so much of the French painter’s portraits and still-life paintings that we even named the print “Panted Paisley.” We’re particularly fond of his “Spanish Still Life,” pictured below.
And finally, we’d...
Rothko Red!
This is artist Mark Rothko’s ‘Untitled’ (Red and Orange) from 1968.
Mark Rothko wanted viewers to experience his pictures in an intimate, intense manner, which is why he recommended viewing them from just 18 inches away, to feel their energy and vibration. We love almost all Rothko work, but we especially love the intensity and vibrancy of this piece.
Our front pocket leather...
Inspired by...Stripes!
Street Painting – Franklin’s Footpath / Photographer: Henry Groskinsky, 1972
Artist Gene Davis putting finishing touches on his 414-ft-long painting. “Franklin’s Footpath,” painted on the street in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. At the time, it was the world’s largest artwork.
Aleah Rainbow-Stripe Sling Back Pump in silk dupioni- Talbots.com only
January 2013
4 posts
5 tags
Life as a Canvas...
Our newest delivery is all about life as a canvas- the art of fashion. In honor of this, we’ll be posting some of our favorite artists and works of art all February long. On this gloomy, rainy day here in NYC, we especially love the bold colors of this Eames piece!
You can find a rainy/snowy day pick-me-up of your own here.
7 tags
January: A fresh start!
There’s just something refreshing about the mix of navy, pink and green. And after the holidays, couldn’t we all use a little palette cleanser? January calls for crisp, clean, classic silhouettes. They’re perfect for layering up right now. And later, when you put your snow boots away, they’re perfect pared-down with a little sandal or mid-heel. These shades give you a little mid-winter ‘zing!’...
December 2012
4 posts
3 tags
Bright and Bejeweled!
Our accessories designers were very busy this season, sketching and crafting and designing a whole bevy of bejewled and brilliant scarves, clutches, jewelry and giftables. We are obsessed with jewel tones this season: emerald, ruby, sapphire and amythest- they look great on everyone and add some festive pop to any holiday look. You can check out the entire treasure-chest of jewel tones over at...
3 tags
Holiday time is cookie time!
Growing up, the arrival of the holidays meant one thing: Cookies! We had a beloved book called Cookies for Kids (now out of print, but available on Amazon, used). The holidays meant that mom would let us pick out the wild, crazy, messy and/or complicated recipes and let us give them a go. It was the best: a whirlwind of sprinkles, icing and candies. Some of our favorite memories are of baking...
4 tags
Meet your holiday-dressing hero: the Party Pant!
Don’t want to mess with a dress this holiday season? Pick a pair of these festive pants for your next soiree. A pair of printed pants is festive, yet unexpected, and a simple solution to any party-dressing panic. (I love our rose print in plush velvet!) Just add a feminine heel or flat to balance the menswear aspect of the look. A little bling, like a cocktail ring or bejeweled necklace, and...
November 2012
5 posts
7 tags
Roses are red...
Last fall, our SVP of Design was re-watching the Hitchcock classic, North by Northwest, when he was struck by how absolutely beautiful Eva Marie Saint “rose dress” was. He loved it- so much so, that he searched vintage archives till he found a gorgeous velvet rose print, which our artists turned into a modern homage to the “rose dress.” It’s a vision in velveteen- glamorous and chic.
Below- Eva...
3 tags
October 2012
8 posts
5 tags
What’s in a Name: Tartan or Plaid?
I’ve been writing for a few weeks now all about our favorite fall pattern: plaid. I’ve also called it tartan. But are these really the same thing? I decided to investigate. After doing a bit of research, and speaking with our resident fabric R&D expert Sally Jenkyn-Jones, it turns out that my usage of these two words was essentially correct. In modern times, the terms “”plaid” and “tartan”...
4 tags
A Natural Canvas
It’s easy to love the brilliant display of colorful foliage each fall. But as colder weather comes around, those once beautiful leaves start falling and piling up, often to be begrudging raked-up in some weekend chore. These beauties, though, remind us how lovely even the most mundane things (ie: those crunchy, messy leaves in the yard!) can be with a little imagination- and in this case, a...
4 tags
Mad for Plaid!
I’d be remiss this October if I didn’t share with you my favorite plaids from our collection. Behold:
The Trish Boot- in Blanket Palid
And…
The Blanket-Plaid Chain-Strap Bag
Unexpected pops of color. Undeniably autumnal. The ultimate in fun fall accessories.
Check them out here and here.
6 tags
Forever friends: Plaid & Fall
There’s just something so cozy about plaid in the fall. A big blanket, maybe a borrowed shirt, a scarf to fight the chill. It’s a timeless pattern, and one of our favorites when cool weather comes knocking. So we did a round-up of the best fall plaids on Pinterest. It’s sure to get you jonesing for a tartan scarf or glen-plaid jacket.
Such lovely pins: // 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8...
5 tags
A Fine Wine
The weather here in NYC has finally started to feel like fall. The leaves in Central Park are starting to change- we found this beauty just the other day…
Further downtown, the Union Square farmer’s market stalls are filled with berry jams and preserves, Bordeaux from local wineries and peak-of-the-season raspberries.
With all these gorgeous shades of red around us, from bright berry to...
September 2012
3 posts
1 tag
Behind the scenes at Red Horse Farms
Our October catalog was shot at the gorgeous Red Horse Farms in Brewster, NY…we thought you might enjoy a behind the scenes peek at the beautiful farm, our October line, and Baltazar, the handsome stallion that stole the show…
4 tags
Brimfield Inspiration...
Late this summer, members of our design and R&D teams travelled to Brimfield Massachusetts. Three times a year, Brimfield plays host to one of the nation’s largest flea markets and antiques fairs, stretching over a mile along Route 20. Designers, collectors, and vintage enthusiasts across the country flock here in search of inspiration and treasure. It’s a vintage lover’s paradise: antique...
4 tags
The Vintage-Inspired Buckle Print
Every once in a while, we find a print that just makes us happy. You can’t help but smile looking at it. This fall, our buckle print is our go-to cheerful print.
The buckle print is actually a special type of print known as a “conversational” print. This style of print rose to popularity in the early 20th century. These prints can feature a wide variety of subjects, themes and even products....
August 2012
3 posts
3 tags
Fall 2012: Behind the Scenes
A little less than a year ago, our designers were busily sketching and designing our Fall 12 Line (what you see in stores right now!). Not long after, fabrics were carefully selected by an expert team, prints were created by a group of talented CAD artists, technical designers ensured each garment had a proper fit…and production whizzes coordinated the whole process. And finally, samples arrived....
6 tags
The Inside Scoop: Pitti Filati
A couple times a year, our R&D specialist for Knits and Sweaters, Carol, disappears for a few days. When she returns, she’s just bursting with ideas, swatches, trends for the Knits and Sweaters team to work with. Her mystery destination? Pitti Filati- one of the world’s largest yarn shows. This time, I asked her to take a few photos for us, and give us the inside scoop on this major industry...
5 tags
Designer Inspiration: Travel
Our designers are having a very busy summer! They’ve criss-crossed the globe, taking some very well earned R&R, but also some design inspiration along the way. I asked a select few to take some photos along the way, and to jot down some of their inspirations and adventures to share with you. You never know where inspiration will come from, whether it’s in the textiles of India, or the colors...
July 2012
5 posts
4 tags
The Bermuda: a 'short' history
It’s hot. Really hot. But you’d still like to look polished. What can you wear that’s both cool and chic? The Bermuda short of course!
That’s actually just how the Bermuda short was invented. These short trousers were first worn by members of the British Army, particularly those stationed in areas where weather was too hot for pants, such as Bermuda. To beat the heat, the Brits modified their...
4 tags
Summer Share: staff recipe!
Here at the NY Studio, we have some truly gifted gardeners (yes, you can garden in NYC) who have been generous enough to let us share in the fruits of their labor: homegrown tomatoes, zucchini, and cucumbers (Thanks, Cathy!). Our fabric maven Sally is also an especially gifted gardener, and she recently shared an amazing tomato soup recipe with the staff. So grab some juicy red tomatoes, whether...
3 tags
Tomato, Tomahto...
It’s that time of year when gardens really start to flourish. Especially tomatoes- they love the sun, which we’ve had plenty of this year. Not only do we love their juicy zing, but we’re suckers for that gorgeous tomato hue too- this summer we’ve splashed it on everything from shoes to skirts. Below, some of our tomato favorites this summer, perfect for summer Fridays at the office.
// Floral...
4 tags
The Art of American Leisure
With all this heat and sunshine, we have all started to make our late summer getaway plans- some of us visit our families for a bbq, some take a trip to the shore or hop a plane to even more exotic locales. With so much talk of leisure time around the office, I instantly thought of artist Alex Katz. Considered part of the Pop-Art movement, the painter and printmaker is considered by many to be one...
June 2012
15 posts
7 tags
Poolside Chic at the Raleigh Hotel…
On the other side of the country from Hockney’s tranquil blue Los Angeles pools, is the legendary Art Deco pool at the Raleigh Hotel. It rose to fame when Esther Williams filmed many of her aquatic scenes here, and was embraced by the Hollywood royalty of the day. It still exists to this day as a masterpiece of Miami Art Deco Design. If you’re ever in Miami (lucky you!) you can take a dip in this...
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The Hockney Pool Paintings...
Summer is in full force this week, which means it’s officially pool season. And no one captures better the joy of the swimming pool than British painter David Hockney. Upon moving to Los Angeles in the 60’s, he became fascinated with the vibrant colors and light of Southern California, and created a series of “pool” paintings that celebrate that.
Taking color inspiration from Hockeny’s most...
1 tag
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Paisley Pinterest Round up!
Since we’ve been so excited about Paisley lately, today we rounded up the best of the best in Paisley décor on Pinterest. We think Paisley can look just as great on a throw pillow or a wall as it does on a dress. Should you want to venture beyond-the-blouse and do a little decorating of your own, we have a few quick tips. While multi-hued, complex Paislies can look great on a top, they can be...
5 tags
The Playful Paisley Print...
It’s no secret around here that we LOVE paisley. Traditionally an Indian or Persian motif, it has been around for centuries, eventually making its way through trade routes to the weaving town of… Paisley, Scotland, its namesake. In the early 1800s the mills in Paisley were the foremost producers of shawls bearing this teardrop, or mango shaped motif. In the 1960’s, Paisley again had a surge in...
7 tags
It's a Pink and Orange party!
Two of our favorite colors this Summer are Orangeade and Pink Flambe. Put them together, and it’s an instant party!
They’re bright, cheerful, feminine and fun. And as a duo, they make a great color story for any party planning or entertaining you may be doing this summer. Just look at some of the beautiful examples I found…
//1 & 2//
Clockwise from top left // 1&2,...
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Everything's coming up Dasies!
As I’ve mentioned before, one of our SVP of Design’s inspirations for June was a road trip he took to Palm Springs. Palm Springs is home to architectural masterpieces (Neutra Houses), fantastic spas and resorts (like the brilliant Saguaro hotel), and stunning natural views. One of these beautiful natural phenomena is the Desert Daisy, that pops up in May and June, sprinkling the hills with their...
4 tags
Inspired by: Louise Dahl Wolf
Louise Dahl Wolfe is one of the most celebrated fashion photographers of the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. She was well known for using natural light- studio photography was the norm at the time- and shooting outdoors in far-flung locales. At Bazaar, she and Diana Vreeland produced some of the most iconic images and portraits of the day. Her work was a great influence to Penn, Avedon and many more of the...
