In defense of Tory.

Liz sent me this NYTimes article this morning. Funny because I just mentioned the TRB sample sale, but also because I had planned on writing about my favorite design*sponge scholarship winner Talia Bromstad and her project titled Mum's Closet. Dominomag.com describes it as

"...a drum-leaf bound book containing a collection of photographs of Thalia's mother from 1970-1977. Each photo in the book has a description of what Talia's mom is wearing and a commentary by her mother about what she remembers from each photo. "It is an exploration of my relationship with her and how she has influenced my own style and outlook." The cover is based on a vintage wallpaper sample, meant to conjure 1970's fabric design, and the text inside is typed on her mom's old typewriter."

I thought this was such a creative and wonderful way to explore one's heritage, one's parental generation and what that culture meant, and the nostalgia and memory of one's childhood and their family. I certainly have pictures where I can't help but fall in love with my mother's hair or outfit. I don't think this is on a superficial level either--we all hold on to the fairy tale image of our mothers dressing up for a night out on the town - smelling her perfume, or watching her put on her lipstick. I can even think of two pictures in particular. In one my mother and father are sitting side by side with my older sister - smock dressed and tired - on their laps. It is nighttime and my mother is wearing a very simple column blue slate, silk dress with spaghetti straps. her blond hair is drawn off her face with two barrettes that has a childlike innocence. In another I am sitting on her lap on my grandparent's porch in Jamestown Rhode Island. She is wearing a Kelly green turtleneck and crisp white shorts. her hair is long and blond, her skin sun kissed. Both are seventies-ish preppy that you could certainly catch me wearing today. Talia's project made me wonder what she thinks when she looks at these pictures. What nostalgia they hold for her, and if she wishes she still had this wardrobe. For better or worse our clothing helps define us. In this familial vein I often wear barrettes my deceased aunt made in her youth, carry a clutch of a great aunt I never met, and wear a necklace strung with a ring my father gave his sister on her 16th birthday.

All of which leads me to this article. Why wouldn't Tory Burch use her dear mother and her (I'm guessing) happy childhood as inspiration for her line? And this defense is irrespective of liking her aesthetic (which I do), and the fact that she went to Shannon's and my High School (a fact we're very proud of). Because all fashion comes in and out through the generations we could find negative connotations for all styles of dress, as every period in history has it's own share of tragedy and defeat. How dare this author push societal stereotypes on one woman's memory of her household. Who doesn't daydream of lavish vacation in Morocco with ridiculous huge sunglasses, gin and tonics, and lots of laughter? And what fashion line is not pushing some grandiose lifestyle as their being/face/brand? Should she be docked because she nailed one group so well? Clearly this author's glass is half empty. "...submission to the males of her tribe"???? Is this woman serious? She honestly thinks she can draw a clear and fair parallel between a polygamist ranch and Tory Burch's recreation of her hippie-chic Main Line upbringing? It is an absurd parallel to me. TRB is playful and fantasy filled. I applaud Tory's creative ability to transport me to her mother's closet. I see the pea green, mules and Chanel lipsticks everywhere with a splash of waspy furniture throughout - a nice chintz wallpaper and lots of mirrors. Makes me wish I were in orange driving moccasins, a caftan and a straw hat sipping on a bloody Mary in the late afternoon sun laughing with friends in a garden, checking my gaudy gold watch for the time knowing that if I have my morals straight and the love of my family, no material possessions will ever define my character but instead liven my personality and keep my creative juices flowing.

Sporting her wears.

What a gorgeous day! Here is Shannon looking great in our amethyst/lilac Natalie Dress sample. We are running this for fall, though in what color combinations is unclear. She paired it very well - silver Calypso flops and and pale grey and white leopard print cardigan. To her right is a sneak peek at Spring 09 samples.

Sample Sale Savvy

Great Tory Burch look from this season!

And no I don't mean savvy as in one of the many lists you can subscribe to to be notified about upcoming sample sales. There is Savvy, nymag, daily candy, soeffer hasken (oops don't know how to spell that one), the list goes on and on. Today after boxing up our scarves Shannon and I made a quick trip to the Tory Burch and Tibi sample sales. A few years back I was a machine with these events. I mean, I'm almost embarrassed to admit it, but I moved to New York having a father who would call me at college and describe in intimate detail the handbags he was sifting through in order to "save a buck" and buy it out of a cardboard box at 70% off (his non-negotiable jumping off point). So joining in the culture seemed only natural when I moved to their Mecca. However, a year or two into participating in this sport (and believe me when I say sport. Full contact at that) I looked into my closet to find many purchases that had been worn once if at all. And sure, they were 50% off, but maybe still a price equal to the retail I would spend on an item I loved elsewhere. So I took a break from sample sales and kept my jabs and left hooks in the kickboxing studio. Today was a funny reminder of what an actual culture it is. If it is a popular designer there is always a line. Always 100% female, always decked. Some girls look like their going to a four star restaurant or the country club. This always made me giggle a little (with not at them of course), as the line was all female and they were there to tear through racks with tag and dust covered floors under fluorescent lighting. Today at TRB there was a woman with her Tory bag and tank - sort of like when you go to a Phish show and there is some Turkey (as my sister would say) with their crisp rainbow Phish-in-the-shape-of-a-fish T on. Again, slight giggle. Another thing about the line that is funny is that EVERYONE is talking about the current line, or the line at their last sample sale, probably that day. Here is my advice for your next sample sale. Arrive early. You'll have to wait for the open, but its better than the line to come. If you're part of my father's ilk you sneak through back entrances or make friends with the people who work repeated events. Wear non-revealing underwear, a thin tank (group dressing rooms) and a skirt. This way you have a bottom to try tops on with, but its also easy to pull pants under, dresses over. Also never carry a purse. Put your card and phone in a pocket - checking bags and coats is brutal. And lastly, be careful about impulse buys. There are some great bargains to be found, but some of it is on sale for a reason -- even if only because its a very fleeting trend. Look for classics. And warm up the arms to throw some 'bos. There are some pushy girls in sun dresses out there.

Because a scarf top never gets old...

Or if you can keep a secret in this case they just might... Because of the humble business we're running over here we are still hands on in every sense of the word. As you know, we make the necklaces, thread them through, tag the tops and bag them. And with our biggest order from Intermix to date, Shannon and I are cross eyed over here and look like we were beat with a bag-a-nickels. Below might look like trash bags, but they are stacks of precious scarves waiting to be lovingly placed in a box tomorrow and shipped with our blessing that they are all accounted for and in tippy top condition (hating charge-backs).

And here is the exclusive sapphire you will find on their shelves. If you like it, we can't help you out - they're the only lucky ducks with it - talk to them in a shop or on their website.

And here is a sneak peek of a summer scarf heading out to stores ASAP. We're loving these new beads and of course I insist on a fourth of July edition every year. One of my very favorite holidays and very favorite color combinations.

Annnddddd it's time for a drink... Is it only Tuesday??

Studio Daydreams.

I got a mass email from Maribeth, a wedding photographer I met this winter at my friend Denise's wedding. She is a wedding photographer from Minneapolis, MN, and a friend of Denise's who agreed to travel to Naples (you'd be crazy not to make that trip!) to photographer Denise's wedding. The name of her company is Red Ribbon Studio. I really enjoyed talking with Maribeth about starting one's own business among other things - she was such a sweetheart! Anyway - this mass email I just received was about recent press including mentions on design*sponge and stylemepretty. Liz of Linda and Harriett was the first to type me off to Design*sponge -- great blog, and quite impressive to be mentioned on. Anyway - both site's show the sad little retail space Maribeth transformed into an absolutely beautiful studio. I am super jealous and wanted to share it with all of you. Shannon and I have done what we can with out little office in the garment district, but it is certainly not on a quiet city street, it is certainly not next to Grey Dog's Coffee (hers is next to her favorite coffee shop) and I am loving her medallion tiles and porch painted floors. Check it out. {photos courtesy of design*spoge}

National Jean

Shannon and I are happy to announce that National Jean has taken on the scarf top as new merchandise. While we're not sure exactly what stores it will be carried in yet, we are confident it will do well at any of them -- as many of you know, the scarf top is the perfect top for jeans and a night on the town, so it will hang on their racks in perfect unison with the endless denim options. Check out your local National Jean for fun summer colors!

Star Struck.

I think they say you can consider yourself a New Yorker when you've lived here for 7 years. So I'm no technical New Yorker, but I, like many here, pride myself on not making a big deal when I see famous people. Inside I cheer because I feel like this city is a total game of Where's Waldo, but on the exterior I am calm, cool, and collected. Last night though I almost became pretty not cool. Walking home from dinner at Grey Dog's Coffee (where else?!) I glanced at Our Lady of Pompeii Church on Carmine only to make accidental eye-contact with Chris Robinson. My heart skipped a beat as my head whipped back to see him high-fiving Ryder as they chilled on the steps and ate ice cream. Way too cute. I grew up in love with Chris and the Black Crowes-even going to their shows with all of the super skinny, long haired, fringed jacketed fans (I don't think I stuck out at all). Anyway - just had to brag. Last night was the perfect summer night. Hope you were out enjoying it too.