“Jac at Sweet Seventeen”

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……………………….This was one of the first photos of Jac, one of many, taken by Womens Wear Daily. It was a “behind the scenes” shot at one of the shows she did. In the background is another model, and a dresser getting ready. I think this was in Paris on her first trip, but I’m not 100% sure of that. I say Paris because she was given a robe to wear and they only did that in Paris….not in NY………..This was the young girl I met at Anne Klein……..How could you not fall in love with that face…….I was the lucky one…..she fell in love with me!

This Post Has 20 Comments

  1. Shari

    Who wouldn’t stop in their tracks when seeing that beautiful angelic face!!??

    Just a foot note- when I first saw the younger pictures of Jac, I thought for a split second they were of Amanda, the model. Just saying๐Ÿ˜Œ๐Ÿ˜Œ๐Ÿ˜Œโ˜บ.

  2. Sammy from TX

    What a pretty face! Oh, how I wish I could have met her.

  3. Regina

    WOW, I did not realize that you knew Jac when she was a teen. What a lovely picture that so captures the sweetness from within. Thank you for sharing this with us.

  4. CeeGee

    Lovely Jac — like a Botticelli madonna.

  5. Sybil A.

    What an angelic, sweet face yet poised and confident. A good moment to captured her.

  6. Janey

    Dear Louis, yet another beautiful photo with a wonderful note. You two were met to be together even though it was not long enough in this life. A few years ago one of my dearest friends lost her husband to suicide. The shock was brutal and she two found her grief unbearable (unanswered questions and reasons) BUT she has somehow, with the help of a few close loyal friends,come through that dark time. Your grief is different in that the talks you both had gave you something to cherish, look back on and somehow keep you going. Jac prepared you the best she could and writing down your memories will help. The promises you made will keep you on track and you more than anyone will know what Jac wants for you going forward. Keep going, we are all there wishing you strength and courage. Thinking of you. Janey

  7. Melissa

    Such beautiful pics of Jac. She was one of a kind…

    You get such great advice and words of wisdom from the other ladies. I just want to reiterate, just try and take it day by day. It is so easy to get overwhelmed. Just take baby steps and believe that God has a plan. As hard as it is to believe and understand , it will be okay.

  8. Somersault

    Louis, you got me thinking, it was something you had said previously. The creative process is not an easy road, most people only see the glitz and glamour…….the end result. It is hard work and at times painful and certainly, not easy…difficult, yes, rewarding, yes! How fortunate for you to have Jac, who totally understood the process and what you went through to achieve the result you worked so hard for as well as going through it together. You know how rare that is in your field. Because of Jac, you would have a better understanding of what a model is willing to endure for the sake of design. My husband worked for Charles James in the 50’s and during the lawsuit, I worked for David Easton and handled all the money and the office. Because of my husband, I had a better understanding of the creative field and it made far more sense to me than the corporate world. I remember seeing photos of you both at the end of your collections. The love, pride and joy on your face that Jac was your muse and her overwhelming pride in your designs and her love for you was paramount. How beautiful that joy! I met my husband when I was 20 and married him when I was 24 and he was 39. It was the day my life began, he is 86 now and very frail, a whisper of his former self but to me, he is that tall, handsome kind soul that gave me a life full of love, kindness and laughter as Jac did for you. What a fabulous foundation the two of you built your life upon and how heartbreaking in the loss of her. She lives within you, Louis, in each of your memories, in every single design. She is your constant and your north star, she will guide your way. How very empty your life would have been without her. Sadly, she was a gift you didn’t get to keep forever. Many, many hugs for you

    oxoxoxox
    Cat

    1. louis dell'olio

      Dear Cat, your understanding is very insightful. Jac was and is my inspiration. I surround myself with her. I sometimes even spray her perfume in our bedroom. Jac knew how difficult the design process was. Coming up with ideas from nothing. She always would say to me that I should be very proud of myself building the Linea brand from nothing. Yes, she was very proud of me, and I was so so proud of her. I know in my heart I would never have had the courage to succeed without her always there to support me. These days ahead are going to be very difficult without her…..actually unbearable. The only thing that keeps me moving forward are the promises I made to her. A day doesn’t go by without me reciting the lines from her favorite poem by Robert Frost, “miles to go before I sleep”. Some days it is overwhelming to think of the days and years ahead that I have to face without her…..so I try not to. and just take it day by day. I’m in God’s hands, and accept whatever he has planned for me. I will pray that you and your husband have many years ahead to enjoy.

      1. Somersault

        May your life, always, be filled with the love of Jac. Her strength, love of you will make it possible for you to endure until you are reunited, once more. I send my love and all my prayers for your continued strength and pray that joy enters into your life. You are so special, Louis and Jac knew that as well which is why SHE chose YOU!

        1. louis dell'olio

          Thank you…that was nice to read…..Yes she did choose me as I chose her. We were very lucky. There were many road blocks in our way to finally meet each other.

  9. Joanne

    Louis,

    Jac was so beautiful and born with such natural grace. These are wonderful photo’s. Thank you for sharing them with us.

    1. louis dell'olio

      Yes, Joanne….You can see in these “still” photos that this very young woman did have natural grace. I loved just watching her move around the house doing her thing. She had no idea I was watching her, but it gave me such joy. I try so hard to imagine her moving about, but it’s hard to picture the subtle ways she did things that made me smile.

  10. Judy M

    Louis you are one lucky man!

  11. Nancy law

    Lovely, lovely, lovely!๐ŸŒน

  12. Beryl

    Wonderful Picture. A true beauty inside and out.

  13. Sylvia Pickich

    Beautiful!

  14. Seka

    Louis, you and Jac – it was Fate that brought you together – it was just meant to be!

  15. Somersault

    This beautiful child turned into the most beautiful, lovely woman who became your wife. How could you not fall in love with this lovely, kind, sweet beautiful creature. She walks like beauty in the night.

    oxoxoxo
    Cat

  16. Ruth

    Yes, beautiful and such graceful hands.

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