Author: Louis Dell'Olio

“Sneak Peek #10” is my little LACE, unlined, un-constructed jacket, A223652. It is  inspired by a French couturier…….but quite unique. The details are superb and the workmanship is perfection. I have to say….something you have  heard from me before…….this would be 4 to 5 times more money, as it is, in any high end store or boutique.

The colors of this lace cardigan jacket are RASPBERRY, TERRA COTTA and MOSS…..however, moss is an unfortunate name as it is more of a spearmint than a moss. I know someone will ask which of the colors in the photos best represents the true colors of the jackets……I would have to answer…the DEEPEST SHADES are the truest. Each jacket is trimmed in LINEN and a miniscule BROWN and IVORY GINGHAM CHECK RIBBON. It has tiny faux horn buttons to reflect the gingham check. The jacket is shaped with beautifully constructed darts. The trim borders the 3/4 length sleeve. I am always challenging myself to come up with a jacket……with sleeves…. that you can wear in the hottest  most humid climates. I think this certainly answers that challenge. Please….I know you will immediately think….LACE….DRESSY…..I challenge you to come up with casual ways to wear it. A “TWEED” tank and linen shorts….the mocha Boho…a  T-SHIRT and………………This is a timeless special item I think you can get a lot of use out of…..it’s definitely a “boutique” cherry on the top piece, but one that you and you alone will make a very special statement wearing.

Please notice the two swatches, or photographs of swatches  at the bottom center. You will see one on top of the other. The bottom swatch is of the “Tweed” sweater that I made reference to. It is actually a light weight tank in a natural flax color with black specks in it. This is a VERY IMPORTANT TANK, as it not only goes with every color lace jacket above, but it will go with the  natural linen pieces [for you linen lovers] that you may already own, and many new things to come. For those of you who own my black cardigan with the flax color lace emb…..this tank is perfect. This tank will get it’s own sneak peek!………next….the swatch of the herringbone fabric……you will swear it is linen or a linen rayon blend……I thought so when I discovered it. Well it’s 100% polyester. If this doesn’t change the minds of the polyester naysayers….nothing will. I only show it here because it works perfectly with the tank and the lace jackets. It’s a marvelous mix of fabrics and again, pure designer. The herringbone will be avail in July in a wonderful pair of unlined trousers and a terrific un-constructed, front lined only jacket.

If you own the sand pant in either the crepe or the side zip style in the poly/rayon/span….they both work with the jackets….if you don’t own them and can’t get them….these herringbone pants will fill that need and then some. I’ll give you all the details in July.

This lace jacket is one of those pieces that doesn’t come around to often……it’s very special….I hope you think so too!…………..Love, Louis

“April Sneak Peek #9” is a two for one! They are my MOROCCAN TILE PRINT shirt, A223655 and my MOROCCAN TILE PRINT skirt, A223656. One of the greatest things about traveling is the inspiration I get from the places I visit. Morocco provides me with an endless source of ideas……especially the TILE WORK and the COLORS. The pattern I used for the print is authentic…..though the colors are a mix of what I have seen and  my imagination.

The fabric is my poly crinkle georgette…..by now most of you are very familiar with it and the  wonderful way it feels on the body….how easy it is to pack for your travels and its easy care….. without any fuss. The colors for both pieces are either TURQUOISE or ESPRESSO. The Turquoise combination has black, fuchsia, magenta, deep red, lime emerald with a white that looks like white mortar. The espresso, which is a chocolate color…..has orchid, gold, ivory, terra cotta, rust and two shades of a dusty rose.

A223655, the  Moroccan tile print shirt has a classic straight shirt body…..no darts…no shaping. It has an open notch collar and a 3/4 sleeve finished with a loose elastic….nothing binding or tight. The shirt has side slits. I chose to do this shirt UNLINED for true summer dressing…..though you could certainly wear it year round. Wear it open as a breezy shirt jacket or buttoned up on it’s own. Wear it out with it’s own SELF BELT, or tuck it in and wear your own ethnic looking belt. ……worn loose is always an option. I have shown  the Turquoise shirt tied at the waist with a black tank, and the Espresso shirt worn belted on the outside with the A199257, the Espresso peasant skirt. Take note of the TANK under the Espresso shirt, A224278…..it’s new and it is made in a very special yarn. It will be offered on this show too…..a sneak peek is coming. You can wear the shirts with your bohos, your short  georgette double flounce skirt, your pebble crepes etc. etc. I’m sure you have many things you have already collected to wear with these shirts.

A223656, is the Moroccan tile print skirt is a pull-on skirt with a full elastic waist. It is lined in a poly georgette to keep the skirt feather weight and breezy…..a swirl skirt. The skirt has two tiers…..the first starts 6 1/2 inches below the waist band and the total length is approx.28 inches long. The types of footwear you can wear with this shirt is limitless…..from flip flops to jeweled sandals. Wear it with the matching blouse or chose a solid shirt, tank, or peasant shirt from a number of tops you already own. I do suggest the A215163 top in black or the A213616, jersey black top to wear with the turquoise………even the new black georgette peasant top with the satin stripes would work with the turquoise skirt……you must experiment with what you already have hanging in your closets……..you may be very surprised with what you come up with. For me, I place these print pieces in the same category as my Ikat print separates…..they are pieces you collect and wear year after year…………..they never go out of style………..like the beautiful tiles of Morocco……….enjoy, Love Louis

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“Sneak Peek #8” is the long awaited return of A214117, the crinkle georgette shirt with matching tank. This style is quintessentially me. It is a CLASSIC SAFARI SHIRT, but made in a fabric you wouldn’t equate with safari….. it is made in my poly crinkle georgette, which is the same fabric as my Boho skirt. Many of you had hoped this shirt would be repeated and many also requested what new color they would like to see it in. The BLACK and SAGE are returning. WHITE was the most requested color and I felt it was the perfect new color to bring to you. I have it paired with my white pebble crepe pant which is a perfect match. There is nothing more beautiful in the summer that the perfect ALL WHITE look. I tried accessorizing it with, many different necklaces….gold, silver,lucite, wood, horn, bone and colored beads…all looked great, but in the end I chose just lucite earrings and bracelets…..I decided to let the shirt speak for itself. It does come with a faux de chine tank which is the perfect weight to wear under the safari shirt, but it really is a little too sheer to wear on it’s own….that was not its purpose. The buttons are GENUINE SHELL which is a rare thing at this price point. The sleeve is a 3/4 length which can be left down or it can be rolled or simply caught up with the tab and button. The workmanship and the stitching are superb, and it compares to shirts 4 times this price. For me, this is the PERFECT summer time shirt. You can keep your arm covered and still be cool and comfortable. The crinkle fabric, with  its easy care, makes this shirt a terrific travel companion………….If you already own it……I know you will want the new color…..if you don’t….. you will have a tweet in store for you!…….enjoy, Louis

Jac, I and the girls want to wish all of our dear friends a Happy Easter and a Happy Passover! Enjoy the day!!

“Sneak Peek #7” is my new “WINDOW PANE PRINT” cotton sateen jacket, A223937. For many years I had been able to offer you a wonderful shirt/jacket in a silk dupioni window pane pattern. Unfortunately, with the sky rocketing cost of that silk fabric, I had to discontinue the item. Then the light bulb went off….I may have to discontinue the fabric, but I can REINVENT the window pane pattern. I took my sample of the original shirt, laid it on my drawing table….placed a sheet of tracing paper over it and started playing with different patterns until I came up with the one I liked. The pattern has the CLASSIC look of a traditional window pane, but has a modern edge due to it’s BROKEN, THICK & THIN line work. I hope you like it as much as I had fun doing it.

The jacket is in my COTTON SATEEN fabric…..97%cotton, 3% spandex. The colors are WHITE/BLACK, NAVY/WHITE and TURQUOISE/WHITE…..all FRESH and CLEAN. It is an unlined jacket, which gives it an extended life. It has a slight A-LINE SHAPE, with a SPREAD SHIRT COLLAR, and a 4 button front closure. The jacket has some TRENCH detailing……the the straps on the 3/4 length sleeves, the back buttoned down flap and the INVERTED PLEAT all add to the special details of the jacket. Please notice that the back inverted pleat has a 3/8ths inch top stitch which will always keep the edge of the pleat sharp. The front has two INSERTED band pockets…..I capitalize “inserted” because this is a much more expensive way to make a band pocket. The collar has a HALF MOON STAND which is another detail that adds to the DESIGNER QUALITY of the jacket, The straps on the sleeve, the back flap and invert pleat, the half moon stand and the inserted band pocket could have all been left off and it still would have been a cute jacket….but….not a LINEA JACKET!

A223938, is the coordinating  cotton sateen CROP PANT. The colors are BLACK , which is VERY BLACK, WHITE and my deep beautiful NAVY. They are VERY similar to the cuffed crop pant from the past. They have a zip and button front……mens’ trouser slant pockets…..a FULL elastic back and a partial elastic front. They have a 24 inch inseam with a 7 inch bottom opening…….I would classify them as a SLIM LEG pant. They have a 1 and 1/2 inch cuff with a 3/4 inch hem. Everyone NEEDS these ESSENTIAL pants and you know they will go QUICKLY. I hope you like my EASTER WEEKEND SNEAK PEEK!!……much Love, Louis