……………….I went to see the movie “ELVIS” last night and thought it was a wonderful movie. I learned a lot about Elvis and especially Col. Parker……..I know it’s early, but I predict both Austin Butler, who is an incredible Elvis, and Tom Hanks who plays Col. Parker will both be nominated for Oscars……I’d be shocked if they weren’t!
………………I always look forward to my visits from Chantal and Angela……..I can’t believe I’ve know them for so many years! I planned a lovely weekend of doing NOTHING, but laying in the SUN, EATING and DRINKING……The weather cooperated beautifully…………Not a cloud in the sky, and a wonderful breeze coming off of the water of the Long Island Sound. They arrived, due to lots of traffic, later than expected, but as soon as they arrived the party began. I had made plans to go out to an early dinner in Westport Ct. at a fun restaurant named Tarry Lodge…..so I prepared a small little something for us to eat before dinner. I knew after a three hour plus drive they would be hungry and THIRSTY! I had assorted cheeses, SPICY SALSA, Guacamole, and a Caprese salad with fresh basil from my garden…plus assorted crackers and toasted French bread to dip into the mustard dressing dressing…….and lots of COLD SANCERE to wash it down with. Then we sat outside where I had soft music playing, and relaxed until it was time to change for dinner…….The girls always tell me coming to my home “is like going on vacation”….It’s time to relax and let all tensions melt away…….Welcome to the DELL’OLIO RESORT!
…………………Three additional styles to the March 2013 group were the BATIK JERSEY PRINT DRESS, and the PHOENIX PRINT COTTON SEPARATES……a classic shirt with long sleeves and body darts for shape.
…………………..The BATIK DRESS came in three color combinations……..CINNABAR……ESPRESSO….and CYPRESS…..The fabric was printed on the diagonal to look like it was bias….It was printed for me in Taiwan at a mill that specialized in very detail prints on Polyester jersey. The used a superior quality fabric that had the feeling of silk jersey…..Chrysanthemums were very popular both in Chinese art and Indonesian art, and showed up on prints quite often. This Batik prink was inspired by a very old Batik….This very simple dress was created to showcase the print. It had a V neckline, an Empire waist and 3/4 sleeves.
………………..The Phoenix print was inspired by a wood block Indonesian print…….I wanted it printed on a SUPER light weight cotton fabric….like Batik cotton napkins. I wanted these pieces to be very cool to wear in the hottest most humid weather……I was very surprised when “some” considered this “light weight” fabric to be cheap because of the weight. They didn’t understand the fact that the lighter the fabric the finer the yarn….the FINER the yarn the more expensive it is…..The ABSOLUTE OPPOSITE of what they thought…..Anyone involved with fabric knows this to be true…. There was also a slight stretch to the fabric……The mythical Phoenix bird is a creature that was often used in Indonesian prints from which this print was inspired. It came in three color combinations…….SUNBURST YELLOW…..INDIGO……and TOBACCO…….There was a classic long sleeve shirt that was darted for a body conscious fit. It could double as a shirt jacket…..There was also the Capri pant….I love a good print Capri pant…..One gets tired of always wearing solids, and they become an exciting part of a woman’s wardrobe…. As each new group for spring and summer emerged there were new pieces that coordinated with the group before it. I built up the color stories from month to month so my customers could create wardrobes that made sense….not just a bunch of random pieces…….This is what AMERICAN SPORTSWEAR IS ABOUT!