Author: Louis Dell'Olio

……………………………A280938, is the style number of the new OPEN FRONT CARDIGAN……..This is a Whisper Knit cardigan with Jersey sleeves which has approx. 6 inch 2 by 2 rib starts.The top part of the cardigan is made from the same 2 by 2 ribs cut on the horizontal. These ribs create the fold over collar…..The bottom of the sweater, and the complete back are made in the jersey stitch as are the sleeves. The bottom of the sweater also has a 2 1/2 inch rib border. The sweater is cut in such a way as to create an asymmetric looking hem, meaning the front hangs lower than the back. as you can see in the photos above. It is the GUNMETAL ZIPPER that separates the top ribs from the jersey bottom that gives this cardigan that special panache….that special verve that you look for in a Linea garment………….The quality is all there…..the Whisper Knit yarn, the craftsmanship….the details. You know instantly that this is no ordinary cardigan…..you know that it is a special designer piece. Since this is an open front cardigan without any closures…..I thought it would be a good idea to give you some ideas how to close it, if you wish, with a brooch. Also a “jewelry” safety pin would work just as well…Look at all the photos above….There are also many ways to wear this cardigan! Wear it over a dress both short and long…..the same for skirts. I have chosen A267882, the ALABASTER short sleeve jewel neck sweater, coming back in Jan/ Feb, over the ALABASTER GAUZE CREPE PANT, A267294. The color combination is so elegant…..very “Art Deco”……..I have often said that not every style is suited for everyone, and I think this is one of those pieces. I think most of you know instinctively whether an open front cardigan will work for your body type. It can be especially challenging for those with a large bosom, and or large mid sections. There are however ways to handle that problem…..wearing the cardigan over all black or dark colors where the contrast isn’t as severe as the alabaster and black will camouflage the problem areas……..Also wearing the cardigan closed with a brooch as shown above will work very well for women with a large top. This will keep the cardigan from falling out to the sides. The weight of the metal zippers also helps to keep the cardigan in place…….For my petite ladies I think this cardigan will work well for you, because the front is basically short and the sleeves can easily be folded back to create a nice ribbed cuff………….This is a special piece to add to your wardrobes…………………………enjoy………………………..much Love………………………….Louis

……………………This new OPEN FRONT CARDIGAN, A280,938, is avail right now in two colors……the BLACK, and the new vibrant FUCHSIA, and it is a glorious color. Again, the zipper is in the Gun Metal color. Please notice in the column of photos to the left….the third one down showing the back of the cardigan. There is a swing to the sweater which creates the “cones” or drapes in the back…..not too much, but adds a nice feminine touch……..When it comes to mixing fuchsia with color….I’m a purist…….all black or black with an ivory top are my personal favorites. That is not to say fuchsia doesn’t look equally well with Heather Charcoal Grey, Espresso Brown, or Navy……This will give you other options. For those of you who crave a shot of color in the dreary winter months I hope you give this new cardigan a try. It’s something different…..It’s something special………………………………………enjoy………………………..much Love………………………………Louis

…………………….Summer is unofficially over, and I’m sort of sad to see it go….though………….my favorite season is coming up and I hope we have a LOOOOONG FALL, and a short winter! …Today I’m going to follow the cows lead, and have a very restful day with my family……..I must say after all the news reports about Tropical Storm Hermine it came and went with nearly a whimper here on the South Facing Shores of Ct……not that I’m complaining…..I’m happy we dodged this bullet!!…………I hope you all have a restful and a happy day………….enjoy……much Love………….Louis

……………………The QUILTED & WHISPER KNIT JACKET, A267878 is back!! In all new colors…………..First up the MED. OLIVE…..Not quite sure why it’s called Medium when it matches all of my Whisper Knits and Linea Body tights and leggings to a T in OLIVE…….what ever……………..just know that this “med.” olive works well with all of the olive pieces you own including the slim leg pant above….which actually IS a med. olive…………For those of you who own this jacket in either the black or alabaster I don’t have to explain to you the virtues of this beautifully executed jacket. For those of you who are new to Linea or missed out on this jacket the first time around….here are some of the details……..First and foremost this jacket is literally LIGHT AS A FEATHER. The quilting padding is super light and thin so there is NO BULK or WEIGHT…….The JERSEY SLEEVES, BACK and RIBBED COLLAR are all made in my WHISPER KNIT, which adds to the lightness in weight. The zipper is a DTM [dyed to match] nylon zipper, again adding to the weightlessness of the jacket. It has princess seams in the front so it is NOT A BOXY jacket. There are pockets hidden in the seams. It is done so well that some actually missed that the jacket had them?……….However, it is the quilting design that tells the story, because there are TWO PATTERNS of quilting incorporated in the jacket. The front of the jacket has a beautifully proportioned DIAMOND pattern…..but the SIDE PANELS and the TOP YOKE have a CHANNEL QUILTED pattern…..It’s always ALL in the DETAILS…….This may not seem all that important, however it takes time to set up the machines to make different quilt patterns….it takes time to cut these separate pieces….it takes time to knit the sleeves, the back panel and the ribbed collar, and then it takes EXPERT SEWERS who know how to sew all of these pieces together. It is not an easy task to sew the knit to the woven……….This is DESIGNER LEVEL WORKMANSHIP…..so for those who say Linea does not have the quality it used to I would put up this jacket as a fine example of the Linea workmanship…..It’s a jacket I am very proud of…..as are all the pieces in the photo above starting with the A72448 Whisper Knit TN, the A279525, Burnt Orange English Rib sweater, and the A265615, Olive slim pant [almost completely sold out]……I couldn’t help accessorizing the outfit with my Byzantine Cross and Station Necklace. They are sold out and have now become collectors items………………This Quilted Jacket isn’t scheduled to be aired until my September 29th show at 2:00pm, but some of the sizes have already sold out…..so if you really want it do not wait too long or it will be too late…………………It’s just the right time for this light as air quilted jacket……….enjoy……..much Love……………………Louis

…………………………….I have been reading in the new Sept. fashion mags. that this is going to be a Red Year…..For me…..every year is a RED YEAR! It’s one of those emotional colors that has no time or season……………I will say that this SCARLET RED JACKET is already sold out in 3 or 4 sizes as I’m writing this so if you always wanted a red something….this is the time to get it. I have already mentioned that there will be other styles in this SCARLET RED coming including a WK SCARLET RED skirt. How fabulous is that going to be, and what a wonderful new SUIT! …..Above, a casual yet spectacular way to look……the Scarlet Red WK TN, A72448….the Winter White English Rib sweater, A279525…..and jeans…….The little Bijou around her neck is so new it doesn’t have a style number yet, but it will be later in the season….November? just in time for Christmas presents. The RED DROP has BLACK VEINS, and slides up and down through the GOLD STATION…..It’s a wonderful new piece and will be avail in four colors….REAL TIGER EYE combined with CHOCOLATE METAL being one of them………………..enjoy…………………….much Love…………………Louis