From Louis

………………………Feb. 2002…..was the beginning of a new year……..Most of the group definitely had a preppy slant. The main colors were red, white, navy and chambray blue. There were also Zebra and Leopard print tunic shirts with fancy borders, and reversal silk tanks……….The blazer at the top was a stretch cotton banded in contrast colors and a beautifully emb. crest. Color block Silk CDC tunics were part of the group. A striped short sleeve sweater and a V-neck tunic with contrast borders, and stripe cotton knit tunics sweaters were all part of the group.. A beautiful cardigan with gold buttons and a gold lurex stripe also has a cable bordering the placket. A Silk CDC tank with contrast piping worked under the blazer the cardigan and all of the shirts. The floral silk shirt and the silk stripe shirt added additional pattern  to the group……At the bottom left is the first SUEDE JACKET WITH KNIT RIB TRIMS. There were also knit pants and a long straight skirt as part of this group……Remember….these clothes are 20 years old!

…………………..October 2001 was a Holiday collection……At the upper left is a black velvet topper with QUILTED SILK JACQUARD CUFFS and LINING!!!!! IT WAS REVERSIBLE!. It felt so wonderful on. Jac wore the black velvet with the red when we went to the theater with all black, and the black with the blue more casual with white shirts and jeans. It was like a luxurious bed jacket, and was very cozy to wear with all of that silk against you……The next jacket was also in black velvet with quilted Ivory satin color and cuffs [not reversible]. It was embroidered in silver and crystal bugle beads……I’m not sure if this jacket was bought……I included it here because I do remember the sample and it was a beauty, but not sure it was purchased?…..The tank below was in the silk satin and the pant was a pull-on velvet…..The sweater next to it was a cotton acrylic sweater with the same color bugle bead emb……On the top row is a velvet tunic shirt in black and forest green with a stand collar and button cuff in ivory satin. It had a beautiful rhinestone button on the stand and two on the cuff…I don’t think the next quilted jacket was this season……It may have been held for the next year, but I do have it styled out so it could very well have been this season…….memory fails….The topper jacket below was in an iridescent silk taffeta in  a Gold and Magenta with black velvet collar and cuffs and black embroidery [don’t remember if the emb. was beads or thread]…….I can’t believe there were 3 or 4 jackets in this small group…..the buyer must have really liked them, and I’m sure she hadn’t seen anything like them from any of her other vendors!….This finishes my second year at QVC!

……………………….August 2001 was a fun collection to do…..There were TWO SEPARATE GROUPS IN AUGUST shown on two separate shows…..Remember, I was the new “hot” kid on the block, so I got special treatment, and absolutely no one else was offering American Designer Sportswear on QVC….There was lots of suede [it was some what inexpensive to do then….everything out of China was inexpensive to do!] I introduced a new fabric for Linea….BOILED WOOL [a beautiful quality, not itchy at all as some were, because the quality of wool was superb]…..It is the first jacket at the top left. It was a color block jacket. My MIL Marianne had the black/grey/red combination, and it’s still hanging in her bedroom closet looking brand new!……The next jacket was suede in 3 color combinations. They were piped in a contrast suede color and had suede leaves and vines appliqued on top……..The next coat was a suede blazer coat. All of these jackets sold incredibly well, but the next jacket was the star. It was a boiled wool jacket with, if I remember correctly, wool felt leaves appliqued on top in contrast colors There was also a fancy border embroidery stitch [I think a zig zag in a wool yarn]. It was very pretty, and the ladies loved it. I saw quite a few women in NYC wearing it, and that rarely happened……….next the sweater with the applique leaves, and below is an additional solid suede topper…..I can’t believe all of the ‘ALL SUEDE” jackets and separates we did then…..next are are two shirts. The one to the left is a georgette tunic shirt with satin tonal trims, and the one to the extreme right is a suede tunic shirt with a contrast placket on one side….the side where  the buttons are sewn…….It amazes me looking back how inexpensive materials and labor were, because many of these pieces were very laborious, something that wasn’t an issue 20 years ago!

…………………… The second group of August 2001…..had even more suede with appliques, and another blazer coat with zig zag seams, and a long A-line suede skirt with zig zag seaming……..A silk charmuse shirt with leaf patterned emb and a sweater with embroidered leaves and vines going across the top was also part of this group. There were two prints both on silk satin charmuse….a floral and an Heraldic  pattern……and yet another tunic shirt, which were growing stronger and stronger in popularity……another style I introduced to QVC to go with my leggings!….LOL

……………………….Dear Ladies…..I was browsing though the Linea site and to my utter surprise this RIDING JACKET, A384508, which is now reduced to the incredible price of $66.42, it STILL avail in may sizes in all colors………LADIES…..this is one of my all time favorites and it’s is in the TCF and the workmanship is unsurpassed. The shape and length works for everyone. Big ladies look smaller and everyone looks like they are wearing a custom made jacket. I see the plaid in the Pine/Black and now the Red/Navy is almost gone. Don’t let this beauty slip through your fingers!!!!!! There are no more jackets coming…..ever! and this is too too good to pass up……..I bring it to your attention because it’ that good and I don’t want you to be sorry later!………………

P.S………same for the double zip TCF TOPPER. I can’t believe it’s still avail in that gorgeous Scarlet Red!