Monthly Archives: July 2012

“Sneak Peek #6” is the long awaited BOHO SKIRT A70208.  The new colors are TAUPE and CHILI PEPPER. Many of you have enjoyed the Boho skirts for YEARS! The new skirt is EXACTLY as you have had it before….same  FABRIC….same FIT! Also retuning are the OLIVE, MOCHA, and BLACK. In the photos above you can see the two new colors shown a few ways…..I as sure you can come up with many many more combinations. I have paired the Chili Pepper with the Chili Pepper shirt jacket, A226256, and the “Kate” shirt, A214116, in the new PALE OLIVE color. An unexpected mix, but one that really works. It reminds me of colors you typically see in the South West……cactus and chili peppers. The Taupe is shone with the  Stone herringbone jacket, A226257, and the natural tank with the black flecks…..simple….chic…..and sophisticated.. The taupe skirt is perfect with ALL of the LACE jackets, A223652. On the Chili Pepper shirt jacket and C.P. Boho I have accessorized the outfit with jewelry that will be coming your way in the next two months. Also. the CHANDELIER earring, which works with everything!…….will be avail soon.

Do I really have to say anything else about the Boho? If you haven’t tried one……………it’s time to take the plunge…………………………….much Love, Louis

“Sneak Peek #5”, as you can see is a jewelry sneak peek. There are two items in the photo above, J270117, the BEAD NECKLACE, and J270118, the “slice” or “wedge”  STRETCH BRACELET. They both come in either solid BLACK or CHILI PEPPER. The beads are graduated, meaning the beads are smaller at the back of the neck and gradually get larger until you get to the bottom…..where the largest beads are. You can tell by the photos the approx. length on the body……..about 17 1/2 inches long.  The bracelet reminds me of tangerine slices or wedges and it is approx. 1 5/8 inches wide. I have  constantly shown black and wine beads and bracelets through out my 12 years at QVC, so I felt it was appropriate to have them offered to you as some of my newest pieces…………………I hope you enjoy…….much Love, Louis

“Sneak Peek #4” is A226256, the SAFARI SHIRT/JACKET. Why the shirt/jacket?…….because it is light enough to wear just as a shirt with nothing under it, or it can be layered with sweaters or camis and worn as a jacket. The fabric is new to Linea and one that I have not used before, though I have used similar fabrics in the past. The fabric content is 74% Rayon and 26% Nylon. The fabric has a slight crushed texture to it, again similar to fabrics I have used. One that comes to mind is the ANORAK that came in black, white and a pale olive shade, however, that fabric was much heavier. The fabric also has a slight iridescence or shine to it due to the nylon content….but not too much…..just enough to enhancer the fabric and give the colors life. This shirt features all of the safari details: epaulettes, breast pockets with button flaps and a placket front. It has full length sleeves with a traditional one button cuff with the addition of a sleeve placket extending from the cuff [a detail found on all well tailored men’s shirts, and often left off women’s tailored shirts]. The sleeve also can be rolled up and held with a tab and button. The bottom of the shirt is curved and it comes with a self belt, which is optional. There are body darts to give the shirt some shape so it is NOT BOXY. This shirt also has a WING COLLAR and a BACK YOKE. The colors are STRAW and CHILI PEPPER. In the photos above you can see just a few ways it can be worn. The Chili Pepper jacket worn over the paisley print or the coordinating chili pepper Boho. Please note that the jacket in CP is slightly lighter in shade than the boho…….I think this makes the whole outfit more interesting than a direct match. The photo in the center bottom is most accurate for color…..where the flash didn’t brighten the colors. The WHEAT jacket is worn with the paisley skirt and the stone herringbone faux linen pant. The PALE OLIVE herringbone pant works just as well with both colors.. A HEADS UP……if you already own the WHEAT TANK or the POMEGRANATE TANK, they both work beautifully with the Wheat and Chili Pepper jackets. Of course, these are perfect transition tops as they will look great in the fall and winter with turtlenecks and all kinds of sweaters. Naturally, jeans are a natural with these jackets for the casual lives we all live.

Also, please note the jewelry in the photos of the Chili Pepper jacket. You will see the new “Baroque Cross”, [no style number yet],  that will be avail in Bordeaux/Gold, Green/Gold and Black/Gold, [not positive of the color names that they have been given]. Also in the picture is the new multi cross necklace, J270119, [Gold or Silver]. There will also be a single cross drop earring to match on a lever back[no style # yet]. The new Chili Pepper beads, J270117,  are also coming in Black. I am not sure when it all will be avail. for purchasing but I will keep you informed. Other pieces coming are the stretch Slice bracelet in the Chili Pepper and Black, A270118 and the Chandelier Earring in gunmetal with multi color drops, J270116, which will work with all the prints plus many of the prints I have done in the past…..such as the floral maxi skirt.

The very first sketch I did for this July group was this SAFARI SHIRT over the PAISLEY PRINT CASCADE SKIRT, which set the attitude for the entire group…..It is pure Linea…pure  LOUIS. I hope it is pure YOU!……………………………………………………………………………..much, Love, Louis

Happy 4th of July Everyone!!!!…….. and as promised I am bringing you, not one but two sneak peeks…..the SCARF TOP A226254 and the CASCADE SKIRT, A226260. The story really is about the PRINT. Of course, this is an exclusive print that was designed by me and developed by my print studio. It is a wonderful BORDER PAISLEY PRINT which is available in three color combinations……….CHILI PEPPER……….PALE OLIVE………STRAW…..and each one looks totally different and has it’s own character. The Chili Pepper, as its’ name, is HOT,HOT,HOT. The Pale Olive is quieter and very sophisticated and chic. The Straw is soft, gentle and very calming. The fabric is the same poly georgette that I have used in the wood block print….it is semi sheer and very fluid.

The SCARF TOP, A226260, is an engineered print, which means the motifs are designed to be in a certain place on each and every garment. So, it is not randomly cut….the center paisleys were designed to always be in THE CENTER of the garment. The top has a specially designed border running along the bottom. There are top stitches running vertically through and through the garment on each side of the body to control wear the top sits on you. Each top comes with a poly jersey tank to match…..in the chili pepper, pale olive and straw. Buy your normal size so that the tank fits you properly. I haven’t shown all of the possibilities in the pictures but, this is a top you can wear ALL YEAR LONG depending on how you layer it. In the summer, wear it with a tank…..in the winter, wear it layered with a turtle or mock neck sweater. Wear it as a two piece dress with the matching skirt for my BOHEMIANS out there, or one of your Boho skirts [notice the straw over the new taupe boho]. It really is quite marvelous worn this way if you can carry it off. Wear it with sandals in the summer and boots in the fall and winter. I also paired the Straw and the Pale Olive tops with the PALE OLIVE HERRINGBONE TROUSER….perfection….a wonderful mix of  fabrics. The bottom center photos show the Chili Pepper top with the ESPRESSO JERSEY PANT, 221815, a wonderful languid and relaxed look. If you are a Linea collector, I am sure you already have many things in your closet that work with any of these tops. Naturally, for the most casual of looks….JEANS are a natural with this Paisley top. The sleeve hits approx. three quarters of the way down the arm. For me this top and the colors it comes in are the perfect transition pieces to be worn now and into the fall without skipping a beat!

The CASCADE SKIRT, A226260, again is made in the same poly georgette and is lined in georgette. The skirt is approx. 29 inches long and has a pull-on elastic waist. PLEASE, buy the size that you “normally” would buy. It won’t be too big, but always check out measurements! The silhouette of the skirt is a fluid A-Line. It looks like a wrap skirt with a ruffle CASCADING down over one leg, but it is a FAUX WRAP. In the photo on the upper right, I have paired the STRAW skirt with the olive tank from last season [it has not been reordered], with the olive cardigan worn over the shoulder [the cardigan has been reordered, but in all new colors plus black]. Another photo shows the olive short sleeve mock neck with the Pale Olive Herringbone blazer and yes, the mock in Olive is coming back along with everyone’s favorite….. the long sleeve V-neck, which will work beautifully with these skirts….If you already own the wheat tank, it works beautifully with the straw skirt….mix it up with a contrast cardigan, olive, aubergine….just pick a color in the skirt. Last, but certainly not least, is another sneak peek!!!…… the SHIRT/JACKET…… in the STRAW and CHILI PEPPER. It is the perfect compliment to these skirts and EVERYTHING ELSE in the collection…..but more about this later. PLEASE NOTICE the CHANDELIER EARRING, J270116, in the upper left. It is made in a Gunmetal color with multi color bead drops. It is PERFECT with each color paisley…plus it looks great with the BYZANTINE necklaces for a special summery bohemian look….they will work with many many of the things you own, and  if you haven’t noticed, I have been showing them for YEARS!!!

I could go on and on about how and with what you can combine these pieces with, but I think YOU should have the fun of exploring and discovering all of the different things you already own that will work.

Jac and I want to wish you and your families a wonderful 4th of July…..it’s the ONLY day during the year that Jac actually allows me to eat HOT DOGS!!!!!!I can’t wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!much Love, Louis

Since today is the first of July, I felt it was my duty to present another Sneak Peak. There are quite a few “peeks” in these photos, but we are going to concentrate on two. The first is A226257, the “FAUX LINEN HERRINGBONE JACKET”. There are two colors in this style. On the left you will see the STONE and on the right you will see the PALE OLIVE. The FABRIC……I am a fabric person…..meaning I love every thing about all different types of fabric….. from the yarns to the way they are constructed, woven and knitted, to the many different ways they can be dyed and printed and then how the finishing effects the drape and feel of each fabric. When I saw this fabric for the first time I almost passed it because I thought it was LINEN and I knew it would get rejected. Then I looked at the fiber content and was shocked to read it was 100% Polyester, I couldn’t have been more delighted…..it meant I could use this for QVC. It was definitely a little costly, but what the hay! This is a jacket with little construction, which doesn’t mean it’s not tailored. It is unlined except for the front panels of the jacket and it has removable shoulder pads. There are three patch pockets with FAUX HORN BUTTONS. The jacket has princess seams, front and back, for a fit that follows the line of the body which gives a very relaxed attitude. THE SLEEVES are unlined and have no buttons so they are easily shortened, however, I love them ROLLED UP, again for a very nonchalant look. The fabric has a marvelous drape and fluidity to it that you seldom find in jackets. It truly reminds me of early Armani…..actually he is doing this whole look right now, which was JUST presented for his spring menswear collect. I will say for those of you who are SUPER sensitive the fabric may seem a little raspy, as linen is, but again that is only for those who are EXTREMELY sensitive. For the rest of you you won’t find it objectionable at all! Please notice the photo on the upper left, where the jacket is held open to show the lining and that each seam is PIPED. The length of the jacket is approx 26 1/2 inches for a size XS, so this is definitely to be considered a longer length. As I have often said….”if this jacket cost $1000 I couldn’t make it any better”.

The second item is the A226258, THE TROUSER! which will also be avail. in a PETITE LENGTH, A226259. I chose to do these unlined because of the FLUIDITY of the fabric. The trouser has a zip front and an elastic back…..but not too much, just enough to still have comfort without looking all shirred in. There are POCKETS! A trouser can not be called a TROUSER without them, and this suit NEEDS the ATTITUDE that only pockets can give. I am happy to say these trousers will be SIZED, and not SML…YES!………… I can not tell you how many things these pants will go with….from collections PAST and FUTURE. I know for all of you who have the stone tweed tank and any one of the lace cardigans, you have patiently been waiting for these Stone pants. These are a MUST HAVE. Order ASAP, or you will be stalking forever. What else can I say about these drapey, marvelous , expensive looking, marvelous trousers.

Now for the photos…..You will see the STONE SUIT with the STONE tweed knit tank, A224278, that is completely old out. In another photo you will see the addition of the lace cardigan, A223652, worn over the tank as a light weight layering piece….a PURE DESIGNER LOOK. ……any of the cardigan colors will look great. Moving along to the PALE OLIVE SUIT, notice the PALE OLIVE short sleeve crew neck reorder sweater, A3528, for a completely tonal look…….and of course in the upper right photo are featured the two new necklaces and the new BAROQUE CROSS, which will come in GOLD/GREEN [as pictured], GOLD/BORDEAUX and GOLD/BLACK. The MULTI CROSS necklace will be in gold and silver. The knot necklace, which will be avail in two lengths [a choker length and the longer length…. love them worn together], and will come in GOLD, SILVER and GUNMETAL….and I LOVE all the colors worn together too!…………Moving on you will see the OLIVE tank from last season [which will not be returning], with the OLIVE Boho which WILL be returning on the July show. A great look for right this second and when the weather starts to change [I know ….with the temperature reaching 110 it seems like a far off dream] and the chill does return, switch out the tank for the short sleeve mock neck in the olive, A217630, which will be returning. Kindly notice in two of the smaller pictures there is the Pale Olive blazer with the Olive mock neck and a new Paisley skirt in the Pale Olive. Enough said,,,,,you will get a full SP of it latter. Last but not least is the photo of the Stone Herringbone blazer with the tweed tank and the new TAUPE BOHO SKIRT…..and it is a beauty. Call it…… taupe,stone, pumice,cement. elephant….it is one beautiful neutral color. In the winter wear it with my cozy silk/cashmere sweater in black and some wonderful black suede boots….PURE CLASS!

Well, that is it for SNEAK PEEK #2, I hope you have enjoyed it…………  be on the look out on the 4TH of JULY for SNEAK PEEK #3………….much Love, Louis