London was the end of our trip and we only had three days there….one of which was work :{…… Jac had her heart set on seeing Kensington Palace the home of Diana as well as Queen Victoria [before she became queen], Princess Margret and now Prince William and his lovely bride Kate. There are actually 4 separate tours you take yourself on through the palace. For me the most interesting was the Queen Victoria exhibit, where they had interesting stories, personal photographs and possessions. The Diana tour wasn’t anything much………one dark room with 5 dresses in lucite cases……and not very special dresses at that. They were OK but the exhibit left us wanting more…..a lot more….we looked at each other and said….”is that all there is?” Jac took a photo of me standing in front of the gates to the palace. There is a separate entrance, where the private apartments are, that no one sees. The gardens to the palace were very pretty, but they are fairly new to the palace…………..The photo’s on the upper right are at QVC UK. I will just say the facility isn’t quite as elaborate or large as the QVC USA headquarters, but they are moving to a brand new facility and my next show in Aug. will be from the new building. The top picture is the “models room”. I am standing in the next picture with Tanya, with the dark hair and Pirjo. Her name is pronounce like cherrio with a P……. Perrio. I slaughtered her name every time she came out!
One of the dining rooms in the hotel, where we had breakfast, is the photo in the lower right with the red tufted banquette. The walls have these magnificent murals of these men and one woman in their Highland garb…..splendidly decked out. The walls behind the figures are gold…….. the brass chandeliers have tartan shades and the chairs are covered in tartans too. It is a beautiful room. We saw two shows…..The 39 Steps……which I didn’t think I was going to like……but…. loved!!!!…. and “The Mouse Trap”, which I thought I was going to love, but thought it was just OK at best……even if it has been running for 60 YEARS! The streets are starting to be decorated for the Queens Jubilee, hence all the flags, but you would never know the Olympics were coming there this summer…….not a word, poster or T-Shirt……..There is only one store that has the license to sell them????? and you can get them in a shop at the airport. That’s it…….I found it strange. The other pics are of Jac as we were about to leave for the theater and the pretty building to the upper left, next to Kensington Place, is just a very pretty and famous hotel [the name escapes me], across from Kensington…………………………………….
That’s it folks…………the tour is over. Now, we are having a MAJOR paint job of the house….outside and IN, so everything is quite topsy turvy. 6 men all over the place. I will be outside this weekend planting all of the pots around the house…..many flowers have been purchased. Gotta do my part to help America’s economy….LOL……………….Be well, take care and God bless!………..much Love, Louis
Welcome back! Jac looks so beautiful and crisp in her white jacket with black top and skirt! I love that look, which is why I love your ivory jackets so much!
Louis, My husband and I arrived back from London and Rome on Sunday and have been trying to get back into the groove of things – especially work 🙁 – but that’s difficult after such a fabulous trip. So funny that you mentioned the lack of Olympic merchandise. We wanted to purchase at least a t-shirt, but had no success. We asked one of the cabbies if London was excited about the big event and he said not really – especially those who have to drive for a living. There were lots of signs already telling people what roadways would be affected and where the detours would be. Just thought it was funny that a bigger deal wasn’t being made. I took your advice and went to a play – Singing in the Rain, followed by dinner in Soho. Must tell you that the Linea white anorak was perfect for both London and Rome and I received a comment from a woman at our hotel in the UK who loved it. Also, the pebble crepe was perfect for the warm days in Italy. Now, it’s back to reality – and a ton of laundry!
Dear Elena,
Sounds like a wonderful trip. The only store in London who can sell any Olympic apparel is “John Lewis” on, I believe, “Oxford Street”, and the boutique is on the 5th or 6th floor. You would think they would have kiosks on every floor! My impression was, the people could care less and actually found the whole thing “rather a pain” than anything else. I guess they aren’t planning on winning too many medals! LOL
Glad you took my advise and saw a show. London’s theater district is very special. I’m also glad the clothes worked out well for you!
Hi Louis..
Happy you are back ..can you tell me if the byzantine cross will be available again.?.I have watched since day one and keep seeing it is unavailable.. still hoping your sleeveles Lana Turner dress will turn up available… QVC sent the wrong size but I really liked it.. so am watching ..I just received the crepe pants in 2 colors that I have been waiting for .. and I love them !! My wardrobe is expanding
Thank you.. when are next shows?
XXVicki from Minnesota
The cross is definitely coming….sometime in June….I think? You never know, but I will let you all know. The Lana dress is finished for the season….happy hunting. I am sure someone will return one in your size….
Dear Louis,
I hope this response reaches you. I am desperate to order your print maxi dress in all 3 colrs, item A224712 but none are available. Please tell me there will be a reorder this season.
Gogi L. Gogi39@msn.com
It’s back up again with 25 replies and 800 and some hits. Feel like I’m being “gas-lighted.”
Dear Louis,
Is it just my PC, or was the forum topic of expanding your product line removed? It was there with 22 replies when I looked first thing this morning, but now it is gone. Wonder why. Was the topic too sensitive in some way of which I am not aware?
I found it, Louis. Never new it was there. Thanks for directing me to it.
Oops, never “knew” it was there…
Anyway, I wrote a message and sent it into cyberspace. Hope it lights some fires and your product line is expanded.
Found it (fashion forum)! I’m the sort who can ask, “What time does the 5:30 train leave?” Thank you for showing me an avenue for expressing my sartorial desires.
What a shame that you were not able to see Diana’s apartments at KP! I would like to have seen them, too. I read somewhere back in the day that she had them done in chintzes and sunny colors, more in keeping with an English country house, but a style that suited her. I wonder if someone is living there now. Perhaps William and Kate? Jac would likely enjoy reading “The Lonely Empress: Elizabeth of Austria” by Joan Haslip. She had much in common with Diana, a century earlier. How lovely to be able to enjoy traveling while you work!
I am pretty sure that they will be living in those rooms as they are on the other side from where the tours are and very private. I think I may have read somewhere that he will be living where he grew up.
That’s disappointing about Diana, but I guess not too surprising. One could surmise that The Firm are not too interested in fostering more speculation, gossip and, worse, the taking of sides against them! I’m in London in August which, if experience proves correct, will be right about the time those six men finish with your house!
When in Aug? We will be there too, but I have not gotten a confirmed date from the UK people yet. I told them they had better make up their minds before every flight is booked up.
August 3-9..how much fun would it be to meet up with you and Jac!
I’m telecommuting today and taking my lunch break. How better to do that than go on a foreign jaunt with you and Jac! Is she as serene as she always conveys? Such a beauty — apparently inside and out, as far as I can discern from the photos and her TV modeling. Your photos in Paris and London, when you are sporting shades, make me think of a very cool Jack Nicholson, a la “Something’s Got to Give.” I’m enjoying your tours and insights. One by one, the Byzantine jewelry is coming to my door. For me, the pieces are the quintessence of gorgeous elegance. As I wrote in my online review (not yet posted), they make me feel like Byzantine Emperor Constantine’s wife. I cannot gush enough over how beautiful they are to me. You are, plain and simple, a genius at your craft. Have you ever thought of doing scarves? I have an inkling that I’d love them by you. Good luck with the paint job!
Dear Maria….I know you will love the Byzantine jewelry…..and ….yes…many people say, when I’m wearing my shades, I remind them of Jack N. I would design anything QVC would want to buy….scarves, shoes, gloves, sunglasses….anything, but they haven’t asked. It only took 12 years to get the jewelry and if that doesn’t prove to be continually successful…..it will end.
Well, QVC has a potential goldmine in your talents. If they fail to “take advantage” of their luck by having you in their stable, so to speak, to design whatever with your enormous God-given gifts, then shame on them! Really, scarves that are reminiscent of your new multi-tiered summer bohos, plus whatever brilliance your inspiration brings to the table, would blow me away. As for your jewelry line, I’d be very unhappy if they cut that off. Again, I’m a huge fan of your work. So, QVC, if you are reading this, please see what else you can have the exceptionally talented Louis Dell’Olio do for your company. Think continued jewelry line and scarves (hint, hint).
That’s something to post on the fashion forum…..your desire to have a wide range of products….scarves, bags….etc.
Where is that? Remember, I don’t do Facebook. Is the Fashion Forum something I can find on QVC’s site?