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
Wondering how you thought fabric would be for Southern Florida. If it is similar to linen then it may be year round.
Dear Peggy,
Living in southern Florida you are going to LOVE this fabric and the entire group for July. It is all perfect for southern climates and is definitely year round wear.
Hi Louis —
Stunning jacket/suit! Thank you!
Long time no blog. I tried to send you a message yesterday but incorrectly input the “captcha code” and it disappeared. Wanted to let you know that your spring/summer clothes traveled well this summer in France and Italy. Among other places, my daughter and I went to the Marché de la mode vintage (vintage fashion market) in Lyon and to dinner at Allard where I wore your Lana Turner dress!
Looking forward to your fall line.
Happy 4th of July!
TourEiffel
Bonjour…..sounds like a wonderful vacation. I have only been to Lyon twice, for fabrics, but I do remember the food was fantastique! I’m very happy to hear the clothes worked out well for all your travels….Welcome home!
Merci beaucoup! Your memory of Lyonnais food is spot on. Some people say Lyon is the food capital of the world. We enjoyed two extraordinary meals at bouchons – Lyon’s version of the bistro – on an old street lined with outdoor restaurants. Next time you’re in Europe, you may wish to consider a side trip to Lyon – it’s a 2 hour train ride from Paris, and 1-1/2 hour train ride from Aix, where you can visit your friends!
What is the pant length? Love the suit. Thanks
For the regular its 32 inches for the petite it is 3 inches shorter. I know that will not be short enough for some, but that is the normal grade.
WOW!!! I just don’t know where to begin.:) Beautiful, Louis.
Dear Louis,
Wow! This new ensemble looks fantastic. Please answer a question about the fit. I wear an XL in your silk windowpane (my favorite), new windowpane jacket and the faux shantung jacket(A211602). However, in the zebra jacquard (A89785), medallion jacket and your new fancy button blazer (A211808), I need a 1X. Please recommend what size I should purchase in this new sneak peak jacket and please include the jacket’s measurements.
Have a great July 4th and thanks again for your fabulous designs!
Dear LoveLinea,
Since this is a relaxed and unlined jacket and the zebra jacquard was more fitted and lined I would say the XL should be fine. I only get samples in XS so I do not have garment measurements. That will be available probably a few hours before the show……regards, Louis
Dear Louis,
Thanks so much for your kind advice. It is indeed an honor to communicate with the designer extraordinaire!!!! Merci beaucoup!
P.S. Forgot to thank you in advance for the beautiful silver jewelry. I’m a sterling silver gal, who’s waiting patiently for the cross necklace and earrings…whoo hoo, yippeee!!!
This is absolutly fantastic….I have to agree with Cathy, unless the Q brought in more than average quantity, this may sell out before it even hits the air.LOL I’m having major trouble deciding between the stone and pale olive. What’s a girl to do?
I can’t help you there…. but definitely get the pant in both colors!!!!!
Louis, This suit is a MUST HAVE! Understated elegance. Just one question – will the pants be available in petite? Thanks.
Dear Judith,The herringbone pant WILL be available in PETITES and the style number is A226259. WOW a sized pant and in petites…..I think we hit the jackpot with this one!
Dear Louis,
Do you know if the petite pants will be simply shorter, or also slightly smaller in hips etc.? Thanks in advance!
Cathy in PA
I honestly don’t know…..but if I had to guess I would say just shorter and maybe a little shorter in the rise.
In past styles the waist and hip measurements are 1/2″ smaller in the petite sizes L, XL, and 1X…not sure about the other sizes or how that translates to numbered sizes.
Thanks Louis and Sherry both. The Petite might just work for me; it would be nice not to have to pay the tailor, although at 5’3″ even Petites sometimes need hemmed LOL.
Cathy in PA
Dear Cathy I asked my manufacturer your question and this was the response: for petites in general the body width is 1/2 inch smaller, the rise is 3/8ths of an inch shorter and the inseam is 3 inches shorter than the reg. I hope this helps
………regards, Louis
Thank you kind sir!
Cathy in PA
The JACKPOT is when the pants are sized and in TALLS as well as petites. Don’t stop fighting for us talls, Louis.
thanks!
crdlb
I stand corrected……you are absolutely right.
Louis, this is a supremely versatile jacket. I will warmly welcome it into my arms as soon as possible after it is posting for purhcase. I already have so many things that will go with it–particularly in the olive. I love your new pale paisley sneak. Do you think your more vibrant paisley pieces from last season (top A216530–don’t have the skirt item number)– might work, too?
Dear marcia29,
I checked my samples and They look terrific together. The black combo paisley with the stone jacket or pant looks great together and the pale olive with the olive paisley looks great together. I really wasn’t surprised…..they really do look great together. I would put the black combo paisley boho with a black tank and the stone jacket….with the sleeves ROLLED UP and like wise the pale olive jacket with the olive tank and the olive combo paisley boho. The print peasant tops look very pulled together and very designer with the herringbone trouser.
Thank you, I can’t wait to mix and match. In my clothing, I LIVE for mix and match!
Understated elegance. You are such a master at your craft, Louis. It is a privilege to communicate with someone of your caliber, artistic gifts and talent — and being able to ask questions of you, well that is a tribute to your generous heart. How thrilling to see the ways you pull pieces together into stylish and refined outfits that also have a certain distinction and pizzazz. To think that you do all this within the restraints of your QVC customers’ middle-class (most of us, at least) pocketbook limits does astound. Kudos!
Louis,
This is my cup of tea…and it is really gorgeous design. Perfection!
I would say the trouser is more of a straight leg, not a slim leg or wide leg. The fabric is so fluid that they hang beautifully. I would definitely see those women in this suit with maybe Carol Lombard added to the group.
STUNNING!
SMASHING!
I am in love with everything.. the colors, the fabrics and that jewelry! WOW.
Thanks for offering us such beautiful choices.. not that I can choose, mind you!
What she said!!!
Louis, this suit might sell out before it ever gets on air :)))) I forgot completely that it was coming in Olive as well … both colors are lovely, and a MUST have; a Home Run. I picture Lauren Bacall or Katherine Hepburn wearing this suit 🙂 And I won’t speak about that skirt, however …. !!!!!
The Trousers: Are they a straight leg, or a wider leg?
Thanks, and congratulations on this one; it’s everything we’ve been hoping for and more. Cathy in PA