“October Sneak Peek # 7” is my STRETCH VELVET print top, A228336. The prints have a flavor of BAROQUE and RENAISSANCE art all combined. The colors are saturated and rich and the velvet gives even more dept to this “luxe” and very European print. I wanted these particular prints to be worn with both the TARRAGON and WALNUT “TWEED” jackets and the new solid jackets that I will be showing on my October 19th show…..the BLACK PRINT and the others, will work right into your existing wardrobes.
The colors for the tops are ……TARRAGON, WALNUT and BLACK……. The Tarragon has shades of tarragon, olive, sienna, brown and black…..all the colors that are in the TARRAGON TWEED. The Walnut has shades of deep rust, topaz, aubergine, black and naturally, walnut brown. Again, the colors were picked to blend with the WALNUT TWEED jacket. The BLACK has pearl gray, violet, fuchsia, navy, and black. As you can see in the photos above, it looks w0nderful with the new VIOLET jacket and for those who love to mix it up….wear both, the jacket and top, with the VIOLET HTC SKIRT. The top measures approx. 26 inches long for the XS. It is a polyester/spandex fabric and therefore is washable and has LOTS of stretch. It has a draped V-neckline and then is smooth to the hem…..It has LONG SLEEVES that can easily be pushed up. This is truly a DAY to NIGHT piece, and definitely can be worn with a pair of jeans or the new WK pant in BLACK, WALNUT, or TARRAGON. Actually, there isn’t a bottom you can’t wear….Wear the tarragon sunburst pleated skirt, tweed jacket and velvet top for work or a special occasion……for a more casual attitude…wear the two pieces with jeans, boots, great tortoise sunglasses and spend a Saturday antiquing or going to yard sales. The color beads and earrings are COMING SOON!!!! In case you didn’t notice the photo on the upper left there is also a matching long skirt…….but that’s the next sneak peek! I think this top will also attract those who are not “print people” It is a subtle print and depending how you move and catch the light….it can sometimes meld into just color. What I always try to do is….extend your wardrobes by offering you pieces to change things up so there is always a new and fresh way to wear what you own…..yes, you can always wear the tweeds with a solid something, but it is so nice to have just the right print…. in just the right colors…. to pull it all together and give it that special “Designer Look”!
Since these prints work so well with many things from the Sept show…..I am working with my buyer to get these pieces, the velvet print top and skirt, on the Linea web site ASAP…….they are in the warehouse so why wait for the show to make them avail. ALSO…..we are trying to get the “shabby chic” cardigan on line ASAP too. I know there are many of you who wanted it and the weather is now perfect, in some areas, for just this type of sweater….keep an eye out….we are hoping to have them posted within the next few days!
……………………I hope you Enjoy!…..much Love……Louis
HiLouis
I am in between sizes a med and a large ..I love this velvet top..which size should I go with..I am always concerned if I make the incorrect choice.. the other size will be gone
suggestions? see you on the 19th I love the sneak peeks.. as always I have a long list!!
Vicki
Dear Viki….this is a question you should post on the QVC fashion board. Since many women have already ordered it and received it, they could guide you better. I know Barbara already has the top and she bought the med.
Dear Louis,
I keep eyeing the velvet top in black but hesitate over the ruching at the back of the neck. The styling prompts me ask a “When did you stop beating your wife?” sort of question. My question: Does that detail make for any discomfort in the rear neck region or thicken the look of the back neck area?
I apologize for putting you in an awkward position on this, but I can’t figure out how ruching at the back of the neck would look/feel.
Dear Maria, I have used that detail for years and years in all types of fabrics from chiffon to super thin suede. It has never been a problem and if it were uncomfortable the fit model would have said so.Of course, you do know the story of “The Princess and the PEA”. In all the years I have made draped necklines like this….there has never been a single complaint. All that said, there can always be that ONE “Princess” out there.
Hope to heck it ain’t me! I love it that top.
Louis, I haven’t had a velvet skirt or pants in a l-o-n-g time, but as I recall, when I sat for a period of time, the seat of the fabric would look shiny due to the velvet pile being flattened. I had to remember to run my hand over it every time I stood up so you wouldn’t see that seat impression on the velvet.
Question: I love your velvet print (so amazing), and I’m thinking that the print would prevent that shine on the seat from showing as much? Or perhaps the velvet fabrics have improved a great deal in the last decade-plus to reduce this? Or perhaps the pile is shorter now and that’s not a problem?
I haven’t seen this question in the other comments. Any hints you can offer? Thank you.
Dear Jean….I know exactly what you are saying. I have used this quality when ever I do velvet, but the styles have been in solid colors and I have never heard of a problem with this fabric. The problem you are talking about usually happens with silk, silk/rayon or rayon velvets. It seems these very expensive velvets are more perishable, and due to the fiber and pile, tend to crush when you sit. I have used pure silk velvets from France that were absolutely gorgeous with a deep pile, but you had to be extremely careful with them. We had special ironing board just to press them so they wouldn’t flatten and leave a shine….that should not happen with a polyester velvet. As I said, I have never heard there was a problem with this velvet and the print would certainly help a lot in that regard. Mine is even washable which you could never do with the silk and rayon velvets.
Okay, great! I was definitely getting the top before, but I’ll get the matching skirt now, too. Thank you for the insight.
Thanks for the long sleeves! Mine in both colors.
Would the walnut version look good with the walnut plaid jacket? How would the walnut version of the skirt look with the walnut plaid jacket over it?
Dear Chris, the walnut plaid [mushroom] blazer doesn’t work at all with the new velvet prints….totally different colors.
These have my name all over them, Louis! I love the shades of Autumn but can rarely wear them. I can, however the Walnut with the Aubergine next to my face! I eagerly await your next sneak with the long skirt. Any chance it will also come in Aubergine? I wore to death all my knit riding skirts from last year. But don’t have a scarf to pull together the colors in the Walnut jacket with my Cassis skirt.
No…..no aubergine skirts for this year definitely next.
Looks like I’ll have to wait, then!
Thanks, Louis. I’ll be checking the QVC New Arrivals tab daily in case these items come in early. Very interesting to see the tarragon tweed blazer with the print velvet skirt. I never would have thought of that combo. I’m enjoying the previews.
The velvet pieces are beautiful, Louis.
Should I size up in the top at all? I’m an XS in your safari shirts; do you think an XS will work in the velvet top? Is it semi-fitted or fitted?
Thank you.
They are semi fitted so the xs should be perfect…..no need whats so ever to size up.
Louis:
These are such lovely prints and I know I have a zillion pieces to go with them. I would like to know, however, if they coordinate with the faux suede wrap skirts from 2011-the avocado, espresso and purple ones. I have all three of those skirts and would love three new tops to go with them. What do you think?
As always. loving EVERYTHING!
crdlb
YES….actually in the upper left of the sneak peek of the top….you can see the black/violet/fuchsia combo with the purple faux suede skirt.
Dear Marie……I know who she was very well as I too am a graduate of Parsons School of Design.She was well before my time, but we had to study her clothes and her unique constructions…..something that is no longer taught…..a terrible shame. I also had the pleasure to meet and know Bonnie Cashin…..two women of the same “cloth”.
Louis,
And you and she each won the Coty award! Bravo! Parsons has certainly turned out stars in the fashion world. You are part of the constellation of gifted designers. How is a girl originally from Frederick, Md. — like me — able to communicate with ease with someone of your stature? The miracles of technology, that’s how. Your selling and my buying through the Internet, calling an automated order taker and writing to you through the Web. It sure is a different world. Wonder what Claire would have thought about all this. Her grave, by the way, is in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, where Francis Scott Key and Barbara Fritchie are also buried. I grew up across the street from there.
Louis,
I think this can this deluge of beautiful fashions can be called “slow death by beauty.” The separates you have been showing us are maddeningly lovely! I believe I’ll blame a native of my hometown in Maryland who created the concept of separates — Claire McCardell. She was a Parsons grad, and I’m certain you know her name well. When growing up and attending junior high school (that’s what they called middle school back then), I walked by what people would point out as “the house where Claire McCardell grew up.” I didn’t know who she was, but I understood she had some importance in the world. Now I know who she is, and her decision to create separates has led to the rapturous excitement of your fall collection 2012.