…………July was the start of the new Fall/Winter 06 season and with that a new “Designer’s Gallery”. There were 10 styles in this group…..Starting with the TWEED JACKET. The jacket was trimmed in my Black Boucle and had black jet buttons……The Black and Ivory swatch at the bottom center is the actual swatch of the fabric I had developed at Tissage des Charmes for Anne Klein….the French company that I already told you about outside of Brussels. I think the effect we achieved was quite good. Of course the French yarns were all hand spun and were thicker mixed with fine yarns to hold it all together. The polo sweater had rhinestone button, and looked wonderful under the tweed jacket……The FEATHER PRINTÂ shirt was printed on a fine silk jacquard patterned fabric. The original print I developed with ETRO. I know this will sound horrifying, but I actually sent dead birds that I found in a milliners shop to ETRO to develop the patterns. The feathers on each of these birds was so beautiful, and were used on hats. When the package arrived Mr. Etro got a good laugh. He did an incredible job of interpreting the 4 different birds with very different feathers into beautiful prints. He also developed a “Feather Jacquard Silk” to print on. It almost gave the prints a 3-D effect. The jacket at the top was a boucle jacket a la Chanel. The black trims were boucle too I had a very special button from Anne Klein reproduced for this jacket [photo upper right]. It came in Black, Ivory and Garnet [a deep wine]….The next item was a zip front suede with ALL OVER BRASS STUDS. The studs were fancy and had grooves in them. It came in Purple, Forest Green and Black. I continued to raise the bar for every other designer at the Q…..I just saw a suede jacket being offered on ebay……I just question the condition of the suede even though they say brand new. It’s quite a few years old, so even if it hasn’t been worn, the suede just hanging there isn’t new.
Louis,
I recently found that same Ivory and Black Boucle Jacket online. It was new with the original yellow “QVC / style” tag still attached to it. What a gorgeous, well-made jacket! Those buttons are simply exquisite! (There is an extra button attached to a tab inside the jacket. I hope I can find another one of those buttons online. I think I could make a pair of earrings with the two buttons,)
I did not find the coordinating black and ivory blouse or the black skirt you had in your drawing. I was thinking of wearing a Black Sunburst Pleated Crepe Skirt and a black crepe shell under it. I also have a black and ivory printed drop pleat skirt and matching blouse from the 80’s that I think will work with it, as well. I have some vintage pearl, gold, and black necklaces that have worn with the Bamboo and Black Hopsacking Jacket (A233851). I think those necklaces would work with this jacket. I will wear Van Eli black quilted cap toe flats with ivory hose, and carry a black quilted leather purse with a leather and chain strap. I also have a pair of black/gold/pearl round earrings and a black leather camellia pin to complete the look. (By the way, I wear all those accessories with your Lotus Print cardigan and shell in the Bamboo color.)
I have both lengths of your Black Whisper Knit skirts. Could I wear them with the Boucle Jacket? I especially would like to try the longer one.
Dear Patricia, you can absolutely wear both WK skirts with the jackets. Id love the long one with a higher heel suede boot, and ivory WK jewel neck sweater and your pearl/gold and black necklaces.The short skirt would look great with my lace or point d’esprit tights and a pump or sling back…..The ivory pleat front georgette jewel neck blouse would look very chic and very Chanel under the jackets…I did do earrings to match the buttons, slightly larger and clip on for Anne Klein…..If your lucky you may find a pair on ebay under…..Anne Klein jewelry or Anne Klein Couture Jewelry. All of your styling ideas sound really nice……keep playing
Dear Louis,
So many great ideas! I certainly appreciate them all. Fortunately, QVC still had some of the ivory pleat front georgette jewel neck blouses in my size so I bought one after reading your response…..I started looking for the Anne Klein Jewelry or Anne Klein Couture Jewelry clip earrings, but have not found a pair yet. I like the idea of the slightly large scale of the earrings. I will continue looking…..By the way, I have the black suede jacket with the all over brass studs that you mentioned. I always feel special when I wear it. I often do your “column of color” with a turtleneck and matching pants in either camel or black…..Thanks for creating so many beautiful things for us.
Louis, I think that this may be one of the few times that a story starting with “I sent him some dead birds” ended well! Lol. These outfits are gorgeous, by the way, and I really wish they were hanging in my closet!
I know Michelle, when I saw those dead birds in the window of a hat store….first I thought they were beautiful….then I felt badly…..then I thought….”Are they for Sale!”….LOL…..When I went in they said yes and that was that. I am sure over the years Mr. Etro received some very strange things. I recently googled ETRO and saw Mr Etro and the whole family that are all in the business. His daughter designs the women’s line and she’s very talented, One son designs the menswear, another does all of the licencees, home products and bags, luggage etc…..another is in charge of the ETRO fabric company and the last in in charge of finances.He must be very proud of all of his children. When I met Mr. Etro his children were all very young and only the two eldest boys were in the business. The one in charge of the fabrics I knew well. It’s good to see them all together still doing well.
I have both the Chanel inspired ivory jacket and the Etro print blk/wht blouse from that show. It’s hard to believe now that these beautiful things were ever approved by the QVC PTB. Those buttons on that jacket ALONE would make the current bean counters drop dead from shock.
Dear April it was a whole different group of the PTB, and they wanted me to raise the look of QVC, very different from now…..I doubt I could use those buttons today…..When I did them everything was so inexpensive to do that the prices of everything was so low I was always shocked knowing how much the same things would have cost at AK. I have to give the Chinese factories that we worked with credit. They were mostly small factories who made exquisite clothing. Elaine always tried to keep them busy, because she knew not all factories would be willing to take the extra step to make beautiful things.