Designer

………………………..For me each collection has a YIN and a YANG…….The very Geometric, Bold Color Block and Solid group of Red, Ivory, Black, Green, and Hot Pink was the Yin…..The ultra chic Pongee and Black was the Yang………..The second grouping for Spring 1991 was a selection of Pongee, Black and Ivory clothes in luxe fabrics…..Silk, Wool, Rayon Cady, Linens, Lace and Gazar…..Plaids, Checks and Graphic prints like the jacket and skirt in the SUNFLOWER print above, inspired by Van Gogh, were sophisticated and chic….The silhouettes above were simple, and were not meant to compete with the print. The Silk Cady jacket  was elongated with a jewel neckline, and a cut away bottom to accommodate the sarong skirt beneath………..The warmth of the Pongee, a pale beige, combined with black is classic, and an Iconic combination of colors used during the Art Deco period.

………………….”SPORTSWEAR” is sort of a misnomer, since the clothing isn’t used for sport at all. What it does connote is separate pieces that coordinate by mixing or matching. The heavy Silk Cady “Sunflower” print jacket mixes well with the solid Pongee trousers as well as the matching sarong……..The jewelry I created for this group were large clear resin irregular teardrop shapes with smaller teardrops of gold suspended within……These were sophisticated, chic, timeless modern clothes, and accessories that could easily be worn today. It wouldn’t surprise me if there are still some women who have saved these pieces some 30 years later. The quality was so good that they would have held up to the test of time.

……………………….This portion of the Spring 1991 Spring Collection ended with short evening dresses in the bold colors of the season……The huge stones were used to totally cover the sleeveless RED wool crepe trapeze dress with a jewel neckline, and the HOT PINK short sleeve  A-Line dress with a bateaux neckline. They definitely had a 60s vibe. These were the perfect dresses for women who were looking for something totally different from every other evening dress they could find. They were young, they were fun,  still sophisticated, and very chic. They immediately looked unique and “Designer”…….. We used to say fashion repeats itself every twenty years so…..these were right on target……Today there is no such thing. Designers take from the past whenever they feel like it. The 20 year time frame has disappeared………It is now season to season.

………………..BIG FACETED JEWELS were used to embroider these wool crepe skirts in the colors of the collection……………RED, HOT PINK and KELLY GREEN…..They were paired with sweater tops in matching colors………….These skirts were all about FUN, and yes….they were comfortable to sit in!!!….LOL

……………….I have always loved the look of sequin dresses from the very first time this 18 year old boy walked into the showroom of Norman Norell……I was ushered into the showroom by a man named Max Bernigner. He was a tall, blond, distinguished, perfectly dressed man….who ran the Norman Norell Company…..It was Mr. Berniger that my Uncle Paul had spoken to to get me this summer internship…..The very first thing I saw when I went into this beautiful showroom in 550 7th Ave on the 15th floor was a golden rack…On this rack, spaced out evenly , were six short dresses  all of the same design. They had spaghetti straps and were chemise shaped. At the bottom was a flounce about 10 to 12 inches with a large flower….sort of “Flapper” dresses. Each dress was totally covered in  different color sequins….flower and all. They were amazing. From that moment on I was dazzled by the look of sequins. Mr. Norell was famous for his hand sequined dresses, and to this day they are still copied. When ever you see a long chemise dress with a band collar totally sequined it was Norell inspired……..Above……SIMPLE SHAPES paved in the tinniest of hand sewn sequins. A RED Chemise and an ACID GREEN A-Line dress. The red dress, according to my look book, was approximately $2,595.00, and the acid green dress was approximately $3415.00, and that was 30 years ago!….Remember these were all hand sewn sequins on silk…..Jac wore both of these beauties to fabulous Black Tie Christmas parties, and Charity events…………..They were perfect for Jac’s style……elegantly simple.