FALL 2011 THE LIFESTYLE
REFLECTING ON FALL LUSH KNITS, COMFY CASHMERES, VELVETY CORDS....
MITCHELLS RICHARDS MARSHS
$12
STYLE MATTERS MAKING A GOOD IMPRESSION HAS NEVER BEEN MORE IMPORTANT
Passion for Life 15MilMil15 Suit
WELCOME
GREETINGS FROM THE MITCHELL FAMILY
NOW MORE THAN EVER...
WHY OUR FRIENDSHIPS WITH OUR CUSTOMERS ARE SO IMPORTANT At Mitchells Family of Stores, we love what we do. We are very fortunate to have extraordinary people walking through our doors each day... whom we consider not only customers, but friends. One of the many reasons these friendships are so special is that as retailers, we believe knowing you is what enables us to serve you so well. We’re in the business of building relationships and wardrobes that will last for generations. Unlike a typical store where one might shop, we don’t ever want to sell you something unless we’re sure you’ll love it. Your trust is of the utmost importance to us. We’re in this for the long haul! Now a third generation business, we’ve been collecting cherished friends and unforgettable stories since 1958... and we enjoy creating new ones each day. As you might say: “if our walls could talk!” On the coming pages are just a
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few of the countless tales born of our extraordinary friendships, followed by some of the stunning fashions we will be offering this fall and advice from our associates.
We look forward to a season of exquisite styles and unforgettable stories...
The Mitchell Family
SEND US YOUR STORIES! We would love to hear from you. We enjoy being more than a store, but a hub in the community, where friendships are made and stories are created. Whether it’s an experience with an associate, a designer, a tailor, a Mitchell family member or at an event here... if it has moved you or made you laugh, please share!
Email us at stories@mitchellstores.com. E
RALPH LAUREN Black Label
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Karen Alberg Grossman DESIGN DIRECTOR
Hans Gschliesser MANAGING EDITOR
Jillian Sprague PROJECT MANAGER
Lisa Montemorra DESIGNERS
Jean-Nicole Venditti CONCEPT /CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Andrew Mitchell-Namdar MERCHANDISING DIRECTOR
Bob Mitchell
FEATURES 4 14 24 68 80 94 98 118
Welcome Letter A Good Story is Always in Style Giving Back Our Diamonds Tailor’s Corner Profile: A Decade of Agave Profile: Luciano Barbera Design: Haute Hospitality
DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION
Peg Eadie DIRECTOR OF PREPRESS
Hugh K. Stanton CREATIVE DIRECTION
WSAA, Inc., Westport, CT MITCHELLS/RICHARDS/MARSHS ART DIRECTION & COPY
WSAA, Inc., Westport, CT BUSINESS JOURNALS FASHION GROUP PUBLISHER
Stuart Nifoussi PRESIDENT AND CEO
Britton Jones CHAIRMAN AND COO
FASHION 36 Fashion Lab 38 Fashion Q&A: Kimberly McDonald 52 Life is But a Dream 82 Why Style Matters 92 Basic Instincts 102 Style: Trends for Men 104 The Richest Looks Are Seasonal
DEPARTMENTS 8 Upcoming Events 26 Happenings 42 Friends & Trends 110 Wheels: Vintage Road Show 114 World Scene 120 Travel: The Eyes Have It 122 End Page: Closet Therapy 124 At Your Service
Mac Brighton CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Christine Sullivan APPAREL FORUM Andrisen Morton DENVER, CO Garys NEWPORT BEACH, CA Hubert White MINNEAPOLIS, MN Kilgore Trout CLEVELAND, OH Larrimor’s PITTSBURGH, PA Malouf’s LUBBOCK/SOUTHLAKE, TX Mario’s PORTLAND, OR/SEATTLE, WA Mitchells/Marshs HUNTINGTON, NY Mitchells/Richards WESTPORT/GREENWICH, CT Oak Hall MEMPHIS, TN Rodes LOUISVILLE, KY Rubensteins NEW ORLEANS, LA Stanley Korshak DALLAS, TX Wilkes Bashford SAN FRAN/PALO ALTO, CA Fashion Forum Magazine is published in 12 regional editions for member stores of the Apparel Forum Copyright 2011. Published by Business Journals, Inc, P.O. Box 5550, Norwalk, CT 06856, 203-853-6015 • Fax: 203-852-8175; Advertising Office: 1384 Broadway, NY, NY 10018-6108, 212-686-4412 • Fax: 212-686-6821; ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The publishers accept no responsibilities for advertisers claims, unsolicited manuscripts, transparencies or other materials. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission of the publishers. Volume 14, Issue 2. Printed In The U.S.A.
www.cartier.us
© 2010 Cartier
Baignoire® collection
Available in Westport only
HAPPENINGS
LUNCHEONS & FASHION SHOWS & CHARITY EVENTS & MORE!
ÆÆÆ
FALL 2011
EVENT SCHEDULE 9/10 9/10 9/10 9/17 9/17 9/17 9/24 9/24 9/24 9/24 9/24 9/30 9/30-10/1 9/30-10/1 10/1 10/1 10/1 10/6 10/12-13 10/14 10/14-15 10/15 10/15 10/15 10/15 10/20-22 10/21-22 10/21-22 10/21-22 10/21-22 10/22 10/25-26 10/28-29 10/28-29 10/29 11/4-5 11/5 11/11-12 11/19 12/3 12/4 12/10 12/10 12/10 12/16 12/16-17 12/17 12/19-20
ZEGNA TRUNK SHOW COPPLEY TRUNK SHOW PAOLO COSTAGLI TRUNK SHOW & PERSONAL APPEARANCE HICKEY FREEMAN TRUNK SHOW KITON TRUNK SHOW ZEGNA TRUNK SHOW COPPLEY TRUNK SHOW BRIONI MEN’S TRUNK SHOW SAMUELSOHN TRUNK SHOW CANALI TRUNK SHOW PAUL & SHARK TRUNK SHOW ISAIA TRUNK SHOW DONNA DEGNAN TRUNK SHOW BRIONI WOMEN’S TRUNK SHOW SAMUELSOHN TRUNK SHOW HICKEY FREEMAN TRUNK SHOW ISAIA TRUNK SHOW DONNA DEGNAN TRUNK SHOW MICHAEL KORS TRUNK SHOW LORO PIANA MEN’S TRUNK SHOW MICHAEL KORS TRUNK SHOW COPPLEY TRUNK SHOW HAMILTON SHIRTS TRUNK SHOW CANALI TRUNK SHOW LORO PIANA MEN’S TRUNK SHOW GRAFF TRUNK SHOW BRIONI WOMEN’S TRUNK SHOW BRUNELLO CUCINELLI MEN’S & WOMEN’S TRUNK SHOW REED KRAKOFF TRUNK SHOW ESCADA TRUNK SHOW ZEGNA TRUNK SHOW BRUNELLO CUCINELLI WOMEN’S TRUNK SHOW BRUNELLO CUCINELLI MEN’S & WOMEN’S TRUNK SHOW ESCADA TRUNK SHOW ZEGNA TRUNK SHOW ESCADA TRUNK SHOW POMELLATO TRUNK SHOW REED KRAKOFF TRUNK SHOW ROTENIER TRUNK SHOW & PERSONAL APPEARANCE POMELLATO TRUNK SHOW MOORE AND GILES TRUNK SHOW PAUL MORELLI TRUNK SHOW LESLIE GREENE TRUNK SHOW GURHAN TRUNK SHOW POMELLATO TRUNK SHOW GRAFF TRUNK SHOW DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH TRUNK SHOW PAUL MORELLI TRUNK SHOW
For a complete list of events, go to
MITCHELLSTORES.COM OR MARSHS.COM
MITCHELLS/RICHARDS MARSHS MITCHELLS MITCHELLS RICHARDS MARSHS MITCHELLS RICHARDS RICHARDS MARSHS RICHARDS MITCHELLS MITCHELLS RICHARDS MITCHELLS RICHARDS RICHARDS MARSHS MITCHELLS MITCHELLS RICHARDS RICHARDS MITCHELLS/RICHARDS MITCHELLS/RICHARDS RICHARDS MITCHELLS MITCHELLS RICHARDS MITCHELLS MARSHS MITCHELLS/RICHARDS MARSHS MITCHELLS RICHARDS MARSHS MITCHELLS MITCHELLS RICHARDS RICHARDS MITCHELLS MARSHS MITCHELLS MITCHELLS MARSHS MITCHELLS RICHARDS RICHARDS MITCHELLS
Hermès, contemporar y artisan since 1837.
Hermès, contemporar y artisan since 1837.
Hermès, contemporar y artisan since 1837.
Available only at Mitchells and Richards.
A GOOD STORY IS ALWAYS IN STYLE... We love a great story! Over the years, we have delighted in collecting tales from family, friends, designers and customers, which never fail to enchant us with their humor, humanity and timelessness. On the pages to come, we share with you just a few of our favorites...
from: Bill Mitchell [Westport, Since Forever...] to: stories@mitchellstores.com subject: Lessons from My Father A few Christmases ago, a woman over 90 came in and told me this story... “30 years ago, when your father was running the store, I saw a sportcoat I wanted to buy my husband for Christmas. It was $39.95 and I only had $25. Before I could bring up how I would pay the balance, he stopped me and said ‘please don’t worry… pay me when you can...’” At my age, I’m still learning from my father.
We want to hear your story. Email us at stories@mitchellstores.com.
from: Michael Kors [Designer/Friend Since 1999] to: stories@mitchellstores.com subject: Starstruck Every time I visit Richards and Mitchells, I am blown away by the women I meet there. I am amazed that women can be so chic and stylish... great moms, totally involved in their community and giving back, while making the whole thing look as easy as pie. Talk about “starstruck.� They are the chicest jugglers on the planet!
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from: Nina Prodromidis [Associate, Richards Since 2006] to: stories@mitchellstores.com subject: That’s Entertainment! My client, a true fashionista, was throwing her annual party at a resort in the Berkshires and wanted to have a fall fashion show. She needed my help! Brian and I put together several men’s & women’s looks (shoes & all), packed up designer signs for the tables and headed north! I often dress clients for parties... this time I also provided the entertainment.
We want to hear your story. Email us at stories@mitchellstores.com.
from: Bruce Lagerfeldt [Associate, Mitchells Since 1983] to: stories@mitchellstores.com subject: Where’s the Groom??? It was Saturday afternoon and the church was packed, the bride and her father nervously waiting on the steps... “Where’s the groom?” they must have all been worrying... I’m on the floor at Mitchells and in he runs, shrieking, “I can’t tie my bowtie!” I tied it fast, he darted out and I got him to the church on time!
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from: Mary Berliner [Associate, Marshs Since 2006] to: stories@mitchellstores.com subject: The Bi-Coastal Shopper I was helping a client & friend find a dress for her daughter’s wedding, including taking her up to a trunk show at Richards. She then happened to be in San Francisco and went into Wilkes Bashford. She saw Jack Mitchell, introduced herself as my client and he brought her to Linda, who recognized her. She found the perfect dress at Wilkes Bashford and ended up buying it there!
We want to hear your story. Email us at stories@mitchellstores.com.
STYLE+ STORIES S I N C E
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from: Ellen Finlayson [General Merchandising Manager Since 2005] to: stories@mitchellstores.com subject: Via Spartaca meets Pequot Lane When we’re working in the showrooms in Milan, the buyers and I often see something that brings to mind a particular client of ours... Last season, we bought a beautiful Etro dress and sure enough, just the woman we had been thinking of saw it at Mitchells and bought it!
from: Al Roker [Customer/Friend Since 2002] to: stories@mitchellstores.com subject: The Royal Treatment I was leaving in a few days to cover the Royal Wedding and I needed to look my best. Frank Gallagi got me fitted with a gorgeous custom suit and sportcoat, rushed everything, even packed me up! He was a Prince for preparing me for my NBC coverage.
We want to hear your story. Email us at stories@mitchellstores.com.
from: Scott Mitchell [Richards Since 1998] to: stories@mitchellstores.com subject: Help... I Need a Jeweler! With the holidays approaching, a client who often asks me for restaurant and local recommendations came in and asked if I knew a jeweler he could trust. “It’s far,” I said... “Can you walk ten feet?” With the help of his shopping expert (10-year-old daughter), he left with a rare star sapphire ring from Oscar Heyman. Not only did the 3 of us have a blast, but his wife loved the piece!
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from: Chris Herde [Associate, Mitchells Since 2006] to: stories@mitchellstores.com subject: Black Tie Not Optional One day, I got a frantic call at noon from a client at a local hedge fund. Last minute, he had to attend a black tie gala straight from work. I grabbed tuxedos, dress shirts, bow ties, cuff links, formal shoes, even dress socks and ran to his office with our head tailor. The client only had 5 minutes for us. We set him up, ran back to the store, Dominic went to work and at 5 p.m., I delivered a complete outfit!
We want to hear your story. Email us at stories@mitchellstores.com.
GIVING BACK
COMPASSION FOR LOCAL WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER
DON’T MISS THE INAUGURAL PINK AID LUNCHEON IN OCTOBER! Unfortunately, breast cancer has touched way too many women who are near and dear to us. When a woman gets this devastating diagnosis, she needs a lot more than just medical help. She needs rides to and from treatments, babysitting for when she’s at the doctor, grocery delivery, medical navigation, wigs and so much more. With a staggeringly high rate of occurrance, there are countless women in and around our communities that cannot afford to go through this process with the proper care and dignity. Many women would also benefit from free mammograms to help with early detection. There are several local organizations that compassionately assist women in need who are diagnosed with breast cancer, but of course, they are greatly in need of funding. While it is critical that we all continue to contribute to breast cancer research initiatives, Pink Aid is a new grant-based organization being formed specifically to fund the efforts of organizations that provide this type of compassionate care... within our surrounding communities and ultimately beyond!
Pink Aid will give us a welcome opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of many women in our communities. We invite you on an exciting journey to join us from the very start! The first week in October, Mitchells will host Pink Aid’s first fundraiser, ever which promises to be an
exciting and emotional event, filled with many of our community’s most vibrant and compassionate women. We hope you, your children and your families will get involved in our future initiatives, and that we will see you at this momentous kick-off event! For more information, visit pinkaid.org.
PINK AID’S KICKOFF LUNCHEON GRANT RECIPIENTS THE SMILOW FAMILY BREAST HEALTH CENTER AT NORWALK HOSPITAL The Smilow Family Breast Health Center offers education and support for women as they cope with abnormal breast screening findings—whether they prove to be malignant or benign. Their medical director is a nationally recognized breast cancer expert, dedicated to caring for each and every one of his patients. Volunteers, all of whom
have survived breast cancer, are eager to help patients of all means in any way they can. Valuable oneto-one sessions provide ongoing support throughout the process to address patients’ needs, both medical and personal. A Breast Health Specialist is dedicated to ensuring that all patients receive the support and knowledge to successfully navigate today’s healthcare system. For more information, call (203) 852-2300.
ST. VINCENT’S BREAST CENTER St. Vincents offers comprehensive breast health care to Bridgeport and its surrounding communities. A team of volunteers facilitates compassionate care that goes beyond the typical hospital parameters. Nurse Navigators answer patient questions, expedite scheduling of appointments and provide information through the conclusion of treatment. A mobile mammography coach offers free
mammograms to women in need, providing the privacy women want along with the state-of-the-art digital technology they need. St. Vincent’s mobile mammography program is the second in the state to offer fullfield digital technology, enhancing detection, especially in dense breast tissue, and allowing for an almost immediate review by a radiology technician. For more information, call (203) 576-6000.
HAPPENINGS
LUNCHEONS & FASHION SHOWS & CHARITY EVENTS & MORE!
MICHAEL KORS ♥ WESTPORT
Models representing the Michael Kors fall 2011 collection; Michael Kors and Ginny Pittarelli
Local fashionistas gathered at Mitchells of Westport for an exclusive premiere of the Michael Kors fall 2011 collection in May! Michael has been to Richards on several occasions, but this was his first trip to our Westport store. Headlining the event was a 15-minute runway show, which featured his upcoming women’s wear collection celebrating his work over the last 30 years. Guests sipped cocktails, noshed on hors d’oeuvres and mingled with Kors, the founder and chief designer of his eponymous Michael Kors label. Happy 30th Michael, from all of us at Mitchells Family of Stores.
HAPPENINGS
LUNCHEONS & FASHION SHOWS & CHARITY EVENTS & MORE!
NEAR AND FAR AID
Acrobats, in the ring and on stilts; Bill Mitchell and acrobat; Amy Gross, Andrew Namdar-Mitchell, Renee Mandis, Jane Priser and Michael Gross enjoying the event
Spring was in the air as were a multitude of streamers and juggling rings at the highly anticipated fundraiser and fashion celebration, Near and Far Gala. Scores of people turned out for our annual fundraiser to benefit the Near and Far Aid, the organization fighting to eliminate poverty throughout Fairfield County. Cirque-like performers mixed with fashion models to create an unbelievable Carnivale theme, while showing off some of the season’s most exciting looks. Looks spotted on the risers included a mix of bold prints and sexy solids, embellishments and a hint of glitter. On the runway and off, a great time was had by all. Thanks to all the local businesses and organizations that came out to support an incredible organization.
Our three co-chairs: Missy Harmon, Jenny Nelson, Lesley O’Connell; models, acrobats and guests mingle during the Carnivale themed event; festive lights and fashion
HAPPENINGS
LUNCHEONS & FASHION SHOWS & CHARITY EVENTS & MORE!
FLORAL EXTRAVAGANZA BLOOMS
In celebration of what was surely a spectacularly stylish season, local florists, event planners and landscapers joined in on the transformation of Mitchells, Richards and Marshs to an array of magnificent gardens. Due to the overwhelming success of last year’s first flower extravaganza in Westport, the celebration expanded beyond the doors of Mitchells.
MITCHELLS SPONSORS Diana Gould Ltd. Flowers & Flowers Geiger’s Landscape Architecture & Garden Center Greenwich Orchids
RICHARDS SPONSORS Colony Florist of Greenwich Diana Gould Ltd. Flowers & Flowers Flowers by George Geiger’s Landscape Architecture & Garden Center
MARSHS SPONSORS The Flower Petaler Main Street Nursery Scarsella’s Florist
Hoffman Landscapes Nielsen’s Florist & Garden Shop Party Ideas/Arlene Rosenthal Stonewall Garden Wildflowers at Hansen’s
Greenwich Orchids Hoffman Landscapes McArdle’s Florist & Garden Center Nielsen’s Florist & Garden Shop Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses Stonewall Garden
The Putting Green Company of Long Island Donno Landscaping
kwiat.com r earrings from the Kwiat Legacy Collection
HAPPENINGS
LUNCHEONS & FASHION SHOWS & CHARITY EVENTS & MORE!
CATWALK FOR A CURE It was an afternoon of food, wine, fashion and fun where guests were “taken away” by the exciting clothes, jewelry and accessories at this year’s Juvenile Diabetes Foundation of Fairfield County’s annual Catwalk Fashion Show. The Loading Dock in Stamford was the perfect venue for this year’s show, which featured a mix of spring and pre-fall looks. Thanks to all involved!
Guests enjoy the fashion show; models on the catwalk with spring and pre-fall looks
FULL HOUSE You don’t have to travel to Vegas to test your luck! Putting their skills to the test, guests turned out for an evening of camaraderie as the Mitchell Family and Hugo Boss hosted the ultimate Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament with special guest, New York Giants tight end, Kevin Boss.
Kevin Boss, Scott Micthell and Tom Maleri with the Hugo Boss staff; customers at the winning table
HAPPENINGS
LUNCHEONS & FASHION SHOWS & CHARITY EVENTS & MORE!
MEN IN PINK PINK PARTY
In the pink and looking great, guests got into the ‘pink’ of things to show their support for Breast Cancer Research.
A great time and great food was had by all this spring at the Men in Pink’s very first Pink Party! Guests, including over 100 men, filled the room decked out in the season’s hottest pink fashions to show their support and raise money for the Breast Cancer Alliance. The band Liquid Pleasure was amazing and played into the night donning bright pink leather suits….by special order from Richards if you like.
FASHION Lab
“Fashion Capsules” Aside from our regular designer collections, our buyers search the runways to rotate in their top picks from some of the world’s hottest fashion houses and up-and-comers!
Hand-picked selections from some of the most exciting designers in the world...
Cozy Cashmeres 3 great basic styles: crew, v-neck and turtle in 3 essential colors by Kinross.
Featuring “the best of”... Paule Ka Pauw Carven Helmut Lang Celine The Row Dolce & Gabbana Pucci Roberto Cavalli Missoni Lanvin Jason Wu Phillip Lim ...& More!!!
FASHION Q & A
JEWELRY DESIGNER KIMBERLY MCDONALD
KIMBERLY MCDONALD ON BEGINNINGS, ADORNING THE FIRST LADY AND THE POWER OF ROCKS... What attracted you to working with geodes? I love natural materials and geodes are an incredible creation of nature... agates with quartz crystallization inside them. They conduct energy and have raw appeal. We don’t do anything to them. We just clean and slice them, so they’re as close to coming from the earth as possible. Each is one of a kind. Each has its own little personality and every person will be attracted to a different one.
diamonds); and friends (the ones that know you at your worst and still stick around). I split my time between New York for work and Los Angeles for peace of mind. It’s a production to travel with all of my chihuahuas, but I can’t live without them!
What is your favorite place you go to escape it all? I adore Kona on the Big Island in Hawaii. It is so beautiful and unspoiled and you can swim with sea turtles, ryday which come up everyday at the same time! I love ove them and have designed gned a Sea Turtle collection, which serves to raise funds and awareness for the plight of endangered species through Conservation International, an organization that I strongly believe in. Kona is very well preserved. I hope that people don’t ruin it!
Who are your favorite clothing designers and which is the best designer to pair your jewelry with? Missoni and Brunello Cucinelli... I love to wear them personally and I love the way they look with my jewelry.
Your business has soared in just 3½ years. Who are some of the celebrities wearing your pieces?
How did you get started? Since I was a child in Asheville, NC, I loved collecting all kinds of agates and cool stones. As a curator of private jewelry collections, I started designing pieces for clients with stones I acquired for them. I wanted to start collecting jewelry myself, but I didn’t see anything really unique in my price range... everything had a mass-produced feel. So one day, I made myself a pair of geode earrings. A friend of mine offered to buy them off of me, but I didn’t want to sell them. Then she made me an offer I couldn’t refuse and as they say, the rest is history.
We’ve been really lucky that so many amazing, recognizable people have responded to the collection and ask to wear our pieces to special events. One of the most exciting things was Sex and the City 2. The film is such an iconic fashion ensemble and our pieces are in just about every major scene, plus SJP and Kim Catrell wore them on the red carpet. Mrs. Obama has also been wearing my pieces a lot this year. It is exciting that she has chosen them as she truly has access to everything!
What are 5 things in you can’t live without? My chihuahuas (Dad Oliver, Mama Gracie, babies Linus, Jackson, Angus and Otto); music (from Kanye to Rascal Flatts. Adele, Usher, Puccini… Music is an integral part of life for me.); good champagne (pink, preferably); rocks (geodes, opals, agates,
“IT IS SO EXCITING THAT MRS. OBAMA HAS CHOSEN SEVERAL OF MY PIECES AS SHE TRULY HAS ACCESS TO EVERYTHING!”
Who living or not do you most wish to design a piece of jewelry for? I honestly don’t aspire to design for anyone famous. To me, the most exciting sales are when I see someone really connecting with a piece I’ve created. The stones each have their own energy and when I see a woman fall in love with one, it is moving that a piece she connects with will become an heirloom for her children... that she can wear it over the years and enjoy it as part of her collection.
“I SPLIT MY TIME BETWEEN NEW YORK AND LOS ANGELES... IT’S A PRODUCTION TO TRAVEL WITH ALL OF MY CHIHUAHUAS, BUT I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT THEM! “ “EACH GEODE IS ONE OF A KIND. EACH HAS ITS OWN LITTLE PERSONALITY AND EVERY PERSON WILL BE ATTRACTED TO A DIFFERENT ONE.”
What have you found special about working with the Mitchells Family of Stores? The Mitchells get retail better than most anyone. They have a real gem in Jennifer Celli, my buyer, who is pretty much unparalleled in the business. She has incredible integrity and standards in working with designers. I never have to worry about looking in the cases and seeing a less expensive imitation of my work, which goes on all the time. As a designer that makes me very comfortable. To me, a good store is an edit of what’s in the market. They see everything and whittle it down to what’s worth presenting to the client. It’s fun to go into their stores, it feels like a home, like a family. They know kids’ names, what schools they go to, if a relative is sick. Their stores have an atmosphere you don’t find anywhere else.
friends trends
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YOUR FAVORITE BUYERS & ASSOCIATES PICK THEIR FAVORITE TRENDS FOR THE SEASON.
PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY: ROBERT NORMAN, STILL LIFE PHOTOGRAPHY: GUS CANTAVERO, STYLING: KATIE GROSS
PLAIDS & TARTANS NAVAJO KNITS
“GO SCOTTISH AND DON’T BE
“NATIVE AMERICAN-INSPIRED
AFRAID TO MIX IT UP WITH A BOLD
KNITS AND PATTERNS ARE ONE OF
NEW TWIST ON A CLASSIC.”
THE SEASON’S HOTTEST LOOKS.”
ALL THAT SHIMMERS “SEQUINS, STUDS, APPLIQUÉ... EVEN SHINY METALLIC ACCESSORIES. ADD A LAYER OF SPARKLE.”
friends trends
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SHOW US YOUR LEATHER
“MOVE OVER MOTORCYCLE
JACKETS. LEATHER IS TURNING UP IN SKIRTS, DRESSES, AS TRIM AND OF COURSE… WITH LACE!” Ginger Kermian/Richards Keeping Greenwich Gorgeous for 10 Years
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1. Brunello Cucinelli yoke waist full leather skirt
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2. The Row quilted sleeve leather Bexton dress 3. Brunello Cucinelli East West tote 4. Bettye Muller wedge boot 5. Manolo Blahnik bow pump 6. Carven sleeve lace dress
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7. Zhor & Nema beaded sweater 8. Nancy Gonzalez navy crocodile shoulder bag
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’60S LADYLIKE
“LACE, BOWS, DAINTY HANDBAGS AND LOTS OF
FRILL AND TRIM. AND DON’T BE AFRAID TO CHANNEL YOUR INNER JACKIE O.” Marilyn Wallack/Mitchells Matching Clothes with the Right Accessories Since 2000
OFF THE CUFF
“WIDE INTRICATE BRACELETS, ORNATE CUFFS WITH
LOTS OF DETAIL. THINK CHUNKY… THE BOLDER THE BETTER!” Lisa Prisco/Marshs Mixing Style & Sparkle Since 2006
2 1. Kimberly McDonald geode and diamond bracelet 2. Ashley Pittman Alama bangles
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3.Temple St. Clair vine cuff 5. Cole Haan riding boot 6. Mely’s toggle closure knit cape
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7. Loro Piana shearling cape 8. Etro fur-trimmed toggle closure printed cape
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CAPED CRUSADERS
“CAPES, PONCHOS AND ANORAKS IN
GREAT FABRICS WITH FUN TRIMMINGS ARE CHIC AND CAN BE THROWN OVER ANYTHING!” Shirley Bond/Richards Keeping the Ladies Looking Lovely for 4 Years
friends trends
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SHIRT ALERT
“PRINT OR SOLID, MAN-STYLE OR FEMININE, CROPPED, RUFFLED
OR EVEN A GREAT MAXI SHIRTDRESS... HAVE FUN WITH SHIRTS THIS SEASON!” Linda Levy/Richards Adding Glamour to Greenwich Since 2000
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1. Luciano Barbera stand collar shirt 2. Michael Kors python print archive dress 3. Etro floral print blouse 4. Valentino Red ruffle front blouse
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5. Manolo Blahnik d’Orsay sandal 6. Judith Leiber crystal clutch 7. Kwiat diamond studs 8. Jimmy Choo glitter slingback
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SHINE ON
“METALLICS, SEQUINS, PATENT LEATHER AND OF COURSE...
SOME BLING! ACCESSORIES THAT SHINE ADD ‘POP’ TO WOOL AND OTHER FALL FABRICS.” Beth Mendillo/Mitchells Making Westport Shine for a year!
A LITTLE LUXURY
“AN ICONIC HERMÈS BELT, WATCH OR TIE ADDS
A PERFECT NOTE OF SOPHISTICATION TO ANY OUTFIT. THEIR CANDLES AND NIGHTSTAND JEWELRY Janet Wilson/Richards Adding Elegance Since 1978
PLATES ARE ALSO CLASSIC AND COVETED GIFTS.”
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1. Hermès Heure watch double-iris 2. Hermès men’s candles
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3. Hermès rectangular plate 4. Hermès ties
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5. Hermès belt 6. Luciano Barbera suede shirt 7. Edward Armah “pocket circles” 8. Incotex washed cords 9. Bontoni lace-ups 10. Loro Piana cashmere Roadster
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COUNTRY GENTLEMAN
“TREAT YOURSELF TO A SUPPLE
SUEDE SHIRT, SOFT-AS-VELVET CORDS, A SUMPTUOUS SWEATER OR SOME PICTURE PERFECT LEATHER SHOES. COMFORTABLE ELEGANCE IS THE WAY TO GO.”
Donald O’Connor/Marshs Keeping Long Island Styling Since 1990
friends trends
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MIX UP YOUR OUTERWEAR
“EVERYDAY FOR
MONTHS, YOU’LL LIKELY NEED A COAT! OUR NEW ARRIVALS OFFER IMPECCABLE PERFORMANCE AND STYLE. ONE COAT WILL NOT TAKE YOU EVERYWHERE... MIX IT UP!”
Joe deRosa/Mitchells Keeping You Well-Dressed Since 1996
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1. Private Label shearling 2. Ermenegildo Zegna reversible coat
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3. Gimos calf blouson 4. John Varvatos ankle boot 5. Hugo Boss snap mock 6. Borgo 28 cardigan
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7. Agave Pragmatist jeans
7
8. Vince fleece hoodie
6
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CASUAL COOL
“A HIP HOODIE, A SHORT BOOT, VERSATILE PULLOVERS,
THAT GREAT PAIR OF JEANS… QUALITY CASUAL PIECES KEEP YOU LOOKING CURRENT WHILE FEELING COZY.”
Brian Hawkins/Richards Making Sure You Look Sharp Since 2006
C E L E B R AT I N G 2 5 Y E A R S O F MODERN CLASSIC DESIGN
live life beautifully
W W W. T E M P L E S T C L A I R . C O M 1.800.590.7985
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life is but a
Fall 2011 has us dreaming about texture... lush knits, comfy cashmeres, velvety cords, fur collars. So many dreamy ways to stay warm this fall...
PHOTOGRAPHY: Sergio
Kurhajek |
STYLING:
Wendy McNett |
HAIR & MAKEUP:
Claire Bayley
DREAM A LITTLE DREAM OF...
W W W. E S C A DA . C O M
Our Diamonds!
A GUIDE TO OUR BEST KEPT SECRET
DIAMONDS at a CLOTHING STORE?
or is it
CLOTHING at a DIAMOND STORE? Over the past 20 years, Mitchells has become the largest jeweler in Upper Fairfield County.
Together, with our jewelry “store within a store” at Richards, diamond and fine jewelry is the fastest growing part of our business. Our team of Diamond Specialists, roster of world-renown jewelry designers and global network of stone resources constitute a diamond program we couldn’t be more proud to put our name on.
JAY HANNA
SCOTT MITCHELL
Diamond, Watch & Jewelry Specialist, Mitchells GIA Graduate Gemologist 20 Years Diamond Experience
Store Manager/Ladies, Richards 10 Years Diamond Experience GIA Certified
MICHELLE ROMANO Diamond & Jewelry Specialist, Mitchells 35 Years Diamond Experience
NAKI HALEPAS
Diamond & Jewelry Specialist, Richards 20 Years Diamond Experience
CLAIRE GLADSTONE
CECILIA THOMAS
JENNIFER CELLI
Diamond & Jewelry Specialist, Richards 4 Years Diamond Experience
Diamond & Jewelry Specialist, Mitchells/GIA Certified 20 Years Diamond Experience
Diamond, Jewelry & Watch Buyer Mitchells Family of Stores 7 Years Diamond Experience
EXPERTISE.
SELECTION.
VALUE.
TRUST.
Most of our Diamond Specialists are educated by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the world’s most recognized and trusted authority on diamonds and several are “GIA Certified” with advanced degrees. All Diamond Specialists take courses at GIA to stay upto-date on new industry developments and also stay abreast of news and trends with continual education by our vendors.
We are honored to offer designer diamond and fine jewelry from the world’s most prestigious diamond houses, including Graff, Kwiat, Oscar Heyman and Beaudry. In addition to our inventory, we can source any kind of diamond imaginable through our global network of sightholders and brokers.
Our educated customers that have purchased diamonds elsewhere are repeatedly surprised by the excellent value we offer in our diamonds. Our reputation in the diamond business combined with the volume we generate has given us “global buying power,” enabling us to offer extremely competitive pricing.
Diamonds are a serious investment and for us, a business we take very seriously. There is no substitute for making important purchases from people you know and trust. We stand firmly behind every piece of diamond jewelry we sell, as well as the service and craftsmanship that goes into it.
rings earrings necklaces bracelets
“
We didn’t know what to expect when first partnering with the Mitchells. But thanks to their expertise and enthusiasm, in five years they’ve become one of our most important retail partners. Greg Kwiat
”
Partner, Kwiat
SOLITAIRES & BANDS
Whether you’re looking for that first engagement ring or a show-stopping upgrade, we will find the perfect diamond to fit your budget. We have recently sourced and sold some of the world’s most spectacular flawless stones! No matter what cut or carat size you seek, you’ll find it in our wedding band collections. Make sure everyone knows she’s “taken” by somebody with style!
“
After buying diamonds elsewhere, I was thrilled to buy a major piece from people I know and trust. I enjoy the discretion of their private jewelry room.
”
HOOPS & STUDS
rings earrings necklaces bracelets
Richards Customer Since 1998
Kwiat makes “the perfect diamond hoop” and we are proud to offer their most extensive selection anywhere! Kwiat diamond hoops are perennially one of our customers’ most sought-after items. The classic stud is a “must-have” for the well-dressed woman’s wardrobe. While perfect for everyday, larger studs are also increasingly popular on the red carpet.
rings ings arrings earrings necklaces racelets bracelets
THE TREASURED NECKLACE
The ultimate treasure, heirloom and gift of love... Nothing showcases diamonds and a woman’s radiance like a magnificent diamond necklace. These extraordinary works of art, often inspired by vintage designs, truly bring back the glamour and grandeur of bygone eras...
rings
“
We truly know our customers. Our understanding of their tastes and lifestyles enable us to help them make perfect choices. Michele Romano
earrings necklaces bracelets
”
Diamond & Jewelry Specialist, Mitchells
THE CHERISHED BRACELET
Honor the woman in your life with a fabulous diamond bracelet, a gift guaranteed to take her breath away. Diamond cuffs are timeless and have never been more popular. We have a wide selection of diamond watches and bracelets to match all of life’s great occassions.
Mitchells reset a single-stone “diamond ring I rarely wore into a stunning 3-stone emerald and diamond ring I rarely take off. ” Mitchells Customer Since 1985
CUSTOM DESIGN:
As a full-service jeweler, we offer custom services that allow you to work with extraordinary designers to create the pieces of your dreams! We proudly put our name behind all custom work... and guarantee the same impeccable design, craftsmanship and durability that is the hallmark of all our diamond jewelry. Whether you bring in an original sketch or are inspired by a piece in our stores or a magazine, creating custom jewelry is an exciting collaborative process! We meet in our quiet private room to discuss and sketch out what you have in mind. Our Diamond Specialists will then help you choose the appropriate design studio (if you’d like, you can work with Kwiat, Beaudry, Oscar Heyman or many of our other designers!) to make your vision a reality.
RESETTING YOUR DIAMOND:
Let us breathe exciting new life into a tired piece of jewelry with a gorgeous, updated setting! It’s the perfect way to take a diamond with sentimental value and turn it into something really special. Whether you want something contemporary or vintage-inspired, stand-alone, or set amidst other diamonds or gems, let us transform a beloved jewel you don’t wear into an exciting new favorite!
TRADE-INS & UPGRADES:
If you have a diamond or heirloom gem that’s just sitting in the vault or jewelry box, why not turn it into something fabulous? We’ll be happy to give you an objective valuation that can help pay the way toward something you’ll love!
IMPECCABLE CRAFTSMANSHIP. ATTENTIVE & PERSONALIZED SERVICE.
CARAT:
“Carat” is the easiest characteristic to assess as it is simply the weight of a diamond. One carat is equal to .2 grams. Each carat is made up of 100 “points,” so a carat that is “50 points” is .5 carats.
1.00 ct.
2.50 ct.
4.00 ct.
6.00 ct. All sizes are approximated.
COLOR:
Diamonds (except “fancy” colored diamonds) are valued by “colorlessness.” Less color means higher value. The scale begins with D (colorless) and continues through the alphabet, with increasing presence of color, to Z.
D
CLARITY:
H
Z
Most diamonds have birthmarks called inclusions (internal) and blemishes (external). The fewer marks a diamond has, the more valuable. Diamonds are given a clarity grade that ranges from Flawless (FL) to Imperfect (I3).
WS 2
CUT:
Round
N
VS 2
SI 2
I
2
“Cut” begins with the shape of a diamond, “round brilliant” being the most common. As a value factor, it refers to a diamond’s proportions, symmetry and polish. For round brilliants, the GIA rates cut from Excellent to Poor.
Asscher
Emerald
DIAMONDS 101: KNOW YOUR FOUR C’S
Oval
Marquise
Pear
Cushion
Princess
Heart
Whether you are purchasing an engagement ring for the first time or celebrating your “Diamond (60th!) Anniversary,” when buying a diamond over .5 carats, never forget to request a stone’s rating. The Four C’s are the GIA’s (Gemological Institute of America) standards for rating a diamond.
KATE WINSLET
Experience the whole story at SJK.COM
Š2011 Michael Beaudry, Inc
Over 100 years of expe xperience goes into everyy piece that we h handcraft
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HUGO BOSS FASHIONS INC. Phone +1 212 940 0600 www.hugoboss.com
TAILOR’S CORNER
IN SEARCH OF THE PERFECT FIT
A CUSTOM FIT FROM AN OFF-THERACK SUIT? JUST ASK YOUR TAILOR. While it’s a wonderful luxury to have a completely custom suit made for you from the bottom up, you can enjoy a “custom fit” from any suit we sell, if you are willing to work with our tailors. Having a suit you’ve purchased at any of our stores tailored is a complimentary service we provide, so why not try it? Our tailors are up-to-date on the latest styles, cuts and fits, which they execute with an old-world commitment to the craft that we believe is second to none. Following are some guidelines on what to work on when “customizing” your suit!
KEY AREAS TO FOCUS ON WHEN WORKING WITH YOUR TAILOR: JACKET
PANTS
Shoulders If the shoulder doesn’t fit right, you shouldn’t be buying the suit. It is the first measure of a well-fitting suit. Today’s shoulder should be fitted, not too bulky and not too tight.
Waist If you have broad shoulders and a narrow waist, a suit will be more flattering if you have the waist taken in, which may involve adding darts.
Leg Width Pant legs should not be baggy nor should they be so tight they’re constrictive. For a slimmer silhouette, discuss taking the leg in if you think it’s too loose.
Lapels Today, lapels are a bit narrower and they should always lay flat. Have the tailor make sure they meet the tips of your shirt collar.
Sleeves Your suit sleeve should be a bit shorter than it used to be, not below your wrist. Have it shortened so that about half an inch of shirt sleeve shows.
Leg Break Some men prefer no break at all, but many feel this makes the pant feel a bit too short. Most prefer a slight break so that the pant rests on the top of the shoe.
Jacket Length The jacket should fall so that the bottom hits the tip of your thumb.
YWi^c[h[!meeb fem[h ik_j
STYLE MATTERS WHY
Making a good impression has never been more important. Nor has it ever been easier! What does your wardrobe say about you? In the business world or out of it? Attuned to what’s current? Appreciator of fine quality?
Do you want to look more successful? More attractive? Sexier? More sophisticated? The first place to start is with your clothes. Studies show that welldressed men get higher paying jobs, enjoy better social status and are
more attractive to the opposite sex. While saving you money, dressing in dated or unflattering clothing can cost you a lot. Following are simple tips on how to spruce your look, because yes, style matters!
simple updates for all your modes...
1. Dressy Casual
2. Sartorial
BUILDING A GREAT WARDROBE IS SIMPLER THAN YOU THINK.
3. Sporty Casual
WITH A FEW NEW BASICS, A WONDERFUL FOUNDATION (AND BETTER FIRST IMPRESSIONS) CAN BE BUILT.
Dressy Casual
THE ESSENTIAL
SPORTCOAT THE MVP OF DRESSY CASUAL
No single item is more effective in transforming a man’s wardrobe than the sportcoat. It makes a man look “dressed,” while enhancing and concealing all the right body parts...
Plaid Classic A great neutral Russ Mitchell plaid adds instant style to a pair of jeans and moves gracefully from office to dinner.
Color Statement A bolder plaid in rich fall colors adds excitement to solid basics and layers well with sweaters.
Unconstructed A soft, unlined jacket is an indispensable basic this season. It looks casually elegant and fits like a second skin!
Collegiate Corduroy Toasty warm and versatile, corduroy has come back with a vengeance.
Soft Cashmere Unconstructed and elegant, it works with dress pants, jeans and everything in between.
Sartorial
(NEW)
FIT
The New Slimmer Silhouette is here to stay
From a first interview to the corner office, one properly fitting neutral suit in a transitional fabric is an essential basic for the well-dressed man.
The Intellectual Add a sweater to a windowpane wool suit for a super smart look.
The Young Turk A well-cut dark suit can take you everywhere... and a great wool tie is an easy way to add some personality.
The Player A fun shirt (without a tie) with an open suit jacket is a refreshing upgrade to jeans.
which SUITS you?
The Statesman Herringbone in warm fall tones plus a buttoned vest spells confidence.
The Mogul Navy pinstripe suit, blue shirt, red tie, slim cut... need we say more?
Sporting Event With Client A quilted, fitted, double-breasted jacket is as warm as it is flattering.
Weekend Outing Cold, blustery days can be faced in style with an elegant update to the classic parka.
Sporty Casual
RELAXED
STYLE Soccer Sidelines Throw a great scarf over a versatile pullover and be the best looking dad on the field.
Whether it’s the weekend, or you just want it to feel that way.
Country Drive Go antiquing and lunching in style in a chocolate suede driving jacket, also perfect for everyday.
BASIC Instincts Fabulous basics a are the building blocks of a great wardrobe ob be and are also at the forefront of fa fashion! ashion! Here are 14 timeless e essentials for fall...
Riding Boot
Not just for horses... a horses.. riding great rid like this boot, lik Duccio one by D Ducca, Del Duc goes out never go of style.
Wide Belt
Unconstructed Blazer
Throw this crocodile belt by L.A.I. over a sweater, a blouse or a dress and add instant style.
by Anissejlife. Knit blazers are less constricting and much cozier than their structured counterparts.
Diamond Hoops by Kwiat. Just the right amount of sparkle for dress up or everyday.
Not Your Grandma’s Silk Scarf
Avant Toi takes vintage Hermès and Ferragamo silk scarves and lines them with cashmere, each one an original.
Robe Coat
It’s time to replace your old wool coat! Cashmere Robe Coat by Fleurette.
Leopard p Slingback
Who says neutral has to be boring? A perfect alternative to the classic pump by Manolo Blahnik.
Long White Shirt
by Walter Voulez. Ideal to throw on with leggings or skinny pants and a great pair of boots.
Anything Camel
The “it” basic color for shoes, bags, clothing, outerwear, everywhere. Shown: Michael Kors
Iconic Amulet
Designed to ward off evil, once you own Temple St. Clair’s crystal amulet, you’ll find it hard to take it off!
“Go to” Tote
Go to work, go to dinner, go on a trip... the Gia Satchel by Michael Kors is the “it bag” that goes everywhere.
Cozy Cashmeres
3 great basic styles: crew, v-neck and turtle in 3 essential colors by Kinross.
profile AUGUST 2012 WILL MARK THE 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICA’S COOLEST DENIM. BY KAREN ALBERG GROSSMAN
y mission 10 years ago was to make the best jeans in the world; that’s still our mission today,” asserts Agave founder Jeff Shafer. “We started with eight jeans; last year we did $11 million in sales, a record for us, just in men’s. My wife Lauren (who retired from the business 16 years ago to raise our son Jacob) is back as designer of women’s. We’ve become a true luxury label focused on USA-made quality product.”
How do you compete with bigger brands? I knew the secret of making the best jeans was in the denim. I found the best denims from boutique mills in Japan. I focused on fabric and fit, partnering with a Japanese jeans manufacturer with production and laundry in L.A. that made jeans for Levi’s. They knew how to make a jean authentically and accurately. Agave stands for the highest quality jeans, made authentically in the USA. Our customers know this and appreciate our commitment.
How tough is it to work with your spouse? I wouldn’t be a designer today if it weren’t for Lauren. Two companies ago we started working together: I was the owner and she was doing production. We hit tough times and had to let our designer go, and Lauren encouraged me to do the design myself; she actually taught me how. I found my passion thanks to Lauren and I’ve been trying to get her back to work with me for a long time. Last September, our son Eli started high school and she finally agreed. Here’s why it works: We are equals; we trust each other and don’t compete with one another. We try not to discuss work at home.
Above: Jeff and Lauren Shafer Left: Items from Agave’s men’s and women’s fall collections
A DECADE OF AGAVE We have the same taste level but complementary skills. We share values, integrity and the same commitment to quality.
What’s the next big thing in denim for fall 2011? The news is COLOR in bottoms, not just shades of indigo, black and gray, but brown, olive and camel. The other excitement is alternative weaves (twills, cords, etc.) in five-pocket models, washed down to a beautiful patina.
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profile
LUCIANO BARBERA ITALY’S AMBASSADOR OF STYLE BY WILLIAM KISSEL
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L Opposite page: Luciano Barbera This page: A men’s look from Barbera’s fall 2011 collection
uciano Barbera always wears white for tennis, prefers dress slacks on the driving range, and would never consider putting on a colorful, patterned shirt to attend a dinner party. “Can you imagine someone going to dinner in a fancy collar and checks and stripes?” he once said incredulously. “It’s not possible. It will not match with the situation.” Barbera appreciates the established rules of proper dressing, but the dapper designer’s passion also extends to the fabrics and fine craftsmanship of his clothing and the factories where they are made, which must be in Italy, of course. This last mandate has proven a bit problematic, because current Italian law allows clothing makers to put ‘Made in Italy’ on their garments even if only one simple element, such as adding buttons or sewing on a label, is done in that country. Like most true Italian designers, he is strongly opposed to regulations that intentionally deceive the consumer, and he has
style by creating hybrid products a man can wear in unexpected ways. (To wit, a tech-inspired down vest is faced in super 150s navy chalk stripe suit fabric to deliberately blur the lines between casual and dress.) Barbera’s suits, while clearly influenced by old-world English tailoring, are designed in the Milanese manner that stresses softly padded, narrow shoulders and a gently tapered waist. Yet most of his suits and sportcoats are made not in Milan but in southern Italy, by many of the same Neapolitan tailors producing clothing for other world-renowned brands. “They have a saying in Naples: ‘It’s like a second skin.’ This is exactly how a well-made suit should fit,” he says. Unlike other bespoke suit makers who emphasize the hand-make of their garments, Barbera’s clothing reflects a perfect balance between man and machine. “You can have a very strong suit made entirely by hand that is ugly because the person who made it has no style or sense of proportions. So what is the appeal?” asks Barbera. “The key is to have the ability to generate harmony in the garment but to make your suit where they are used to making the best suits.”
GIUSEPPE PINO
Understated and deluxe, like Italian cashmere, is how friends and colleagues describe both Barbera and his label. been a pioneer in the efforts to change those laws. “Italian culture, quality and style should be promoted in the right way and not get jeopardized by other clothing producers outside the country. The customer has the right to know the truth,” he insists. Barbera has good reason to be proud of Italian style and production. Italy is unquestionably the producer of the finest luxury fashion in the world. Barbera’s collection, very much a product of the man himself, is no exception. Understated and deluxe, like Italian cashmere, is how friends and colleagues describe both Barbera and his label. Indeed, admits the designer, “I’ve always been considered the natural ambassador of everything we produce.” This fall, what Barbera has produced is a trilogy of designs inspired by the years 1930, 1940 and 1971— three significant high periods in 20th century fashion. He hopes to entice more 30- and 40-somethings to classic
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What makes the Luciano Barbera collection so distinctive is more than just the tailoring. “I really consider the fabric the root of my clothing,” says Barbera, who started out as a textile designer. Not only are his fabrics exclusive to his designs, they are all developed in house at the Lanificio Carlo Barbera mill. Another important attribute of the Barbera line is the attention to detail he lavishes on every object. “It’s important that every single piece in the collection offers something special,” adds the designer, unable to name a favorite design from his label. “It’s like asking a man which is your favorite child; it simply can’t be done,” he says. Among Barbera’s favorite expressions: sprezzatura, the Italian word for detachment, but he says a better way to think of it is quiet confidence or low-key style. “The most forceful statement is understatement,” he says. “It is the philosophy behind everything I do.”
paulshark.it
MADE IN ITALY
style
FALL AND WINTER ARE JUST HEATING UP. BY WILLIAM KISSEL The runways of Milan, New York and Paris showcase fashion at its most extravagant. Limited edition wool suits and belts made from the most exotic skins were paraded out to cause a stir—and it worked. Thankfully there’s more to menswear than one-off pieces singularly designed with connoisseurs in mind. This fall, men’s clothing and accessory makers have created some of their most varied and versatile collections to meet the everyday needs of the stylish modern man. Sharp suits and sportcoats in a rich array of autumnal colors and tweedy textures, sporty jackets made of weatherproof materials, big bold knits in solids and multi-hued variations, and even a resurgence of cashmere, corduroy and camel hair are wearable and on-trend. So whether you’re lounging around the house, dashing to the office, going for a weekend road trip, or preparing for that big formal affair, this fall’s offerings have you covered.
IMAGES COURTESY OF Z ZEGNA AND BRUNELLO CUCINELLI
TRENDS FOR MEN
A patterned sportcoat can be dressed up or down, and a double-breasted camel peacoat satisfies three trends in one.
DUAL-PURPOSE Perfect for the office in
IIMAGES COURTESY OF ZEGNA SPORT
Technically speaking... This wool and down jacket offers Thermore insulation and taped seams for waterproof performance.
classic pinstripes or subtle windowpane patterns, these same jackets come alive at night when paired with casual slacks and jeans, coincidentally the way most real men now define weekend wear. If you want to try something new, check out this year’s crop of double-breasted jackets, or DBs, as they’re known. Nearly every designer from Armani to Zegna is banking on double-breasted suits playing a starring role in men’s wardrobes, this fall and beyond. To that end, double-breasted jackets come in many variations, from low
>> THIS SEASON, IT’S HIGH STYLE TO WEAR SOMETHING HIGH TECH. four-button models with soft shoulders and very straight lapels to serious, military-inspired high six- and even eightbutton, peak lapel jackets with strong shoulders and streamlined waists. Many of these shapes also carry over into outerwear and sportcoats.
SWEET PEAS The pea coat originated in the 18th century, when the durable jackets were used to clothe sailors and other military personnel who found the “pij” material (from the Dutch word pijjekker meaning twilled cloth) used to make them incredibly warm. Modern menswear makers could not have foreseen record cold temperatures across the globe when they developed their own versions of these hearty coats, but rest assured that the double-breasted toppers are ready to work double duty when necessary.
STRIKE A CORD Corduroy comes in many
sizes—from pinwale to extra wide wale— and this season top brands like Belvest, Kiton, Zegna, Loro Piana and Canali have employed the time-honored ribbed cloth in everything from jeans, jackets and sport shirts to outerwear, blazers, and even tailored clothing. Pinwale corduroy in a cotton/cashmere blend is Hugo Boss’s top dog this season, while cashmere kingpin Brunello Cucinelli prefers brushed corduroy for his quilted coats.
OUT OF THE DESERT Few items in a man’s wardrobe have ever been more luxurious than a camel top coat. Now that familiar topper—a staple of 1930s and 1940s Hollywood royalty—has been reinterpreted in everything from car coats and highwaisted trousers to sportcoats and even full camel hair (or colored) suits. Designers as diverse as Hermès, Giorgio
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Armani, Tom Ford and Ermenegildo Zegna offered just a preview of the full camel stampede to come this winter.
TECHNO? TECH YES! Remember Zegna’s imaginative I Jacket with its built-in touch control panel at the cuff, allowing one to interface with his iPod without touching it? Or how about Loro Piana’s innovative Storm System technology, which renders even the most opulent fabrics like superfine wool and cashmere water repellent? Those brilliant ideas have come full circle and spawned a whole generation of high tech, high style garments. Whether it’s a polyester and nylon jacket that actually breathes as the temperature rises, or a top coat designed with touch technology that lets you hide your electronics and control them remotely, this season, it’s high style to wear something high tech.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SERGIO KURHAJEC STYLING BY WENDY MCNETT HAIR & MAKEUP BY MACO TESTA
BOB MITCHELL ON WHY EVERY GREAT WARDROBE SHOULD INCLUDE SOME GREAT SEASONAL PIECES...
S
THE RICHEST LOOKS ARE
SEASONAL
W
hile 50 percent of your wardrobe can be “year round,” 50 percent should be seasonal. Cold weather fabrics—flannels, tweeds, corduroys, suedes and velvets—provide a depth, variety and personality to dressing that can’t be matched by less distinctive transitional fabrics. For fall 2011, we’re seeing a big comeback of the gray flannel suit, made famous by JFK in
the 1960’s. We’re also seeing a big resurgence of tweed and herringbone, for dressing up or casual. Also more popular than ever is layering... chunky sweaters, wool knit ties and a beautiful heavier sportcoat are a great way to bring a pair of jeans to life. So, pile on the cashmeres, sweaters and scarfs. Winter, come and get us!
BRUNELLO CUCINELLI
SEASONAL FABRICS ARE MORE TEXTURAL & UNIQUE.
opposite ZEGNA above SUIT: SAMUELSOHN, TIE & SHIRT: HUGO BOSS
LEFT — JACKET: DESIGNER NAME, opposite BLAZER: SAMUELSOHN, SWEATER: LORO PIANA RIGHT — SWEATER: DESIGNER NAME, JACKET: DESIGNER NAME above ISAIA
PILE ON WARM, CHUNKY LAYERS FOR A SOPHISTICATED LOOK.
wheels
BEAUTIFUL CARS ARE NOT JUST TRANSPORTATION, BUT ROLLING WORKS OF ART.
CAUTION: MAY INSPIRE SERIOUS GARAGE ENVY BY DAVID ROSE
VINTAGE ROAD SHOW
It all started early one Saturday, when my best friend showed up at my house driving his uncle’s 1959 Austin Healy Sprite. He parked it outside my bedroom window and blasted its air horn, prompting me to vault three feet out of bed. We spent the day driving around Boston in the coolest car I had ever been in, and I promised myself right then that when I was old enough to drive, I would buy a British sports car. The day came shortly after my sixteenth birthday, and nothing was the same again for me. I now have a humble collection of these wonderful cars and drive them as
often as possible. There are many extraordinary automobile museums around the world, but also numerous private collectors whose magnificent cars are worth fortunes. Perhaps they also had friends who introduced them to the world of classic cars. Or it may have simply been the majesty of the machines that inspired them to covet and collect these amazing vehicles. One such man is Richard Myers, a former math teacher turned European car dealer who is now retired and lives in New Jersey and Rhode Island. A collector of vintage cars for over 40 years, his 38 classics include some very rare
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machines. Like me, his first was an MGA that he bought while in college. Back then British sports cars were relatively new to the area where he lived, so he soon learned how to do mechanical repairs on his own. He has always considered these beautiful cars not just transportation, but rolling works of art. After college, he bought and restored a Jaguar, followed by Rolls Royces and Bentleys, which he fixed up and sold for profit. After a while he realized that he no longer wanted to sell the cars he restored, and his classic car collection was born. It was the 1970s, and classic car values were nothing like they are today: he was able to
The 1953 Allard J2X
acquire some amazing vehicles, which in today’s market would be untouchable. nd he’s still in the market. “I would love to find a perfect Ferrari Dino and a Porsche 356 Speedster,” Meyers confides. “Both cars would have to be black: I base my color sense on the design of the car and those two cars say ‘black’ to me... I just bought two 550 Marinello Ferraris, and I couldn’t go with the traditional red or yellow people associate with Ferraris; one is silver and the other titanium.” All of Myers’ cars are drivable, and drive them he does. His current collection, which includes an Aston Martin, a 1954 Corvette and a 289 Cobra, is essentially a microcosm of sports car history.
ROB ERTGR AHA M .US
OTHER COVETABLE COLLECTIONS • When Ken Lingenfelter, whose father was a GM executive, was growing up, stylish high performance automobiles were a way of life. He bought his first Corvette in 1977 and has since assembled a magnificent collection of 150 Corvettes and other Detroit muscle cars, as well as select exotics from around the world. • The Simeone Foundation Museum outside of Philadelphia, although now open to the public, began as a private collection assembled by neurosurgeon Dr. Fred Simeone. This collection centers on racing cars from around the world and is considered one of the best in the country. • In summer, cream-of-the-crop classic cars gather at Concours d’Elegance events around the world. In the U.S., Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is thought to be the best. The Greenwich, CT event is considered the best on the East Coast.
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GREEK REVIVAL
A
few steps behind the Kapsaliana Village there’s an ancient olive tree. It stands alone, determinedly rooted into a slight rise. From here, the view stretches across the largest olive grove on Crete, over a lush valley, to the sea. The scene is quiet and stunningly beautiful. Originally home to a thriving olive press worked by monks (the historic Arkadi monastery is nearby), the settlement was gradually abandoned after the press was closed in 1955. Today, under the brilliant tuteledge of architect Myron Toypoyannis, Kapsaliana Village has been rebuilt and restored and named a member of Historic Hotels of Greece. The age-old architecture is combined with modern comforts. Twelve guest houses, hewn from the original dwellings, are set on cobblestone alleys. The olive press is now a museum. The restaurant offers superb traditional Cretan food, and there’s a luxurious swimming pool. But most of all, there’s an atmosphere of tranquility and seclusion, as if time had paused to offer visitors a few moments of complete serenity.
World Scene Experience life’s little luxuries
. BY DONALD CHARLES RICHARDSON
COLD COMFORT
LAKE PLACID LODGE
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s cold weather approaches, ‘tis time for winter sports, a cozy new coat and a heart-warming cocktail. After ice skating, cross country skiing or snowshoeing at the Lake Placid Lodge in New York’s Adirondack mountains, guests keep out the chill with the hotel’s winter drink, the Barkeater. Bartender Lori Kudelski, who created the Barkeater, shares the recipe for this snug concoction. Ingredients: 1 oz. vanilla vodka, 1 oz. Frangelico, 1 oz. Amaretto, a splash of New York State maple syrup, and 4 oz. cream. Mix vodka, Amaretto, Frangelico and maple syrup in a shaker, then pour over ice in an old fashioned glass. Top with cream and garnish with a mint leaf. Cheers!
go to facebook.com/etonofsweden tell us your favorite thing about Mitchells and be automatically entered into a drawing for a $500 eton shopping spree.
fine shirt maker since 1928
GILT TRIP
MONEY MUSEUM
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long with golf, rock climbing and fly fishing, guests of The Broadmoor Hotel at the foot of the Rockies in Colorado Springs can go for the gold. The sparkling festivities begin in a chauffeured Hummer (gold-flecked handcrafted chocolates and a bottle of Champagne are provided), which brings you to the Money Museum. Here, caterers serve dinner in the Bass Gallery, where over $20 million dollars worth of paper money and rare coins, including the most comprehensive collection of American gold coinage in existence, is stored. Between courses, the curator of the museum joins guests and passes around several million dollars in coins and notes. The Broadmoor’s wealthy revelry culminates at the hotel bar with chocolate sorbet decorated with 18K gold leaf, created by executive restaurant pastry chef Rémy Fünfrock, and director of wine Tim Baldwin opens a bottle of Moët & Chandon, Cuvée Dom Perignon Oenothèque, 1966.
COUNTRY CHIC
JAYNE THOMPSON
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n the Kentucky countryside not far from Lexington, there’s a historic eightroom house. Originally named Bellevue, it was built in 1779 by Colonel John Bowman (the state’s first military governor) for his wife, Elizabeth. Now, it’s the home of Jayne Thompson Antiques, decorated with a lavish collection of English and Italian furniture and accessories. The shop is so popular with antiques aficionados, collectors often fly in (there’s a nearby private airport) to shop. For visitors with an urge to experience a more gracious time, Jayne Thompson will also arrange a dinner. Catered by Debbie Long of Dudley’s Restaurant in Lexington, the meal is prepared from seasonal ingredients and paired with appropriate wines. It’s served either in the home’s stunning dining room filled with antiques, or on the lawn, where the hostess places 18th-century Windsor chairs and a 17th-century oak farm table, set with English Ironstone china.
A STRETCH OF BEACH
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DJORDJE ISHERE / CLICKHERE STUDIOS
mong the many trendy—and usually pricey—goings-on in Miami, there’s one very stylish event that’s amazingly inexpensive. For just $5, residents and visitors, serious yoga practitioners and first timers alike, can join certified instructors for “Beach Yoga at 3rd Street, Miami Beach.” This ultimate South Beach insider happening, which attracts vacationing Broadway stars and fashion editors, among others, has been meeting every day at sunrise and sunset for the past 12 years. Take water and a towel, and spend an hour reaching new horizons.
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T H E
U L T I M A T E
T R O U S E R
design
Haute HOSPITALITY
IS IT SELF-EXPRESSION OR NARCISSISM? EITHER WAY, DESIGNER HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS ARE FASHION’S NEWEST HOT SPOTS. BY WILLIAM KISSEL
Previous page, clockwise from top left: Bottega Veneta for the St. Regis in Rome; Dolce & Gabbana Gold restaurant in Milan; the bar at Gold Below, left: Cavalli Club, Florence Right: Ralph Lauren’s Ralph’s restaurant, Paris
n the 1970s fashion designers were satisfied to have their names scrawled on the back pockets of your jeans. Over the ensuing decade, they discovered a way to put their stamp on everything from fragrance, sunglasses and leather goods to furniture and bedding. Now they want you to experience their own lavish lifestyles by enveloping you in their signature luxury hotel suites and posh dining rooms. The trend escalated this past year when nearly a dozen new hotels were autographed by top designers—from Giorgio Armani’s sleek, ambitious Armani Hotel Dubai and Bulgari’s bucolic Balinese retreat, to Missoni’s stylish Scottish hideaway and Christian Lacroix’s French boulangerie-turned-bed and breakfast. It’s not only the newest way to propagate their names: designers insist the evanescent hotel or dining experience acts as a kind of “live-in portfolio” of their work. Giorgio Armani features custom-made furniture and decorative objects from his Armani/Casa home collection in his namesake hotels, the second of which is scheduled to open in Milan early next year. “I wanted to see how the collection would look when applied to real spaces,” says the designer, who adds that the idea gives hotel guests an opportunity to sam-
ple the furnishings in a living situation before investing in them for their own homes. Recognizable designer fabrics and furnishings also encourage guests to form an emotional connection with the hotel—and the brand. And while hotels offer the opportunity to live like Armani or Versace for days or even weeks, restaurants can offer the same “lifestyle experience” in a matter of hours. Take Ralph Lauren, whose fashion forays range from the highbrow sartorial chic of London’s Savile Row to the Rocky Mountain highs of Colorado. Inside Ralph’s, located in the designer’s Paris store, Lauren brings his idealized world to life. The chic eatery is infused with his signature British-Americana stamp, from the vintage leather seating and equestrian-themed artwork right down to the menu, which includes beef raised on Lauren’s own RRL Ranch. “The story of the menu is like the classic film An American in Paris,” says Lauren. “The food is genuinely American, but set in a mood that is genuinely international.” In a more flashy setting, design duo Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana
imbued their Milanese restaurant Gold with a mix of exotic materials—pink and gray arabesque-patterned marble, high gloss steel, gold leather—that they consider to be architectural equivalents of their clothing. While today’s designers would like you to believe they invented the haute hospitality trend, that honor actually goes to Pierre Cardin, who bought the fashionable French bistro Maxims in 1981 and has subsequently turned it into an international brand. “I suspect if you look hard enough you could find Pierre Cardin’s name on a screwdriver,” jokes American designer Todd Oldham, whose own foray into the hospitality game started in 1999 with the opening of The Hotel and its adjoining Wish restaurant in Miami, and continued this year with the christening of 20 new suites. Oldham is now in negotiations to design a hotel in Chicago. “It’s very smart of developers to find tastemakers from other [creative] areas who can enhance the hotel experience,” says Oldham, who believes fashion designers are naturally more sensitive to aesthetics, form and function than typical hotel designers. “Because we tend to focus on making you look good, we can also make you look good in a room.”
DESIGNER FABRICS AND FURNISHINGS ENCOURAGE GUESTS TO FORM AN EMOTIONAL CONNECTION WITH THE HOTEL—AND THE BRAND.
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travel
The 19th-century Pepperpot Tower was modeled on a peppermill belonging to the seventh Viscount Powerscourt, Mervyn Wingfield.
Green visions abound in the gardenscapes of the Dublin countryside. By David Lyon When filmmakers want to evoke the formal lush countryside of Georgian Ireland or the mythical Celtic landscape of dappled glades, they train their cameras on Powerscourt Estate, one of the greenest corners of the Emerald Isle. Set on Dublin’s doorstep in County Wicklow, the gated lands originally surrounded a 13th-century castle that helped guard the city. In 1731, the lord of Powerscourt upgraded to the iconic Georgian manor that still occupies the high ground, gazing across a rich array of gardens and over a small lake to the hunched backs of the Wicklow Mountains.
For full immersion in the lifestyle of latter-day Irish gentry, retire to the RitzCarlton Powerscourt, where you can nurse a tumbler of Tyrconnell single-malt Irish whiskey on the terrace. The 200-room resort opened in 2007 and is just a fiveminute saunter from the Powerscourt manor. Its stately Palladian architecture and Georgian-inspired décor are complemented by the sybaritic ESPA spa and invisible (but indispensable) contemporary technology. Concierges can advise guests on the
wet his whistle, a good bet might be O’Donoghue’s, a pub established in 1792 only a block away. The barkeeps still pull a fine pint of Guinness, and the room is famous for its nightly live music. The Ritz-Carlton has its own pub, McGills, where the Albaquirky Turkeys play a driving version of traditional Irish music. The resort’s gastronomic jewel, though, is its casual fine-dining restaurant, Gordon Ramsay at Powerscourt, the London-based chef’s first Irish venture. Conceived as a farm-to-fork venue relying
IMAGES BY DAVID LYON; SUITE IMAGE BY VISION PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF RITZ-CARLTON POWERSCOURT
YOU COULD SPEND DAYS AT POWERSCOURT SAVORING THE IRISH GENIUS FOR LANDSCAPE GARDENING OR WANDERING LIKE MYTHIC KING FERGUS IN THE GENTLE WILDS OF THE WOODLANDS AND MEADOWS OF THE 1,000 ACRE ESTATE. This page, top: A fountain in Walled Garden at Powerscourt Gardens Center: Gordon Ramsay’s County Wicklow lamb with potato galette Bottom: The Mountain View Suite at RitzCarlton Powerscourt
best woodland hikes and runs and provide maps and electronic keys to the hidden, gated parts of the estate. They can also arrange horseback riding through the countryside, golf on either of Powerscourt’s two 18-hole courses, or fly fishing for sea-run trout on the River Dargle. Dublin is only a half hour away, making it possible to combine the rustic pleasures of the Irish countryside with the urban rush of the Irish capital. It’s worth making a pilgrimage to the august neo-Gothic grounds of Trinity College to see the Book of Kells displayed in the library. Created in the 9th century, this stunning volume of the Gospels is one of the earliest surviving illuminated manuscripts and an Irish national treasure. The Irish also treasure the outsized personalities of their artists. At the National Gallery of Ireland, one section is dedicated to the Yeats clan: portraitist John Butler Yeats and his sons, poet and sometimes painter William Butler Yeats and modern Expressionist master Jack Yeats. The gallery backs onto Merrion Square, one of Dublin’s finest Georgian squares, where rows of elegant townhouses are distinguished by differently colored doors and hand-burnished brass fixtures. Oscar Wilde lived at 1 Merrion Square from 1855 to 1876, and should you wonder where he
intensely on Irish products, the restaurant provides a literal taste of the countryside in a country about the size of West Virginia. The lamb is raised less than 20 minutes away, the vegetables come from an organic farm a mile down the road. As for the mushrooms, the kitchen staff forages them in the woods and meadows of Powerscourt.
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essay
CLOSET THERAPY SOMETIMES, THE ANSWERS TO LIFE’S QUESTIONS AREN’T IN YOUR BRAIN. THEY’RE IN YOUR CLOSET. BY JAMES RARUS A former boss, the president of a luxury apparel firm, used to scream at me: “You know what your problem is? You think too much! Just sell!” Today, I work for myself. I play menswear psychologist and at a psychologist’s rate, though I’m not a doctor. Analyze this: Twice yearly, menswear merchants fill their shops with thoughtfully selected apparel, transforming their stores into virtual treasure troves of luxury. A man’s closet should be a similar treasure trove, the clothes he pulls out each morning helping to determine if people will buy into his personality, business acumen, credibility, or whatever he’s selling. I recently worked with a client in his cedar paneled closet. His trousers, dress shirts and blazers hung evenly spaced on cedar hangers. His shoes rested in perfect rows, his belts and ties were arranged meticulously. I thought about this client, a bachelor with a high finance job: trim physique, handsome features, great hair, beautiful clothes. But then a flash: he owned no sweaters! Mother Nature took the time to create this perfect specimen, almost begging to be wrapped in luxurious fabrics, and not one cashmere knit!
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I looked around his spectacular apartment with its expansive views of Central Park and envisioned the women he’d soon date thanks to this newly conceived wardrobe. A breakthrough moment, said my inner Freud. Want your own breakthrough? Think of your favorite store as your closet; then think of your wardrobe as a jazz song with layered textures, colors, tones and dimensions to help showcase your own unique qualities. Soon after shrinking my client’s head with this music metaphor, he became the proud owner of a dozen twoand four-ply cashmere knits and a few merinos in masculine shades both deep and pale. His wardrobe is now balanced with casually elegant cardigans, turtlenecks, V-necks and crews; his tailored clothing pieces now double as sportswear. His love life has improved, too: wearing an outfit of his own creation featuring a knit cardigan, he recently met the woman of his dreams. When people ask me what I do for a living, I often say, “I alter men’s perceptions of their closets so that when they get dressed each day, they’re energized and inspired.” To which they usually respond, “You think too much! But let me ask you a question. Can I wear…?”
For 22 years....
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Buying, Selling, or Leasing in Palm Beach? Contact Us For Experience You Can Trust! To view customer testimonials or preview all Palm Beach properties visit us online at
www.LindaOlsson.com (561) 820-9195 • (561) 329-4044 • Linda@LindaOlsson.com 101 Bradley Place, Palm Beach, FL 33480 GREENWICH • PALM BEACH • NEW YORK
1989
at your service CLOSET CLEANING
EXPERTISE
CAPPUCCINO & WATER BAR
In order to help you better integrate your new seasonal purchases with the old, we offer our clients a complimentary closet consultation. One of our professional sales associates will personally visit your home to inventory your closet, providing suggestions on how to creatively mix and match your existing wardrobe. One of our experienced tailors can also be on hand, to provide any fitting or re-adjustments you may need. And if you so desire, we will provide a photographic catalogue of your wardrobe for further reference.
Our long-term sales associates have been with us for an average of 16 years, and are passionate about counseling our customers and advising them on all clothing and accessory matters. They are willing to go the extra mile to ensure that your shopping experience is a pleasant one, and they’ll even take a trip to your home or office to give you a personal closet consultation, providing suggestions on how to creatively mix and match your existing wardrobe.
In the hectic world in which we live, many simple pleasures are lost. Sometimes a hot cup of coffee, or a friendly, familiar face is the best comfort for the soul. We’re happy to provide both, and more.
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
GIFT CARDS
COMPLIMENTARY ALTERATIONS
Developing lasting personal relationships helps our sales associates select items that they know you will enjoy, and ease your shopping experience.
A Mitchells/Richards/Marshs gift card is the gift that always fits! Our gift cards are available for purchase in store or over the phone, in any denomination. If you can’t make it to the store, just give us a call — we’ll wrap the gift card up and ship it to the recipient for you!
In order to ensure that the fit is just right, we offer complimentary alterations on all of our clothing. Down to the detail of the stitching, we ensure each article is tailored specifically to you. Our on-site team of world-class tailors is ready to assure that you always bring home a perfect fit.
HOME DELIVERY We understand your busy schedule and want to do all we can to lessen the demands on your time. This is why we provide local delivery to your residence, or anywhere in the United States. If you need it in a pinch, count on us to be there.
ABUNDANT PARKING To ensure your shopping experience is as stress-free as possible, we provide you with ample complimentary parking that is both convenient and secure — a real luxury in downtown Greenwich.
PICTURE PERFECT Trust our professional sales associates to put together the ultimate outfit and coordinate you from head to toe. To alleviate confusion when you get home, we will happily photograph your ensembles, providing a catalogue you can refer to time after time.
SERVICE IS PARAMOUNT. COMPLIMENTARY GIFT WRAP
RETURN POLICY
We offer complimentary gift-wrapping for your purchases, on any day you want. You concentrate on choosing the perfect gift; we’ll do the rest.
We have a liberal return policy, where you can bring your purchases back if you are not satisfied with them within a reasonable period of time. We want to make sure you love your new items when you get home, as much as you do in the store.
CLOTHING DONATIONS Service is important to us, not only in our store, but also in our community. We will help you clear out those unwanted items that have been cluttering up your closet, while providing for a good cause. All discarded items will be donated to a local charity — we will coordinate the donation and make the delivery ourselves.
BUTTON UP
FAMILY FRIENDLY
BY APPOINTMENT
As a family business, we feel that it is essential to create a shopping experience that can be enjoyed by the whole family. At Mitchells, Richards, and Marshs we provide interactive play areas so that your time with us can be more relaxed, and your children can still have fun.
Our personal shoppers are available to make your experience here as effortless as possible. For your convenience, they will pre-select a wardrobe to fit your clothing needs, placing the garments in a private fitting room. Once our associates have learned your style and needs, they can keep an eye out for specific items you might be looking for in the future. Call Debbi O’Shea at 203.622.0551 for more information.
IN AN EMERGENCY If you find yourself in a pinch after hours, dial the main store number and follow the prompts to be connected directly to one of our family’s home numbers. We’re always available to come to your rescue!
A loose thread or button can be just the thing that unravels your day. Bring in any suits or outerwear with buttons that need assistance, and we’ll re-attach or tighten them for you, on site and free of charge. We like to see you looking your best, down to the details.
It impacts every facet of our business, from our ability to bring you worldclass fashions to the friendly, knowledgeable sales associates who help and guide you. You, our customers and friends, are ultimately at the heart of all that we do, and we strive to constantly exceed your expectations. If for some reason you feel that the level of service we provide does not meet your expectations, please let us know.
www.canali.it
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