SHOPPING AT UPPERVILLE JUNE 3-9

SHOPPING AT UPPERVILLE JUNE 3-9

By Vicky Moon and Jennifer Webster

From The Common Tote: What could be more appropriate?

From The Calvert Collection: The Isabella Multi Print.

Gail Guirreri Maslyk is an artist who has expanded her work to include hand painted fashions.

There’s an expression in sports: I went to an ice hockey game and a heavyweight fight broke out. How about this? I went to a horse show and a shopping spree broke out.

During the seven days of this year’s Upperville Colt & Horse Show, an outdoor shopping mall with 70 vendors will unfold on the historic grounds. Everything thing from denim to diamonds…a hat (either for shade or fashion)…riding boots or dress shoes…even a baby gift.

The Calvert Collection from Haverford, PA will include home décor, jewelry, clothing and handbags such as The Isabella Multi Print shirt.

J. Wilder Imports from Short Hills, NJ has Kilim shoes and bags, Argentinian belts, bags, dog accessories. Fairfax and Favor from the UK: upscale footwear and handbags. (The Princess Royale and Zara Tindall are regular customers.)

Savenac 1821 of Lynchburg VA has several collections of themed gold and silver equestrian jewelry pieces, The French Boutique in Richmond VA offers fine apparel for women and of course, Dubarry Ireland, with fine togs and outerwear for countryside living, is very popular.

Tamara Makris is the designer and founder of Italian made bags from Lauracea. Acacia House from Millbrook, NY has upscale safari plantation style home goods and accessories and Kashmir Moon from New Delhi via New York City offers wearable art, rugs, and tapestries.

The Common Tote from suburban Washington has handmade tote bags, wristlets and wallets. The Silver Peacocks from Pinehurst, NC will have vintage jewelry and silver. Karina Brez Jewelry, located on Worth Avenue in Palm Beach, FL, will offer custom designed, equestrian themed jewelry. Middleburg’s own Chloe’s offers upscale women’s apparel and Le Equus Signet fine jewelry.

Enise Jewelry from Washington is said to be a favorite of well-known celebs Katie Couric, Robin Roberts, Christiane Amanpour and Dionne Warwick. Virginia based The Pink Boutique, has whimsical and colorful fine fashion for women.

And then we have artists Sharon Lynn Campbell and Gail Guirreri Maslyk, who are sharing a booth. Gail has lived in Northern Virginia Hunt Country since 2008 and been in Virginia since 1983. “I had always wished we would end up in Virginia horse country,” she said.

She’s been painting in oil since 1988 after two years of drawing at Virginia Tech’s art school. “My professors were varied and very well known in their fields setting the bar high in drawing, unique style and radiant color application,” she noted, adding that she “feels” the color and strokes.

“I’ve always painted fast and from a subconscious process. The knowledge to keep up with my brush is always improving. I use a different limited palette depending on how I feel or what I see in the countryside daily. Like the landscape, one must experience art in person. It should change your mood when you walk in the room.”

Such is the case for her latest work on fabric, a stunning summer garden party number in rich vibrant colors of blue and green. Special fabric and paints are necessary. “Painting on fabric closes the loop in my interests,” she told ZEST.

UPPERVILLE COLT & HORSE SHOW FACTS

• 171 YEARS--the oldest horse show in the country

• 1,800 ENTRIES--horses and riders from 40 U.S. states and around the world

• 30,000+ FANS—on site and following the live feed

• 1,400 HORSES—on site, with riders, trainers & grooms buying supplies all week

• 70 VENDORS--high-end tack & lifestyle displays, including jewelry, clothing, food & beverages

• $600,000 in Purses --one week of tough competition ends with a $226,000 International Grand Prix