Back from Paris and New York

Having just returned from Paris and New York to finish up women's Fall 2010 buying, I'm happy to be back in the store.  Paris was colder than usual and windy besides...but exciting as ever and the collections were amazing.  Walking through the Tuileries on the way back to my hotel I was reminded once again how much I love this incredible city.

Dries Van Noten, Pauw, and The Row were all wonderful.  Trends include olive,  military touches and lots of fur.  Can't wait to see it all when it starts arriving a few months from now.

Meanwhile, the store is bursting with gorgeous Spring merchandise.  Come check it out! 

Cathy Covell

Sunny Intervals

I love how the English refer to what we call partly cloudy instead as sunny intervals. It definitely seems like a more positive outlook, the glass being half full rather than half empty. Given this early spring weather we are experiencing (rain, sleet, snow) and the impression the Brits made on Mr. Barbera when he studied there, I thought it only fitting to feature one of our latest deliveries: the Luciano Barbera raincoat in British Khaki ($1295). This fabulous coat is also available in navy (stocked in Milan). We chose the lighter colour for our store (much like the English’s eternal optimism) because it seemed happier, different. The navy is certainly a great go to choice but with the days getting longer, tulips peeking out of the ground, there is something refreshing about a khaki-coloured raincoat.

Take this coat on your next business trip. 

Raincoat shown with Velvetman waffle hoodie and Rag & Bone shirt. Collar up is always more masculine. Collar down looks like Columbo.

Red button details.

Pockets are stitched in red as well.

To Catch A Thief

Rick and I were instantly reminded of the Alfred Hitchcock classic, To Catch a Thief (1955), by this Paul Smith sweater ($175, 100% cotton).  Ascot can be special ordered. This sweater is a fantastic weight, has nice details, and looks great on the boat with a pair of stone white chinos or a grey wool pant when on the French Riviera just like Mr. Grant. Come to the Bontoni trunk show, April 16 and 17, to order a pair of slip-ons to finish off the look. 

Cary Grant in To Catch A Thief (1955).

Paul Smith sweater, $175.

 

Hotel Gramercy Park

I just recently watched the documentary by Douglas Keeve, Hotel Gramercy Park (2008), which is about the historic hotel in Manhattan and its rise and fall and rise again.  It is a fascinating story which touches on the eccentric and sometimes dysfunctional Weissberg family and the trajedy that surrounded them to the hotel's sale and renovation by hotelier Ian Shrager. The Weissbergs owned the hotel for many years until losing it in 2003 when they sold to Shrager.  In its heyday, the hotel had many famous guests pass through, including Humphrey Bogart, Babe Ruth, the Kennedys, the Rolling Stones, Debbie Harry, Stephen Tyler and others.  It was a little shabby, some would even call it a dump, but people loved it.  It had many permanent guests as well like composer Ira Gasman who has lived in the hotel since the 1970s.  If you have the chance, check out this film - it's definitely worth it.  And next time you're in New York, pay it a visit.  To read more visit:

http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/people/features/6188/. 

Composer Ira Gasman, longtime resident of the hotel.

Artist and filmmaker Julian Schnabel designed

the lobby and restaurant for the hotel.

The renovated GPH lobby with paintings by Schnabel.

The Suit

The great thing about the suit is that it gives one the feeling of invincibility. Almost always, it is better to be overdressed than underdressed, wearing a suit will assure this.  Further, the suit allows you the ease of mind of not having to think too much about what you are wearing that day. A simple shirt and tie combination is the extent of it (and shoes of course). There is a great bit in Esquire’s Handbook of Style regarding the suit. It recommends that you to go to a hotel bar one night dressed in jeans and a t-shirt and have a drink. Then, go back a couple of nights later dressed in a suit. Notice the difference in service and respect. Whether you’re just beginning to build your wardrobe or have an extensive closet, you should definitely have a well-made suit that you can go to every time for a number of occasions. Here is a great piece of advice from Mr. Luciano Barbera:

You do not need me to tell you that the suit is the key element in any gentleman's wardrobe. So I will tell you a story instead. I had my first suit made for me when I was 24, by the legendary Milanese tailor, Mario Pozzi. It took Mr. Pozzi 6 months to go through the process of fitting me and taking all my measurements. Then he cut the fabric, a beautiful saxony cloth, and personally delivered it to my door. When I tried it on, he and I were both very pleased. Why wouldn't I be? He was a genius. I was also eager to get back into my street clothes but he gave me this advice. "Put the suit on and keep it on. Wear it for two days straight. Eat in it. Sleep in it. Then it will not just be an exquisite suit. Sarà un tuo vestito - it will be your suit".

Mr. Barbera

Dries Van Noten SS10 Collection

Cathy arrived in Paris this morning for the Fall 10 buying (we didn't schlep the grandkids this time). Today she went to Premiere Classe.  On Tuesday she sees Dries Van Noten at their showroom in the Marais district (near the Georges Pompidou center).  As many of you know, we have a phenomenal selection of Dries for women.  This season there is a strong African influence in his collection.  Dries Van Noten, from a third-generation tailoring family in Antwerp, and known as part of the "Antwerp Six", made his debut in 1986 in London with his men's collection which was regarded with critical acclaim.  He soon after expanded into women's.  Today he has boutiques in Antwerp, Paris (one each for men and women), Tokyo and Hong Kong.  His style is eclectic yet wearable, making him a favorite of many of our clients. 

Check out his spring 2010 collection at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RK9ap5OQ4EI. 

Dries Van Noten silk blouse, cotton skirt.

Dries Van Noten silk dress.