just jackets and cool coats

We always seem to rush winter away.  And I must say, I'm ok with that.  I love warm weather, plenty of sunshine, being outside, and an abundance of fresh fruits, flowers, and long, warm summer nights.  For me, that lull between winter and spring is always a hard time for dressing.  I'm desperate for the brighter, warmer colors and freer fabrics we usually see in spring, but hate being unprepared for those still-looming cold, dreary days of wintertime. I often end up in shed-able layers and armed with extra accessories for warmth and winter weather protection.  Put an extra spring in your step with these crazy cool coats.  Your outwear is more than just a jacket when it's well edited, well tailored, and packed full of style.

Filson's Short Lined Cruiser is a water-repellent Tin Cloth jacket that's fully lined with Cover Cloth and has a hip-length hem for mobility.  Think fashion + function with style + class. US$325 at Filson and other fine retailers.

Barbour's iconic motorcycle jacket, the International, was created in 1936 and became the biker jacket of choice through the 50s, 60s and 70s.

Staying true to that heritage, the International Original is constructed in a heavyweight 8oz Sylkoil waxed cotton, offering a stylish matte finish and road-ready protection. Its robust front zip sits beneath a stud-fastening storm fly front, and the funnel collar is lined with corduroy for insulation and a luxurious feel against the skin. The lightweight cotton lining carries the signature Barbour tartan and is studded to take the optional Warm Pile Lining, for added versatility.

Traditional biker jacket details include the buckle-fastening throat strap, adjustable studded cuffs, a stiffened waist belt and the trademark four studded pockets - one of which is the authentic slanted map pocket, designed to give easy access while riding. Part of the World Tour collection, the International Original is available in classic Black with the infamous Barbour International logo to the chest.
 

 

Brunello Cuccinelli is simply sublime.  The design, the fabrics, the construction, I can't get enough or say enough good things.  The hooded parka above features Stretch natté cotton with monili detail and is made in Italia.  The jacket below takes the best of a techno-ski coat and a blazer, is made of Nylon outerwear with Thermore® padding, and also made in Italia. 

Ladies, if you don't already own a motorcycle jacket, buy one now.  It's the perfect way to throw some edge to your elegant evenings over a dress, or to revv up your jeans and plain white t.  Pick a tailored fit with long, lean arms.  The faux leather version below is a very accessible US$98 at from topshop at Nordstrom.

Influenced by car coats from the 1930s, the jacket below is fully lined design is made from Italian full-grain cowhide and heavily distressed for a vintage-inspired appearance, by RRL.  

Nothing is more cozy or comfy than cashmere.  It's the ultimate luxury, like 360 Cashmere's Eloise Sweater.  Add a bit of flirty fringe and you've got your new go-to for any chilly day.  The long, asymmetrical front is super flattering; the bold stripes add a sporty flair.  100% cashmere.  100% cool.  Available at modelcitizen. 

How do you stay warm and cheery?

everything has a story

It's no longer "just enough" for retailers to have the right products in the right place at the right time with the right signs at the right prices.  Consumers demand the best assortments, with the next-best-things, at their fingertips with immediate availability, at prices they can afford or want to pay, and the most incredible service.  Who could blame them?  With the rise of eCommerce solutions and "two-hour shipping", brands are forced to think outside the box and dazzle the customers.

One advantage traditional brick-and-mortar stores will always hold over eCommerce and other non-contact shopping solutions is the experience.  To capitalize on this, brands are amping up their customer service and literally rolling out the red carpet.  You're no longer just getting a haircut; you're probably drinking vintage champagne or feasting on delectable dolci.   You're no longer navigating parking structures at the airport or waiting in line for an espresso; you're probably being chauffeured in a sedan by the airline and whisked away to the discrete and ultra chic lounge for private check-in and the most extravagant bar, food, and pampering options.  You're not just buying shoes or traversing oceans; you're paying for the experience.

Part of the luxury retail experience is this service.  It's expected.  And it definitely woos clients en masse.   At Christian Dior, I learned straightaway the importance of product knowledge and mastering the codes of the House.  These minute details are part of the story, and clients absolutely eat it up.  So whether describing the intricate detail of the Broderie Cheval t-shirt and its Luneville stitching, the intricate process of hand washing and air drying the calf skin before constructing the coveted Gaucho collection, or describing the pomp and circumstance of Madam Chirac personally requesting the creation of the Lady Dior bag for Princess Diana as a symbol of France on one of her many visits to the country, instilling a piece of this history, an air of this luxury, and enhancing the experience drove the business like none other.

When you get to peak into the business owner's mindset, or learn the story behind a particular piece from a designer, you have so much more appreciation and understanding of the process, the direction, and the artwork behind the product.  It transforms the experience from just shopping in a store to acquiring artwork from a very curated and edited offering.

A few weeks ago, I was browsing my favorite shoe store in Nashville, Peter Nappi.  At Peter Nappi, the most incredible footwear and small leather goods are fatti a mano (made by hand) in Italy.  The space is impressive, the product quality and styling are simply beyond.  I was hooked.  The space envelopes you and quickly transports you to Firenze.  But what I wasn't expecting to see and feel was the detail, the love, and the story behind the designs.  The impressive space is often rented for special events and private parties, but business comes first.  So as you're shopping, you may notice caterers, sound engineers, lighting professionals, and other event staff quietly and unobtrusively preparing for the festa della notte.  While trying not to drool on the countless boots and bags that I thought I couldn't live without, I noticed these incredible arrangements on the bar:

I didn't want to intrude, and couldn't help to take a look at the floral displays.  Simple, elegant, and oh-so gorgeous.  I had to take a closer look:

 

Nestled in the midst of these fabulous flowers was rosmarino - fragrant, textured, and so unexpected!  Come to find out, these arrangements were personally created by the store's owner in honor of her daughter's engagement.  When you love a space so much, investing heart and soul to create the perfect environment, how can you not feel love?  Seeing these arrangements, and knowing the simple story instantly made me know that my obsession with Peter Nappi sarà per sempre (will be forever).  Seeing the love and care taken, the genuine understanding of all things Toscana, and honest passion manifest in every detail is so obvious.  They're not just shoes; they're more than that.  They're the time spent by the cobbler in Florence.  They're the artisanal methods and traditions passed down from generation to generation.   It's not just leather.  They're repurposed leather pads from a boxing gymnasium in Eastern Europe from the 1930s.  La più bellezza.

I feel the exact same way about Tanis & Co. at modelcitizen.  Fashion isn't just something to buy - it's a way of life.  The ladies at modelcitizen truly represent their namesake, living their best with style, class, and kindness.  One could easily order the latest frock from Parker, fabulously flattering denim from Current/Elliott, or the most iconic wrap from DvF - but the experience, the fun, the advice, and extraordinary level of service provided at modelcitizen separate the professionals from the amateurs.  You might find tens of thousands of options at a department store and only like one or two pieces, but the hand picked offerings at modelcitizen are incredibly edited and perfectly selected, leaving you with limitless choices that are all top notch and stunningly suited.  You could spend years globetrotting, searching for the coolest accessories, most stunning dresses, and most flattering denim around, or you could just take a trip to modelcitizen.  Whether virtually or in person, the service and selection are quite impressive. 

You don't have to own a business or design your own range to exhibit ownership and elevated attention to detail.  Caring for your teammates and clients, focusing on as many aspects of the business as possible, and treating the store/space like your own will instantly elevate your value to the company and solidify your presence to the clients. 

Don't get me wrong.  Not every product or store must come with an elaborate experience and endearing story.  Automobile oil changes need not come with complimentary service for your vacuum cleaner.  At the risk of sounding insensitive, I don't really care to learn the detail of refining oil and creating petroleum for fueling my Fiat.  I just need to know that the price is right and the fuel is safe for operating. 

There's a time and place for everyone and everything in retail.  Thankfully as consumers, we can put our money where our mouth is and signal to retailers what we like, what we don't like, and what we expect.  And if you're lucky, and if they're smart, they'll engage in dialogue to learn exactly what you're hoping for.  

From the retail perspective, do us all a favor this holiday season - take a moment to thank your favorite associates, managers, owners, shopkeepers, service providers, and designers.  Tell them what you like, what you may not be in love with, and feel free to ask questions to learn more about the brand, the design, or the people who work there.  Relationships are two-ways.  And in retail, relationships are everything.  After all, tutto (e tutti) ha una storia.  Everything (and everyone) has a story. 

sprite style

add some bubbly fresh, crispy flavours to your style and instantly wash away the winter blues.

-- neon. Marc Jacobs' stinky rat t-shirts come in the perfect colours. I wear his t-shirts when I exercise, as added prevention from reckless cars whilst biking or running and affectionately refer to them as "construction cone orange", "electric tennis ball green", "oh-my-god, that's bright yellow", and "hyper pigmentation pink". Layer these colours with your tone-on-tone khaki, gray, or black, and you'll be set for an incredible night out. Just remember: limit the use of these intense shades or you'll end up looking more billboard and less Beverly Hills.


-- prints. Floral, animal, geometric, haphazard. Channel your inner Missoni, Roberto Cavalli, Etro, and DvF. Even conservative brands like Theory have invited themselves to the printed party. Pair a fantastic tie-dye printed blouse under a blazer for work, and then swap out the dress pants / skirt for your favourite skinny gray denim, and you're instantly transformed from business power to social star.


-- check out these brands, too: Isabel Marant, Cathy Waterman, and Hoorsenbuhs.

Holiday Suggestions 2011

there are several things this year that I'm really loving, so over the next month, I'm devoting my blog posts to highlighting some fabulous finds. in no particular order:

-- Latissima Plus, by DeLonghi + Nespresso: Nespresso is owned corporately by Nestle, the world's largest food distributor. Collectively, they buy one third of the world's coffee, and reserve the top 1% of that for their own Nespresso pods - so the quality of the coffee is beyond incredible, and only $,57 per shot. Each machine has 19 bars of pressure and a flash heating system, so in less than 30 seconds, they instantly create the best espresso, with the perfect crema and are always between 186 and 195 degrees. Each pod is hermetically sealed, so they stay fresh for a year. And with a flat shipping rate of less than $7, you can order as little as 10 pods or 10,000 pods, and when you place your order by noon, you get them the next business day. What's not to love?! Plus this little gizmo froths the milk, so you get the perfect cappuccino or latte.
-- Garden in a Bag, Christmas Tree! Made by Potting Shed Creations, in Troy, ID, and sold through Branch Home, this plastic-lined kraft-paper bag contains soil, seeds, and the perfect amount of eco-friendly holiday cheer! This great gift allows the giver to color and sign the "tag" on the front of the bag, making it a work of art that also grows. When the plant has outgrown the bag, simply re-pot the plant by removing it from the bag. US$9.00.



-- take the guesswork out of giving with these "get the hint" gift tags from CB2! Ask and you shall receive (or at least be heard). Five not so subtle message pads peel, stick and flag your faves. Set of five pads includes: I Want This, Love These, Buy This, And This, Yes Please. Five assorted mini pads, 20 sticky notes per pad. US$5,95. -- fresh flowers from bbrooks. Why wait for an anniversary, a birthday, or Valentine's Day to send the most incredible bouquet? Sprinkle a bit of holiday cheer with an unexpected, unbelievable arrangement.

- it's not snooty to wear a snood! fur + snood = MUST. HAVE. NOW! I can't get enough - this might be the hottest (and warmest!) accessory ever. Available only for the coolest modelcitizen you know.


-- three things I love: GQ Magazine, Maison Martin Margiela, and my iPhone. Put them all together and you get the GQ recommended MMM iPhone case. Yes please! Here's what GQ had to say: "To paraphrase our pal Yeezy, "What's that phone case, Margiela?" Yes, yes it is. So does your iPhone really need a leather sheath and shearling interior? Probably not. Will it thank you every time you drop it behind the bar at 3a.m. after one too many whiskeys? Count on it." US$410 at porvocacao.com.

the party girls

Coco Chanel has no doubt been one of the most influential players in the luxury fashion arena. Mademoiselle Chanel was so poignant with her design and equally as powerful with her insights as well. "Fashion is architecture: it is a matter of proportions" and "A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous" are two of my favourite Cocoisms.

Tis the season to be jolly...and fashionable. It's been a rough year for many. Whether economically, emotionally, employment related, or even everything, we've all had some sort of accident or blunder or challenge. And now it's time to put on a happy face, your party dress, and ring in 2011 with optimism and positivity.


I'm loving this entire outfit.

Joie Storm Somerville jacket(US$748) in luscious lambskin is the perfect way to add some fashion funk to any wardrobe, from basic denim and plain white t, to this incredibly fabulous and flirtatious Indigo Belle skirt (US$385) by fashion icon Diane von Furstenberg. Time Square's New Year's crystal ball isn't the only thing that sparkles at holiday, especially when you're rocking this White Sparkle tank by Velvet (US$54). The smoothness of the luxe leather, coupled with the volume of the skirt, and the sparkle of the tank brings the perfect mix of tantalizing texture.

And don't freak out about staying fabulous and frugal! These XL Crystal Earrings are just US$90 and this Vita Fede white and gunmetal bracelet can play double duty as a choker for just US$182. And don't forget that every girl-on-the-go needs her essentials close at hand, so this Linea Pelle Grey Dylan Folding Tote (US$535) is the perfect marriage of design and function.

This incredible look is styled by Tanis Milicevic and are available at her modelcitizen boutiques.