|
| |
Dear Friends,
It seems that every time we sit down to write this letter, we’ve just returned from a
buying trip. It could be that’s because we’re in New York ten months of the year, in Paris twice a year, and literally all around the world. We hand-select pieces that please our customers and introduce you to new designers you’ll come to love every season.
Yes, new designers. We know you love your favorites, but every season new talent appears in the fashion world, and we bring some of it home to show you. We are always on the lookout for styles to match your varied lifestyles. You can go from dressy to casual in the same afternoon! And everyone is looking for comfort and style when they travel, and we know how much you love to travel! Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a wardrobe that would encompass all your different lifestyles…and be wearable for 12 months of the year? These things, my friends, are some of the goals we have in mind when we shop for you.
And, speaking of new designers, read the article below about Mina Lee, the chief
designer of the Derercuny line we’re going to introduce to Frances Heffernan customers this fall. We’ve hand-picked it just for you!
Thank you for your business.
 |
|
| |
New Designers
Malandrino
Lacoste
Brunello Cucinelli
Leifsdottir
Rivamonti
Derercuny
Gunex
|
|
| |
Fall 2008 Must Haves
The fashion trends this season are very simple and very subtle. They are about interesting fabrics, new detail, gentle changes in shape and tailoring. They have evolved from where we were last year and it all makes sense—you can add new pieces to what you already have in your closet; or, wear a new total outfit with fashion confidence.
Please click on the image for a full view. |
|
 |
|
|
Softening Shapes
Rounder, softer, curved lines make the headlines this fashion season. Add roundness where you’re most comfortable—there are many choices.
Oval shapes—nipped in at the hem, whether on top or on bottom. Gentle blouson and bubble hemlines finish this year’s new items.
Rounded Shoulders—soft, not angular. Look for drop shoulder seams, raglan, and the return of
the dolman sleeve.
|
|
|
|
|
Texture, Texture, Texture!
Textured wovens and knits, plus interesting detail create a whole classification of exciting novelty solid items. Nothing is flat, except for the most basic. Take simple solid styles and add gathering, shirring, quilting, pointelle, crochet, ribs, and cables.
|
|
|
|
|
Tweed-le Dee…
Autumn tweeds take center stage as a beautiful textured fabric story. Again, not basic, this year’s tweeds are colorful, bold, and very exciting. They’re mixed with multi yarns, contrasting accent detail, and dusted with sparkly clear sequins. Look for it in jackets, suits, and tweed sweaters!
|
|
|
|
|
Taffeta for Day
A new breed of fabric has taken this season by storm. Used by many different designers, a lustrous, silk-like taffeta gives sportswear a modern twist. It’s silky, but with a techno synthetic edge. Often crinkled for texture, it’s the newest jacket, shirt, and dress fabric.
|
|
|
|
|
The Dress Story
We’re sure by now you’ve discovered how wonderful wearing a dress—not only for evening but for day—can be, and what a fashion statement it makes this year! Dresses this season signal in a modern tailoring which is simple in shape and easy to wear like a sheath or shift. The updates are new seaming, and lots of detail at the neck, whether a tie effect, pleating, or tucking.
|
|
|
|
|
Vintage Blacks
We’re still under the spell of historic romance and continue to see a fashion trend around Edwardian and Victorian styling. The jackets and coats have a crinkly, ruffly high collar with grosgrain ribbon trim, silky matelassé fabric, and fur trim. The look is sophisticated, yet modern and nostalgically chic. This trend shows up in handbags too—soft pouchy textile bags with beautifully decorated antique metal and ivory clasps and frames.
|
|
|
|
|
Autumn Jewels
While black, gray, and brown still dominate the color palette, we welcome in a beautiful array of jewel shades in sweaters and accessories. These items have the glow of a walk in the woods under brilliant autumn falling leaves. They’re not hot brights, but a bit more mellow and so flattering to wear: russet, amber, berry, crimson, teal, forest, sapphire. We’re especially in love with these colors that Brunello Cucinelli and Rivamonti do so well in their specialty fabrics.
|
|
|
|
|
Bags To Behold
Look to the raw beauty of nature and you’ll find the exciting handbags for autumn in an assortment of textured animal and reptile skin looks. Faux is the message in new simulated fashion materials but always with a croc,
alligator, or lizard texture. Add pony fur, whip and saddle stitching, rugged leather trim and fringe for the rough and raw touch to fashion chic.
|
|
|
|
|
Evening Ruffles
Nothing is more alluring and so dramatically feminine as wearing all-over floating ruffles when you walk in a room. Our evening collection by Neil Bieff has cocktail dresses as well as long gowns in gorgeous colors and styles with tiers of lighter-than-air silk georgette ruffles. Some are decorated with sequins, embroidery, or beads, but all are simply stunning!
|
|
| |
Introducing the Woman Behind the Curtain,
Mina Lee of 
Derercuny is based in Milan, but the force behind this fashion house is Korean-born, Mina Lee. Mina first studied fashion design in Seoul before traveling to Europe, where she attended the Instituto Europeo di Design and the Domus Academy in Milan. From 1998 to 2003, Mina collaborated on trend research and design for prestigious designer labels like Fiorucci, Escada and Luisa Beccaria.
With Derecuny since 2003, Mina’s collections are often inspired by art, including Egon Schiele, Hundertwasser and Klimt, and the more contemporary Sarah Lucas and Hong Seong Hae. She loves to create smaller, highly decorative items and accessories: an embroidered top, a crystal belt, a small fur scarf. She sometimes surprises with a mix of
feminine details and masculine tailoring.
She doesn’t say much about herself, but Mina says the woman she designs for is “aristocratic, with a double-faceted soul, who loves the antique and the classical, but has an ultra-modern
lifestyle.” Sounds like a lot of women we know.
|
|
| |
Frances Heffernan Calendar
September
September 5 - 6 Temple St. Clair
September 12 - 13 Neil Bieff, Kathryn Kerrigan shoes, Julie Feldman handbags
October
October 14 - 15 Rena Lange, Lauren Harper
October 16 - 18 Zenobia
October 23 - 25 Neil Bieff,
Lida Baday,
Julie Feldman
handbags
|
|
|
|
