Boutiquing at Kathryn Aileen's Boutique

Hello all my fashion friends,

Today, I am going to talk about boutiquing and profile one Orange County shop:   

Kathryn Aileen's
309 Palm Street, Ste. C
Balboa, CA 92661   Ph:  949-675-5351

First, when I think of boutiquing I think of how exciting and fun it is to shop in boutiques.  I love the individuality and creativity of each boutique and how they reflect the personal pride of the owners and their employees.  I have shopped at certain boutiques for years and when you frequent a particular boutique there is a nice friendly relationship with the employees and owners.  They know you by name; you have a relationship.  There is a warmth to them that mainstream stores don't always have.  Sometimes, boutiques can be more expensive than department stores depending on the merchandise but other times with a good sale their merchandise will be discounted more than the big stores. 

Kathryn Aileen's Boutique at the Balboa fun zone in Newport Beach, has many things to offer to their customer.  Upon my visit to the boutique with my cousin Michele, the owner Lisa Gordon and sales associate Sharon were generous and kind in helping me learn about their shop.  I have some pictures taken by my cousin to show you the products and trends.  I like the fact that Lisa has a committed effort at her boutique to help manufacturers with a cause.  In this blog, I will show you later on some jewelry made by Tibetan Refugees and hand made knits made in Thailand by 3500 Thai women produced by a Canadian company that gives back 1% of the profits to the women that create them.  I think that is exemplary of those brands to help underprivileged people by not only giving them a job but to create beautiful art in the process.  She also carries several lines which are produced in the United States to help domestic manufacturers, including Testimony, Not Your Daughters Jeans, I C collection, Rafael, Tail Bait and Surrealist.  Lisa said, " I feel that some of the fabrics produced in the USA have a better quality than overseas."  I love fabric, and in design the way a fabric feels is called the hand.  Most of  the fabrics in the boutique have a beautiful hand.  Lisa has over 30 years experience and has an expert eye in discerning quality and fashion.

Let's start with a trend that is produced in the U.S.  Below is a gorgeous mineral wash, French Terry ruffled jacket made by Los Angeles based company Testimony.  The material is very soft and the design with a ruffled drape collar as well as an asymmetrical hemline is right on trend.  The wide collar and taupe color are also a trend.

 The boutique offers black leather jackets which is also a trend, and I consider a staple for most girls to own a leather jacket. Then pictured beside it  is a beautiful crocheted lace sweater which has ruffles incorporated into the design of the collar.  Lace and ruffles both are current trends.  This sweater is at the front entry to the boutique and the beautiful beige lace accessorized with a wide brim brown hat is on que for Fall trend colors.

The next trend is a stunning faux fur jacket in leopard print that is ultra luxurious! Beside it are a variety of ruffled scarves that they offer:

Other displays in the boutique include interchangeable flip flop tops (also known as switchflops) and interchangeable shoe tops so you can accessorize your sandel/shoe top to your outfit.  The store has several shoe brands but two prominent brands that the shop carries I will discuss.

First is, Lindsay Phillips, which have flip flops in regular style or with a lift and what's so neat is you can change your style with a snap from one style to the next.  I think this is a perfect item to carry in a Southern California boutique and especially at the beach.  Lindsay developed her idea of changing the style on the top and keeping the sole while still in high school.  After wards, she perfected her idea and patented it in 2004.

The next shoe style are platform wedges from a company called, ONESOLE.   This company was developed by Dominique McCain Barteet who wasn't a designer but a Pharmacist.  She got tired of  wearing uncomfortable shoes while standing for 12 hours during her work shift.  You know what they say, "Necessity is the Mother of Invention."  Touche' to Ms. Barteet for developing this shoe as well as finding a new career as a shoe designer.  They are the original interchangeable shoe with over 1,000 changeable tops.  They have different styles in the wedges and they also include clog styles.  Clogs are trending now and will be even more popular in the Spring.  But, the concept is the same:  unsnap the top cover and add the next style, color, pattern or print.  Very cute products from two entrepreneurial American women with good ideas that paid off with hard work and perseverance.

 

I would also like to show you two examples of beautiful products that also contribute to a great cause:
PureKnits and Jewelry from Tibetan Refugees.  I have to say, the jewelry from the Tibetan Refugees have an American Indian look to them. American Indian styles are trending in the stores now, especially with accessories.  I asked  Lisa what was the most popular item in the boutique and she said the PureKnit scarf wraps sell a lot.  The scarf is a wrap which drapes around your upper body and has one button to connect it around the mid chest.  They have a variety of colors and retail for $68.  I purchased one during their current sale of 20% off for $59.  It is a good cause to help the Thai women and the garment is very fashionable and warm.

The store packages the merchandise in fuchsia pink bags and leopard print, which is darling.  In fact, Lisa has a very feminine, romantic feel to her boutique which I adore.

I finally asked Lisa how she came up with her name for the boutique, Kathryn Aileen's, and she said, "That's my sister's name and I told her one day when I have a boutique I am going to name it after you."  She kept her word and has a beautiful boutique to show. 

Thank you Lisa and Sharon for all your help.  Thanks to my cousin, Michele, for all the pictures.

Here is the link to the shop:  kathrynsboutique.com

Kathryn Aileen's
309 Palm Street, Ste. C
Balboa, CA 92661  
Ph:  949-675-5351

Taking Haute Couture and extracting trends into the Mass Market

Hello all my Fashion Friends,

Today I am going to discuss a haute couture show from Christian Dior's current Fall line and I am going to take out elements of  John Galliano's designs and apply them trend wise to the marketplace.  I chose this collection because it is cheerful and elegantly done with florals.  When I went to Paris for the first time in 2001,  my husband and I stayed on the left bank by Montmartre and every morning I couldn't wait to just walk in  Jardin du Luxembourg (Luxembourg Gardens).  Ahh, the beauty of God's work so beautifully detailed at Luxembourg gardens,  I am a bit of  a gardener and designer and I love anything floral.  My Father has a rose garden where I grew up in a suburb of  Los Angeles and my sisters and I all  have rose gardens at our houses.  I have to say my sister Marilyn is a professional and my sister Peggy is right on her heels.  Beautiful designs and breathtaking color in their designs so without a doubt I applaud John Galliano's inspiration.  In Fashion we know that Haute Couture is generally more of an eye popping experience to exhibit high Art and Fashion together.  Usually, these are a little over the top in design and we know most are just for show and are toned down when brought to the marketplace.

In Christian Dior's current collection his inspiration is of God's magnificent flowers which is a high standard of beauty.  In this collection you will notice the stamen of the flower is the cellophane wrapped around the model's faces for added dramatic effect.  I will show you three photos and trends.

First, below we have a beautiful purple coat.  From this creation you find fur feathers on the Center front as well as the side seams.  Fur is a very popular trend and is a beautiful edition to this coat.  Mr. Galiano also uses ruffles on the collar (and lots of them) to utilize the trend of ruffles which is in the stores and of course, purple is a trend color.  I love the way he mixes his fabrics and creates such volume mixed with texture.

The next piece in his collection is showing the use of ombre.  Ombre (or the transition of colors) is beautifully done in from black to gray to white, all of which are trend colors.  Again, he uses ruffles and texture and the silhouette does have a wide silhouette on the skirt portion of the dress.  This is a gorgeous dress and one of my favorites from this collection.  The model I believe is also wearing shoulder pads which is also a  trend but the shoulder pad trend now in stead of the 1980's shoulder pad trend has more structure in it's designs.  They are used more for emphasis in the current trend and oftentimes the shoulder pad will extend well over a 1/2" off the shoulder.  I also love his choice of the orange sandels on the model to tie in the backdrop of the orange flowers.

The third garment in his show I chose uses two beautiful blues which I don't believe is a current fall color but is definitely a spring color to come.  His trend in this is the gorgeous floral brocade in the bodice of the dress in blue and white and reminiscent of tulips in Holland.  His skirt of the dress is also a trend in that it is a full circle skirt elaborately done in layers of tulle.  I could see this dress toned down with the skirt portion deleting the volume selling in the marketplace,  I love the bodice and those are my colors blue and white.  It's such a cheerful dress and thank Goodness John Galliano loves color like myself and where else not to look for inspiration and color than in the Garden!

A picture of John Galliano below

Pictures courtesy of Style.com

Here's is a little poem I thought of  it's a play off of Ruyard Kipling's Trees:

I think that I shall never see anything as breathtaking as flowers can be.  To marvel at the creator's hands, his exquisite details that meet our eyes.  The delicate balance that soothes the soul and brings delight in a perilous world.  For in a flower the  inspiration is endless I see and mixed with other flowers  the collection together is awe inspiring.  Flowers bring such joy to my  face and make me think of my Redeemer's grace. 

A picture of myself  in Luxembourg Gardens,

Au Revoior!

Teresa

Spring 2011 Fashion Show Resort

Hello,
Today I am writing about a designer who has a fabulous collection for her next Spring Resort Wear.  It is feminine, pretty and Romantic which also happen to be all the things I love in a collection.  I have been watching her work and have noticed how all of her designs have such a beautiful feeling to them.  They evoke in me a specialness I feel when I wear a beautiful dress.  The designer I am talking about is non other than Caroline Herrera.  This following picture from her collection is a darling asymmetrical
pink floral dress that I think is simply stunning.  I love the cut, the print, the truly feminine design, it is the Cocktail style and I can easily women wearing this on a Cruise ship in the Mediterranean.  It is gorgeous!

Next from Carolina I will show you an outfit that is ladylike, sophisticated and totally chic.  I love the ruffle on the bottom of the skirt, the chiffon blouse and the look is accessorized with a red belt and pumps to make the outfit pop. So beautiful really. 

Then from her collection is an exquisite strapless pink and black gown which I would love to wear.  It is so beautifully created and has such a Spanish feel to this Red Carpet gown.  I adore this look and particularly love the little ruffle made into the bodice.  It is so refined and elegant, I just can't say enough good things about it. 

I think Carolina Herrera understands women and what makes a woman feel beautiful in one of her creations.  She is truly a marvel and how she makes her workmanship look so effortless.  Well Done Carolina for presenting such a beautiful collection.

Critique of Fabriclink.com

Hello All,
Today I am going to write a critique of a online Fabric source called Fabriclink.com.   As a designer, it is important to first and foremost know about your fabrics.  Since fabric is the most expensive item in production you want to make sure you understand the properties of fabrics so that you can understand how to care for the garment after you purchased it.  Fabric link is divided into five catagories: Consumer Guide, Fabric Care Center, Fabric University, Retailer's Forum and Branded Products.  Let's look a little into each catagory. Consumer Guide has an internal search engine for the customer to look up fabrics and fibers and is almost up to date with any recalls on any fabrics, like if  a fabric was found to be flammable and not safe for children this is where you could reference it.  Sustainability and what you wear is referencing how the fabrics are to be cared for while used and how to properly dispose of the garment once you are done with it and making this environmentally friendly.  It contains a fabric library of fabrics and has a link to further analyze the sustainability of a fabric, it gives examples of sustainable products like ecospun; polyester fabric made from recycled plastic bottles. It discusses how to launder the fabrics that will have the least impact on the environment as well as how to recycle them.  It also list examples of  organizations that can help you making safe decisions when you want to be eco-friendly.  This part has an online blog to field questions and asks for your input.
The next catagory is the Fabric Care Center which not only discusses garments but also for upholstery and carpets.  This is always a necessary reference to have available because stains always happen and you need a quick reference before it has time to set in.  They also have a special features discussing products like spray n wash, uniform care instructions, storing garments, special care garments, care symbols and frequently asked questions.  The followining catagory is Fabric University (a cute title) and this talks all about textile science of fabrics Fiber history, production and charactereistics.  Yarn facts, sweater and knit resources, science project ideas, University links and career paths for those wanting to focus their careers on fabric textiles.
A great source to have.
The next catagory is Retailer's Forum, this is where you can search certain retailers apparel and home furnishings.  They also have brands discussing their fabrics with a further internal search engine to research that product like Schoeller of Switzerland.  It also discusses Hang tags and has an online blog called Fabricville where they discuss fabrics and fibers.  The final catagory is Branded Products which discusses Product knowledge, current trends and textile fabrics.  It features an internal library of fibers that are in apparel, active sportswear, home furnishings and health care.  Each brand is linked to further research fabrics and/or fibers. 
I think Fabriclink is great and will be in my fashion folder to reference at all times.