Author: Louis Dell'Olio

“October Sneak Peek # 6”, is my STRETCH VELVET LONG SKIRT, A228337. It is the same print, colors, [Walnut, Tarragon and Black], and fabric as the A228336, velvet top. The skirt is 33 inches long and has a slight A-Line shape…..not too much, just enough to be able to take a good stride without the need of a slit. It has a FULL ELASTIC WAIST BAND, so it has no zipper….just pull in on. This skirt has ALL the attributes of the velvet top…..it works with the tweeds…. plus sweaters and jackets you may already own. It can be casual with boots and a jean jacket…..somewhat more dressy with a leather or suede jacket and dressier still when worn with the matching top for a two piece dress look…..great for women who require different sizes top and bottom. I think the photos above will give you a true and accurate idea of the way it drapes and will look on the body. These will be the only velvet pieces I have done for this Fall/Winter season, so I hope you find them interesting, and something that you feel will definitely add to and expand your existing  wardrobes………….Enjoy, much Love……Louis

“October Sneak Peek # 5”, is a STRETCH LACE TOP, A229478. You have been hearing just how IMPORTANT lace is for the season, and I have a few pieces to offer you………this is my first. How does something become a trend? Is it because a retailer says so?……NO…..they only report the trends….or are pushing the merchandise they bought and want you to think it IS a trend…..not necessarily so. After ALL of the runway shows take place around the world…… the “NEW TRENDS” are what showed up  most in  the collections. LACE was a fabric that was used in many collections in the US and Europe….hence a trend is BORN. I can tell you lace will continue into next spring as a “strong trend” and also look out next spring 2013 for stripes done in a myriad of fabrications and designs. Black , White, Vegetable dye and Neutral colors also made a strong showing. Naturally, there are always your typical spring colors too, but the news is B,W, V and N colors………………back to LACE!!!! Did you not think I would do a SPECIAL TOP to go with your new HTC pieces?…….and what a fabulous top it is…..a true DESIGNER combination….LACE and HTC.  The lace is 60% COTTON, and 40% NYLON….giving the lace the stretch and strength. The lining, [body only] is my 100% poly tricot knit…..the same knit I use for my Boho skirt lining…..so you all know it is comfortable and cool. The top has a V-neck which is piped in knit, and a 3/4 sleeve which is unlined………………………………the colors are…………………..BLACK/IVORY, to go with the BLACK /IVORY HTC, and BLACK/VIOLET to go with the BLACK/VIOLET HTC. That is not to say you can’t mix them around, and of course they are to be worn with everything else you own……wear them with your black leather or suede jackets with the knit trims and BLACK JEANS. ……your Black tweed plaid jacket from Sept…….your PEARL TRIMMED jackets from yore….the black Boho and my BLACK DENIM JACKET….. or just under my new BLACK COAT……shall I go on?………I think you get the idea. Let’s hear your ideas how you can see it worn! You always come up with great ideas!! ……………..This top is a year round top…..there is never a need to put it away. Wash and wear and easy packing make it the perfect travel piece……. whether you need it for a dressy business dinner or running around with a pair of jeans. This top gives “casual” a NEW MEANING! Something very important to know is….. this is a very soft lace and therefore a very comfortable garment to wear……and there is lots of stretch so DO NOT SIZE UP!!!! The lace also has a lot of character and dimension……..it looks rich…..not like a LOT of very cheap laces you will be sure to see in every store…………….I will tell you, because of the cotton content….it is not a super BLACK, but it’s black enough! Some of the photos make it look gray…..that’s due to the flash!

I know this is going o become one of your new favorite tops for many reasons…..it can be both casual and dressy, it is easy to take care of, and it’s right on trend, but most of all…….. it’s EASY. When you have made last minute dinner plans with friends…there it is…..when you are going shopping with the girls and you want to look good but not like you are trying too hard….there it is……..ENJOY, I know you will…..much Love…..Louis

“October Sneak Peek #2, #3, & #4″ are my HOUNDS TOOTH CHECK pieces. You have the ZIP FRONT JACKET, A229469, the SIDE ZIP PENCIL SKIRT, A229470 and the scarf A229471. The fabric for each piece is a blend of 60% Polyester, 21% Acrylic, 10 % Wool, 7% Cotton……..and 2% of the mystery….”Other”. The size and design of the HTC was made to my specifications, so you will not find another quite like this one in this blend of yarns. The three pieces will be avail in two color combinations…..BLACK /IVORY….and…..BLACK/VIOLET…..for now we are going to concentrate on the Blk/Ivory color.

A229469, is the HOUNDS TOOTH CHECK  JACKET. The style of this jacket was taken from the A210358, purple suede zip jacket….with some modifications. This jacket has a center front zipper as opposed to an asymmetrical closure. The jacket is approx 26 inches long for the XS. The sleeves are left unadorned to make it a simple alteration for those who need to do so. There are BAND POCKETS!!!! as you can see from the above photos. The thing that remains the same are the SIDE BUCKLES. You can make it as CINCHED as you like for a very HOUR GLASS SHAPE…..or less depending on your comfort zone. Under the straps there is an ELASTIC set into the jacket to maintain  a shape so it will never look boxy! The collar is a classic SPREAD SHIRT COLLAR……just the right size to frame the face when the collar is flipped up. The hardware…..zipper and buckles….is GOLD on the Black/Ivory combo and GUNMETAL on the BLACK/VIOLET combination. The jacket is fully lined in a beautiful satin. The HTC is a classic, but in this size …..it has a ton of PANACHE. This is something you will enjoy for years and years. PERSONALLY…..I LOVE it as a matching SUIT with the MATCHING SCARF…..the whole enchilada!!!!!! It’s a SPECTACULAR way to LOOK….. at the right time in the right place you’ll knock their socks off…..a true RUNWAY LOOK…… but only for the most confident among you! The jacket is the perfect proportion for pants, long and short skirts, both slim and flared. Match it… mix it…wear it dressy with velvet and sequins and/or  lace,[they are coming]……..or super casual with a T-neck, scoop neck, ….even a Hanes T-shirt [ do they still make Hanes T-shirts?]…..and JEANS tucked into boots. Layer a black sleeveless mock neck [coming] under my ALL IMPORTANT WHITE KATE SHIRT…..black jeans….a very HOT LOOK…..of course Jac will wear the whole thing with her black and white KEDs…..surprisingly…. HOT TOO! Need I say how my A83962, BLACK CASHMERE blend turtle neck looks and FEELS under this jacket……….the RED Turtle neck, A72448, is a MUST HAVE!!!!! (It is the most beautiful RED …..EVER!!!]. Pick a bottom….any bottom: my knit pencil skirt,last years black long riding skirt, the A218566, crushed velvet long skirt, the sunburst pleated skirt, the A227575, black pleated skirt with the yoke….ALL of my pants, from the new Whisper Knit to my new drawstring to any that you own from me or anyone else. I can go on and on but you probably have more things hanging in your closet than I could guess. ALSO…..for the BRAVE and DARING ….and I know there are a few of you….don’t be afraid to wear prints with the Hounds Tooth……..print skirts blouses etc….they DO have to be the RIGHT ones….be BRAVE and wear a smile….dark sunglasses will HELP TOO! LOL ……..I am sure I am forgetting something….but I’m sure you will have enough questions to over load my “Ask Louis ” again. Oh yea….that’s what happened!! The tech had to re-set it  again….LOL We have 5000 more questions to go before it blows up again!

A229470, is the HOUNDS TOOTH CHECK PENCIL SKIRT…….I know many of you have asked me to make a new one because the old one is worn out!….so here it is. It is approx. 24 inches long for the XS and it is fully lined in the same satin as the jacket. It has a side zip and button.There is a very narrow band at the top, approx 1/2 inch, to finish it off. What ever size you have purchased before in my WOVEN pencil skirts you should do the same for this skirt. As part of the suit is it wonderful, but it’s a great separate skirt too. Wear it with one of the myriad of sweaters that I have offered you and there are a whole new group coming. With just a sweater and the textured coat in Black or Rose Quartz…..you have a finished POLISHED outfit. I know you will discover a number of ways to wear this skirt….and  with all different kinds of shoes…… from ballet flats to shoe booties, heels of all heights and of course many types of boots. Tights and textured hose can add a whole different look………………..it’s time to play.

A229471, the HOUNDS TOOTH CHECK SCARF. The scarf measures 17 inches in width and 72 inches in length, which includes the 1 1/2 inches of self fringe at both ends. What’s great about a HTC scarf is….it’s will go with so many things………the Black/Violet scarf, I discovered, looks great with the “magenta” shabby chic cardigan that is finally coming in OCT! PLEASE Play and discover new ways to wear it. Over one shoulder is the classic way, tied around the neck…for sure…….for when it really gets cold…..there is enough length to wrap your head….and then some……..For a very special and dramatic look wear it as I have illustrated in the photo above….tied in the back……you’ll either have to find someone to tie it for you….or….tie it in the front first and carefully swirl it around….it makes for a pretty spectacular entrance.

There is plenty of  jewelry that will look splendid with these HTC pieces.If you were lucky enough to get the gold ball beads [above] or the black bead necklace with the gold spacer beads….get them ready. The gold cuff with the black cabochon stones is STILL available and is just the RIGHT PIECE when wearing the HTC skirt with a simple sweater. All of the gold chains and the chain hoop earrings…..to cool for words with the HTC!….I have been told that the new pieces will soon be posted! Let’s see how long we can all hold our breaths….LOL……This next group of clothing….the Hounds Tooth Check included….. is very different from the September group. The September Group was my ….”TOWN & COUNTRY GROUP”…..This October group is my………………..”CITY CHIC GROUP”…………..I hope you agree, and I hope you enjoy……………much Love……..Louis

For my second Oct. “Sneak Peek” photo collage ….I have posted  a separate page on the BLACK/VIOLET  HOUNDS TOOTH CHECK pieces. It was not an easy decision what color I should pick for the second combination…… should it be a black combination or something else entirely? I knew one thing….it had to be just as fabulous as the BLACK /IVORY. The Black/Ivory is a very BOLD LOOK, so I decided the second color way should be a little more “subtle” in its’ boldness……something a little more tonal, less of a contrast, still classic but with an EDGE. Camel/Black, Red/Black, Brown/Black….all pretty….but expected…..PURPLE/BLACK sang out to me. I also wanted this second coloration to be as easy to coordinate with other pieces you own…. as the Black/Ivory is……….I was HAPPY with this VIOLET/BLACK choice and I hope you are too! In the photos above you will see the jacket and skirt paired with the A228338, the ivory blouse, [notice I took the ties from the black blouse and used them on the ivory blouse…..{you can use other streamers too…like ribbons}]……the WAIST WHITTLING sweater A210360, in the black  it is perfection…..and the grape looks terrific too. Of course the KNIT PENCIL Skirt in black, A09484, the new sunburst pleated skirt and the A227575,  the black crepe pleated skirt with the yoke [pictured above] all work beautifully with the jacket. Naturally the new Black WHISPER KNIT PANT is absolutely wonderful with the jackets, but for that matter any great black pant will work….INCLUDING the NEW ONE that will be on this show!! For a more casual look wear the jacket with an ivory mock or scoop neck sweater[ if you don’t own one they are coming soon], paired with black jeans, boots and a great shoulder bag. ……CASUAL shouldn’t always mean a BARN JACKET or HOODIE. Some surprises you may not have thought about are the A218566, the crushed velvet long skirt in black or purple….both look incredible with this jacket…..a marvelous HOLIDAY LOOK……I can smell the TURKEY!!! Another wonderful combination with the HTC is A219896, the bow sweater In IVORY, BLACK, P. PINK [with the Black/Ivory HTC and worn with my P.Pink pearls], and the NEW RED, which will be coming soon. Speaking of my Linea jewelry the GREY PEARLS, A264035 look very rich with both colors of the HTC. The CROSS NECKLACE, A270199 and the CROSS EARRING A270120 in the silver tone look spectacular [the gold is already sold out in the necklace, but if you have it….it looks beautiful with both the violet and ivory HTC.]. I think my favorite….. for a more subtle look….. is the GUNMETAL KNOT NECKLACES, A270122 and the A270121, [love the two lengths worn together]……they are  PERFECT with the BLACK/VIOLET HTC. If you have any interest in these….don’t wait too long….the gold is already GONE. On top of all of this my NEW WHISPER KNIT GROUP OF SWEATERS will come in VIOLET, BLACK and IVORY…..  all to mix and match with the BLK/Violet HTC…….I can go on and on and on……but ENOUGH said…..let the questions begin….LOL……

……………………………..ENJOY, Much Love……..Louis

Has anyone gotten the new e-mail from Saks 5th, showing the Stella Macarthy spring collect? Floral print jacket, shirt and skirt, Leopard print jacket and sweater, [also pants]…..sheer borders…..BTDT….all looked very familiar….so dear friends, if you have those looks from Linea, I wanted you to know you are STILL right on trend…..just found it interesting.