Monthly Archives: April 2020

For those of you who are interested in the Venus Shell Pendant we just heard back from the manufacturer and they will be avail. to buy by mid June.

……………………..The year 2000 was a monumental year for me…..but not for the only reason you may think…………….On February 3, 2000 Jac and I got married. I had known her since she was 17 years old……….a child………a beautiful child, but still a child……..We worked together for many many years, and became friends….then close friends. Our friendship grew until I realized that Jac was the one for me……..Jac had come to that conclusion way before I did, and she would happily tell you so……….The first day we met was in the Anne Klein model’s dressing room. She had been working in the show room modeling the collection for clients. It was at the end of the day about 6:30pm, and I needed a break from the windowless design room. I happened to wander into the model’s room, and there Jac was sitting at the long table with mirrors and lights. The last appointments of the day were leaving. We both said hello, and she introduced herself. There was a brief conversation about her name…..”Jac”….not Jack not Jacque. We talked and talked and then I had to leave for a date. I thought she was a beautiful, VERY young girl, and that was that. Her account of our first meeting was a little different. She said when she saw me she was smitten. She recalled that I was wearing a chambray blue button down with the sleeves rolled up,  British khaki pants with the wide waist band and side buckles [I saved those pants, but couldn’t get one leg in them now!]. She said my long black hair  kept falling in my face. I kept pushing it back, and she thought that was so adorable. She loved to imitate me doing it, and I loved watching her. She also said I was the one who talked and talked, and she missed her train to Larchmont NY where she lived with her Mother. She didn’t mind because she really didn’t want to leave. How could you not fall in love with a girl like that……..Years later she told me she normally wouldn’t take a job modeling in a show room, but she new I’d be there…………We lived together for many years. We decided to get married when very close friends of ours came in from Italy on their way to Las Vegas for an International Shoe show.  The four of us went out for dinner and Andrea Pfister said, “why don’t you come to Vegas with us and get married. We will be your best men!” referring to him and Jean Pierre Dupre, his partner of many years. It didn’t take us long to decide. We had wanted to get married, and discussed it often, but how to do it was always the dilemma….So off we went and got married in the Little White Chapel along with scores of people who came before us. We had a great time…..a time I will never forget……………………………………………..That same year I was introduced to QVC. I really didn’t know what it was, and hadn’t heard of it or watched it. It was far from my world of fashion. I hadn’t been working for 3 months, the only 3 months in my entire career that I hadn’t worked. I met with the QVC people through a mutual friend, and that was that. They introduced me to three different manufacturers who could possibly produce the “Linea” line, and I chose Lai Apparel owned by Elaine Lai. She has been responsible for producing every single item of clothing over the past 20 years. We have  seen a lot, and been through a lot together. We have seen many designers and many companies come……and go…..but we are still here. These past few months, with the challenges of the Corona Virus, have been the worst period of our long association………In May of 2000 my first live broadcast was from Paradise Island in the Bahamas!!! That was the trip when one of the models didn’t show up. I looked at Jac, who came with me, with pleading eyes never saying a word. Jac knew what I was saying without speaking, and hesitantly volunteered to take her place 5 minutes before the show was to start……The rest is history……..It’s hard to believe that was 20 years ago. Much has taken place during these past years……many “adventures” as Jac would say, many memories and many friendships established……..I can say there are very very few DESIGNERS in the apparel end that have reached this milestone at QVC, and this May I will be working as long at QVC as I did with Anne Klein……..Combined that’s 40 years and almost my entire career……………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………..To commemorate my anniversary the jewelry company TCJC, that I have worked with from the beginning of the Linea Jewelry Collection, has produced this pendant that I have designed. On one side is the SUN, with its’ far reaching rays, with all the signs of the Zodiac surrounding it. On the other side it says 20th Anniversary, and has my signature…..all in Russian Gold Ox, [ the gray photos are just a result of bad photography. It only comes in the one color]. There is a Russian Gold keeper that holds a thick black cord which goes around the neck and hooks in the back with a Lobster Claw…………….Why did I chose the symbol of the Sun as my message?…..for many reasons…….I’m a LEO, which is a sun sign. Many many years ago when I read what the characteristics of a Leo are they had me pegged pretty closely. I have been told, due to the hour and date of my birth the sun plays a major role in my horoscope. It’s supposed to be a good thing! I’m not too knowledgeable about these things, but what I do know is………the sun gives us warmth and gives life……It has existed since the beginning of time, and will be here until the end of time. I sometimes think of all the human beings, all the people who have lived before, and the famous people from history.  All that have looked up and have seen the same sun we all look at, and take for granted. Thinking about it can be overwhelming….I think of all the times Jac and I enjoyed swimming and laying in the sun and feeling its’ healing warmth………..This Sun Anniversary Pendant has more meaning for me than you can know……………I couldn’t think of a better sign to  represent my anniversary and my life……………………………..I hope you enjoy it……………………….much Love………………………Louis

…………………………….Many years ago Jac and I adopted two elephants from the Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tennessee. Jac chose Flora because she was an X show girl and had sweet big eyes…….I chose Tara because she was an accredited  artist, and had sold many of her paintings!!…..until one day she put down her brushes and said that was it. I totally understood her…..Tara and I also share a love for watermelon!! They are our “little” daughters…….The girls are still roaming the acres and acres of Hohenwald, located in Tennessee, and through donations the place is getting bigger and great improvements are being made [like large man made lakes for them to bath and swim]……and more elephants are being saved and brought to the sanctuary [females only]…The purpose is to give these Ladies a peaceful life, not to breed them….No pesky bulls allowed! Needless to say the money keeps going out, so I donate often……..My girls and the others eat a lot!….LOL……..We love elephants, and I am going, God willing, to make the trip Jac and I always planned….I will make that trip to Africa and visit an elephant reserve this year…..I’m praying the virus doesn’t last until then………….Elephants have always been a great source of joy and inspiration!………Whenever I’m feeling blue I click onto “YouTube” and watch a few baby elephant stories until the blue feelings pass………I highly recommend it….It is a joyful remedy for chasing the blues away that always works for me………..My girls inspired me to create “ELEPHANT WALK”………..I hope you like it…………………..enjoy………………………….much Love………………………..Louis

…………………….It is no secret that Jac and I loved and still do love elephants. They are majestic beasts that have so many human qualities. Sometimes I think if humans were more like elephants this would be a better world…I think the pendant looks like Flora!…..Why the name “Elephant Walk”? I enjoy referencing  movies I liked. “Elephant Walk” was a 1954 movie staring Elizabeth Taylor, Dana Andrews, and Peter Finch. It wasn’t a great movie, but I enjoyed it and there were lots of elephants, plus the name stuck in my head. Elizabeth Taylor was her usual gorgeous self!!!.The “ELEPHANT WALK” pendant is the first time I have depicted an animal for a piece of Linea jewelry. It’s been on my mind for a long long time, but it had to be right…..It had to be different from all the typical Elephant jewelry that has been done. The pendant has great relief and dimension….and lots of decorative markings like the way elephants have been decorated in the past. There are also PIERCINGS in the elephant to add another detail. What ever color or pattern you are wearing will show through these piercings. The color of the elephant is GOLD OX. It is blackened to highlight all of the interesting marking patterns……At each side of the head there is a wonderfully detailed gold ox bead, and then a white TABLET bead. These flat tablets are made from stone and each is a different shape with its’ own unique markings. These are REAL STONE, not plastic or resin. Above the Tablet are three more of the Gold Ox beads and above them another smaller interesting bead that finishes the necklace to the Lobster Claw closing with a three inch extender……………If you love ELEPHANTS as I do you will love the beauty of this piece………………………………………………………………………………………..

…………………..The TABLET NECKLACE has EIGHT STATIONS……Each tablet is different and unique. The shapes, markings, striations are all different with each tablet making the necklace even more interesting. Their smooth tactile surfaces and their irregular crude sides all add to the beauty of these tablets. On its’ own it’s a wonderful “white necklace” to wear with so many things. Combined with the “Elephant Walk” pendant is just spectacular, and what you have come to expect from Linea jewelry……The quality is SUPERB!……….There is also a wonderful companion earring. The top has an unusual horizontal oval shape. Then a gold bead, from which hangs a small tablet. Now each tablet will be a little different. They are like snowflakes…..no two are exactly the same……………I have shown it above on the Black scoop neck top in Moss Crepe, and the new Black Status print. On the black the pieces stand out. On the print they blend in and become part of the print……..I know you will have fun trying these pieces with all of the different solid color tops and dresses, and print tops and dresses you own……………..enjoy……….much Love………….Louis

………………………..The “Elephant Walk” pendant, Tablet necklace and earring also will be avail with beautiful, saturated, rich Turquoise tablets. The Gold Ox metal remains the same. Above, I have the pieces on a turquoise moss crepe top, the new Ivory Gauze Crepe shirt, the Turquoise Shantung jacket and the new Turquoise Status print top. That’s just four possibilities. This turquoise will pop when you wear these pieces on a wide range of colors like: royal blue, red, lime green, hot pink, orange, kelly green, khaki, olive…..I can go on and on. What I’m saying is PLAY and experiment. Mix the tablet necklace with necklaces you already own. I can easily see it being the focal point mixed with a mass of gold chains! Mix it with other beads for a profusion of color……….I would like to think that this Elephant pendant necklace is something you might find in some exclusive boutique in Africa. When you happen upon it you have to have it to remind yourself of this magical trip……If there are no trips to Africa in your future you can always be a mind traveler like I have often been…..or just a lover of these magnificent animals……….enjoy……much Love……….Louis