Monthly Archives: February 2023

……………………The……SHALWAR KAMEEZE….is often referred to as a “suit”…..The Shalwar is a pant, usually wide on the top and tapering at the ankle….however over the years it has evolved into a wider range of styles. A simple slim pant sometimes with small side slits can also be a Shalwar…..The Kameeze is a long shirt worn over the pant. They come in a variety of styles and necklines…They were and still are worn by both WOMEN and MEN. Today they come in a variety of fabrics and patterns. and are in fabrics that are both casual for everyday wear, or extremely dressy….often printed in GOLD or embroidered with real gold threads.. The outfit at the extreme left is a perfect example of a SALWAR KAMEEZE. The LONG top is made out of a SHEER GEORGETTE with a short CREPE GEORGETTE attached shell under it…which is tucked into the pant. The CREPE GEORGETTE  is used for the SLIM pant……..Both pieces are HAND EMBROIDERED with real GOLD BULLION THREADS. I researched authentic Indian embroideries and all of the embroideries were done in INDIA……The three piece outfit on Gale at the right consisted of a long Crepe Georgette embroidered jacket….a long V-neck Crepe Georgette tunic which was the same length as the long jacket. The bottom was a long sheer georgette skirt with high side slits over a solid Crepe Georgette slim pant…They were attached at the pull-on waist…..The detailing of the embroidery was simply magnificent!!!!…..To give you an idea of prices in 1992…the tunic at the left had a suggested retail price of $1335.00, and the pant had a suggested retail price of $995……The jacket on Gale had a suggested retail price of $1695.00, the V-neck silk georgette crepe  V-neck tunic was $180 and the skirt and dress combo was $295……I can’t imagine what the prices would be today….easily double if not triple!!!!!

………………………RAYON CADET………….is a very special fabric I found in Italy……A CADET fabric refers to the specific weave. A cadet fabric can be woven with different yarns resulting in different qualities of fabric. Silk and Rayon will give you a fabric with more drape….a cotton will result in a stiffer heavier fabric…..What is common is the fact that the surface on all cadet fabrics is SMOOTH. Due to the type of weave the fabrics are heavier and have more body to them. Silk and or Rayon cadet are double the normal weight of a silk or rayon crepe and are extremely expensive. The fabric is perfect for tailoring as well as making shaped dresses. The weight of the fabric camouflages many imperfections. In the photos are four of the styles I designed for the line. On the extreme left is a jewel neck FITTED dress with princess seams that opened up over the legs to create thigh high slits in the front. The dress in the middle had a complete bustier underneath so there was never a problem of it slipping down. It had High slits so you could put your hands in the pockets of the Rayon Cadet matching slim pants. I also did these two pieces in IVORY LACE…….The dress on the extreme right, on Christy, was a National Ad. It was very modern, but still had a retro vibe. It was very fitted with halter straps, a square neckline and a front slit!……..The shoes were spectacular….Starting on the left…The High Heel was in Black suede with a CORK PLATFORM and a wide ankle strap…..The “SPRINGALATER” in the center was in black matte satin with a gold piping between the top of the shoe and the high platform……..The cuff and the earrings in the  center photos was all made in artisan 18 Karat Gold plate….The twisted Torsade necklace was made out of tubular gold plate beads and tubular black wooden beads…….They were all fabulous, and all sold well…….Truly TIMELESS!!!!!

………………….February 7, 1941- February 7, 2023………..Today is my BIG BROTHER’S  82nd BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!……….MAURO JAMES DELL’OLIO………..He was the first grandchild born on my father’s side of the family and the first born BOY….He was named after my Dad’s father [photo at lower left]….We lived in the same house as my grandparents until I was 3 and he was 11…and then we moved to Long Island……My brother was the apple of my grandfather’s eye …..They were very close…….When he was born he was a roly poly…….almost 10 lbs! Bald as a cue ball with blue eyes….Later they turned into the most amazing hazel color……There is an 8 year difference between us. When I was young that gap seemed enormous……but as the years went by and I got older……the gap  got smaller and smaller. I speak to my brother every day……thank God for FACETIME!!!……..I love my brother with all of my heart…….HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRO…..and MANY MANY MORE TO COME!

……………………….ETRO, the great Italian print designer, created this georgette Batik for me……There is definitely an Indian influence. The elongated jacket was paired with a draped sarong skirt. The Honey knit tank was accented with the pomegranate leather belt.

………………………Silk Crepe Georgette, and Sheer Silk Georgette were combined to create some beautiful and ethereal outfits……The color ALOE made them even more feminine and romantic…….At the extreme left the model is wearing a long midi  length sheer tunic that had a silk crepe attached short tank. It is worn over silk crepe georgette slim pant all in ALOE. She is wearing a tea cup heel sandal in sanded and metallic washed Aloe snake…..Long bead necklaces and earrings coordinated perfectly……..Gail on the right is wearing a two piece Silk Crepe Georgette buttonless “Cardigan” jacket with a matching sleeveless tunic. She is wearing it over sheer georgette pants……again with coordinating jewelry.