…………………………A NEW BIG DEAL is here, and it’s the WINDOWPANE SHANTUNG SHIRT/JACKET, A377808……….Many of you already own my Silk Windowpane top from many years ago. That top was reordered for a few years, and we only stopped making it because China raised the price of silk where we could no longer afford it for QVC…..so reluctantly we had to retire the top. When I did the STRETCH SHANTUNG jacket last season, it had a great response and sold out. It’s on its’ way to selling out again….. I asked the fabric mill if it could be done in a yarn dye so we could do a window pane, and the answer was YES….with restrictions! For some reason I still don’t quite understand, the ground color has to be lighter than the stripes….so a black ground with a white windowpane can not be made. Don’t ask me why….I have no idea. It’s a technical thing….I guess?………….Anyway, I digress………..What I have achieved is spot on to the original, and in a way better. These tops are made in the same stretch polyester as the new Shantung jackets that have been received so well….so it is completely WASHABLE…..PLUS I’ve added BAND POCKETS!!!! The length of this jacket is slightly longer to accommodate the pocket, and comes in at 26 inches for the size 4. These will be numerically sized. Again, they are unlined so they can be worn buttoned up as a shirt, or worn open as a light shirt jacket. The UNDER COLLAR and TURN BACK CUFF will have the same contrast color as the stripe. In this case BLACK. The CUFFS ARE MEANT TO BE TURNED BACK!!!! You should actually get out your iron and press them back for a good fold…..for those of you who own an iron…..Otherwise, for those of you who don’t, steam them back and put a heavy book on them…LOL……If you wear the cuffs down the plaid on the cuff and the plaid on the sleeve will not MATCH……..Also, to be totally transparent, the side seams WILL NOT MATCH. Honestly, unless you intend to walk around with you arms above your heads like you were being held up who’s going to notice. With your arms down it will not be an issue….for most. If this is a deal breaker I want you to know up front! This however didn’t bother the majority of women, as we sold thousands of the original windowpane jacket, and they didn’t match either. What is the MOST IMPORTANT THING is that the FRONTS WILL MATCH…….There are small side slits, a button front, 3/4 sleeves, and a classic shirt collar and stand to complete the details…………As for underpinnings and bottoms let you imagination go wild. You really can wear any color with the black and white…..Wear color tops with black bottoms, and black tops with color bottoms like my red or sapphire pants, and my yellow and turquoise jeans from years ago…….a little black patent ballet flat would be perfect…..very Mary Tyler Moore…. As for bottom silhouettes have FUN!!!! At the extreme left top photos, I have the new DOUBLE LAYER PANT in the black and white, and they look fantastic together!!!! Capri, crops, ankle, shorts and long trousers will ALL work. You could even mix the right prints with this windowpane. Let’s not forget all the SLEEVELESS DRESSES you are always looking to put a top with. The Windowpane will be perfect……………….Accessorizing will be so easy!!!! Close your eyes and put something on. I don’t know how you could miss….From COINS to the CLUSTER STONE and PEARL necklaces and everything in between will look great……….I have chosen the new Elephant Walk Pendant and the Tablet necklace with the Tablet earring in the turquoise….which POPS against the white and black………I have also chosen the brand spanking new NUGGET CLUSTER NECKLACE, HOOP EARRING and CUFF [not shown, but the same design as the Samburu cuff that sold out]. The color is this incredible RED,RED,RED. I know there are some of you who have been asking if I would have a red necklace coming….well it has arrived, and it’s a beauty!…….I know for all of you who have enjoyed your first Windowpane jackets you will enjoy this one too. I realize you can’t substitute silk, but this STRETCH SHANTUNG comes as close as I can get. For those of you who are knew to this piece, give it a try. I’m sure you will love it…………………enjoy……………………..much Love………………………..Louis
Louis
I love these shirt jackets. Hard part deciding on my favorites.
Louis,
Thank you for sharing your 2 designers lives! You have certainly lived a very full and interesting life……..one that is so different and unique from most of us. Different in a lot of ways, but you and Jac enjoyed so many simple things like the lilacs, pansies and just enjoying the beautiful natural environment of your home and the gorgeous water surrounding you. You have had the the “celebrity” life, but able to have a tranquil and serene retreat in your home.
You have allowed us Linea Ladies to experience your past life by sharing so much of yourself by way of pictures and your recollections. Not many people are so willing to be as transparent. You are such a talented person and all I can say is thank you a million times for letting us be privy to your past and present life.
Please keep on designing and filling our life with your creations! During these uncertain days, your blog has certainly been a very bright spot for me!
Thank you!
Dear Becky….my reminiscing keeps it all alive for me. If Jac were here I know I wouldn’t be so open, but I always enjoyed sharing. Jac was much more private……With everything we experienced in our lives together and separately….being at home was our favorite thing…..Jac used to call it “our own separate peace”, and it was, and still is. It’s where I feel closest to Jac.
Louis,
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I was the one who asked if you thought it would be possible to bring back your windowpane shirt in your new shantung fabric. I had purchased two of your shantung jackets in the hot pink and loved the rich vibrant color. I have several of your original silk windowpane shirts and received compliments every time I wore them. They are such a classic style and a perfect dressy casual shirt. I remembered you saying that the cost of silk prohibited you from continuing to produce that shirt, and that only silk could produce the rich colors. So, when I received the hot pink shantung jacket, I wondered if it would be possible for you to use the new fabric for the windowpane shirt. I asked and you immediately looked into it responding that your manufacturer thought it would be possible. Then, you asked your ladies what colors they would prefer, and now here we are!!! I am ecstatic that they have arrived and love all of the colors!!! Louis, you are beyond amazing!!! To think you would take the time to personally connect with your customers, listen to their requests, and make it happen, puts you in a class by yourself!! You are THE quintessential fashion designer with a heart of gold!!
Dear Margaret Rose….thank you for all of your kind words. I have had two very different “designing lives”……Let me explain…..When I designed for Anne Klein my connection to my clients was limited to the seasonal trunk show, and at most that was maybe 2 or 3 a season……and I only connected with those women in the cities I visited who showed up…..so it was extremely limited. As the saying goes “designers design in an ivory tower”. Some designers only care about what their clothes look like on tall thin beautiful models…..that is their dream vision and all they care about. They aren’t concerned about the women who buy their clothes, and I have heard many say they would actually prefer not to meet them…..That was never my philosophy. Of course it gave me great satisfaction to see my designs parading down a runway on the most beautiful women in the world, and I was lucky to be designing during the same time as the super models. We were all contemporaries, and friends so it made it all more wonderful…..but I always new that I was designing for real women not models, and in my real life those were the women I was surrounded by..It gave me greater pleasure to see the actual women who bought my clothes and were so happy with them….When I first started designing for QVC it was sort of like having ice cold water thrown in my face as I was not really aware of QVC or who their customers were….LOL…..Thinking about the real women of America, the women I was designing for, women of all sizes and heights became my new focus. The AK collection only went to a size 10, and some stores special ordered size 12. Now I had to think about clothes that would be flattering on a 3X as well as an XXS. This is not an easy task as their needs are very different, and what can look great on one may be a disaster on another….So I had to relearn, and come up with a new balance. After being at QVC for TWENTY YEARS I thank all of the women for their patience and support, and suggestions!…..I am so glad you recommended looking into whether the shantung could be made into a windowpane. I really hadn’t given it a thought……So you see I have happily given up my ivory tower, and have had much more fun meeting and talking with all of you!…..Happy Mother’s Day
Love the black and white! Louis I still have 2 of your original window pane shirt/jackets and get compliments on them every time I wear them. It is a true classic. Thank you so much for your brilliant designs.
Oh, Louis! The black and white windowpane is for me! One of my all time favorite items of clothing was a black and white windowpane jacket that I had in the early ‘90’s. I think about that jacket to this day! I can’t wait for your version of one of my favorites! I’m also thinking about the aqua, but am wishing that it was combined with navy instead of black so I could pair it with my navy bottoms.
Thank you!
Chris…..I think if your navy is dark enough they can be worn together.
Louis,
My new goal during the quarantine has been less shopping and if I buy something one or two items must be taken away! Watch out closet I am coming to purge! I have been on the lookout for a red necklace like this one so I will be purchasing this beauty!
Think I will purchase the black and white, but the turquoise is yelling also…..Pick me, Pick me!
Thank you for the wonderful Mother’s Day surprise!
I am really thrilled to see this will be the BIG DEAL, Louis. I still have(and wear) two of the original silk ones….black w/white and orange w/ hot pink. I know I will like these just as much. I appreciate your perseverance for finding a substitute fabric to give us the same look…..and with easier care. Thank you!!!
I ordered the double layer pants on 4/24 and they are still In Process. That could be one reason there are few reviews.
Hi Louis!
Nice to see that you are bringing back this top for those who couldn’t get the original top in the silk. I have the original in the white/black silk rendition like the new Shantung one you have posted. I was going to ask you whether you thought the double layer pants would go with this and then I opened my eyes and saw that you paired it with the pants.
Off topic… but there have only been 2 reviews (1 -31″R & 1 -28″P) on the double layer pants. I’d love to read more on the length of the petite on woman who are at least 5’6″. The model Jackie had on the regular length and they looked long on her. I believe she is 5’8″ and was she wore heels. Reviews and the exact garment sizing charts are very important and helps to keep returns low.
Thanks for all you do!
Dawn
Dear Dawn….As you can see posting reviews, and also the lack of them is very important. I always ask everyone to post reviews but there is very few of them. I can’t impress enough how important to women who are looking for information, like yourself. With everyone staying at home I was hoping that a liitle time would be taken to post reviews. If you want more info from petite ladies I would suggest you pose the question on the Linea forum and see who responds, Enough have been sold that you should get some answers…..These pants are better too long than too short. They are very easy to shorten if need bee. They are fabulous unique pants that can be worn with anything.
I remember the original top and I still have the black one with the white windowpanes. I love it and it does go with so much .
Such a Beautiful Shirt/Jacket! The Stretch Shantung sounds perfect – and it’s washable! I do not have any of the original version.
The White/Black is my first choice…..still trying to decide on a second choice.
Seka.