March Sneak Peek #1, is A232510, THE PONTE KNIT STRIPE DRESS. I thought it would be a good way to start the March sneak peeks…..right where we left off from February. Stripes, as you all know by now, are probably the singular most important FASHION TREND of the season. I capitalize “Fashion Trend”, because stripes have made a very strong appearance, on almost every important DESIGNER runway, on both sides of the Atlantic. How you are comfortable incorporating them into your wardrobes is up to you…….I can only offer my vision………….. This is one spectacular dress, and I do not say that because I designed it, but because of the way it has been executed. Trust me when I say….you will NEVER find another dress made with this quality fabric, and all the diagonal cutting and MATCHING of the fabric, at the price I am offering it to you. The specifics……the dress is approx. 39 inches from the HPS for the XS size. There is a side zipper for easy access……… The KEY to this dress is the cut and fit. As you can see the bodice of this dress, front and back, is cut MITERED, so a V is formed. The skirt of the dress is cut on the diagonal……ALL of this creates a slenderizing look….YES a SLENDERIZING look. The only horizontal stripes are the set in band that is cut and inlayed with precision! Where the band falls on your body really doesn’t matter. If you have a long or short waist…..it’s all good. I showed side views of the dress to emphasize the fact that it is impossible to MATCH the front to the back. PLEASE notice the bodice. There are bust darts that are necessary for most women, whereas the back is relatively flat…..This is an anatomical FACT………which makes it impossible to match the side seam. However, the front and back Vs are perfectly matched…….where it really matters. The “darts” on the front and back of the skirt have been left as tucks instead of sewn down. Optically, it is softer to the eye and a much better look…….it’s all in the DETAILS. There are many options for cover ups for this dress….starting with the MATCHING CARDIGAN, A232510. Yes, I know…… it is a BOLD LOOK and not for everyone………but………for those who can carry it off…..it is spectacular!!! The BLACK CREPE BLAZER, A232344, from February’s show, is another great alternative……and the Ponte TSV jacket would be wonderful with this dress……Black, Ivory or a wonderful color. One of my favorite, and probably most unexpected cover ups, is A230028, the LONG GAUZE , SINGLE BUTTON CARDIGAN. It is a fabulous way to look. Also, what I like about it is…..when you enter a room, you are not giving it all away at once….if you know what I mean. Then…..when you take the cardigan off you have the GREAT REVEAL!……and show a beautiful dress…..Trust me….all EYES will be on you…..this is not for fading flowers! This is a dress for a life time. Stripes may be up and center this season….but they NEVER take a back seat……………..scroll down for more pics…………………………..I hope you enjoy……………..much Love…………….Louis
Bravo again, Louis. I’m getting the black and white. I have the blue and black and the ivory and bamboo cardigans. Would either of these look good with the black and white dress? I also have the black gauze cardigan so I have options.
Thanks, Louis for bringing us this wonderful festival of stripes!
crdlb
Dear Carol,
I think the blue/black would work best over the dress. The black ivory would be too strong for the the bamboo/ivory
Another WoW – Louis! For starters, plan to wear this one with A210353 Ethnic Topper in RED. You stated your inspiration was Russian in nature, but each time I wear that jacket I’m transported back to the streets of Morocco! And I adore wearing Black/White combos with my turquoise gemstone collection. Love the chevron look.
Thrilled with the python print dress (Stone) & my Brown ‘jewelry’ dress is pure perfection. Bring on more dresses, please.
Louis, this is one SMART & SOPHISTICATED dress! I plan on ordering as soon as available, so can you tell me if the fabric is light or heavy weight and the fabric content? Is the ivory more of a cool white? I’m a dress girl, so loving the dresses you are bringing! Thanks!
Hi Debby….light and heavy are very relative. What I may think of as light you may find heavy. It is the exact same fabric as the cardigan I just sold this month, so maybe some of the ladies who own the cardigan can give their opinions. I find it a med. to light weight ponte. Certainly not as light as a rayon/span jersey like the “Sophia” dress or the cowl tunic. It has body and is perfect for this type of construction. I think it can be worn through the summer depending on where you live and what the temp and humidity is…….Ladies what do you think of the weight of this ponte knit?
Thanks, sounds perfect!
The ivory is not a blue cool white….it is an ivory warm white.
The black and white dress is calling me and I don’t even need a dress!! I can see this with red accessories already!!
OUTSTANDING! I love the Black gauze topper with the dress. Does the Graphite jacket work with the Black/Grey combination? That jacket, from a couple of years ago, is one of my favorites.
Dear designista…..I donated that jacket so I can’t answer your question, but if my memory serves, and I could be wrong cause it ain’t what it used to be…..and….. it’s very difficult to “carry” color….the jacket was a cool gray and this is a warm gray….but I could be wrong. Sorry I couldn’t give you a more definitive answer.
Thanks Louis…most things ain’t what they use to be. I sure fit in that scenario.
Hello dear Louis,
Gosh, I am still in South Africa on business and I am dying to get home and see all the new Linea pieces waiting for me since I left the US on January 3rd! I cannot wait to get this new striped dress in Black and White—I’m on Waitlist for the matching cardigan so fingers crossed the stock comes in.
I’ve tried to watch all your shows on QLive since I got to Johannesburg—it’s been frustrating but I’ve managed to watch or see the videos for just about all the new pieces. I’ve been bowled over by all the great new designs.
Best of luck on your upcoming shows. Regards to Jac.
Sheesh
Holey Moley Sheesh…..I hope you’re in the diamond business. You better be careful you’ll loose you citizenship!!!! LOL…. A lot of DRAMA happening in South Africa right now….it’s big news here…….Come home already…..at least when you get home….spring will be right around the corner….so you will be going from early fall [it’s early fall in S. Africa now isn’t it?]….right into spring…..you missed winter!……and you’ll have a bundle to go through. It’s too bad you can’t have someone unpack your new clothes and steam them so they will be ready for your arrival!
Would the little black cardigan sweater with the embroidered lace in ivory (A221793) work with this? I love to mix and match patterns, but is that sweater too sweet with this bold dress?
Dear Kate,
I understand where you are going and I tried them together. Since you already have the stripe cardigan and the black sweater, you can see if you really like the color of the lace, which is more of a taupe, the the black and ivory. For me, it’s a little too off. I am doing the sweater in Ivory with black emb., and I tried that too. The colors do work better, but I still find the lace a little to dainty and timid for the boldness of the stripe. It’s not that it doesn’t work, but, if I were designing it to purposely work and still look off handed, the emb. would be stronger and balance better with the stripe, not equal to, but balance……I will be bringing, as you know, the lace cardigan in black with the same linen and mini check trims in April. Also in April, I will have a brand new lace dress….NOT A FLORAL….more of an abstract, in Bamboo with a Black lining and trim. The two together, though not intentionally meant to go together, look incredible. Actually, I just discovered that when I was looking to see how the lace cardi went with the stripe….so thank you….a new discovery. The lace dress will also come in black with white lining and black trims.
I thought not, but as you always say, one has to play with their clothes and see what works. I didn’t realize you’re bringing back that sweater. It’s one of my favorites and I can’t wait to buy it in ivory and black. So much to look forward to…March looks like a fun show, but seems like April is even bigger!
The sweater is also coming in my navy with ivory emb……There will be two shows in April…..on the 3rd at 4:00pm and on the 18th at 11:00pm….yes PM!! I haven’t had a show this late in the evening in YEARS!….and yes…. April and May are huge!!!
I really look forward to that sweater in Navy … and a new LACE DRESS? Might one ask if it is sleeveless?
Yes, it is a sleeveless dress
You’re a genius, Louis! I love the look of black and white spectator. No plans (yet) to attend the Kentucky Derby this year, but this would make a perfect Derby dress!
What an irresistable spring/summer dress. That’ll knock your socks right off!
Wowser, that is one fabulous dress. Its nice with a black jacket but stunning with the matching sweater. I will be buying the black and ivory to match the cardigan (which I adore). I do have to wonder why these were not offered during the same show?
Dear Kate…………I know you are not one of my fading flowers….and will be splendiferous in the dress and cardigan! Never ask why QVC does what they do….it’s a wonderful mystery…..don’t think I didn’t bring it up…..but consider this…..it’s another way for me to show the stripe cardigan again….so there just might be a method to the madness!