……………………I may not have collages since 2000, but I do have all of the records in binders. I have to say I wasn’t as careful as I should have been, but I know what everything is. Some of the fabrics have faded a little, but most still look great….a little wrinkled, but good enough! The May 2000 show was at Paradise Island in the Bahamas….. That’s where Jac got hooked into modeling when a local model didn’t show up! It was a great start and wonderful memories.
Dear Louis, it was with great sadness that I read your letter informing us of QVC’s decision to end the Linea Line and I had to put a few days space in before I wrote my reply. I had never watched , looked at the website, or ordered from QVC until five years ago. It was then that I quickly found you and Linea. I remember being so impressed with you, your descriptions, explanations, your style, and obvious quality that I placed an order. I also remember being more impressed after receiving my first Linea order and the beautiful fit, the unmistakable quality, and designer’s design that you offered at the price point you did that I was taken back a few years when one could find pieces like that at better stores. As I began first watching on QVC, ordering and becoming more pleased that I was able to find and buy —quality, styles I liked that fit and looked good on me—something I had not been able to for a long time, I also found this site and learned more not only about your clothes but about you and of course Jac and what a personal interest you both took in what you were doing but also in your friends that you designed for, worked with, and had built such great relationships over the years. How impressed I was with your personal interest and ongoing help in answering questions, giving opinions and giving so many helpful insights and different ideas concerning different pieces. I also learned from others on this site also. You are truly a friend, an artist, have an artist’s eye and you are able to look at people, cultures and nature, pull them all together and the result is truly artistic.
I want to thank you for everything. During these last five years, I completely redid my wardrobe, as I couldn’t find many pieces that I even cared to buy—and there is hardly anything in my closets that isn’t Linea now. It just happened because your clothes fit and are styled so well for me. I cannot begin to tell you all the compliments I receive and how goods do comfortable I feel wearing your pieces, yes, it is like you have been “my personal designer”. I have thought maybe I overdid it—until I read your letter. Now I’m so grateful I have bought the pieces I did which I will wear for years to come and be in style as your pieces are timeless. To name only a few, the full length double zip sweaters, full length open sweaters, lamb leather jackets, trench coats, jackets, matching sets, all the fun pieces and not least the beautiful jewelry to go with pieces are treasures. When I unwrapped the ruffled moss crepe jacket, tank and the faux pearl jewelry today it was with different feelings as I realized this would be the last Linda items. It is with so much gratitude that I thank you so very much much and look forward to following you.
Oh ! How I wish I could have seen that first show.
Those peony shirts were beautiful !
I didn’t know that was how beautiful Jac became one of the girls.
Thank you for sharing !!
Louis, Am so looking forward to seeing some of your sketches and fabrics from your first 5 years. I did not find Linea until mid-2005 so it will all be new to me. Your very first Linea Collection looks absolutely fabulous! Thank you for taking the time to go through your archives.
Seka
Hi, Louis! I also had a large file for each of my clients so I could look back to see what we had done before. By the time we moved here and I had retired they were all bulging and a lot to move, so I discarded them. knowing that I wouldn’t work for them again. But I kept all of my files for our house here as it was a complete restoration following historic guidelines. So I still have every floor plan, cuttings for approval, paint cards, hardware selections, wood finishes, and bath/kitchen selections, and the like. They are still taking up more space than I would like but have come in handy from time to time. Each project I ever did felt like giving birth!
Linen, silk, linen, silk…..those were the days my friend! I still have one of the long sleeve silk tunics in hot pink with a chiffon hem band that is about 6 inches wide. I used to have it in three colors.
Dear Louis. I still have many of these silk pieces. It seems like it was a dream to have these beautiful fabrics available to us.
I also love the sketches because I can print them out and start my own binder of these lovely items.
Louis, what a fabulous archive and legacy! Wherever you chose to leave your archive, they will be blessed to have a meticulous collection of your work, organized, detailed with notes as well as your samples. How fabulous for any student of design to be able to see and to understand what makes a collection not only successful but beautiful and cohesive. Because of your attention to detail, you will continue to teach from your archive…………..Cat