…………………….The theme for the May 2001 group was the beginning of one of my reoccurring themes through out the years…….SAFARI………I introduced a rayon/linen blend for jackets, skirts and a dress. It’s a fabric that everyone liked and I used it in different ways for many years. This group had many interesting fabrics…..starting at the top, next to the chart is a shirt in a Leopard print. I believe it ended up being printed on a silk georgette….next to that is a charmuse burnout crocodile pattern fabric. the sheer and the silk satin was so beautiful…..it draped amazingly. It was BI-COLORED!!! The sheer was olive color and the satin croco was in a grayed orchid a grayed pale peach and a sage. Next sketch is a suede and faux lizard leather trimmed bag with a short handle. It came in 3 colors…..next to that is my Silk CD tunic shirt with the silk chiffon border, and right below that is the very first Capri legging QVC ever did. This was 19 years ago!!! I remember very clearly arguing with my buyer why leggings were going to be important AGAIN! With tunics, big shirts and long sweaters making a strong come back leggings and slim pants were a must for a proper proportion. I finally won out. They were in cotton knit span. They bought the minimal amount, [because they thought they were going to be a bust!], but they sold out in a flash. With all of the tunic styles we were doing I knew they would. Of course the ladies weren’t happy that they couldn’t get them. The leggings were reordered for a few years. Others came out with leggings and mine were discontinued, which I was not happy about. Once again the customers proved that they knew more than the buyers!…….The rest of the middle row shows the JUNGLE PRINT rayon/linen over sized unlined jacket…..the oblong ombre silk chiffon scarf ……the Silk CD Safari jacket [the first safari jacket of many to come]….a printed dip dyed wide rib light weight sweater, and a rayon/linen maxi sleeveless shirt dress. The sketch to the extreme bottom left shows the jungle print skirt with different tops, the sleeveless 5 gauge zig zag and rib combo cotton/acrylic sleeveless sweater and a silk shantung stand color shirt………at the extreme bottom right the slim pant with the stitched crease detail…..There were lots of interesting fabrics, colors and silhouettes in this group, and many were to become trend setters a la the leggings……There was absolutely nothing like this on QVC. No one was doing coordinated separates…..Remember, American sportswear was MY BACKYARD!
Louis, I still own many of your silk safari jackets, they are some of my all time favorite pieces. Thank you for bringing us years of beautiful, classic clothing.
Gratefully
Pam
So much color….so much silk! How I would have loved those pieces, had I know about QVC back in the day. The gorgeous colors were one of the things that attracted me to Linea, when I finally discovered it. I have not shopped for clothing for myself, in a brick and mortar store since 2010. So I am out of the loop with what they offer. But I stopped at Target to look for a Christmas gift, and the clothing looked so drab. Nothing looked pretty. No wonder people comment on my Linea outfits.
I have that pink silk tunic with the chiffon hem. It is still gorgeous and no one would guess it’s from 2001.
Everything in this collection is right up my alley. The croco shirt – oh how I would love that! And the safari jacket??? Yes please.
Louis! Looking at your sketches in these two collages – I feel like a Kid in a Candy Store…..I would have loved one of everything, please! Simply Superb!
Seka.
Late….but a very Happy, Healthy New Year to all!! Your stollen was beautiful, Louis—and I’m sure as delicious as it looked! Yes, it’s those traditions that warm our hearts and keep the happy memories alive.
So glad you are posting everything from all your past shows since I also came on board later, they are not only so interesting but so fun. I agree with Somersault, you were the glory days of QVC! I was totally wowed and surprised to find you and your design, style and quality there as I’d never shopped on a home shopping channel but it seems they must have other things in mind now. I’m just so thankful I was able to acquire the wardrobe I have these past several years and nearly everything is from Your Linea line!
Oh, I want it ALL. Gorgeous!
Louis, all I can say is WOW! These, certainly, were the glory days of QVC! The impact of your designs and presentation had to have been an explosion of taste, design and style. You were able to raise the quality as well as the expections to a level not seen before in a home shopping network. How exciting for you! You were and still remain the jewel of QVC! I came onboard later……………love seeing all that I have missed! Cat