……………………….August 2001 was a fun collection to do…..There were TWO SEPARATE GROUPS IN AUGUST shown on two separate shows…..Remember, I was the new “hot” kid on the block, so I got special treatment, and absolutely no one else was offering American Designer Sportswear on QVC….There was lots of suede [it was some what inexpensive to do then….everything out of China was inexpensive to do!] I introduced a new fabric for Linea….BOILED WOOL [a beautiful quality, not itchy at all as some were, because the quality of wool was superb]…..It is the first jacket at the top left. It was a color block jacket. My MIL Marianne had the black/grey/red combination, and it’s still hanging in her bedroom closet looking brand new!……The next jacket was suede in 3 color combinations. They were piped in a contrast suede color and had suede leaves and vines appliqued on top……..The next coat was a suede blazer coat. All of these jackets sold incredibly well, but the next jacket was the star. It was a boiled wool jacket with, if I remember correctly, wool felt leaves appliqued on top in contrast colors There was also a fancy border embroidery stitch [I think a zig zag in a wool yarn]. It was very pretty, and the ladies loved it. I saw quite a few women in NYC wearing it, and that rarely happened……….next the sweater with the applique leaves, and below is an additional solid suede topper…..I can’t believe all of the ‘ALL SUEDE” jackets and separates we did then…..next are are two shirts. The one to the left is a georgette tunic shirt with satin tonal trims, and the one to the extreme right is a suede tunic shirt with a contrast placket on one side….the side where the buttons are sewn…….It amazes me looking back how inexpensive materials and labor were, because many of these pieces were very laborious, something that wasn’t an issue 20 years ago!
Louis, I have worn the color blocked charcoal/red/grey jacket to death and it will be going to the cleaners again this year to be ready for next year. Loved the boiled wool and have all colors of the jacket with appliqués leaves. I lost a few pounds so I fit in them again. Wonderful timeless unique items.
Louis, Every piece is Exquisite!
Seka.
Wearing the eggplant appliqué sweater today! This was one of my very first items from the Linea line, and I have been a loyal devotee ever since. My sweater looks as great today as the day I received it, and today I received a compliment on it from a lady in the grocery store. I also enjoy wearing the brown boiled wool jacket with the reddish appliqué leaves when it’s very cold outside. Thank you so much, Louis, for styling us so well for so many years, and for sharing your life and experiences with us.
Louis, so beautiful! They are all breathtaking and timeless. Thank you, thank you for the memories.
I have the leaf-appliqued jacket in brown with red leaves. Every autumn, it brings smiles and compliments. Loving this retrospective on the collections. Thank you!
This is from Mary Jane (MHMN).
OMG, Louis. I know the clothes are awesome (and I have some suede jackets with this same architectural feeling) but what I love are the crooks! Your style changed !!! These sketches seem to be about something. They tell a story. Love how they overlap, it’s like they’re “going somewhere”. They remind me of my Godmother and the trips we used to take together???!!!!
Dear Cela….some of the sketches that are numbered are
“show” sketches so they do tell a kind of story.
I have two of these pieces! One is the brown suede jacket with blue appliqués, and the other is the green boiled wool with appliqués. I still love and wear them both! In fact, much to my delight, they fit again (post weight loss campaign)!!! I will admit to not being very creative with styling each due to no blog entry. I would love to go back and watch the presentations! Thanks for posting!
P.S. Sadly I am unable to zoom in for detail on your most recent posts on my iPhone.
OMG! Exquisite! Cat