I know many of you couldn’t wait for me to post the pictures of THE MAY TORTOISE GROUP, and quite frankly, I was itching to post it myself! I have always had a FASCINATION with turtles, and as a child I had that plastic bowl with island of colored stones and the plastic palm tree in the middle…….to keep my turtles in………… As an adult, I started to collect ANTIQUE ENGLISH TORTOISE TEA CADDIES. The fascination hasn’t ended. I am very happy that Tortoise shells are now illegal to harvest, and in this instance, I am more than happy to use the plastic simulated tortoise. As with everything, there are many different grades and qualities of plastic and many different tortoise designs. If you are familiar with tortoise jewelry, or for that matter anything produced in simulated tortoise, you start to see the differences…….the patterns, the variations in color……the total look separates the good from the not so.
I will be offering you three styles in the Tortoise group……………………..J278135, is the TORTOISE NECKLACE. It measures 36 inches long with the additional three inch extender. For my very petite flowers out there, if necessary, this is a very easy necklace to shorten, BUT ONLY IF ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. Try doubling it first, because as you can see from the photos above, I LOVE two worn together…..it is such a rich look. I also have a photo of just one, which looks great too……and can easily be mixed with some finer chain necklaces if you like the look…..I know I do. This necklace can also double as a BELT!!!!!…..You know me….I would like two of them worn as a belt. As a matter of fact I would get two and attach them so I would only have one closing and one chain to deal with……………..The earring is, J278136. The “cap” of the earring is in the shape of an upside down TEAR DROP. It has a slight texture to the surface, which I like with the tortoise……it gives the piece character! Unfortunately, they were only bought pierced, but I know there are women out there who are very clever converting pierced earrings to clip on. If it were up to me they would have been avail both ways, but those decisions are not mine……….maybe if they get reordered?????? The earring measures, from the very top of the cap to the very bottom of the tortoise hoop……………3 1/4 inches. The length of the hoop, which will dangle from the ear lobe, is actually 2 1/4 inches. The earring is VERY LIGHT, and you should have no problem wearing these at all………………………THE TORTOISE WATCH, J277865, is a combination of GOLD and TORTOISE…….and it is a beauty. The tortoise has rich deep markings and is very VERSATILE……….it will look great with your ESPRESSO and WALNUT, your OLIVES and WINES, CHARCOAL GREY, CAMELS, BAMBOO and TANS………etc.etc. It is spectacular worn with all white….especially the white safari shirt, which has the raw shell buttons and the new white Boho skirt . The possibilities are endless. It is approx. the same length as my PANTHER LINK watch and has the same extender link. The actual measurement will be posted when the watch is posted. There are many “tortoise” watches out in the market and many “designer” brands are advertising them. I think mine competes with the best of them, and mine doesn’t cost an arm and a leg….LOL. You are already familiar with some of the apparel in the pictures……the TOBACCO TANK which many of you own…….is the perfect backdrop to the tortoise. The black pant is my new FAUX LINEN, that I know will make many of you extremely HAPPY, and my NEWEST GAUZE FABRIC, that I have used in this new KIMONO TYPE TOPPER,……….reminds me of fabrics used by the very avante guard JAPANESE DESIGNERS……It is somewhat SHEER…………light as AIR…… has a wonderful RIPPLED surface…………..and has POCKETS too. It is very important for me to offer you…………a variety of the RIGHT summer cover up pieces……………….This piece is SEASON-LESS…….I guarantee…. this is something you do not have in your closets. It is ABSOLUTELY PERFECT over the new LACE DRESSES……………….but more about this piece later!…………………….Ladies, now that you have seen the MAY JEWELRY offering……………..I ask you to put it out of your minds…..an impossible request I know!……..but…….. you probably won’t be able to purchase any of the pieces until at least the date of my next show, May 14th…..and I’m guessing about that…..so please be patient…………….One last note……….The watch will also come in two completely different materials…………………so…………..catch my post TOMORROW , and I will have pictures of the two other combinations………………………………………………it’s going to be difficult to choose……JUST ONE………………………….
……………………………………enjoy……………much Love…………………Louis…………………………………………………………….
Oh Louis, you do have a way with words! “very petite flower” sounds SO much better than “shortie,” lol. This flower can’t wait to scoop up a tortoise necklace. I never would have thought to use it as a belt as well as a necklace. Thank you as always for these styling tips. I wear my bohos all summer with a tank or tee, so I think that the “necklace” will see much service as a belt all summer long. I’ll play with it to see if I can wear it hanging single as a necklace, or if I need to double. In any case, I’ll be so happy to finally have it in my hot little hands – seems like I’ve been waiting forever for these beautiful tortoise pieces!
I am wondering if the Tortoise necklace is going to be like the Fish necklace and sells out like the blink of an eye. I am going to be traveling in the nest two weeks, so I am checking several times a day. I hope you can give us a heads up!
Dear Karen…………..I doubt that the jewelry or the watches will be posted before my shows on the 14th…………….I will definitely give a “heads up” when I know.
Louis,
All sound wonderful! Can’t wait to see more pictures. Is the ew gauze kimono topper being offered in May also? Other than black, what are the colors, please. Many thanks.
With a name like Waterbaby………..I guess you like to swim??? The gauze kimono is scheduled for mu May shows, but you never know…..things change at the last minute…..The colors are Black, Thyme [a pale green], and Seafoam.
Hi, Louis:
I grew up in Fort Lauderdale, FL on the beach, so yes, I love anything to do with the water! I love when we go to Hilton Head and open the door to the patio and hear the ocean all night long and watching the sun rise over the water. Just heaven! I am going to love the new kimono. I wear the cobalt and black gauze jackets a lot and get so many compliments. Perfect for three seasons in Atlanta.
Many blessings, waterbaby/Fran
You are going to LOVE the new kimono…the fabric is really special………..very “designer”.
LOL! You are a man after our youngest’s heart, Louis. When he was a boy and we were on acreage in Maryland, he used to have a “turtle farm” out back of the house. It was fenced in with chicken wire under a tree where the turtles had shade but could still sun themselves. And of course he kept them fed and with fresh water all the time. By the end of the summer there was quite a turtle population there. Fortunately, I was able to convince him that he needed to set them free so they could find warm homes for the winter. When I am wearing my faux tortoise jewelry I can think of both of you as boys with your turtles :-)!
Seen on CNN this morning: Anchor woman/commentator wearing long faux tortoise link necklace looking MUCH like Louis’s new necklace … only not as pretty as Louis’s version.
Truly lovely and a REAL CLASSIC! Your tortoise jewelry is dramatic and its light weight is perfect fro summer. I’ve always loved the coloration of the real as well as the faux. Can’t wait ’til it is available!!
Fabulous!
I’m happy that you’ve posted an early peek at the faux linen pants. I’ve been shopping for gauze/linen pants and have not found what I want. So I’ll stop and wait to see yours, which will no doubt be exactly what I’m looking for. Colors?
Dear Jean….if what you have been looking for is a GAUZE linen like pant, I’m afraid this is not it. There is nothing gauze like about these pants…..they are tailored and the fabric is substantial.
I’m primed for your tortoise collection! Again, another classic done with your inimatable stylistic touch.
The gauze top has my attention. Can’t wait to see it. I love your airy fabrics, Louis! Received the blue ikat print top yesterday and drowned in its beauty.
“inimitable” The teacher in me hates typos. Couldn’t let this one go!
Anyway, you’re one of a kind, Louis.
Louis,
Fabulous! Love everything here, but especially the gauze kimono style topper –definitely my style. Will the kimono and the faux linen pants also be on your May 14th show?
Jane
Yes…..I have two shows that day….1pm and 7pm……..I have no clue as to what will be on which show……..as of now
Faux linen? You just made my day. I love the herringbone suits – such a nice look that is wearable for work in the summer.
I can only wear real linen for ‘play’ because of the wrinkle factor, so I think I’m going to love this.
This faux linen is totally d8ifferent….more of a pronounced hop sack weave and heavier in weight…..perfect for the unlined Chanel-type jacket and unlined pant.
This new fabric sounds fabulous, Louis, and perfect for coping with the oppressive heat and humidity coming very soon. Is it too early for hints on colors???
The jackets are……….. Bamboo/Black……..Pale Pink/Black with Bamboo and Black pants…..
I’m in! I’ve been wishing for a Chanel-type jacket, and I love the bamboo/black color combination.
You mentioned the weight of the fabric – what season is it for?
After all my gabbing about the faux linen pieces, I forgot to say how nice the jewelry is. Love it!
Dear Mary…..I new the word substantial was going to raise some red flags…..so let me be clear. That was in comparison to a gauze. It is a spring summer weight…..actually depending on where you live it could be an all year jacket and pant. You wouldn’t wear it when there’s three feet of snow, nor would you wear it if it’s 110 in the shade…..all other times….it’s a go.
I am dying to see these jackets! Pale Pink/Black? I just cannot wait to see. Sounds devine!
Thank you, Louis! The Bamboo/Black are calling my name — jacket and pants. Funny…I already know this outfit will be perfect for me, but I’ll be on the look out for the sneak peeks.
And I’m really enjoying your new ponte 3/4 sleeve jackets…and the pants which are perfect! They really hit the spot for my company’s casual Friday dress code. Thank you for slways providing such a lovely range of styles.
Thud. That watch! I have everyone of your watches and each is better than the last. If there are two tortoise options, than I’m buying both! Thanks for giving us an early sneak peek!
P.s. (love the necklace as a belt. Mine too.)