A NEW YORK SHOWROOM WITH MODERN CLASSICS FOR WORLDLY WOMEN
Text: Judith Ecochard
All Images Courtesy of The Style Room
May 30th, Garment District, NYC
THE STYLE ROOM
Showroom visits are a must for us… it’s one of the few ways we can feel the fabrics and see the construction of garments-and up our knowledge base of ahead of the curve fashion.
Karen Parker O’Brien, the stylish eagle-eyed owner of the aptly coined THE STYLE ROOM, has her finger on the pulse of what women of a certain means and lifestyle want: chic, upscale clothes with signature details- that when worn- make a gal look/feel poshly groomed (and not like some frilly tweeners).
Commenting, “there’s no glitz in The Style Room” O’Brien’s clear editorial vision serves her retail customers well-they can count on her as a source for under-the–radar designers who craft garments that garner satisfied approvals from those who can appreciate quality.
FINLEY
The Dallas based Finley Moll and Heather McNeill and their company- Finley- practically rules the updated crisp white shirts’ category that anchors a wardrobe. Their side tied, pleated, perfectly fitted tops have been in print reads (Redbook, Oprah, Lucky)... and are widely available in small boutiques and department stores like Bloomingdales.
For good reasons too!
We connected with this talented duo in a jammed packed booth two years ago-- at the NYC Pier’s ENK Tradeshow. Today, we are happy to see them expanding the brand to incorporate washable suede pieces, sassy tunics, elegant jackets with feminine ruffles, flattering wrapped dresses in black and white, and never go out of style “Holiday” shirts in festive colors.
And at msrp's from $174-$220, the separates can snazzy up our favorite worn out jeans-or boost our glam quota atop a flouncy silk skirt.
GREEN ALERT:Finley is also following an eco trend by using a leaner cotton, organic mix in their shirts.
GR. DANO
The Sausalito duo, Jill Giordano and Brian Scheyer are a contemporary design team conjuring up graphically inspired pieces in a basic tonal palette of black, white, and oatmeal with a dash of tweeds.
Impeccable tailoring fused with feminine details (oversized collars, fitted bodice sheaths-gently draped with oversized pockets) are refreshingly smart-and to our eyes, hint of a European flair that punches up GR. DANO’s basically classic silhouettes. We also feel this line will look great on all body types.
Retail: Haute stores including Takashimaya, Everard's - DC, Ballin's-LA, MS, and AL and online at www.brilliantbyz.com
MSRP:$165-$530
RONEN CHEN
Based in Tel Aviv, Ronen Chen’s contemporary styles are classics … with flattering lines that follow a woman’s curves.
Skirts with just so gathered hems or clever lace back details, and ruffled edged jackets are our pics for editorial layouts.
Practically speaking however, we are bowled over by the collection of inventively cut fleece jackets that are cozy enough for nights in the ski lodge-but masterfully draped and tucked- as to be urban friendly too…without the lumberjack overtones.
Coincidentally, O'Brien clues us in: "...he owns this category."
Retail: Ten eponymous boutiques in Israel (FYI he's outsells that other fab Israeli designer Yigal Azourel in their native land), and across the globe including the USA, Ireland, Canada and Australia.
MSRP: US$100-$242
