28 M_Cover.qxp:COVER - Mitchells | Richards

FALL 2011 THE LIFESTYLE REFLECTING 

ON FALL 

LUSH KNITS, 

COMFY CASHMERES, 

VELVETY CORDS.... 

MITCHELLS RICHARDS MARSHS $12 

STYLE MATTERS 

MAKING A GOOD IMPRESSION HAS 

NEVER BEEN MORE IMPORTANT

Passion for Life 

15MilMil15 Suit

WELCOME GREETINGS FROM THE MITCHELL FAMILY 

NOW MORE THAN EVER... 

WHY OUR FRIENDSHIPS 

WITH OUR CUSTOMERS 

ARE SO IMPORTANT 

At Mitchells Family of Stores, we love 

what we do. 

We are very fortunate to have 

extraordinary people walking through our 

doors each day... whom we consider not 

only customers, but friends. 

One of the many reasons these 

friendships are so special is that as 

retailers, we believe knowing you is what 

enables us to serve you so well. We’re in 

the business of building relationships and 

wardrobes that will last for generations. 

Unlike a typical store where one might 

shop, we don’t ever want to sell you 

something unless we’re sure you’ll love it. 

Your trust is of the utmost importance to 

us. We’re in this for the long haul! 

Now a third generation business, we’ve 

been collecting cherished friends and 

unforgettable stories since 1958... and we 

enjoy creating new ones each day. As you 

might say: “if our walls could talk!” 

On the coming pages are just a 

STYLE+ 

STORIES 

S I N C E 1 9 5 8 

few of the countless tales born of our 

extraordinary friendships, followed by 

some of the stunning fashions we will 

be off ering this fall and advice from our 

associates. 

SEND US YOUR STORIES! 

We look forward to a season of exquisite 

styles and unforgettable stories... 

The Mitchell Family 

We would love to hear from you. We enjoy being more than a store, but a hub in the community, where 

friendships are made and stories are created. Whether it’s an experience with an associate, a designer, a tailor, 

a Mitchell family member or at an event here... if it has moved you or made you laugh, please share! 

EEmail 

us at stories@mitchellstores.com.

RALPH LAUREN 

Black Label

FEATURES 

4 Welcome Letter 

14 A Good Story is Always in Style 

24 Giving Back 

68 Our Diamonds 

80 Tailor’s Corner 

94 Profile: A Decade of Agave 

98 Profile: Luciano Barbera 

118 Design: Haute Hospitality 

FASHION 

36 Fashion Lab 

38 Fashion Q&A: Kimberly McDonald 

52 Life is But a Dream 

82 Why Style Matters 

92 Basic Instincts 

102 Style: Trends for Men 

104 The Richest Looks Are Seasonal 

DEPARTMENTS 

8 Upcoming Events 

26 Happenings 

42 Friends & Trends 

110 Wheels: Vintage Road Show 

114 World Scene 

120 Travel: The Eyes Have It 

122 End Page: Closet Therapy 

124 At Your Service 

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF 

Karen Alberg Grossman 

DESIGN DIRECTOR 

Hans Gschliesser 

MANAGING EDITOR 

Jillian Sprague 

PROJECT MANAGER 

Lisa Montemorra 

DESIGNERS 

Jean-Nicole Venditti 

CONCEPT /CREATIVE DIRECTOR 

Andrew Mitchell-Namdar 

MERCHANDISING DIRECTOR 

Bob Mitchell 

DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION 

Peg Eadie 

DIRECTOR OF PREPRESS 

Hugh K. Stanton 

CREATIVE DIRECTION 

WSAA, Inc., Westport, CT 

MITCHELLS/RICHARDS/MARSHS 

ART DIRECTION & COPY 

WSAA, Inc., Westport, CT 

BUSINESS JOURNALS FASHION GROUP 

PUBLISHER 

Stuart Nifoussi 

PRESIDENT AND CEO 

Britton Jones 

CHAIRMAN AND COO 

Mac Brighton 

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 

Christine Sullivan 

APPAREL FORUM 

Andrisen Morton DENVER, CO 

Garys NEWPORT BEACH, CA 

Hubert White MINNEAPOLIS, MN 

Kilgore Trout CLEVELAND, OH 

Larrimor’s PITTSBURGH, PA 

Malouf’s LUBBOCK/SOUTHLAKE, TX 

Mario’s PORTLAND, OR/SEATTLE, WA 

Mitchells/Marshs HUNTINGTON, NY 

Mitchells/Richards WESTPORT/GREENWICH, CT 

Oak Hall MEMPHIS, TN 

Rodes LOUISVILLE, KY 

Rubensteins NEW ORLEANS, LA 

Stanley Korshak DALLAS, TX 

Wilkes Bashford SAN FRAN/PALO ALTO, CA 

Fashion Forum Magazine is published in 12 regional editions 

for member stores of the Apparel Forum Copyright 2011. 

Published by Business Journals, Inc, P.O. Box 5550, Norwalk, CT 06856, 

203-853-6015 Fax: 203-852-8175; Advertising Office: 1384 Broadway, 

NY, NY 10018-6108, 212-686-4412 Fax: 212-686-6821; ALL RIGHTS 

RESERVED. The publishers accept no responsibilities for advertisers 

claims, unsolicited manuscripts, transparencies or other materials. No 

part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission of 

the publishers. Volume 14, Issue 2. Printed In The U.S.A.

www.cartier.us 

Baignoire® collection Available in Westport only 

© 2010 Cartier

HAPPENINGS LUNCHEONS & FASHION SHOWS & CHARITY EVENTS & MORE! 

FALL 2011 

EVENT SCHEDULE 

9/10 ZEGNA TRUNK SHOW MITCHELLS/RICHARDS 

9/10 COPPLEY TRUNK SHOW MARSHS 

9/10 PAOLO COSTAGLI TRUNK SHOW & PERSONAL APPEARANCE MITCHELLS 

9/17 HICKEY FREEMAN TRUNK SHOW MITCHELLS 

9/17 KITON TRUNK SHOW RICHARDS 

9/17 ZEGNA TRUNK SHOW MARSHS 

9/24 COPPLEY TRUNK SHOW MITCHELLS 

9/24 BRIONI MEN’S TRUNK SHOW RICHARDS 

9/24 SAMUELSOHN TRUNK SHOW RICHARDS 

9/24 CANALI TRUNK SHOW MARSHS 

9/24 PAUL & SHARK TRUNK SHOW RICHARDS 

9/30 ISAIA TRUNK SHOW MITCHELLS 

9/30-10/1 DONNA DEGNAN TRUNK SHOW MITCHELLS 

9/30-10/1 BRIONI WOMEN’S TRUNK SHOW RICHARDS 

10/1 SAMUELSOHN TRUNK SHOW MITCHELLS 

10/1 HICKEY FREEMAN TRUNK SHOW RICHARDS 

10/1 ISAIA TRUNK SHOW RICHARDS 

10/6 DONNA DEGNAN TRUNK SHOW MARSHS 

10/12-13 MICHAEL KORS TRUNK SHOW MITCHELLS 

10/14 LORO PIANA MEN’S TRUNK SHOW MITCHELLS 

10/14-15 MICHAEL KORS TRUNK SHOW RICHARDS 

10/15 COPPLEY TRUNK SHOW RICHARDS 

10/15 HAMILTON SHIRTS TRUNK SHOW MITCHELLS/RICHARDS 

10/15 CANALI TRUNK SHOW MITCHELLS/RICHARDS 

10/15 LORO PIANA MEN’S TRUNK SHOW RICHARDS 

10/20-22 GRAFF TRUNK SHOW MITCHELLS 

10/21-22 BRIONI WOMEN’S TRUNK SHOW MITCHELLS 

10/21-22 BRUNELLO CUCINELLI MEN’S & WOMEN’S TRUNK SHOW RICHARDS 

10/21-22 REED KRAKOFF TRUNK SHOW MITCHELLS 

10/21-22 ESCADA TRUNK SHOW MARSHS 

10/22 ZEGNA TRUNK SHOW MITCHELLS/RICHARDS 

10/25-26 BRUNELLO CUCINELLI WOMEN’S TRUNK SHOW MARSHS 

10/28-29 BRUNELLO CUCINELLI MEN’S & WOMEN’S TRUNK SHOW MITCHELLS 

10/28-29 ESCADA TRUNK SHOW RICHARDS 

10/29 ZEGNA TRUNK SHOW MARSHS 

11/4-5 ESCADA TRUNK SHOW MITCHELLS 

11/5 POMELLATO TRUNK SHOW MITCHELLS 

11/11-12 REED KRAKOFF TRUNK SHOW RICHARDS 

11/19 ROTENIER TRUNK SHOW & PERSONAL APPEARANCE RICHARDS 


12/4 MOORE AND GILES TRUNK SHOW MARSHS 

12/10 PAUL MORELLI TRUNK SHOW MITCHELLS 

12/10 LESLIE GREENE TRUNK SHOW MITCHELLS 

12/10 GURHAN TRUNK SHOW MARSHS 


12/16-17 GRAFF TRUNK SHOW RICHARDS 

12/17 DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH TRUNK SHOW RICHARDS 

12/19-20 PAUL MORELLI TRUNK SHOW MITCHELLS 

For a complete list of events, go to 

MITCHELLSTORES.COM OR MARSHS.COM

Hermès, 

contemporary artisan 

since 1837.

Hermès, contemporary artisan 

since 1837.

Available only 

at Mitchells and Richards. 

Hermès, 

contemporary artisan since 1837.

A GOOD 

STORY 

IS ALWAYS 

IN STYLE... 

We love a great story! Over 

the years, we have delighted in 

collecting tales from family, friends, 

designers and customers, which 

never fail to enchant us with their 

humor, humanity and timelessness. 

On the pages to come, we share with 

you just a few of our favorites...

from: Bill Mitchell [Westport, Since Forever...] 

to: stories@mitchellstores.com 

subject: Lessons from My Father 

A few Christmases ago, a woman over 90 came in and told me this story... 

“30 years ago, when your father was running the store, I saw a sportcoat I 

wanted to buy my husband for Christmas. It was $39.95 and I only had $25. 

Before I could bring up how I would pay the balance, he stopped me and said 

‘please don’t worry… pay me when you can...’” At my age, I’m still learning 

from my father. 

We want to hear your story. Email us at stories@mitchellstores.com.

from: Michael Kors [Designer/Friend Since 1999] 


subject: Starstruck 

Every time I visit Richards and Mitchells, I am blown away by the 

women I meet there. I am amazed that women can be so chic and 

stylish... great moms, totally involved in their community and giving 

back, while making the whole thing look as easy as pie. Talk about 

“starstruck.” They are the chicest jugglers on the planet!

STYLE+ 

STORIES 

S I N C E 1 9 5 8 

from: Nina Prodromidis [Associate, Richards Since 2006] 


subject: That’s Entertainment! 

My client, a true fashionista, was throwing her annual party at a 

resort in the Berkshires and wanted to have a fall fashion show. 

She needed my help! Brian and I put together several men’s 

& women’s looks (shoes & all), packed up designer signs 

for the tables and headed north! I often dress clients for 

parties... this time I also provided the entertainment. 


from: Bruce Lagerfeldt [Associate, Mitchells Since 1983] 


subject: Where’s the Groom??? 

It was Saturday afternoon and the church was packed, the bride and her father 

nervously waiting on the steps... “Where’s the groom?” they must have all been 

worrying... I’m on the floor at Mitchells and in he runs, shrieking, “I can’t tie my 

bowtie!” I tied it fast, he darted out and I got him to the church on time!

STYLE+ 

STORIES 

S I N C E 1 9 5 8 

from: Mary Berliner [Associate, Marshs Since 2006] 


subject: The Bi-Coastal Shopper 

I was helping a client & friend find a dress for her daughter’s wedding, 

including taking her up to a trunk show at Richards. She then happened 

to be in San Francisco and went into Wilkes Bashford. She saw Jack 

Mitchell, introduced herself as my client and he brought her to Linda, 

who recognized her. She found the perfect dress at Wilkes Bashford 

and ended up buying it there! 


STYLE+ 

STORIES 

S I N C E 1 9 5 8 

from: Ellen Finlayson [General Merchandising Manager Since 2005] 


subject: Via Spartaca meets Pequot Lane 

When we’re working in the showrooms in Milan, the buyers and I often 

see something that brings to mind a particular client of ours... Last 

season, we bought a beautiful Etro dress and sure enough, just the woman 

we had been thinking of saw it at Mitchells and bought it!

from: Al Roker [Customer/Friend Since 2002] 


subject: The Royal Treatment 

I was leaving in a few days to cover the Royal Wedding and I needed to 

look my best. Frank Gallagi got me fitted with a gorgeous custom suit and 

sportcoat, rushed everything, even packed me up! He was a Prince for 

preparing me for my NBC coverage. 


from: Scott Mitchell [Richards Since 1998] 


subject: Help... I Need a Jeweler! 

With the holidays approaching, a client who often asks me for restaurant 

and local recommendations came in and asked if I knew a jeweler he could 

trust. “It’s far,” I said... “Can you walk ten feet?” With the help of his shopping 

expert (10-year-old daughter), he left with a rare star sapphire ring from Oscar 

Heyman. Not only did the 3 of us have a blast, but his wife loved the piece!

STYLE+ 

STORIES 

S I N C E 1 9 5 8 

from: Chris Herde [Associate, Mitchells Since 2006] 


subject: Black Tie Not Optional 

One day, I got a frantic call at noon from a client at a local hedge fund. 

Last minute, he had to attend a black tie gala straight from work. I grabbed 

tuxedos, dress shirts, bow ties, cuff links, formal shoes, even dress socks 

and ran to his office with our head tailor. The client only had 5 minutes for 

us. We set him up, ran back to the store, Dominic went to work and at 5 p.m., 

I delivered a complete outfit! 


GIVING BACK COMPASSION FOR LOCAL WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER 

DON’T MISS THE INAUGURAL 

PINK AID LUNCHEON IN OCTOBER! 

Unfortunately, breast cancer has touched 

way too many women who are near and 

dear to us. 

When a woman gets this devastating 

diagnosis, she needs a lot more than just 

medical help. She needs rides to and from 

treatments, babysitting for when she’s 

at the doctor, grocery delivery, medical 

navigation, wigs and so much more. 

With a staggeringly high rate of 

occurrance, there are countless women in 

and around our communities that cannot 

aff ord to go through this process with the 

proper care and dignity. Many women 

would also benefi t from free mammograms 

to help with early detection. 

There are several local organizations that 

compassionately assist women in need who 

are diagnosed with breast cancer, but of 

course, they are greatly in need of funding. 

While it is critical that we all continue 

to contribute to breast cancer research 

initiatives, Pink Aid is a new grant-based 

organization being formed specifi cally 

to fund the eff orts of organizations that 

provide this type of compassionate care... 

within our surrounding communities and 

ultimately beyond! 

PINK AID’S KICKOFF LUNCHEON GRANT RECIPIENTS 

THE SMILOW FAMILY 

BREAST HEALTH CENTER AT 

NORWALK HOSPITAL 

The Smilow Family Breast Health 

Center offers education and 

support for women as they cope 

with abnormal breast screening 

findings—whether they prove to be 

malignant or benign. 

Their medical director is a 

nationally recognized breast 

cancer expert, dedicated to caring 

for each and every one of his 

patients. Volunteers, all of whom 

Pink Aid will give us a welcome opportunity 

to make a real diff erence in the lives of many 

women in our communities. 

We invite you on an exciting journey to 

join us from the very start! The fi rst week in 

October, Mitchells will host Pink Aid’s fi rst 

fundraiser, ever which promises to be an 

have survived breast cancer, are 

eager to help patients of all means 

in any way they can. Valuable oneto-one 

sessions provide ongoing 

support throughout the process 

to address patients’ needs, both 

medical and personal. A Breast 

Health Specialist is dedicated to 

ensuring that all patients receive 

the support and knowledge to 

successfully navigate today’s 

healthcare system. 

For more information, call 

(203) 852-2300. 

ST. VINCENT’S 

BREAST CENTER 

St. Vincents offers comprehensive 

breast health care to Bridgeport 

and its surrounding communities. 

A team of volunteers facilitates 

compassionate care that goes 

beyond the typical hospital 

parameters. Nurse Navigators 

answer patient questions, expedite 

scheduling of appointments and 

provide information through the 

conclusion of treatment. A mobile 

mammography coach offers free 

exciting and emotional event, fi lled with 

many of our community’s most vibrant and 

compassionate women. We hope you, your 

children and your families will get involved 

in our future initiatives, and that we will see 

you at this momentous kick-off event! 

For more information, visit pinkaid.org. 

mammograms to women in need, 

providing the privacy women want 

along with the state-of-the-art 

digital technology they need. 

St. Vincent’s mobile 

mammography program is the 

second in the state to offer fullfield 

digital technology, enhancing 

detection, especially in dense 

breast tissue, and allowing for an 

almost immediate review by a 

radiology technician. 

For more information, call 

(203) 576-6000.


MICHAEL KORS 

♥ WESTPORT 

Local fashionistas gathered at Mitchells of Westport for an exclusive 

premiere of the Michael Kors fall 2011 collection in May! Michael has 

been to Richards on several occasions, but this was his fi rst trip to our 

Westport store. 

Headlining the event was a 15-minute runway show, which featured his 

upcoming women’s wear collection celebrating his work over the last 30 

years. Guests sipped cocktails, noshed on hors d’oeuvres and mingled 

with Kors, the founder and chief designer of his eponymous Michael 

Kors label. 

Happy 30th Michael, from all of us at Mitchells Family of Stores. 

Models representing the Michael Kors fall 2011 collection; 

Michael Kors and Ginny Pittarelli


NEAR AND FAR AID 

Spring was in the air as were a multitude of streamers and juggling 

rings at the highly anticipated fundraiser and fashion celebration, 

Near and Far Gala. Scores of people turned out for our annual 

fundraiser to benefi t the Near and Far Aid, the organization fi ghting 

to eliminate poverty throughout Fairfi eld County. 

Cirque-like performers mixed with fashion models to create an 

unbelievable Carnivale theme, while showing off some of the season’s 

most exciting looks. 

Looks spotted on the risers included a mix of bold prints and sexy 

solids, embellishments and a hint of glitter. 

On the runway and off , a great time was had by all. Thanks to all 

the local businesses and organizations that came out to support an 

incredible organization. 

Acrobats, in the ring and on stilts; 

Bill Mitchell and acrobat; Amy 

Gross, Andrew Namdar-Mitchell, 

Renee Mandis, Jane Priser and 

Michael Gross enjoying the event

Our three co-chairs: Missy Harmon, Jenny Nelson, Lesley O’Connell; 

models, acrobats and guests mingle during the Carnivale themed 

event; festive lights and fashion


FLORAL 

EXTRAVAGANZA 

BLOOMS 

In celebration of what was surely a spectacularly 

stylish season, local fl orists, event planners and 

landscapers joined in on the transformation of 

Mitchells, Richards and Marshs to an array of 

magnifi cent gardens. 

Due to the overwhelming success of last year’s fi rst 

fl ower extravaganza in Westport, the celebration 

expanded beyond the doors of Mitchells. 

MITCHELLS SPONSORS 

Diana Gould Ltd. 

Flowers & Flowers 

Geiger’s Landscape 

Architecture & Garden Center 

Greenwich Orchids 

RICHARDS SPONSORS 

Colony Florist of Greenwich 

Diana Gould Ltd. 

Flowers & Flowers 

Flowers by George 

Geiger’s Landscape 

Architecture & Garden Center 

MARSHS SPONSORS 

The Flower Petaler 

Main Street Nursery 

Scarsella’s Florist 

Hoffman Landscapes 

Nielsen’s Florist & Garden Shop 

Party Ideas/Arlene Rosenthal 

Stonewall Garden 

Wildflowers at Hansen’s 

Greenwich Orchids 

Hoffman Landscapes 

McArdle’s Florist & Garden Center 

Nielsen’s Florist & Garden Shop 

Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses 

Stonewall Garden 

The Putting Green Company 

of Long Island 

Donno Landscaping

kwiat.com earrings from the Kwiat Legacy Collection


CATWALK FOR A CURE 

It was an afternoon of food, wine, fashion and fun where guests were “taken away” 

by the exciting clothes, jewelry and accessories at this year’s Juvenile Diabetes 

Foundation of Fairfi eld County’s annual Catwalk Fashion Show. 

The Loading Dock in Stamford was the perfect venue for this year’s show, which 

featured a mix of spring and pre-fall looks. Thanks to all involved! 

FULL HOUSE 

You don’t have to travel to Vegas to test your luck! Putting their skills 

to the test, guests turned out for an evening of camaraderie as the 

Mitchell Family and Hugo Boss hosted the ultimate Texas Hold’em Poker 

Tournament with special guest, New York Giants tight end, Kevin Boss. 

Guests enjoy the fashion 

show; models on the 

catwalk with spring and 

pre-fall looks 

Kevin Boss, Scott Micthell and Tom 

Maleri with the Hugo Boss staff; 

customers at the winning table


MEN IN PINK 

PINK PARTY 

A great time and great food was had by all this spring at the Men 

in Pink’s very fi rst Pink Party! 

Guests, including over 100 men, fi lled the room decked out in the 

season’s hottest pink fashions to show their support and raise 

money for the Breast Cancer Alliance. The band Liquid Pleasure 

was amazing and played into the night donning bright pink 

leather suits….by special order from Richards if you like. 

In the pink and looking great, 

guests got into the ‘pink’ of things 

to show their support for Breast 

Cancer Research.

FASHION Lab 

“Fashion Capsules” 

Aside from our regular designer 

collections, our buyers search 

the runways to rotate in their 

top picks from some of the 

world’s hottest fashion houses 

and up-and-comers! 

Hand-picked 

selections from 

some of the most 

exciting designers 

in the world... 

Cozy 

Cashmeres 

3 great basic 

styles: crew, 

v-neck and turtle 

in 3 essential 

colors by Kinross.

Featuring 

“the best of”... 

Paule Ka 

Pauw 

Carven 

Helmut Lang 

Celine 

The Row 

Dolce & Gabbana 

Pucci 

Roberto Cavalli 

Missoni 

Lanvin 

Jason Wu 

Phillip Lim 

...& More!!!

FASHION Q & A JEWELRY DESIGNER KIMBERLY MCDONALD 

KIMBERLY 

MCDONALD 

ON BEGINNINGS, 

ADORNING THE FIRST LADY 

AND THE POWER OF ROCKS... 

How did you get started? 

Since I was a child in Asheville, NC, 

I loved collecting all kinds of agates 

and cool stones. As a curator of private 

jewelry collections, I started designing 

pieces for clients with stones I acquired 

for them. I wanted to start collecting 

jewelry myself, but I didn’t see anything 

really unique in my price range... 

everything had a mass-produced feel. So 

one day, I made myself a pair of geode 

earrings. A friend of mine off ered to 

buy them off of me, but I didn’t want to 

sell them. Then she made me an off er I 

couldn’t refuse and as they say, the rest is 

history. 

What attracted you to working with geodes? 

I love natural materials and geodes are an 

incredible creation of nature... agates with 

quartz crystallization inside them. They 

conduct energy and have raw appeal. We don’t 

do anything to them. We just clean and slice 

them, so they’re as close to coming from the 

earth as possible. Each is one of a kind. Each 

has its own little personality and every person 

will be attracted to a diff erent one. 

Your business has soared in just 3½ years. 

Who are some of the celebrities wearing 

your pieces? 

We’ve been really lucky that so many 

amazing, recognizable people have 

responded to the collection and ask to wear 

our pieces to special events. One of the most 

exciting things was Sex and the City 2. The 

fi lm is such an iconic fashion ensemble 

and our pieces are in just about every major 

scene, plus SJP and Kim Catrell wore them 

on the red carpet. Mrs. Obama has also 

been wearing my pieces a lot this year. It is 

exciting that she has chosen them as she 

truly has access to everything! 

What are 5 things in you can’t live without? 

My chihuahuas (Dad Oliver, Mama Gracie, 

babies Linus, Jackson, Angus and Otto); 

music (from Kanye to Rascal Flatts. Adele, 

Usher, Puccini… Music is an integral part 

of life for me.); good champagne (pink, 

preferably); rocks (geodes, opals, agates, 

diamonds); and friends (the ones that know 

you at your worst and still stick around). 

I split my time between New York for 

work and Los Angeles for peace of mind. 

It’s a production to travel with all of my 

chihuahuas, but I can’t live without them! 

What is your favorite place you go to 

escape it all? 

I adore Kona on the Big 

Island in Hawaii. It 

is so beautiful and 

unspoiled and 

you can swim 

with sea turtles, 

which come up everyday ryday 

at the same time! I love ove 

them and have designed gned 

a Sea Turtle collection, which serves to 

raise funds and awareness for the plight of 

endangered species through Conservation 

International, an organization that I 

strongly believe in. Kona is very well 

preserved. I hope that people don’t ruin it! 

Who are your favorite clothing designers 

and which is the best designer to pair 

your jewelry with? 

Missoni and Brunello Cucinelli... I love to 

wear them personally and I love the way 

they look with my jewelry. 

“ IT IS SO EXCITING THAT 

MRS. OBAMA HAS CHOSEN 

SEVERAL OF MY PIECES AS 

SHE TRULY HAS ACCESS 

TO EVERYTHING!”

“ EACH GEODE IS ONE OF A KIND. EACH 

HAS ITS OWN LITTLE PERSONALITY 

AND EVERY PERSON WILL BE 

ATTRACTED TO A DIFFERENT ONE.” 

Who living or not do you most wish to design a 

piece of jewelry for? 

I honestly don’t aspire to design for 

anyone famous. To me, the most exciting 

sales are when I see someone really 

connecting with a piece I’ve created. The 

stones each have their own energy and 

when I see a woman fall in love with one, 

it is moving that a piece she connects with 

will become an heirloom for her children... 

that she can wear it over the years and 

enjoy it as part of her collection. 

“ I SPLIT MY TIME BETWEEN 

NEW YORK AND LOS ANGELES... 

IT’S A PRODUCTION TO TRAVEL 

WITH ALL OF MY CHIHUAHUAS, 

BUT I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT THEM! “ 

What have you found special about working 

with the Mitchells Family of Stores? 

The Mitchells get retail better than most 

anyone. They have a real gem in Jennifer Celli, 

my buyer, who is pretty much unparalleled in 

the business. She has incredible integrity and 

standards in working with designers. I never 

have to worry about looking in the cases and 

seeing a less expensive imitation of my work, 

which goes on all the time. As a designer that 

makes me very comfortable. To me, a good 

store is an edit of what’s in the market. They see 

everything and whittle it down to what’s worth 

presenting to the client. It’s fun to go into their 

stores, it feels like a home, like a family. They 

know kids’ names, what schools they go to, if a 

relative is sick. Their stores have an atmosphere 

you don’t fi nd anywhere else.

& 

YOUR FAVORITE BUYERS 

& ASSOCIATES PICK 

THEIR FAVORITE TRENDS 

FOR THE SEASON. friends 

trends 

PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY: ROBERT NORMAN, STILL LIFE PHOTOGRAPHY: GUS CANTAVERO, STYLING: KATIE GROSS 

NAVAJO KNITS 

“NATIVE AMERICAN-INSPIRED 

KNITS AND PATTERNS ARE ONE OF 

THE SEASON’S HOTTEST LOOKS.” 

PLAIDS & TARTANS 

“GO SCOTTISH AND DON’T BE 

AFRAID TO MIX IT UP WITH A BOLD 

NEW TWIST ON A CLASSIC.” 

ALL THAT SHIMMERS 

“SEQUINS, STUDS, APPLIQUÉ... 

EVEN SHINY METALLIC ACCESSO- 

RIES. ADD A LAYER OF SPARKLE.”

4 

1 

& friends 

trends 

SHOW US YOUR LEATHER “MOVE OVER MOTORCYCLE 

JACKETS. LEATHER IS TURNING UP IN SKIRTS, DRESSES, AS TRIM AND OF COURSE… WITH LACE!” 

6 

4 

7 

2 

Ginger Kermian/Richards 

Keeping Greenwich Gorgeous for 10 Years 

1. Brunello Cucinelli yoke waist 

full leather skirt 

2. The Row quilted sleeve leather 

Bexton dress 

3. Brunello Cucinelli East West 

tote 

4. Bettye Muller wedge boot 

5. Manolo Blahnik bow pump 

6. Carven sleeve lace dress 

7. Zhor & Nema beaded sweater 

8. Nancy Gonzalez navy crocodile 

shoulder bag 

’60S LADYLIKE “LACE, BOWS, DAINTY HANDBAGS AND LOTS OF 

FRILL AND TRIM. AND DON’T BE AFRAID TO CHANNEL YOUR INNER JACKIE O.” 

5 

8 

3 

Marilyn Wallack/Mitchells 

Matching Clothes with the Right 

Accessories Since 2000

1 

5 

OFF THE CUFF “WIDE INTRICATE BRACELETS, ORNATE CUFFS WITH 

LOTS OF DETAIL. THINK CHUNKY… THE BOLDER THE BETTER!” 

2 

4 

2 

6 

Lisa Prisco/Marshs 

Mixing Style & Sparkle Since 2006 

1. Kimberly McDonald geode and 

diamond bracelet 

2. Ashley Pittman Alama bangles 

3.Temple St. Clair vine cuff 

5. Cole Haan riding boot 

6. Mely’s toggle closure knit cape 

7. Loro Piana shearling cape 

8. Etro fur-trimmed toggle closure 

printed cape 

CAPED CRUSADERS “CAPES, PONCHOS AND ANORAKS IN 

GREAT FABRICS WITH FUN TRIMMINGS ARE CHIC AND CAN BE THROWN OVER ANYTHING!” 

3 

Shirley Bond/Richards 

Keeping the Ladies Looking Lovely 

for 4 Years 

7

5 

1 

2 

3 

& friends 

trends 

SHIRT ALERT “PRINT OR SOLID, MAN-STYLE OR FEMININE, CROPPED, RUFFLED 

OR EVEN A GREAT MAXI SHIRTDRESS... HAVE FUN WITH SHIRTS THIS SEASON!” 

4 

4 

6 

Linda Levy/Richards 

Adding Glamour to Greenwich Since 2000 

1. Luciano Barbera stand collar shirt 

2. Michael Kors python print archive dress 

3. Etro floral print blouse 

4. Valentino Red ruffle front blouse 

5. Manolo Blahnik d’Orsay sandal 

6. Judith Leiber crystal clutch 

7. Kwiat diamond studs 

8. Jimmy Choo glitter slingback 

SHINE ON “METALLICS, SEQUINS, PATENT LEATHER AND OF COURSE... 

SOME BLING! ACCESSORIES THAT SHINE ADD ‘POP’ TO WOOL AND OTHER FALL FABRICS.” 

8 

Beth Mendillo/Mitchells 

Making Westport Shine for a year! 

7

1 

6 

A LITTLE LUXURY “AN ICONIC HERMÈS BELT, WATCH OR TIE ADDS 

A PERFECT NOTE OF SOPHISTICATION TO ANY OUTFIT. THEIR CANDLES AND NIGHTSTAND JEWELRY 

PLATES ARE ALSO CLASSIC AND COVETED GIFTS.” 

2 

7 

9 

Janet Wilson/Richards 

Adding Elegance Since 1978 

1. Hermès Heure watch double-iris 

2. Hermès men’s candles 

3. Hermès rectangular plate 

4. Hermès ties 

5. Hermès belt 

6. Luciano Barbera suede shirt 

7. Edward Armah “pocket circles” 

8. Incotex washed cords 

9. Bontoni lace-ups 

10. Loro Piana cashmere Roadster 

COUNTRY GENTLEMAN “TREAT YOURSELF TO A SUPPLE 

SUEDE SHIRT, SOFT-AS-VELVET CORDS, A SUMPTUOUS SWEATER OR SOME PICTURE PERFECT LEATH- 

ER SHOES. COMFORTABLE ELEGANCE IS THE WAY TO GO.” 

5 

3 

8 

4 

7 

10 

Donald O’Connor/Marshs 

Keeping Long Island Styling 

Since 1990

1 

5 

6 

Joe deRosa/Mitchells 

Keeping You Well-Dressed Since 1996 

7 

3 

1. Private Label shearling 

2. Ermenegildo Zegna 

reversible coat 

3. Gimos calf blouson 

4. John Varvatos ankle boot 

5. Hugo Boss snap mock 

6. Borgo 28 cardigan 

7. Agave Pragmatist jeans 

8. Vince fleece hoodie 

CASUAL COOL “A HIP HOODIE, A SHORT BOOT, VERSATILE PULLOVERS, 

THAT GREAT PAIR OF JEANS… QUALITY CASUAL PIECES KEEP YOU LOOKING CURRENT WHILE 

FEELING COZY.” 

& friends 

trends 

MIX UP YOUR OUTERWEAR “EVERYDAY FOR 

MONTHS, YOU’LL LIKELY NEED A COAT! OUR NEW ARRIVALS OFFER IMPECCABLE PERFORMANCE AND 

STYLE. ONE COAT WILL NOT TAKE YOU EVERYWHERE... MIX IT UP!” 

4 

2 

8 

Brian Hawkins/Richards 

Making Sure You Look Sharp 

Since 2006

live life beautifully 

WWW.TEMPLESTCLAIR.COM 

1.800.590.7985 

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF 

MODERN CLASSIC DESIGN

Diesel Island´s Stupid Constitution is being written. Learn more at diesel.com

FALL 2011 

coppley.com

life is but a 

Fall 2011 has us dreaming 

about texture... lush knits, comfy 

cashmeres, velvety cords, fur 

collars. So many dreamy ways 

to stay warm this fall... 

PHOTOGRAPHY: Sergio Kurhajek | STYLING: Wendy McNett | HAIR & MAKEUP: Claire Bayley

DREAM A LITTLE DREAM OF...

WWW.ESCADA.COM

Our Diamonds! 

A GUIDE TO OUR BEST KEPT SECRET 

DIAMONDS 

at a CLOTHING 

STORE? 

or is it 

CLOTHING 

at a DIAMOND 

STORE? 

Over the past 20 years, Mitchells has become 

the largest jeweler in Upper Fairfield County. 

Together, with our jewelry “store within a store” at Richards, diamond 

and fine jewelry is the fastest growing part of our business. 

Our team of Diamond Specialists, roster of world-renown jewelry 

designers and global network of stone resources constitute a diamond 

program we couldn’t be more proud to put our name on.

SCOTT MITCHELL 

Store Manager/Ladies, Richards 

10 Years Diamond Experience 

GIA Certifi ed 

CECILIA THOMAS 

Diamond & Jewelry Specialist, Richards 


EXPERTISE. 

NAKI HALEPAS 

Diamond & Jewelry Specialist, Richards 


Most of our Diamond 

Specialists are educated by 

the Gemological Institute 

of America (GIA), the 

world’s most recognized 

and trusted authority on 

diamonds and several 

are “GIA Certified” with 

advanced degrees. All 

Diamond Specialists take 

courses at GIA to stay upto-date 

on new industry 

developments and also stay 

abreast of news and trends 

with continual education by 

our vendors. 

SELECTION. 

We are honored to offer 

designer diamond and fine 

jewelry from the world’s 

most prestigious diamond 

houses, including Graff, 

Kwiat, Oscar Heyman 

and Beaudry. In addition 

to our inventory, we can 

source any kind of diamond 

imaginable through 

our global network of 

sightholders and brokers. 

JAY HANNA 

Diamond, Watch & Jewelry 

Specialist, Mitchells 

GIA Graduate Gemologist 


JENNIFER CELLI 

Diamond, Jewelry & Watch Buyer 

Mitchell s 

Family of Stores 


VALUE. 

MICHELLE ROMANO 

Diamond & Jewelry Specialist, Mitchells 


Our educated customers 

that have purchased 

diamonds elsewhere are 

repeatedly surprised by 

the excellent value we 

offer in our diamonds. Our 

reputation in the diamond 

business combined with 

the volume we generate 

has given us “global 

buying power,” enabling 

us to offer extremely 

competitive pricing. 

TRUST. 

CLAIRE 

GLADSTONE 

Diamond & Jewelry Specialist, 

Mitchells/GIA Certifi ed 


Diamonds are a serious 

investment and for us, 

a business we take very 

seriously. There is no 

substitute for making 

important purchases from 

people you know and 

trust. We stand firmly 

behind every piece of 

diamond jewelry we sell, 

as well as the service and 

craftsmanship that goes 

into it.

ings 

earrings 

necklaces 

bracelets 

SOLITAIRES 

& BANDS 

“ We didn’t know what to expect 

when first partnering with the 

Mitchells. But thanks to their 

expertise and enthusiasm, in five 

years they’ve become one of our 

most important retail partners. 

Greg Kwiat 

Partner, Kwiat 

” 

Whether you’re looking for that first engagement ring or a 

show-stopping upgrade, we will find the perfect diamond to fit your 

budget. We have recently sourced and sold some of the world’s most 

spectacular flawless stones! No matter what cut or carat size you seek, 

you’ll find it in our wedding band collections. Make sure everyone 

knows she’s “taken” by somebody with style!

“ 

HOOPS 

& STUDS 

After buying diamonds 

elsewhere, I was thrilled to 

buy a major piece from people 

I know and trust. I enjoy the 

discretion of their private 

jewelry room. 

” 

Richards Customer Since 1998 

Kwiat makes “the perfect diamond hoop” and we are proud to offer 

their most extensive selection anywhere! Kwiat diamond hoops are 

perennially one of our customers’ most sought-after items. 

The classic stud is a “must-have” for the well-dressed woman’s 

wardrobe. While perfect for everyday, larger studs are also 

increasingly popular on the red carpet. 

rings 

earrings 

necklaces 

bracelets

ings ings 

earrings arrings 

necklaces 

bracelets racelets 

THE TREASURED 

NECKLACE 

The ultimate treasure, heirloom and gift of love... Nothing showcases 

diamonds and a woman’s radiance like a magnificent diamond necklace. 

These extraordinary works of art, often inspired by vintage designs, 

truly bring back the glamour and grandeur of bygone eras...

“ 

We truly know our customers. 

Our understanding of their 

tastes and lifestyles enable us to 

help them make perfect choices. 

THE CHERISHED 

BRACELET 

” 

Michele Romano 

Diamond & Jewelry Specialist, Mitchells 

rings 

earrings 

necklaces 

bracelets 

Honor the woman in your life with a fabulous diamond bracelet, a gift 

guaranteed to take her breath away. Diamond cuffs are timeless and have 

never been more popular. We have a wide selection of diamond watches and 

bracelets to match all of life’s great occassions.

CUSTOM 

DESIGN: 

RESETTING 

YOUR 

DIAMOND: 

TRADE-INS 

& UPGRADES: 

“ 

Mitchells reset a single-stone 

diamond ring I rarely wore into 

a stunning 3-stone emerald and 

diamond ring I rarely take off. 

Mitchells Customer Since 1985” 

As a full-service jeweler, we offer custom services that allow you to work with 

extraordinary designers to create the pieces of your dreams! We proudly put 

our name behind all custom work... and guarantee the same impeccable design, 

craftsmanship and durability that is the hallmark of all our diamond jewelry. 

Whether you bring in an original sketch or are inspired by a piece in our stores 

or a magazine, creating custom jewelry is an exciting collaborative process! 

We meet in our quiet private room to discuss and sketch out what you have 

in mind. Our Diamond Specialists will then help you choose the appropriate 

design studio (if you’d like, you can work with Kwiat, Beaudry, Oscar Heyman 

or many of our other designers!) to make your vision a reality. 

Let us breathe exciting new life into a tired piece of jewelry with a gorgeous, 

updated setting! It’s the perfect way to take a diamond with sentimental value and 

turn it into something really special. Whether you want something contemporary 

or vintage-inspired, stand-alone, or set amidst other diamonds or gems, let us 

transform a beloved jewel you don’t wear into an exciting new favorite! 

If you have a diamond or heirloom gem that’s just sitting in the vault or jewelry 

box, why not turn it into something fabulous? We’ll be happy to give you an 

objective valuation that can help pay the way toward something you’ll love! 

IMPECCABLE CRAFTSMANSHIP. 

ATTENTIVE & PERSONALIZED SERVICE.

CARAT: 

COLOR: 

CLARITY: 

CUT: 

“Carat” is the easiest characteristic to assess as it is simply the weight of 

a diamond. One carat is equal to .2 grams. Each carat is made up of 100 

“points,” so a carat that is “50 points” is .5 carats. 

Diamonds (except “fancy” colored diamonds) are valued by “colorlessness.” 

Less color means higher value. The scale begins with D (colorless) and 

continues through the alphabet, with increasing presence of color, to Z. 

Most diamonds have birthmarks called inclusions (internal) and blemishes 

(external). The fewer marks a diamond has, the more valuable. Diamonds 

are given a clarity grade that ranges from Flawless (FL) to Imperfect (I3). 

WS 2 VS 2 SI 2 

“Cut” begins with the shape of a diamond, “round brilliant” being the most 

common. As a value factor, it refers to a diamond’s proportions, symmetry 

and polish. For round brilliants, the GIA rates cut from Excellent to Poor. 

Round Asscher Emerald Oval Marquise Pear Cushion Princess Heart 

DIAMONDS 101: 

KNOW YOUR 

FOUR C’S 

1.00 ct. 2.50 ct. 4.00 ct. 6.00 ct. 

All sizes are approximated. 

D 

H 

N 

Whether you are purchasing an engagement ring for the first time or 

celebrating your “Diamond (60th!) Anniversary,” when buying a diamond 

over .5 carats, never forget to request a stone’s rating. The Four C’s are the 

GIA’s (Gemological Institute of America) standards for rating a diamond. 

Z 

I 2

KATE WINSLET 

Experience the whole story 

at SJK.COM

©2011 Michael Beaudry, Inc 

Over 100 years of 

expe xperience goes into 

every y piece that we 

handcraft h 

g g 

it only takes a minute 

to fall in love

FACONNABLE.COM 

PARIS / NICE / NEW YORK / SAN FRANCISCO / MONACO 

C’EST FAÇONNABLE. 

CÔTE D’AZUR

HUGO BOSS FASHIONS INC. Phone +1 212 940 0600 www.hugoboss.com 

BOSS Black

TAILOR’S CORNER IN SEARCH OF THE PERFECT FIT 

A CUSTOM 

FIT FROM 

AN OFF-THE- 

RACK SUIT? 

JUST ASK 

YOUR TAILOR. 

While it’s a wonderful luxury to have a 

completely custom suit made for you 

from the bottom up, you can enjoy a 

“custom fi t” from any suit we sell, if 

you are willing to work with our tailors. 

Having a suit you’ve purchased at any 

of our stores tailored is a complimentary 

service we provide, so why not try it? 

Our tailors are up-to-date on the latest 

styles, cuts and fi ts, which they execute 

with an old-world commitment to the 

craft that we believe is second to none. 

Following are some guidelines on what 

to work on when “customizing” your suit! 

KEY AREAS TO FOCUS ON WHEN WORKING WITH YOUR TAILOR: 

JACKET 

Shoulders If the shoulder doesn’t fit right, 

you shouldn’t be buying the suit. It is the first 

measure of a well-fitting suit. Today’s shoulder 

should be fitted, not too bulky and not too tight. 

Lapels Today, lapels are a bit narrower and they 

should always lay flat. Have the tailor make sure 

they meet the tips of your shirt collar. 

Waist If you have broad shoulders and a 

narrow waist, a suit will be more flattering if 

you have the waist taken in, which may involve 

adding darts. 

Sleeves Your suit sleeve should be a bit shorter 

than it used to be, not below your wrist. Have 

it shortened so that about half an inch of shirt 

sleeve shows. 

Jacket Length The jacket should fall so that the 

bottom hits the tip of your thumb. 

PANTS 

Leg Width Pant legs should not be baggy nor 

should they be so tight they’re constrictive. For 

a slimmer silhouette, discuss taking the leg in if 

you think it’s too loose. 

Leg Break Some men prefer no break at all, but 

many feel this makes the pant feel a bit too short. 

Most prefer a slight break so that the pant rests 

on the top of the shoe.

WHYSTYLE 

MATTERS 

Making a good impression 

has never been more important. 

Nor has it ever been easier! 

What does your 

wardrobe say about 

you? In the business 

world or out of it? Attuned 

to what’s current? 

Appreciator of fi ne quality? 

Do you want to look more 

successful? More attractive? Sexier? 

More sophisticated? 

The fi rst place to start is with your 

clothes. Studies show that welldressed 

men get higher paying jobs, 

enjoy better social status and are 

more attractive to the opposite sex. 

While saving you money, 

dressing in dated or unfl attering 

clothing can cost you a lot. 

Following are simple tips on how 

to spruce your look, because yes, 

style matters!

simple updates for 

all your modes... 

1. Dressy Casual 2. Sartorial 3. Sporty Casual 

BUILDING A GREAT 

WARDROBE IS SIMPLER 

THAN YOU THINK. 

WITH A FEW NEW BASICS, A WONDERFUL 

FOUNDATION (AND BETTER FIRST IMPRESSIONS) 

CAN BE BUILT.

Plaid Classic 

A great neutral 

Russ Mitchell 

plaid adds instant 

style to a pair of 

jeans and moves 

gracefully from 

offi ce to dinner. 

Dressy Casual 

THE ESSENTIAL 

SPORTCOAT 

THE MVP OF DRESSY CASUAL 

No single item is more effective in transforming 

a man’s wardrobe than the sportcoat. It makes 

a man look “dressed,” while enhancing and 

concealing all the right body parts... 

Color Statement 

A bolder plaid 

in rich fall colors 

adds excitement 

to solid basics and 

layers well with 

sweaters.

Unconstructed 

A soft, unlined 

jacket is an 

indispensable 

basic this season. 

It looks casually 

elegant and fi ts like 

a second skin! 

Collegiate 

Corduroy 

Toasty warm and 

versatile, corduroy 

has come back 

with a vengeance. 

Soft Cashmere 

Unconstructed 

and elegant, it 

works with dress 

pants, jeans and 

everything in 

between.

(NEW) 

Sartorial 

New 

Slimmer 

Silhouette 

is here 

to stay 

FITThe 

From a fi rst interview to the corner offi ce, 

one properly fi tting neutral suit in a 

transitional fabric is an essential basic for 

the well-dressed man. 

The Intellectual 

Add a sweater 

to a windowpane 

wool suit for a 

super smart look. 

The Young Turk 

A well-cut dark suit 

can take you 

everywhere... and a 

great wool tie is 

an easy way to 

add some personality. 

The Player 

A fun shirt (without 

a tie) with an open 

suit jacket is a 

refreshing upgrade 

to jeans.

The Statesman 

Herringbone in 

warm fall tones 

plus a buttoned 

vest spells 

confi dence. 

which 

SUITS 

you? 

The Mogul 

Navy pinstripe 

suit, blue shirt, 

red tie, slim cut... 

need we say 

more?

Sporting Event 

With Client 

A quilted, fi tted, 

double-breasted 

jacket is as warm 

as it is fl attering. 

Weekend Outing 

Cold, blustery 

days can be faced 

in style with an 

elegant update to 

the classic parka.

Soccer Sidelines 

Throw a great 

scarf over a 

versatile pullover 

and be the best 

looking dad on 

the fi eld. 

Sporty Casual 

RELAXED 

STYLE Whether 

it’s 

the weekend, 

or you just 

want it to 

feel that way. 

Country Drive 

Go antiquing and 

lunching in style in 

a chocolate suede 

driving jacket, 

also perfect for 

everyday.

BASIC 

Instincts 

Unconstructed 

Blazer 

by Anissejlife. 

Knit blazers are less 

constricting and 

much cozier than 

their structured 

counterparts. 

Not Your Grandma’s 

Silk Scarf 

Avant Toi takes vintage 

Hermès and Ferragamo 

silk scarves and lines 

them with cashmere, 

each one an original. 

Fabulous basics are aare 

the building blocks 

of a great wardrobe ob be and are also at the 

forefront of fa fashion! ashion! Here are 

14 timeless essentials eessentials 

for fall... 

Wide Belt 

Throw this 

crocodile belt by 

L.A.I. over a 

sweater, a blouse 

or a dress and add 

instant style. 

Diamond Hoops 

by Kwiat. Just the 

right amount of 

sparkle for dress 

up or everyday. 

Riding Boot 

Not just for 

horses... horses.. a 

great riding rid 

boot, like lik this 

one by Duccio D 

Del Ducca, Duc 

never goes go out 

of style. 

Robe Coat 

It’s time to replace 

your old wool 

coat! Cashmere 

Robe Coat by 

Fleurette.

Anything Camel 

The “it” basic color 

for shoes, bags, 

clothing, outerwear, 

everywhere. Shown: 

Michael Kors 

Leopard p 

Slingback 

Who says neutral 

has to be boring? 

A perfect alternative 

to the classic classic pump pump 

by Manolo Blahnik. Blahnik. 

Iconic 

Amulet 

Designed to ward 

off evil, once you 

own Temple St. 

Clair’s crystal 

amulet, you’ll fi nd it 

hard to take it off! 

Long White 

Shirt 

by Walter Voulez. 

Ideal to throw on 

with leggings or 

skinny pants and a 

great pair of boots. 

“Go to” Tote 

Go to work, go to 

dinner, go on a trip... 

the Gia Satchel by 

Michael Kors is the 

“it bag” that goes 

everywhere. 

Cozy 

Cashmeres 

3 great basic 

styles: crew, 

v-neck and turtle 

in 3 essential 

colors by Kinross.

profile 

AUGUST 2012 WILL 

MARK THE 10-YEAR 

ANNIVERSARY OF 

AMERICA’S COOLEST 

DENIM. BY KAREN 

ALBERG GROSSMAN 

y mission 10 years ago was to make the best jeans in 

the world; that’s still our mission today,” asserts 

Agave founder Jeff Shafer. “We started with eight 

jeans; last year we did $11 million in sales, a record 

for us, just in men’s. My wife Lauren (who retired 

from the business 16 years ago to raise our son 

Jacob) is back as designer of women’s. We’ve 

become a true luxury label focused on USA-made 

quality product.” 

How do you compete with bigger brands? 

I knew the secret of making the best jeans was in 

the denim. I found the best denims from boutique 

mills in Japan. I focused on fabric and fit, partnering 

with a Japanese jeans manufacturer with production 

and laundry in L.A. that made jeans for 

Levi’s. They knew how to make a jean authentically 

and accurately. Agave stands for the highest 

quality jeans, made authentically in the USA. 

Our customers know this and appreciate our commitment. 

How tough is it to work with your spouse? 

I wouldn’t be a designer today if it weren’t for Lauren. Two 

companies ago we started working together: I was the 

owner and she was doing production. We hit tough times 

and had to let our designer go, and Lauren encouraged me 

to do the design myself; she actually taught me how. I 

found my passion thanks to Lauren and I’ve been trying to 

get her back to work with me for a long time. Last September, 

our son Eli started high school and she finally agreed. 

Here’s why it works: We are equals; we trust each other and don’t 

compete with one another. We try not to discuss work at home. 

A DECADE OF AGAVE 

We have the same taste level but complementary skills. We 

share values, integrity and the same commitment to quality. 

What’s the next big thing in denim for fall 2011? 

The news is COLOR in bottoms, not just shades of indigo, 

black and gray, but brown, olive and camel. The other excitement 

is alternative weaves (twills, cords, etc.) in five-pocket 

models, washed down to a beautiful patina. 

94 

Above: Jeff and 

Lauren Shafer 

Left: Items from 

Agave’s men’s 

and women’s fall 

collections

STRENGTH. BY EQUINOX. 

HIGH PERFORMANCE PERSONAL TRAINING. GRAVITY DEFYING RESULTS. 

JOIN ONLINE OR IN CLUB TODAY. 

EQUINOX.COM

www.agjeans.com

profile 

LUCIANO 

BARBERA 

ITALY’S AMBASSADOR OF 

STYLE BY WILLIAM KISSEL 

98

GIUSEPPE PINO 

Opposite page: 

Luciano Barbera 

This page: A 

men’s look from 

Barbera’s fall 

2011 collection 

Luciano Barbera always wears white for tennis, prefers 

dress slacks on the driving range, and would never 

consider putting on a colorful, patterned shirt to 

attend a dinner party. “Can you imagine someone 

going to dinner in a fancy collar and 

checks and stripes?” he once said incredulously. 

“It’s not possible. It will not 

match with the situation.” 

Barbera appreciates the established rules of proper 

dressing, but the dapper designer’s passion also 

extends to the fabrics and fine craftsmanship of his 

clothing and the factories where they are made, 

which must be in Italy, of course. 

This last mandate has proven a bit 

problematic, because current 

Italian law allows clothing 

makers to put ‘Made in Italy’ 

on their garments even if 

only one simple element, 

such as adding buttons or 

sewing on a label, is done 

in that country. Like most 

true Italian designers, he 

is strongly opposed to 

regulations that intentionally 

deceive the 

consumer, and he has 

been a pioneer in the efforts to 

change those laws. 

“Italian culture, quality and 

style should be promoted in 

the right way and not get 

jeopardized by other clothing 

producers outside the 

country. The customer has 

the right to know the 

truth,” he insists. 

Barbera has good reason 

to be proud of 

Italian style and production. 

Italy is unquestionably the producer of 

the finest luxury fashion in the world. Barbera’s collection, 

very much a product of the man himself, is 

no exception. Understated and deluxe, like Italian 

cashmere, is how friends and colleagues describe 

both Barbera and his label. Indeed, admits the designer, 

“I’ve always been considered the natural ambassador 

of everything we produce.” 

This fall, what Barbera has produced is a trilogy of 

designs inspired by the years 1930, 1940 and 1971— 

three significant high periods in 20th century fashion. 

He hopes to entice more 30- and 40-somethings to classic 

99 

style by creating hybrid products a man can wear in unexpected 

ways. (To wit, a tech-inspired down vest is faced in super 150s 

navy chalk stripe suit fabric to deliberately blur the lines 

between casual and dress.) 

Barbera’s suits, while clearly influenced by old-world 

English tailoring, are designed in the Milanese 

manner that stresses softly padded, narrow shoulders 

and a gently tapered waist. Yet most of his 

suits and sportcoats are made not in Milan but in 

southern Italy, by many of the same Neapolitan tailors 

producing clothing for other world-renowned 

brands. “They have a saying in Naples: ‘It’s like a second 

skin.’ This is exactly how a well-made suit should 

fit,” he says. 

Unlike other bespoke suit makers who emphasize 

the hand-make of their garments, 

Barbera’s clothing reflects a perfect 

balance between man and machine. 

“You can have a very strong suit made 

entirely by hand that is ugly because 

the person who made it has no style 

or sense of proportions. So what is the 

appeal?” asks Barbera. “The key is to 

have the ability to generate harmony 

in the garment but to make your 

suit where they are used to making 

the best suits.” 

Understated and deluxe, like Italian cashmere, is how 

friends and colleagues describe both Barbera and his label. 

What makes the Luciano 

Barbera collection so distinctive 

is more than just the tailoring. “I 

really consider the fabric the 

root of my clothing,” says 

Barbera, who started out as a 

textile designer. Not only are his 

fabrics exclusive to his designs, 

they are all developed in house at 

the Lanificio Carlo Barbera mill. 

Another important attribute of 

the Barbera line is the attention 

to detail he lavishes on every 

object. “It’s important that 

every single piece in the collection 

offers something special,” adds the designer, 

unable to name a favorite design from his label. 

“It’s like asking a man which is your favorite child; 

it simply can’t be done,” he says. 

Among Barbera’s favorite expressions: sprezzatura, 

the Italian word for detachment, but he 

says a better way to think of it is quiet confidence 

or low-key style. “The most forceful statement is 

understatement,” he says. “It is the philosophy 

behind everything I do.”

MADE IN ITALY 

paulshark.it

style 

TRENDS 

FOR 

MEN 

FALL AND WINTER ARE JUST 

HEATING UP. BY WILLIAM KISSEL 

The runways of Milan, New York and Paris 

showcase fashion at its most extravagant. 

Limited edition wool suits and belts made from the most 

exotic skins were paraded out to cause a stir—and it 

worked. 

Thankfully there’s more to menswear than one-off 

pieces singularly designed with connoisseurs in mind. 

This fall, men’s clothing and accessory makers have created 

some of their most varied and versatile collections to 

meet the everyday needs of the stylish modern man. Sharp 

suits and sportcoats in a rich array of autumnal colors and 

tweedy textures, sporty jackets made of weatherproof 

materials, big bold knits in solids and multi-hued variations, 

and even a resurgence of cashmere, corduroy and 

camel hair are wearable and on-trend. So whether you’re 

lounging around the house, dashing to the office, going for 

a weekend road trip, or preparing for that big formal affair, 

this fall’s offerings have you covered. 

A patterned 

sportcoat can be 

dressed up or 

down, and a 

double-breasted 

camel peacoat 

satisfies three 

trends in one. 

IMAGES COURTESY OF Z ZEGNA AND BRUNELLO CUCINELLI

Technically 

speaking... This 

wool and down 

jacket offers 

Thermore 

insulation and 

taped seams for 

waterproof 

performance. 

>> 

DUAL-PURPOSE Perfect for the office in 

classic pinstripes or subtle windowpane 

patterns, these same jackets come alive at 

night when paired with casual slacks and 

jeans, coincidentally the way most real 

men now define weekend wear. If you 

want to try something new, check out this 

year’s crop of double-breasted jackets, or 

DBs, as they’re known. Nearly every 

designer from Armani to Zegna is banking 

on double-breasted suits playing a 

starring role in men’s wardrobes, this fall 

and beyond. To that end, double-breasted 

jackets come in many variations, from low 

THIS SEASON, IT’S HIGH STYLE TO WEAR SOMETHING HIGH TECH. 

four-button models with soft shoulders 

and very straight lapels to serious, military-inspired 

high six- and even eightbutton, 

peak lapel jackets with strong 

shoulders and streamlined waists. Many 

of these shapes also carry over into outerwear 

and sportcoats. 

SWEET PEAS The pea coat originated in 

the 18th century, when the durable jackets 

were used to clothe sailors and other military 

personnel who found the “pij” material 

(from the Dutch word pijjekker meaning 

twilled cloth) used to make them 

incredibly warm. Modern menswear makers 

could not have foreseen record cold 

temperatures across the globe when they 

developed their own versions of these 

hearty coats, but rest assured that the 

double-breasted toppers are ready to 

work double duty when necessary. 

STRIKE A CORD Corduroy comes in many 

sizes—from pinwale to extra wide wale— 

and this season top brands like Belvest, 

Kiton, Zegna, Loro Piana and Canali have 

employed the time-honored ribbed cloth 

in everything from jeans, jackets and 

sport shirts to outerwear, blazers, and 

even tailored clothing. Pinwale corduroy 

in a cotton/cashmere blend is Hugo 

Boss’s top dog this season, while cashmere 

kingpin Brunello Cucinelli prefers 

brushed corduroy for his quilted coats. 

OUT OF THE DESERT Few items in a man’s 

wardrobe have ever been more luxurious 

than a camel top coat. Now that familiar 

topper—a staple of 1930s and 1940s 

Hollywood royalty—has been reinterpreted 

in everything from car coats and highwaisted 

trousers to sportcoats and even 

full camel hair (or colored) suits. 

Designers as diverse as Hermès, Giorgio 

103 

Armani, Tom Ford and Ermenegildo 

Zegna offered just a preview of the full 

camel stampede to come this winter. 

TECHNO? TECH YES! Remember Zegna’s 

imaginative I Jacket with its built-in 

touch control panel at the cuff, allowing 

one to interface with his iPod without 

touching it? Or how about Loro Piana’s 

innovative Storm System technology, 

which renders even the most opulent fabrics 

like superfine wool and cashmere 

water repellent? Those brilliant ideas 

have come full circle and spawned a 

whole generation of high tech, high style 

garments. Whether it’s a polyester and 

nylon jacket that actually breathes as the 

temperature rises, or a top coat designed 

with touch technology that lets you hide 

your electronics and control them remotely, 

this season, it’s high style to wear 

something high tech. 

IIMAGES COURTESY OF ZEGNA SPORT

THE RICHEST 

LOOKS ARE 

SEASONAL 

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SERGIO KURHAJEC 

STYLING BY WENDY MCNETT 

HAIR & MAKEUP BY MACO TESTA 

S 

BOB MITCHELL 

ON WHY EVERY 

GREAT WARDROBE 

SHOULD INCLUDE 

SOME GREAT 

SEASONAL PIECES... 

W 

hile 50 percent of your wardrobe can be 

“year round,” 50 percent should be seasonal. 

Cold weather fabrics—fl annels, tweeds, 

corduroys, suedes and velvets—provide a depth, 

variety and personality to dressing that can’t be 

matched by less distinctive transitional fabrics. 

For fall 2011, we’re seeing a big comeback 

of the gray fl annel suit, made famous by JFK in 

the 1960’s. We’re also seeing a big resurgence 

of tweed and herringbone, for dressing up 

or casual. 

Also more popular than ever is layering... 

chunky sweaters, wool knit ties and a beautiful 

heavier sportcoat are a great way to bring a 

pair of jeans to life. So, pile on the cashmeres, 

sweaters and scarfs. Winter, come and get us!

BRUNELLO CUCINELLI

SEASONAL 

FABRICS 

ARE MORE 

TEXTURAL 

& UNIQUE.

opposite ZEGNA 

above SUIT: SAMUELSOHN, TIE & SHIRT: HUGO BOSS

LEFT — JACKET: DESIGNER NAME, 

RIGHT — opposite SWEATER: BLAZER: DESIGNER SAMUELSOHN, NAME, JACKET: SWEATER: DESIGNER LORO PIANA NAME 

above ISAIA

PILE ON 

WARM, CHUNKY 

LAYERS FOR A 

SOPHISTICATED 

LOOK.

wheels 

BEAUTIFUL CARS ARE NOT JUST TRANSPORTATION, 

BUT ROLLING WORKS OF ART. 

CAUTION: MAY INSPIRE SERIOUS GARAGE ENVY BY DAVID ROSE 

VINTAGE ROAD SHOW 

It all started early 

one Saturday, when my 

best friend showed up at my 

house driving his uncle’s 1959 

Austin Healy Sprite. He parked it 

outside my bedroom window and 

blasted its air horn, prompting 

me to vault three feet out of bed. 

We spent the day driving around 

Boston in the coolest car I had 

ever been in, and I promised 

myself right then that when I 

was old enough to drive, I would 

buy a British sports car. The day 

came shortly after my sixteenth 

birthday, and nothing was the 

same again for me. I now have a 

humble collection of these wonderful 

cars and drive them as 

often as possible. 

There are many extraordinary 

automobile museums around the 

world, but also numerous private 

collectors whose magnificent cars 

are worth fortunes. Perhaps they 

also had friends who introduced 

them to the world of classic cars. 

Or it may have simply been the 

majesty of the machines that 

inspired them to covet and collect 

these amazing vehicles. 

One such man is Richard Myers, 

a former math teacher turned 

European car dealer who is now 

retired and lives in New Jersey 

and Rhode Island. A collector of 

vintage cars for over 40 years, his 

38 classics include some very rare 

110 

machines. Like me, his first was an 

MGA that he bought while in college. 

Back then British sports cars 

were relatively new to the area 

where he lived, so he soon learned 

how to do mechanical repairs on 

his own. He has always considered 

these beautiful cars not just transportation, 

but rolling works of art. 

After college, he bought and 

restored a Jaguar, followed by 

Rolls Royces and Bentleys, which 

he fixed up and sold for profit. 

After a while he realized that he no 

longer wanted to sell the cars he 

restored, and his classic car collection 

was born. It was the 1970s, and 

classic car values were nothing 

like they are today: he was able to 

The 1953 

Allard J2X

acquire some amazing vehicles, 

which in today’s market would be 

untouchable. 

nd he’s still in the market. “I 

would love to find a perfect 

Ferrari Dino and a Porsche 

356 Speedster,” Meyers 

confides. “Both cars 

would have to be black: I 

base my color sense on 

the design of the car and those two 

cars say ‘black’ to me... I just bought 

two 550 Marinello Ferraris, and I 

couldn’t go with the traditional red 

or yellow people associate with 

Ferraris; one is silver and the other 

titanium.” 

All of Myers’ cars are drivable, 

and drive them he does. His current 

collection, which includes an Aston 

Martin, a 1954 Corvette and a 289 

Cobra, is essentially a microcosm of 

sports car history. 

ROBERTGRAHAM.US 

OTHER COVETABLE COLLECTIONS 

When Ken Lingenfelter, whose father was a GM 

executive, was growing up, stylish high performance 

automobiles were a way of life. He bought 

his first Corvette in 1977 and has since assembled 

a magnificent collection of 150 Corvettes 

and other Detroit muscle cars, as well as select 

exotics from around the world. 

The Simeone Foundation Museum outside of 

Philadelphia, although now open to the public, 

began as a private collection assembled by neurosurgeon 

Dr. Fred Simeone. This collection centers 

on racing cars from around the world and is 

considered one of the best in the country. 

In summer, cream-of-the-crop classic cars gather 

at Concours d’Elegance events around the world. 

In the U.S., Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is 

thought to be the best. The Greenwich, CT event 

is considered the best on the East Coast.

Our Business is 

Making Your World 

More Beautiful 

 

 

Imagine the Possibilities at www.geigerslandscape.com 

or call us at 877-434-4373 for a consultation 

World Class Landscape Architecture For Those Who Recognize the Difference

GREEK REVIVAL 

Afew steps behind the Kapsaliana Village there’s an ancient olive tree. It stands alone, determinedly rooted into a slight 

rise. From here, the view stretches across the largest olive grove on Crete, over a lush valley, to the sea. The scene is 

quiet and stunningly beautiful. Originally home to a thriving olive press worked by monks (the historic Arkadi 

monastery is nearby), the settlement was gradually abandoned after the press was closed in 1955. Today, under the brilliant 

tuteledge of architect Myron Toypoyannis, Kapsaliana Village has been rebuilt and restored and named a member of 

Historic Hotels of Greece. The age-old architecture is combined with modern comforts. Twelve guest houses, hewn from the 

original dwellings, are set on cobblestone alleys. The olive press is now a museum. The restaurant offers superb traditional 

Cretan food, and there’s a luxurious swimming pool. But most of all, there’s an atmosphere of tranquility and seclusion, as if 

time had paused to offer visitors a few moments of complete serenity. 

World Scene 

Experience life’s little luxuries. BY DONALD CHARLES RICHARDSON 

114 

LAKE PLACID LODGE 

COLD COMFORT 

As cold weather approaches, ‘tis time for 

winter sports, a cozy new coat and a 

heart-warming cocktail. After ice skating, 

cross country skiing or snowshoeing at the 

Lake Placid Lodge in New York’s Adirondack 

mountains, guests keep out the chill with the 

hotel’s winter drink, the Barkeater. Bartender 

Lori Kudelski, who created the Barkeater, 

shares the recipe for this snug concoction. 

Ingredients: 1 oz. vanilla vodka, 1 oz. 

Frangelico, 1 oz. Amaretto, a splash of New 

York State maple syrup, and 4 oz. cream. Mix 

vodka, Amaretto, Frangelico and maple syrup 

in a shaker, then pour over ice in an old fashioned 

glass. Top with cream and garnish with 

a mint leaf. Cheers! 

KAPSALIANA VILLAGE

fine shirt maker since 1928 

go to 

facebook.com/etonofsweden 

tell us your favorite 

thing about Mitchells and 

be automatically entered 

into a drawing for a $500 

eton shopping spree.

GILT TRIP 

Along with golf, rock climbing and fly fishing, 

guests of The Broadmoor Hotel at the 

foot of the Rockies in Colorado Springs 

can go for the gold. The sparkling festivities 

begin in a chauffeured Hummer (gold-flecked 

handcrafted chocolates and a bottle of 

Champagne are provided), which brings you to 

the Money Museum. Here, caterers serve dinner 

in the Bass Gallery, where over $20 million 

dollars worth of paper money and rare coins, 

including the most comprehensive collection 

of American gold coinage in existence, is 

stored. Between courses, the curator of the 

museum joins guests and passes around several 

million dollars in coins and notes. The 

Broadmoor’s wealthy revelry culminates at the 

hotel bar with chocolate sorbet decorated with 18K gold leaf, created by executive restaurant pastry chef Rémy Fünfrock, and director of 

wine Tim Baldwin opens a bottle of Moët & Chandon, Cuvée Dom Perignon Oenothèque, 1966. 

A STRETCH 

OF BEACH 

Among the many trendy—and usually 

pricey—goings-on in Miami, there’s one 

very stylish event that’s amazingly inexpensive. 

For just $5, residents and visitors, 

serious yoga practitioners and first timers 

alike, can join certified instructors for “Beach 

Yoga at 3rd Street, Miami Beach.” This ultimate 

South Beach insider happening, which 

attracts vacationing Broadway stars and fashion 

editors, among others, has been meeting 

every day at sunrise and sunset for the past 12 

years. Take water and a towel, and spend an 

hour reaching new horizons. 

116 

JAYNE THOMPSON 

COUNTRY CHIC 

In the Kentucky countryside not far from Lexington, there’s a historic eightroom 

house. Originally named Bellevue, it was built in 1779 by Colonel John 

Bowman (the state’s first military governor) for his wife, Elizabeth. Now, it’s 

the home of Jayne Thompson Antiques, decorated with a lavish collection of 

English and Italian furniture and accessories. The shop is so popular with 

antiques aficionados, collectors often fly in (there’s a nearby private airport) to 

shop. For visitors with an urge to experience a more gracious time, Jayne 

Thompson will also arrange a dinner. Catered by Debbie Long of Dudley’s 

Restaurant in Lexington, the meal is prepared from seasonal ingredients and 

paired with appropriate wines. It’s served either in the home’s stunning dining 

room filled with antiques, or on the lawn, where the hostess places 18th-century 

Windsor chairs and a 17th-century oak farm table, set with English 

Ironstone china. 

MONEY MUSEUM 

DJORDJE ISHERE / CLICKHERE STUDIOS

T H E U L T I M A T E T R O U S E R

design 

Haute HOSPITALITY 

IS IT SELF-EXPRESSION OR NARCISSISM? EITHER WAY, DESIGNER HOTELS 

AND RESTAURANTS ARE FASHION’S NEWEST HOT SPOTS. BY WILLIAM KISSEL

Previous page, 

clockwise from 

top left: Bottega 

Veneta for the St. 

Regis in Rome; 

Dolce & Gabbana 

Gold restaurant 

in Milan; 

the bar at Gold 

Below, left: 

Cavalli Club, 

Florence 

Right: Ralph 

Lauren’s Ralph’s 

restaurant, Paris 

n the 1970s fashion designers were 

satisfied to have their names 

scrawled on the back pockets of 

your jeans. Over the ensuing 

decade, they discovered a way to 

put their stamp on everything from 

fragrance, sunglasses and leather 

goods to furniture and bedding. 

Now they want you to experience 

their own lavish lifestyles by enveloping 

you in their signature luxury hotel suites 

and posh dining rooms. 

The trend escalated this past year when 

nearly a dozen new hotels were autographed 

by top designers—from Giorgio 

Armani’s sleek, ambitious Armani Hotel 

Dubai and Bulgari’s bucolic Balinese 

retreat, to Missoni’s stylish Scottish hideaway 

and Christian Lacroix’s French 

boulangerie-turned-bed and breakfast. 

It’s not only the newest way to propagate 

their names: designers insist the 

evanescent hotel or dining experience 

acts as a kind of “live-in portfolio” of their 

work. 

Giorgio Armani features custom-made 

furniture and decorative objects from his 

Armani/Casa home collection in his 

namesake hotels, the second of which is 

scheduled to open in Milan early next 

year. “I wanted to see how the collection 

would look when applied to real spaces,” 

says the designer, who adds that the idea 

gives hotel guests an opportunity to sam- 

119 

ple the furnishings in a living situation 

before investing in them for their own 

homes. Recognizable designer fabrics and 

furnishings also encourage guests to 

form an emotional connection 

with the hotel—and 

DESIGNER FABRICS 

AND FURNISHINGS 

ENCOURAGE GUESTS TO 

FORM AN EMOTIONAL 

CONNECTION WITH THE 

HOTEL—AND THE BRAND. 

the brand. 

And while hotels 

offer the opportunity 

to live like 

Armani or Versace 

for days or even 

weeks, restaurants 

can offer the same 

“lifestyle experience” in a 

matter of hours. Take Ralph 

Lauren, whose fashion forays 

range from the highbrow sartorial chic of 

London’s Savile Row to the Rocky 

Mountain highs of Colorado. Inside 

Ralph’s, located in the designer’s Paris 

store, Lauren brings his idealized world to 

life. The chic eatery is infused with his 

signature British-Americana stamp, from 

the vintage leather seating and equestrian-themed 

artwork right down to the 

menu, which includes beef raised on 

Lauren’s own RRL Ranch. “The story of 

the menu is like the classic film An 

American in Paris,” says Lauren. “The 

food is genuinely American, but set in a 

mood that is genuinely international.” 

In a more flashy setting, design duo 

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana 

imbued their Milanese restaurant Gold 

with a mix of exotic materials—pink and 

gray arabesque-patterned marble, high 

gloss steel, gold leather—that they consider 

to be architectural equivalents of 

their clothing. 

While today’s designers 

would like you to believe they 

invented the haute hospitality 

trend, that honor actually 

goes to Pierre Cardin, who 

bought the fashionable 

French bistro Maxims in 1981 

and has subsequently turned it 

into an international brand. “I suspect 

if you look hard enough you could 

find Pierre Cardin’s name on a screwdriver,” 

jokes American designer Todd 

Oldham, whose own foray into the hospitality 

game started in 1999 with the opening 

of The Hotel and its adjoining Wish 

restaurant in Miami, and continued this 

year with the christening of 20 new suites. 

Oldham is now in negotiations to design 

a hotel in Chicago. 

“It’s very smart of developers to find 

tastemakers from other [creative] areas 

who can enhance the hotel experience,” 

says Oldham, who believes fashion 

designers are naturally more sensitive to 

aesthetics, form and function than typical 

hotel designers. “Because we tend to 

focus on making you look good, we can 

also make you look good in a room.”

travel 

Green visions abound in the 

gardenscapes of the Dublin 

countryside. By David Lyon 

When filmmakers want to evoke the formal lush countryside of Georgian 

Ireland or the mythical Celtic landscape of dappled glades, they train their 

cameras on Powerscourt Estate, one of the greenest corners of the Emerald 

Isle. Set on Dublin’s doorstep in County Wicklow, the gated lands originally 

surrounded a 13th-century castle that helped guard the city. In 1731, the 

lord of Powerscourt upgraded to the iconic Georgian manor that still occupies 

the high ground, gazing across a rich array of gardens and over a 

small lake to the hunched backs of the Wicklow Mountains. 

The 19th-century 

Pepperpot Tower was 

modeled on a peppermill 

belonging to the seventh 

Viscount Powerscourt, 

Mervyn Wingfield.

IMAGES BY DAVID LYON; SUITE IMAGE BY VISION PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF RITZ-CARLTON POWERSCOURT 

For full immersion in the lifestyle of latter-day 

Irish gentry, retire to the Ritz- 

Carlton Powerscourt, where you can nurse 

a tumbler of Tyrconnell single-malt Irish 

whiskey on the terrace. The 200-room 

resort opened in 2007 and is just a fiveminute 

saunter from the Powerscourt 

manor. Its stately Palladian architecture 

and Georgian-inspired décor are complemented 

by the sybaritic ESPA spa and 

invisible (but indispensable) contemporary 

technology. 

Concierges can advise guests on the 

best woodland hikes and runs and provide 

maps and electronic keys to the hidden, 

gated parts of the estate. They can 

also arrange horseback riding through the 

countryside, golf on either of 

Powerscourt’s two 18-hole courses, or fly 

fishing for sea-run trout on the River 

Dargle. 

Dublin is only a half hour away, making 

it possible to combine the rustic pleasures 

of the Irish countryside with the urban 

rush of the Irish capital. It’s worth making 

a pilgrimage to the august neo-Gothic 

grounds of Trinity College to see the 

Book of Kells displayed in the library. 

Created in the 9th century, this stunning 

volume of the Gospels is one of the earliest 

surviving illuminated manuscripts 

and an Irish national treasure. 

The Irish also treasure the outsized personalities 

of their artists. At the National 

Gallery of Ireland, one section is dedicated 

to the Yeats clan: portraitist John 

Butler Yeats and his sons, poet and sometimes 

painter William Butler Yeats and 

modern Expressionist master Jack Yeats. 

The gallery backs onto Merrion Square, 

one of Dublin’s finest Georgian squares, 

where rows of elegant townhouses are distinguished 

by differently colored doors 

and hand-burnished brass fixtures. Oscar 

Wilde lived at 1 Merrion Square from 1855 

to 1876, and should you wonder where he 

wet his whistle, a good bet might be 

O’Donoghue’s, a pub established in 1792 

only a block away. The barkeeps still pull 

a fine pint of Guinness, and the room is 

famous for its nightly live music. 

The Ritz-Carlton has its own pub, 

McGills, where the Albaquirky Turkeys 

play a driving version of traditional Irish 

music. The resort’s gastronomic jewel, 

though, is its casual fine-dining restaurant, 

Gordon Ramsay at Powerscourt, the 

London-based chef’s first Irish venture. 

Conceived as a farm-to-fork venue relying 

YOU COULD SPEND DAYS AT POWERSCOURT SAVORING THE IRISH GENIUS FOR 

LANDSCAPE GARDENING OR WANDERING LIKE MYTHIC KING FERGUS IN THE GENTLE 

WILDS OF THE WOODLANDS AND MEADOWS OF THE 1,000 ACRE ESTATE. 

This page, top: 

A fountain in 

Walled Garden 

at Powerscourt 

Gardens 

Center: Gordon 

Ramsay’s 

County Wicklow 

lamb with 

potato galette 

Bottom: The 

Mountain View 

Suite at Ritz- 

Carlton 

Powerscourt 

121 

intensely on Irish products, the restaurant 

provides a literal taste of the countryside 

in a country about the size of West 

Virginia. The lamb is raised less than 20 

minutes away, the vegetables come from 

an organic farm a mile down the road. As 

for the mushrooms, the kitchen staff forages 

them in the woods and meadows of 

Powerscourt.

essay 

CLOSET THERAPY 

SOMETIMES, THE ANSWERS TO LIFE’S QUESTIONS AREN’T IN YOUR 

BRAIN. THEY’RE IN YOUR CLOSET. BY JAMES RARUS 

A former boss, the president of a 

luxury apparel firm, used to scream 

at me: “You know what your problem is? You think too 

much! Just sell!” Today, I work for myself. I play 

menswear psychologist and at a psychologist’s rate, 

though I’m not a doctor. 

Analyze this: Twice yearly, menswear merchants fill 

their shops with thoughtfully selected apparel, transforming 

their stores into virtual treasure troves of luxury. 

A man’s closet should be a similar treasure trove, the 

clothes he pulls out each morning helping to determine 

if people will buy into his personality, business acumen, 

credibility, or whatever he’s selling. 

I recently worked with a client in his cedar paneled 

closet. His trousers, dress shirts and blazers hung evenly 

spaced on cedar hangers. His shoes rested in perfect rows, 

his belts and ties were arranged meticulously. 

I thought about this client, a bachelor with a high 

finance job: trim physique, handsome features, great hair, 

beautiful clothes. But then a flash: he owned no sweaters! 

Mother Nature took the time to create this perfect specimen, 

almost begging to be wrapped in luxurious fabrics, 

and not one cashmere knit! 

122 

I looked around his spectacular apartment with its 

expansive views of Central Park and envisioned the 

women he’d soon date thanks to this newly conceived 

wardrobe. A breakthrough moment, said my inner Freud. 

Want your own breakthrough? Think of your favorite 

store as your closet; then think of your wardrobe as a jazz 

song with layered textures, colors, tones and dimensions 

to help showcase your own unique qualities. 

Soon after shrinking my client’s head with this music 

metaphor, he became the proud owner of a dozen twoand 

four-ply cashmere knits and a few merinos in masculine 

shades both deep and pale. His wardrobe is now 

balanced with casually elegant cardigans, turtlenecks, 

V-necks and crews; his tailored clothing pieces now 

double as sportswear. His love life has improved, too: 

wearing an outfit of his own creation featuring a knit 

cardigan, he recently met the woman of his dreams. 

When people ask me what I do for a living, I often 

say, “I alter men’s perceptions of their closets so that 

when they get dressed each day, they’re energized 

and inspired.” To which they usually respond, “You 

think too much! But let me ask you a question. Can I 

wear…?”

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GREENWICH • PALM BEACH • NEW YORK

at your service 

CLOSET CLEANING 

In order to help you better integrate your 

new seasonal purchases with the old, we 

off er our clients a complimentary closet 

consultation. One of our professional 

sales associates will personally visit your 

home to inventory your closet, providing 

suggestions on how to creatively mix and 

match your existing wardrobe. One of our 

experienced tailors can also be on hand, 

to provide any fi tting or re-adjustments 

you may need. And if you so desire, we will 

provide a photographic catalogue of your 

wardrobe for further reference. 

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS 

Developing lasting personal relationships 

helps our sales associates select items that 

they know you will enjoy, and ease your 

shopping experience. 

HOME DELIVERY 

We understand your busy schedule and 

want to do all we can to lessen the demands 

on your time. This is why we provide local 

delivery to your residence, or anywhere in 

the United States. If you need it in a pinch, 

count on us to be there. 

EXPERTISE 

Our long-term sales associates have been 

with us for an average of 16 years, and are 

passionate about counseling our customers 

and advising them on all clothing and 

accessory matters. They are willing to go 

the extra mile to ensure that your shopping 

experience is a pleasant one, and they’ll 

even take a trip to your home or offi ce to 

give you a personal closet consultation, 

providing suggestions on how to creatively 

mix and match your existing wardrobe. 

GIFT CARDS 

A Mitchells/Richards/Marshs gift card is 

the gift that always fi ts! Our gift cards are 

available for purchase in store or over the 

phone, in any denomination. If you can’t 

make it to the store, just give us a call — 

we’ll wrap the gift card up and ship it to the 

recipient for you! 

ABUNDANT PARKING 

To ensure your shopping experience is as 

stress-free as possible, we provide you with 

ample complimentary parking that is both 

convenient and secure — a real luxury in 

downtown Greenwich. 

CAPPUCCINO & WATER BAR 

In the hectic world in which we live, many 

simple pleasures are lost. Sometimes a hot 

cup of coff ee, or a friendly, familiar face is 

the best comfort for the soul. We’re happy 

to provide both, and more. 

PICTURE PERFECT 

Trust our professional sales associates 

to put together the ultimate outfi t 

and coordinate you from head to toe. 

To alleviate confusion when you get 

home, we will happily photograph your 

ensembles, providing a catalogue you 

can refer to time after time. 

COMPLIMENTARY ALTERATIONS 

In order to ensure that the fi t is 

just right, we off er complimentary 

alterations on all of our clothing. Down 

to the detail of the stitching, we ensure 

each article is tailored specifi cally to 

you. Our on-site team of world-class 

tailors is ready to assure that you always 

bring home a perfect fi t.

COMPLIMENTARY GIFT WRAP 

We off er complimentary gift-wrapping for 

your purchases, on any day you want. You 

concentrate on choosing the perfect gift; 

we’ll do the rest. 

CLOTHING DONATIONS 

Service is important to us, not only in our 

store, but also in our community. We will 

help you clear out those unwanted items that 

have been cluttering up your closet, while 

providing for a good cause. All discarded 

items will be donated to a local charity — we 

will coordinate the donation and make the 

delivery ourselves. 

FAMILY FRIENDLY 

As a family business, we feel that it is 

essential to create a shopping experience 

that can be enjoyed by the whole family. At 

Mitchells, Richards, and Marshs we provide 

interactive play areas so that your time with 

us can be more relaxed, and your children 

can still have fun. 

IN AN EMERGENCY 

If you fi nd yourself in a pinch after hours, 

dial the main store number and follow the 

prompts to be connected directly to one of 

our family’s home numbers. We’re always 

available to come to your rescue! 

RETURN POLICY 

We have a liberal return policy, where you 

can bring your purchases back if you are 

not satisfi ed with them within a reasonable 

period of time. We want to make sure you 

love your new items when you get home, 

as much as you do in the store. 

BUTTON UP 

A loose thread or button can be just the 

thing that unravels your day. Bring in any 

suits or outerwear with buttons that need 

assistance, and we’ll re-attach or tighten 

them for you, on site and free of charge. 

We like to see you looking your best, down 

to the details. 

BY APPOINTMENT 

Our personal shoppers are available to 

make your experience here as eff ortless as 

possible. For your convenience, they will 

pre-select a wardrobe to fi t your clothing 

needs, placing the garments in a private 

fi tting room. Once our associates have 

learned your style and needs, they can keep 

an eye out for specifi c items you might be 

looking for in the future. Call Debbi O’Shea 

at 203.622.0551 for more information. 

SERVICE IS 

PARAMOUNT. 

It impacts every facet of our business, 

from our ability to bring you worldclass 

fashions to the friendly, 

knowledgeable sales associates who 

help and guide you. You, our customers 

and friends, are ultimately at the 

heart of all that we do, and we strive to 

constantly exceed your expectations. If 

for some reason you feel that the level 

of service we provide does not meet 

your expectations, please let us know.

www.canali.it

MITCHELLS/RICHARDS/MARSHS FORUM FALL 2011

28 M_Cover.qxp:COVER - Mitchells | Richards

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