Stacia in Yogini Japan

Stacia's latest press comes from far away Japan and surprisingly, from a Japanese Yoga magazine. Who knew they had a Yogini magazine in Japan? Stacia goes namaste, Japanese style! As a yogini myself, I've always thought my comfy knitwear was perfect for après yoga and the Japanese agree as well. My favorite, versatile piece from the Town & Country group was recently featured in Japan's Yogini magazine (see pictured left) - the bamboo/cotton cocoon sweater. This super light-weight sweater is an update on the classic shrug, with its longer length, shawl collar, and cocoon sleeves. It's the ideal sweater to wrap yourself up in all year-around, and perfect for throwing on over your yoga attire after a blissful session. We still have some left online at www.shopstacia.com in Banyan, Haiku, and Seagrass so grab one while they're still in stock. And if you're in Japan by chance, you can check out our complete Fall collection at Barneys Japan, our new favorite retailer overseas!

Trend Alert - Tot Style

My latest trend spotting happened by chance this past weekend at El Porto beach. I've noticed lately that my 4-year old son's playmate, Tess (3), has a natural knack for styling. It's scary to think that at three she's already expressing her own fashion sense and experimenting with clothes (her Mom says she insists on selecting her own "looks" each morning.) Her latest "look" and full-on trend statement will have the Roxy and Billabong designers clamoring for more.

Thanks to the surf industry, young girls and woman have been donning rash guards to achieve that surfer girl look. The rash guard is essentially a nylon t-shirt that's worn while surfing, boogie boarding, or just for that surfer wannabe look. I'm a big fan of the rash guard (I prefer Xcel Hawaii's version) because it keeps my Hawaiian blood warm in the cool California waters and it protects my skin from the sun. But unfortunately, the rash guard can cover up a woman's fabulous bikini. Women have worked so hard to find that perfect suit and to then cover it up in an unsightly, yet practical, nylon t-shirt is a sin. It took a 3-year old to solve that problem!

Tess, already at 3, has an impressive array of stylish bathing suits that would put my suits to shame. She is determined to show them off and not sacrifice fashion for warmth or sun protection. Solution: wear that fabulous halter swim top OVER the rash guard. How brilliant! As pictured above, Tess is sporting her plaid halter over her lavender Roxy rash guard. Why cover up that fabulous top, when you can layer your top over your sporty rash guard? I can just see Megan Abubo or Rochelle Ballard taking this trend to the world class circuit. They'll be rippin' it and shreddin' it with their Roxy-sponsored string bikini tops over top their sun-protecting rash guards - fashion and function. Soon all the Roxy girls from Malibu's Surfrider to Huntington Beach pier will be sporting this look.

My only suggestion, would be to get a slim fitting rash guard that fits super close to the body so the bikini top gets full attention. So keep a look out for this soon-to-be surf-inspired trend to hit the beaches and all brought to you by the creative, uninhibited style of a 3-year old tot!

Old-Timers in Fashion

Every August I await baited breath for my September Vogue to arrive in the mail. It's a blessing and a curse. I also dread tackling the bible-sized magazine and having to sift through all the ads just to get to the good stuff. This time around, I was pleasantly surprised by the first 20 pages of Vogue. It was like flashing back in time to the early 90's in my old Parsons days. Familiar faces galore. Over a decade later, the super models have made a comeback. Naomi gracing the pages in a Yves Saint Laurent ad, Linda Evangelista posing for Prada, Claudia Schiffer working Chanel, Kate Moss looking all grown-up in Donna Karan, Christie Turlington smokey-eyed in an Escada ad, and even Amber Valletta and Kirsty Hume posing in a kitschy supermarket editorial. Boy do they look better than ever, thanks to Photoshop of course. It's refreshing for a change not to see the usual celebrity/actress toting a designer product in the pages of Vogue. It says a lot about the modeling industry - you're not necessarily a has-been after 35. It's harder to make a living as an actress in Hollywood at that age. These late 20th century super models have defied the odds and extended the longevity of their modeling careers, and not by becoming on-air personalities or reality TV show hosts. They're actually still modeling for world renown designers in Vogue for gods sake. It must be tough out there for the newbie models having to fight for a space in Vogue up against the old-timer super models with clout and the celebrity-driven world of leading actresses selling designer products. Doesn't leave much room for an up n' coming new face. But in any case, I'll take a little Linda, Claudia, and Naomi any day (even if they're touched up to the max) over a boring actress gracing the pages of Vogue. At least they have credibility and know something about fashion without a stylist giving them a voice.

If I Could Change the World of Fashion...

I would...

Ban boots from stores in July.
Make swimsuits available in stores during the Summer.
Ship Spring to stores in March (not January), Summer in June (not April), and Fall in September (not June.)
Be able to buy white pants in August.
Forbid merino wool and cashmere from stores until after Labor Day (no wool allowed in July, it's too frickin' hot!)
Fill the stores with happy Summer colors in June and July rather than being bombarded with dull Wintery colors.

I know it sounds revolutionary, but wouldn't it be great to actually find what you need in the season you're shopping in? Ever try finding a swimsuit during the Summer months? Good luck! You better shop for that bikini in April because that's when they're in the stores. I'm so disgusted to see heavy wool/cashmere sweaters folded perfectly on boutique tables in the middle of July. What are they thinking? I have no intention on trying on those beautiful chunky sweaters, sweet merino trousers, or those fabulous tall boots in the middle of the Summer when I'm just getting comfortable in my breezy slip dresses. And stores wonder why biz is slow and why they'll end up marking Fall down come September when the goods have already been in stores for 3 months with no takers.

It's the fashion industry's own Fashion Faux Pas...

My recent quest to find a pair of slick white pants and a white bikini in August for my photo shoot was nearly impossible and it made me think of the fashion industry's lame attempt to understand the consumer. Yes, I know the world of fashion dictates no white after Labor Day, but excuse me, it's going to be 80 degrees out until October (a.k.a Indian Summer on the East and the lovely Santa Ana winds out West.) When is the fashion industry going to wake up and realize, especially in this slow economy, people are not shopping three months in advance for their seasoned wardrobe. I believe this whole backwards mentality of shipping Fall in June and Spring in January was the industry's idea of maximizing sales and to get a jump start on the season. And of course, the whole back-to-school concept of stocking up on school clothes in the Summer before school starts. But like most fashionistas out there, I'm not in school and don't need to buy my Fall boots and heavy sweaters before the semester begins. The same goes when you go to Riteaid in August. They're shoving Halloween down your throat like there's no tomorrow.

So when will the fashion industry wake up? Maybe I should start a revolt as a designer and require stores to take their Fall merchandise in the Fall and actually sell them Summer in the Summer. Wouldn't that be a concept? Then maybe these poor boutiques could get a decent sell-thru and satisfy their customer's "wear-now" needs.

At least the magazine industry has it right. September is usually the break of Fall for designer ads and editor's layouts for the season. I actually just started preparing myself for Fall by toning down my nail color to a neutral "Sand on the Beach" for my toes that will look chic with my new bronze gladiators and will transition nicely into Fall. Flipping through my new September Vogue inspired me to get ready for Fall. So maybe in two months, I'll be ready for those cashmere sweaters and tall boots, and they'll be 'had' on sale, of course!

Poolside in Long Beach

After 3 years of (pathetically) photographing my own designs with my measly digital Canon, I decided to spend a few bucks and hire the big guns to shoot my Spring/Summer '09 collection. Not that my lovely and talented friend Judy didn't look fabulous in my designs (yes, a real woman and not a model posing for the camera!), it was more about stepping the photography up a notch (I know zilch about lighting!) Luckily, I had my fabulous new public relations team, Jenn and Nicole, to help!

The first challenge was the location. I was envisioning a fabulous mid-century house with an infinity pool to be the backdrop for my Palm Springs-inspired collection. Not exactly the easiest thing to find when you're on my budget! My husband was brilliant enough to suggest the Kramer House in Long Beach and whipped out our Cliff May coffee table book to show me a picture of the PERFECT house. He had recently done a story about Cliff May houses in Long Beach and specifically the Rancho-style homes that the talented duo, Rochelle and Doug Kramer, specialize in selling. Thankfully, they welcomed us into their lovely Cliff May home and allowed us to set up shop for a day and photograph 40 looks.

Being the nervous nelly that I am, I was certain something would go wrong (model wouldn't show, photographer's flight delayed, mystical rain to appear out of no where!). But alas, all went perfect and the day was actually a blast. We were fortunate to have a great crew - Robert the brilliant photographer, Rico the photographer's assistant and music buff, John the hair/makeup guru, Ana Maria the down-to-earth model/singer, and our fabulous host, Rochelle, who I believe really enjoyed the whole fashion palooza.

The Kramer House couldn't have been a more perfect location for my Spring/Summer '09 collection. The whole indoor/outdoor living, chic furniture, glistening pool, and tropical landscape was the ideal setting for my new designs. I've been working on this collection since April so it's nice to finally see it on a body, styled and against this beautiful mid-century backdrop. My vision was complete! I'm so anxious to get my actual printed look books in my hands next week. These glossy booklets featuring all 40 looks will be used for our upcoming trade shows to help sell the line and provide a visual aid for buyers. I admit my knits don't necessarily look like much on a hanger so it's super important to show them on a body. Every knit we put on Ana Maria looked phenomenal. And it'll be great to have these pictures come January when the Spring line goes online a shopstacia.com. I'm sure my web customers will appreciate some decent pictures so they can see how the garment fits and how it can be styled. Stay tuned for more Spring/Summer '09 updates...

In God's Country

Road trip alert: Just got back from 'God's Country'- Bend, Oregon. The clarity of the high desert is amazing. Bluest of blue skies, clearest air, crisp nights and warm days make for a fabulous retreat to rest the mind, body, and soul. While hiking (in my new organic Elodie tee thank you very much!) along the Deschutes River, I had U2's "In God's Country" melody in my head as I soaked in the setting of tall spruce trees, skittering chipmunks and lizards, and the only sound but the river rapids. Ahhh, what bliss! Talk about setting your mind at ease right before my busy season sets in and I have to get back to the drawing board and churn out some Fall 2009. I wouldn't say this trip brought tons of literal inspiration (don't worry, there's no plaid flannel shirts in my horizon nor a Patagonia-esque inspired collection). But I can say, the natural beauty of my surroundings and the outdoor lifestyle certainly inspired me for next Fall's collection. I can just see my new palette of spacedye colors - Cascade, Summit, Lava, Butte, Reed, Willow, and Sage. All earthy shades from the high desert will be perfect in my new soybean yarn I have cookin' up (feels better than cashmere, I swear!)

Besides exploring 'God's Country' along bike trails, rivers, and lava buttes, I was able to get a little small-town city vibe by visiting Bend's quaint downtown Wall Street. One of my long-time favorite stores (and wholesale customers), is the chock-full-of-cool-stuff boutique, Hot Box Betty. I remember first visiting this shop in 2004 when I was pregnant with my first child and before I launched by wholesale business in California. Right off the bat I could tell this store had it all figured out, bringing the best of LA and NY designers to the little town of Bend. Although there's a lot of Patagonia clad outdoorsy types living the dream in Bend, there's also a mix of second-homers who live part of the year in California and therefore want some fashion when they're in town. Now in a new location right in the center of town, their store stocks Stacia (of course), but has a great selection of Sharon Segal tees, Kai products, and the latest LA contemporary designers. I was happy to hear they're selling out of our Town & Country bamboo/cotton scarf top and cocoon sweaters. The light-weight, eco-friendly bamboo yarn must be perfect for the Bend climate and casual-lifestyle. I'll be sure to keep that Bend woman in mind when I get back to the drawing board next month.

Drive-by Inspiration

As a designer, pretty much anything can provide inspiration, and oddly enough for me, a parking garage has been my latest inspiration. Driving along 4th Street at the corner of the 10 in Santa Monica sits a colorful new architectural delight. With it's beach-hued panels (sea blue, solar yellow, citrus orange, and palm green) and an airy, open quality, you'd think it was another luxury condominium beach project. But alas, this is Santa Monica, and it's the grand ol' Civic Center parking garage. The cool thing is that this parking structure is actually an environmentally LEED designed structure that's powered by solar energy with its photovoltaic roof panels, open facades allowing natural ventilation and illumination, and a storm drain water treatment system (yeah, no dumping in the ocean!) Although I've really only driven by during the day to enjoy some of my favorite color combinations (blues, greens, yellows, and oranges), the glow at night is even more spectacular. To document this color palette I love so much, I stopped at the corner light and snapped this picture with my Iphone so that I could recreate this color combination for my new Summer '09 collection. The new spacedye color, which I have appropriately named Solar, will be perfect in my cotton/seaweed (yes, seaweed yarn!) knitted Summery tops, beachy hoodies, and sultry sundresses for next Summer.

Design Serenity at The Huntington

I've been itching to check out The Huntington ever since I moved here in 2004. A schlep across the 405 is rarely in my agenda, let alone, a trek to Pasadena on the 110. But after reading Robert Rauschenberg's obituary and being reminded of an artist's long ago inspiration - The Huntington - I was determined to make the trip. I was hoping to go in June when the Rose Garden is in peak bloom, but a cooler than usual Sunday afternoon in July was just right. Immediately I was impressed with the sprawling grounds, reminiscent of Versailles (especially with the bountiful sculptures on the North Vista Lawn. My son kept asking where the David-esque man's pants were!) Hard to believe one family lived in this joint!

First stop, the Helen and Peter Bing Children's Garden, to get off on the right foot with my kids of course! The diminutive garden was just the ticket to get my kids in gear for a long day at a museum and botanical garden. It almost felt like being in The Secret Garden with all the little pathways, water features, and botanical mazes.

Next stop, food. If I had planned ahead, I would have booked a table in the Tea Room for a proper sit-down tea and crumpets for refueling, but for this trip, the outdoor tables and à la carte menu would do. With kids (and adults) recharged, we continued onto the Japanese Garden by way of the Rose Garden (reminded me of the Brooklyn Botanical Rose Garden.) Entering the Japanese Garden was like being transplanted into another century and culture with the decadent pavillions, reeds of bamboo, drum bridges, and koi ponds. Immediately my brain was churning up space-dye color repeats after seeing all the various shades of koi fish! I loved the zen Japanese rock garden and serene, fully-furnished Japanese house - clean, refined comfort that is refreshing from the typical cluttered American home and garden.

Next stop, The Chinese Garden, which we discovered along a shady pathway from the Japanese Garden. The lovely outdoor Pavillon of the Three Friends overlooks a tranquil lake stocked with more koi, with a white-washed pathway of bridges that takes you around the lake. My son especially enjoyed the miniature bonsai landscapes, which I told him were homes for all the insects.

Finally, on the kid's last weary legs, we sneaked quickly into the refurbished Huntington Art Gallery to take in some European art. I had wanted to check out Robert Rauschenberg's inspiration - The Blue Boy - and see for myself what made Mr. Rauschenberg want to become an artist. The subtle, painterly shades of blue in the boy's pants was mind-boggling to say the least. My favorite, was actually in the Virginia Steele Scott Gallery of American Art - Mary Cassatt's Breakfast in Bed (an affectionate mother and child portrait.)

All in all, it was a serene visit and one of design inspiration. Even if the inspiration wasn't literal, it at least got my mind at ease so I can go back to the drawing board in the next month and crank out some Fall 2009.