Last Minute Dresses for Easter at McMullen!

Looking for that last minute Easter dress?

Take a peek at these gorgeous spring styles and see below for 

details

In clockwork order from top left:

Suno Peplum midi dress : http://shopmcmullen.com/product/peplum-midi-dress/

Victoria Beckham zip through dress : http://shopmcmullen.com/product/zip-through-dress/

Nellie Partow Taylor dress : http://shopmcmullen.com/product/taylor-dress/

Black Halo Keyton dress : http://shopmcmullen.com/product/keyton-dress/

Suno sleeveless A-line dress : http://shopmcmullen.com/product/sleeveless-a-line-dress/

Timo Weiland Georgina dress (in-store only)

Black Halo Gretchen dress : http://shopmcmullen.com/product/gretchen-dress/

Suno Splatter paint dress : http://shopmcmullen.com/product/splatter-paint-dress/

Rag & Bone Hannah dress : http://shopmcmullen.com/product/hannah-dress/

Victoria Beckham Fitted midi dress : http://shopmcmullen.com/product/fitted-midi-dress-powder/

These styles are also available in-store. 

Stop by McMullen to find your dress!

xo

McMullen

Inspiration Monday :: Growth and Change

"All that you touch, you change.

All that you change, changes you.

The only lasting truth is change."

~ Octavia E. Butler

Wishing you a wonderful spring and a happy Easter!

xo

McMullen

Breakfast and Banter with the Fortunato Twins

Last week we were given a treat when Lizzie and Kathryn Fortunato stopped by McMullen for breakfast and a little banter. We sat down with the amazing duo over mimosas and muffins to hear all about how they started their amazing jewelry and handbag line, and to take a sneak peek at the gorgeous new Fall 2013 collection. 

After gaining a following at Duke University stringing beads and selling them to fashionable girls who would line up outside the twins dorm room, the Fortunato girls realized they had something going.  After an education in finance for Kathryn and a brief stint in fashion PR for Lizzie, the girls decided to start the line.

When asked about their technique, Lizzie responds that the materials come first and they drive what the piece will ultimately become.

Treating each piece like a treasure hunt, Lizzie and Kathryn search all over the east coast for amazing finds that they can incorporate into their jewelry. One of the most important aspects of the business is that they keep as much production as possible within the U.S, only sending things overseas for intricate handwoven beading or embroidery techniques.

Lizzie and Kathryn say that the relationships they build with their vendors, learning their processes, and getting their industry advice is the most rewarding part of the business.

Over the past year the girls have decided to incorporate semi-precious stones into their pieces, as well as a line of gorgeous, sumptuous leather goods.

As they gain more and more of a following,  Lizzie and Kathryn have realized that their pieces span all age groups and types of women. When asked who their core customer is, they almost scoff at the thought. They don't have a particular muse, but design for women who are 

"trailblazers, adventurers, collectors, artists, innovators, intellectuals, engaged, dreamers....women who dress to tell a story."

And the girls tell their own story through their pieces. They approach designing and their customer with intelligence, humor and thought and recognize that fashion is not just about what you are wearing,  but about how it makes you feel, what it makes you think of, and how it accelerates your senses.

It was truly inspiring to meet these bright, talented young women. We love their collections and we look forward to seeing what they accomplish in the near future.

Stop by McMullen to take a look at the new Lizzie Fortunato Spring 2013 collection
Or click the link below to shop online

http://shopmcmullen.com/designer/lizzie-fortunato/

xo

McMullen

Inspiration Monday :: Growth and Change

"The only way we can live is if we grow. The only way we can grow is if we change.

The only way that we can change is if we learn. The only way we can learn is if we are exposed. 

And the only way we can become exposed is if we throw ourselves out into the open.

Do it. 

Throw yourself."

~ C. Joybell C.

Paris Fashion Week Recap

I'm so excited to bring a few new designers to McMullen straight from the Paris runway!

Take a peek at some of our new designers below.

Carven, Golden Lane, Yves Salomon

Servane Gaxotte, Maison Rabih Kayrouz

Vanessa Bruno, Chinti and Parker

xo

McMullen

Getting to Know Our Designers :: Jerome Rousseau

Photo by Reed Ingram Weir

Quebec born shoe designer Jerome Rousseau found his inspiration at an early age

while watching a Deee-Lite music video. The retro-influenced footwear and styling caught his eye and he began sketching shoes. 

After studying at Cordwainer's College in London and designing in Los Angeles, Rousseau

began his eponymous line in Fall of 2008. Instantly loved by celebrities and fashionistas all over the globe, Rousseau has been seen on famous feet from Charlize Theron to Miranda Kerr and Olivia Wilde.

Rousseau's creations are truly pieces of art, portraying an array of looks that go from ultra chic to classic to fun and bold. Rousseau is not afraid to play with color and shape, and treats each

design like an architectural blueprint. 

We are thrilled to offer his collection and look forward to meeting the designer in person

at our March 28th Meet and Greet.

See below for an exclusive interview with Jerome and a link to 

his mini documentary.

 

MM: What is your biggest inspiration right now for your designs?

JR:  I'm usually inspired by art, music, nature, design and many other things.  At the moment I'm heavily into postmodern art and it has inspired a large part of my Spring 2013 collection.  I'm also inspired by unexpected elements in nature, such as surprisingly colored plants, minerals and birds of paradise.

MM: What is the most beautiful thing about a woman to you? What type of woman do you design for?

JR: I have a huge crush on the young French actress Roxane Mesquida.  She has been the muse of my label for a few years now.  She captures the essence of the kind of woman I design for.  She's stunningly beautiful and talented, effortlessly chic and has an innate sensuality.  I think those qualities are the most beautiful things a woman can possess.

MM: What is your favorite vacation destination?

JR: Sometimes a vacation in my own home is my favourite destination!  That being said, I love the Nordic European countries.  I love Sweden for its culture, music and people.  It's also a great destination for design inspiration.

MM: What is your design process?

JR:  I start the design process by focusing on the inspiration and themes, and researching them further.  Then I put aside some quality time to sketch and explore the silhouettes I have in mind for the season.  Sometimes I will design something with a specific material in mind, and other times I will source or develop the material later.  I tend to focus on the general shapes and constructions first.  I guess it's the architectural nature of footwear that attracted me to shoe design.

MM: What is your favorite spring trend for this year?

JR: Adios platforms! Spring 2013 marks a clear return to single sole sandals.  I love the lighter silhouette it creates.  Go for a high stiletto heel and an intricate strappy design.  And dance.

 ***

Click the link below to watch a mini documentary on the designer.

http://vimeo.com/33774279

xo

McMullen

Inspiration Monday :: Growth

"Learn from your failures and go on to the next challenge.

It's OK to fail. 

If you're not failing, 

You're not growing."

~ H. Stanley Judd

xo

McMullen

Getting to Know :: Gaby Basora from Tucker

Designer and founder Gaby Basora is the driving force behind the effortless, chic, and lively brand Tucker. After designing a blouse for herself, Basora had the garment made at a local New York factory. Many compliments and a chance meeting with a Barneys New York buyer later, Basora had her first large production order and was on her way to turning her now signature blouse into a full collection. 

Tucker has become known and loved for its effortless style and its fun, bright, bold, and whimsical prints. Basora finds her inspiration in everything from candy wrappers to Marguerite Duras, animals, and her many travels. 

Described as "bohemian" and "eclectic", Tucker is becoming a staple brand, offering pieces that are timeless and ageless, yet fun and youthful. 

Basora's childhood spent in her mother's art house movie theater in Seattle, and her adventures in Paris, Amsterdam, and New York are the foundation of the entire brand. While she has now grown to retailing in over 200 stores and boutiques, Basora still designs for herself and her friends, appealing to every woman with her sense of humor and intellect shown in her collections. She is also still producing through the same factory that fulfilled her very first order and makes it a priority to keep sourcing and production within the U.S.A.

Check out an exclusive interview with the amazing Gaby below

and mark March 9th on your calendar for a special Tucker trunkshow at McMullen featuring the new Spring 2013 collection!

McMullen: How did you decide to expand your collection from your signature peasant blouse into a full line?

Gaby Basora: The Tucker blouse is a blouse done very well from my modest point of view.
It was quite fresh. I had been making things for myself for years, often inspired first by the textiles…
Making the perfect top, had the domino effect of wanting to make dresses and jumpsuits, like the backless jumpsuit- glamorous enough for black tie… Katie Couric wore to the Tribeca Film Festival and won best dressed, or it can be worn casually - I was with my kids after school a few weeks ago and passed Miranda Kerr looking fabulous in hers.

MM: You try to keep manufacturing within New York. Why is that important to you?

GB: Tucker is made in the same factory that made the first order for Barneys. Whether or not that translates to the buyer of beautiful Tucker clothes, I have the same feeling of substance and integrity that I have had visiting wool factory in Italy.

 MM: You used to enlarge candy wrappers to create prints for your blouses. What are some of your current inspirations for print and textiles?

GB: Russian dolls and Lipizzaner horses - It is always evolving and inspiring.

 MM: Who are your favorite designers? Houses?
 GB: Dries van Noten, Martin Margiela, Marni, A detacher, Chanel, YSL.

MM: What are your 3 clothing staples?

GB: Tucker,Vintage Levis, anyway they made it- jean jackets, jeans, coveralls. jean shorts…
Accessories: Loeffler Randall booties and Clare Vivier clutch.

 MM: What's your favorite vacation destination?
 GB: My friend's stone house in the south of France.
Cooking, sleeping, hiking, talking, eating chocolate sandwiches, taking drives to the Spanish border for tapas or over to the coast for a visit to the beach.

Click the link below to see more details on our March 9th Tucker trunkshow!

http://shopmcmullen.blogspot.com/2013/02/save-date-tucker-trunkshow.html

xo

McMullen

Inspiration Monday :: Growth

"Happiness is neither virtue nor pleasure,

nor this thing nor that, 

but simply growth, 

we are happy when we are growing."

~ William Butler Yeats

xo

McMullen