Touching on Texture (Literally), Work in Progress X
work in prog·ress(noun)
: a project that is not yet finished : a concerted effort to make things better, brighter and more beautiful : our weekly updates on retail to detail and everything in between
Fashion may be aspirational, but it’s ultimately reflective of the times we live in. The way we dress, both as individuals and as a community, inevitably evolves as we ourselves grow. With so much to accomplish in-store and in the world, there is hardly time to rest on one’s laurels. Like all things, it takes concerted effort to move the bar forward.
It may be hot, but we are dreaming of an English summer—particularly the fresh green palette that presents itself across the UK this time of year. Sprawling meadow grass punctuated by shoots of wild wheat and dainty, flowering bushes flourish beside the cool touch of crumbling, stony cobbles piled near an old farmhouse. Perhaps the sound of fuzzy, well-tended sheep bleat in the distance. This is a place where texture reigns, and captures our imagination with ease. Amblẽme’s silky bohemian slides (pictured above) may be at odds with this vision of pastoral idyll… but a closer look at the collection sees clean lines and and a classic approach to leather that can go from field to formal. Besides… what is a pop of color if not to heighten contrast?
In April, the USA’s elevated “reciprocal tariffs” were put on pause for 90 days–barring governmental intervention, this deadline comes to roost on July 9th. While we have experienced higher than usual tariff rates over the past few months, we have worked diligently to keep the impact from raising the price you see on a tag. However, this means we are also trying to get our pre-fall and fall into the stores as quickly as possible to beat the impending hike. Many of the collections are already here! Vendors are also lowering their margin to avoid passing on the cost, such as Officine Creative who just announced no increase to their retail pricing for Fall 2025 or Spring 2026.
This latest delivery of Greig Porter’s jewelry highlights the dynamic beauty of blue stones such as sapphire and topaz. His newest earring design is akin to crocheting gold–small details that intertwine spin-set stones to create layered movement across each dangle.
Even with temperatures high across the US, Pre-Fall is keeping us cool at the stores. Among these arrivals are some very special lightweight cashmere pieces from Iris Von Arnim that are all but butter to the touch: loose, latticework cable knits, brushed cashmere tees and the sweetest little collar shawl that has us craving sweater weather.
Have you ever wondered why so many of Daniela Gregis’ designs specify whether the fabric is washed? For designers like Daniela, a quick bath of water is the first step to creating a piece that looks as good now as it will in ten years.
To love (and love wearing) natural fabrics is to accept the quirks that come with caring for the fibers. Cashmere can pill and needs to be brushed, the sericin luster of silk can mellow if tumbled in a hot dryer and cotton and linen fibers tend to shrink a bit in water. For the latter textiles–cotton and linen–the most shrinkage happens in the first wash. This is largely unnoticeable, but may become apparent along seams and hems where the fabric can pucker or feel a touch shorter on the form. While many designers accommodate this fact of fabric in their designs, studios like Daniela Gregis tend to go the extra mile: washing their cottons and linens before they are sewn. This not only lends Daniela her signature crumply finish, but ensures that her pieces will keep their initial shape, wash after wash.
Every year, it feels like we blink and it’s suddenly June again. Lucky for us, this means that soon comes Santa Fe’s International Folk Art Market, and one of our favorite events of the year: the Mieko Mintz Trunk Show in Santa Fe Dry Goods. Please join us in-store Thursday, July 10th through Saturday, July 12th to meet Mieko in person and explore her vast collection of colorful, one-of-a-kind kantha stitched coats and jackets. We hope to see you there!
