: 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
This week we were heartened by rains that revitalized the landscape. Bright green leaves shone and water glistened atop flowering trees and bushes. The cool mountain air sharpened our minds and we found ourselves returning to the denim and light cashmere knits at the center of style and living here in the west.
When the weather heats up we are reminded of how nice it feels to wear natural fibers such as linen, hemp, cashmere and cotton. Japanese cottons are cool to the touch. Lightweight cashmere is a breathable layer that works in winter and summer alike. Designers have long drawn inspiration from nature, and many are also choosing to work with high-quality natural materials. As a source for high fashion, we seek out beautiful pieces made with natural fibers for the durability of the fabrics as well as the benefits they offer.
Made with lightweight denim and a special hemp cotton blend, these pieces are sun-bleached and hand-finished with patchwork and a myriad of stitching details. Toshiaki is known for using traditional materials as a guide and taking them in new directions.
While there is a great reverence for heavyweight raw denim, lately we have also seen many brands working to develop lightweight denims in a variety of weights. In particular this is an area where Cottle shines, with their 11.3 ounce selvedge denim. Denim is measured by the weight of a square yard of fabric. Heavyweight denim spans anywhere from 16-32 oz. and is typically used in workwear. Mid-weight tends to run between 12-16 oz. and is used often for jeans and denim jackets. Lightweight denim is anything that falls under 12 oz. We find that lightweight denim tends to be more comfortable to wear from the start and is an idealyear-round weight.
Edgy and with a soulful earthiness worked into the leather, Campomaggi bags are made by hand in Cesena, Italy. Marco Campomaggi’s mission is to create handcrafted leather bags that are true to the tradition of Italian craftsmanship. For Marco, this is not just a matter of quality, it is about bringing personality into each bag.
With its lofty yarn, cashmere is an ideal choice for all seasons. Designer and founder, Anne Schramm, works with only the best cashmere, knitting each sweater with an openness that allows for both warmth and breathability. We find Wommelsdorff’s cashmere sweaters perfect for wearing throughout the year.
Thankfully 95% of our spring deliveries arrived before April 2nd, and were subject to the old tariff rates. Since then, we have received three collections, one from Ōtzǐo, Astier de Villatte and our spring delivery from Cottle. For each of these designers, we absorbed 95% of the tariff charges—with the exception of custom and specialty pieces. In anticipation of the July 9th tariffs, we are working feverishly with our vendors to import as much of Pre-Fall as fast as we can.
We are putting the final touches on our renovations in Wild Life. Early next week we should be finished with the addition of two dressing rooms in the back of the store. This will open up a larger space for us to share clothing and home goods in Wild Life. We’re excited to complete version one of the new store and hope you’ll stop by soon to see for yourself.
