Posts tagged designer
Spotlight On: Dharma Imports
Jul 26th
Oh, summer! We never thought it was possible to have such a love / hate relationship with anything other than pop music or ridiculously high heels … but year after year you prove us wrong. Hidden scenic colors are highlighted by an otherwise scorching sun; the joy of discarding our layers becomes trumped by blankets of humidity. This season may well be the most difficult time of year, fashionably speaking. How on earth is a gal supposed to feel fresh yet remain fashionable?
Portrait 1
Lucky for us all, Second Time Around houses a unique and independent summer fashion line — Dharma Imports! Dresses, tanks, skirts… you name it, Dharma Imports provides it, and it can be found exclusively at select Second Time Around locations!
Ralph Davis, the man behind Dharma Imports, visits India and Thailand annually to scout new designs and textiles for use each season. Beginning in 1987, Davis’ team of tailors worked out of their homes, using their own sewing machines, to create the showcased designs. As the years passed and demand for Dharma Imports grew, the seamstress operation evolved into a series of small factories that now employ up to fifty people per location!
Based out of Portland, ME, Dharma Imports first appeared on the racks of Second Time Around in 2005 after Davis staked a vending tent at one of Harvard Square’s May Fair block parties. A chance purchase by a staff member of Cambridge’s Second Time Around led to a consignment relationship that has since blossomed to encompass ten stores across the East Coast! Each summer, Dharma Imports can be found at our locations in Burlington (VT), Burlington Mall (Burlington, MA), 219 & 324 Newbury St. (Boston, MA), Harvard Square (Cambridge, MA), Georgetown (Washington DC), Portsmouth (NH), Providence (RI), Portland (ME), and Philadelphia (PA).
If you’re in need of a fabulous frock this summer to help you stay cool (both in temperature and in tailoring!), look no further. Help yourself to a little style for your soul, while you’re at it — by shopping both STA and Dharma Imports, you’re supporting local fashion and independent international economy!
Check out the looks created by the fashioniSTAs over at the shop where it all began, Harvard Square!
~Kim, Manager, Harvard Square
Portrait #1: Strapless Dharma Imports Dress — $36 / Sofia Tartufoli Sandals — $42 / Oscar de la Renta Sunglasses — $78
Portrait #2: Embroidered Dharma Imports Tank — $18 / Theory Skirt — $38 / Kenneth Cole Reaction Sandal — $24 / Cole Haan Sunglasses — $40 / Hattie Carnegie Vintage Bag — $52
Portrait #3: Halter Dharma Imports Dress — $38 / Cole Haan Sandals — $42 / HOBO International Bag — $52 / Jade Necklace — $12
Portrait 2
Portrait 3
The Alexander McQueen brand will live on.
Feb 19th
Robert Polet – president and chief executive officer for Gucci Group, the parent company to McQueen’s brand – announced that although McQueen “is irreplaceable,” they “believe in the future of the brand” and that “a continuation of the business would be the best testimony to his talent.”
Announcements were also made that the fall McQueen show would be presented during Paris Fashion Week. However, it will not be presented in true McQueen style. Instead of the theatrical displays that McQueen was known for, the collection will be shown by invitation only in a private salon format at an undisclosed location on March 9 and 10.
What wasn’t announced – or even hinted at – was who McQueen’s predecessor would be. Those in the know speculate that Sarah Burton, McQueen’s long time women’s wear design partner, is in the running, but the Gucci Group has remained quiet on the topic.
Although the future of the brand seems so much brighter than a week ago, it is clear that more uncertainty lies ahead. Fans can only hope that in the six months before the Spring 2011 shows debut, the Gucci Group can find answers to all of the lingering questions. ~Marisa, Director of Styling, Second Time Around
R.I.P. Alexander McQueen
Feb 12th
Alexander McQueen
The fashion world lost one of its brightest stars on February 11, 2010. Alexander McQueen took his own life, reportedly inconsolable following the death of his mother.
He was – without a doubt – one of the most talented designers of his generation; a true master of runway fantasy. His designs were loved and worn religiously by celebrities and fashion plates alike and influenced the styles of the masses who could not afford to purchase his impeccably constructed and tailored garments. Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of Vogue, summed it up best: “His passing marks an insurmountable loss.”
Alexander McQueen & Sarah Jessica Parker, 2006
His death comes at a time when he seemed at the top of his game. His Spring 2010 collection was an incredible success. The computer-generated prints, futuristic silhouettes and gravity-defying footwear explored new fashion frontiers.
Also, his models were accompanied by two robotic cameras that filmed their stomp down the runway, intending to stream his show live to the internet. (Unfortunately, the site was not able to handle the high level of traffic and crashed).
Now, just days before Paris Fashion Week and one month before he was scheduled to show his new collection, the future of the Alexander McQueen brand is uncertain. In short, no one can replace McQueen and it seems doubtful that anyone can even come close to replicating his fashion genius.
However, McQueen recently expressed his desire for his legacy to live on in what now seems like a rather chilling statement: “I want this to be a company that lives way beyond me…when I’m dead; hopefully this house will still be going. On a spaceship. Hopping up and down above earth.”
RIP Alexander McQueen. Your fans hope that your fashion house is able to successfully respect your wishes.
~Marisa, Director of Styling, Second TIme Around
Hello fashioniSTAs!
Feb 10th
Second Time Around is the East Coast’s premier designer consignment chain. We offer the best in both new and used current, high-end designer and better brand name apparel and accessories. Based in Boston, MA, we have grown to boast upwards of 20 stores and look forward to expanding throughout the country.
In this blog, our readers will find discussions of the latest and greatest trends, reviews of fashion films and literature, how-to guides for conquering the season’s “it” look, shopping guides which will point you in the direction of the best sale or find and beauty and makeup tutorials.
Featured writers will include the ladies and gentlemen on our staff who are most knowledgeable about all things fashion and beauty. Everyone from our Marketing Director to the Manager of your local branch of STA will share their thoughts, tips and tricks of the trade. These employees truly live and breathe fashion. They are literally up to their knees in it each day as they review consignment and they are constantly building outfits for both mannequins and customers alike.
Blogs will be posted – at minimum – once a week, but will be appearing with more frequency as fashion and beauty news requires. As a thank you for visiting our blog, you will be the first to know about our stores’ sales, promotions and any coupons that we may be offering.
So, be sure to visit us often and get excited to have the best of fashion and beauty news at your fingertips!