Garance est arrivée chez Kate Spade! (updated photos)



Here are some goodies from Kate Spade's newest collection, which includes a number of adorable items in prints drawn/designed by Garance Doré! I believe the tee on the left shows the effects of Garance having worked with the Copywriter from Space on the latest J.Crew promotion.

"Toutes les filles sont folles," reads this silk blouse. Ooh, look, noun/pronoun/adjective agreement. Can be worn abroad without shame. Kate and Garance translate that as "All the girls are crazy." No argument here.

To emphasize this merry sentiment, it's also available in a whole dress!
the "shopper"




a little clutch


This print,  called "Cocktail Party," is available in things to wear and things to carry. It includes the little saying shown above, and in English, it reads "Why don't we.." There's also something about a Martini, but I learned this at a young age: step.away.from.the.martini. Repeat: step.away.from.the.Martini.

The print can go to parties, and can make phone calls.
Kate Spade is generally having a Paris moment this summer, and I'm generally in
favor of Paris moments. However, although I live in New York
City, I don't wear legible clothing to proclaim my love for my
hometown. I spend lots of time in a beach village at the far east end of Long Island (not one of the many North Shore peninsuletti that have claimed to be Big Egg or Little Egg), but the closest I've gotten to clothing with the name of our little village on it is a teeshirt that proclaims me "LOCAL." Or sometimes "TOWNIE." And trust me, I've earned it... Anyway, a sure way to look like a tourist in Paris is to wear clothing that proclaims that LOOK AT ME I AM IN PARIS. Rule: A St Tropez tee looks fabulous at a beach in New Jersey, but in St Tropez? Not so much.


There's a Paris-themed wool scarf in the KS collection, but it struck me as too souvenir-like, as did Kate's Paris/France themed charm bracelet. I like charm bracelets, but I think they're nicer if you've assembled them yourself over time. Or maybe if someone who can really read you finds special things for you.


This is because by the time I graduated, I owned a bracelet laden with charms that were gifts to me from relatives who either didn't know me very well, or who knew me but had hopes of improving me anyway. But it was gold, so I held on to it, thanking goodness for office dress codes that forbade the wearing of things that jingled and at the same time resenting this gold thing for which I had no use. Then one day, getting out of the rain by running into an antique jewelry store, I saw the cutest little charm: a hedgehog! It's cuter in French: un hérisson!

While coming to terms with the owner (is your nephew still single? is that your best price? is the deli on the corner any good? - oh, I'm a charmer!), two things occurred to me: one, I had a bunch of small gold things that I never wore but could sell, and two, with the proceeds I could buy some nice gifts and set about collecting charms that I would enjoy. The collection took some time, but I now have a real gold charm bracelet composed of antique and vintage charms, many of which open up or do things. Each reminds me of - I'll say an adventure. People are not allowed to give me charms, it's my collection so I do the collecting. This sounds outrageously self-indulgent, but the only other person I've ever met who did the same thing - made herself a real gold charm bracelet with charms that meant something to her, evoked memories of events and travels in her own adult life - is married to one of Himself's classmates. He is a Congregational minister, and she is his helpmeet in the devoted old sense of the word. For no pay, she works harder than first-year lawyers. We trade thrifting tips at the guys' college reunions. The charms she's collected remind her of their adventures as young missionaries - a cauldron, a brightly colored parrot, a tent, a Book... Not self-indulgent at all. Souvenirs you don't have to dust. Or dry-clean. OK, now I will try to photograph some more charms. Mine, not Bethany's.





For those who wondered, is that what I think it is? Yes.
each gondola of this ferris
wheel is a different color

this is a travelling bar, closes and opens
remember A Tale of Two Cities?
this is a tumbril!

And last, this is a nice white shirt from the new Kate Spade stuff. Once again, fashion writers have discovered the white shirt. It's like being surprised when leaves turn brown in the fall.


One more thing: Kate and Garance offer an umbrella, I love the red handle. I wish I could manage umbrellas! As it is, carrying pocketbook, files, shopping bag, bus card... adding in an umbrella makes me a danger to myself and others.  I make do with rainhats, and I await the invention of a rainhat that is actually becoming.

30 comments:

  1. I love your charms ;) and philosophy about the bracelet and I think so too. I have at least three of them started (different themes and material, ranging from almost pure gold to base metal). I should finish and wear them as the charms bring wonderful memories of something special.

    Did you see the white shirt in my Frilly Menswear post? That is a nice one from Kate.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't know how I missed your pot before! Love that shirt on you! On me, well, that's not a good area to decorate with a ruffle.

      Delete
  2. Love this post! I inherited my grandmother's charm bracelet but have never worn it. I have a silver one that I got 40 years ago for my confirmation. the only charm on it is a chalice, but you are inspiring me to begin to fill this out and hey, nowadays people will just think it is a wine glass.....

    I like the Kate Spade stuff, but it is bordering on cute. I visited the Kate Spade store in Boston but honestly, everthing in stock was cute. Since I am trying to avoid cute, being so darn cute myself (oh to be seen as swan-like!) I bought nothing, although one of the clutches was divine! It could be because they only had a couple of things in stock for fall and only the dregs of the summer..

    As for your first comments. You made me laugh out loud! For me it is Tequila shots. Only did them once. Never again. Don't even drink Margaritas now. Too afraid. "nuff said...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, WMM, I don't think any of the KS/Garance items are for me, but i would pay money to see JL and her team outfitted in Pardon My French tees.

      Delete
    2. WFF - I bet you won't have to wait long for that shot - you know how Jenna likes to mix brands!

      Delete
  3. Also laughing about the martini. I never touch them, though my lesson was taught with flaming sambuca! Oh the horror!
    I absolutely adore your charm bracelet and especially the is-that-what-I-think-it-is. And the corkscrew! The little whisk! The tiny suitcase! I'm going to go back and look at them again, thanks for the treat.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Dani! I have a few more charm pics, but Bloogger doesn't like them. I'll keep trying.

      Delete
  4. I love the charms. I used to be obsessed with charm bracelets and have 2 sterling ones that I collected through grade school and high school. Most of the charms open or move. My favorite is a couple under two unbrellas. It opens like a locket to reveal them kissing.

    Anyway, I got tired of jingling and snagging sweaters and they have stayed in my jewelry box.

    About three years ago DH started me a mixed gold and silver Pandora and I have collected charms for that from special occasions and vacations. It is a little more generic, but beautiful and comfortable to wear.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. kitsmommy, I have a little house that opens to show a couple in a bed! They are staring straight up at the sky. My explanation: they have been travelling all sat, had a 3* dinner, and now just can't move.

      Delete
    2. Grr autocorrect, that's all day

      Delete
  5. Destination/residence clothing is not usually desirable, agree. Sweatshirts with " Mainah" on them-- no, you're not.

    I love the hedgehog, totally love it!! Wonderful personal collection you have and I would not classify that as an indulgence. I too was peering at the , um, you know, until I got to your confirmation. Do you wear this with other bangles or alone?

    The imagination of the fashion never ceases to amaze-- a WHITE shirt. And in the same anno as the dot invention. How can this even be?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Lane, I wear it by itself, never with sweaters. I like to wear it to weddings, it's a helpful conversation starter.

      I wonder if the Next Big Thing will be understated black dresses?

      Delete
  6. We must be on the same wavelength, because I am writing a soon to be posted piece about crystal bling. While comparison shopping I admired C Wonder's amazing gold plated charm collection. this in turn reminded me of my long buried souvenir gold charm bracelet. I, too, stopped wearing it because it snagged everything. It is better worn in the summer with a cami or tank. I think it is time to resurrect it. Confession- it has an Eiffel Tower on it!
    As for the Kate collection... I had sworn off of Kate Spade for the longest time, because I felt everything looked too "twee- Liz Claiborne". The accessories are very saucy, and this time I might be tempted. The inimitable Dorothy Parker's (over quoted) musing on a martini is my favorite.
    "I like to have a martini,Two at the very most.After three I'm under the table,after four I'm under my host."
    I personally am on a quest to find a stylish rain coat with a hood. They all seem to remind me of dejected fans at a rained out ball-game, or day packers hiking the Appalachian trail.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have to admit, I don't think I'd wear any of these things, maybe the white blouse because the collar interests me... What drew my attention were the little drawings and of course the correctly written French. I love the language. If you do it right, it feels good when spoken (probably why the French adore to converse over nothing). And it's not difficult to get things right. J.Crew's "French" is an ongoing joke on this blog and on others. So I was thrilled to see a simple idiomatic sentence. I may buy something just to reward Kate.

      My Matinée trench cost next to nothing, but I'm still on the fence as to whether it is in fact an effective raincoat.

      Delete
  7. I am "sqeee-ing" with delight at your charm collection! How pretty and special. I have one that my mom started for me when I was a little girl (a teddy bear, ballet slippers, etc.), but it's too small now. One of my most favorite charm-type bracelets is one that a friend's great aunt purchased as a souvenir in Paris in the 1950's, and said friend gave it to me as a gift before I left for my semester abroad in college (she only had boys). It is made up of little steel medallions, surrounded by filigree and embossed with some of Paris's most famous architectural landmarks.

    I'm just sort of "meh" about Kate Spade's collaboration with Garance, but I'm a big fan of Garance's illustrations in general.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Whitney, I just put up a few more pics of charms. Your bracelets sound lovely.

      I was excited to see these things, not for the fashion, but for the correct French! The very well-behaved daughter of my imagination would dress very neatly in Kate Spade. And stand up straight. The women in our family tend to be more like the slouching cigarette danglers that Garance sketches.

      Delete
  8. Great post. I did have a Stephen Sprouse shirt with some kind of NYC, edgy graffiti print ages ago (yes, I'm that old), but themed, cute clothing or a designers initials made into a tiny pattern....not a good look for me.

    I love your charms with the enamel detail (and humor) as well as your attitude and rules about charm bracelets. About 8 years ago, my mother gave me her gold charm bracelet comprised of over sized charms, all purchased prior to having children, some from her friends, some from my father. The bracelet would be just the right scale on its own. It is so simple and elegant that I’d wear it all the time, however,my guilt would weigh as heavy as the gold charms if I removed them, so I just wear it on the rare occasion that I have a desire to both sparkle and jingle.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi, AMW, the things I sold to kick off the new charm collection were all gifts. I felt terribly guilty and sad. Till I learned how much I was getting for them. Of course you could change the little rings that hold the charms onto the bracelet for spring rings, so they'd be removable ... And replaceable.

    Glad you like the little charms. I put up some more pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Is it weird that the piece I adore the most from this collection is probably also the simplest - that sweatshirt! Something about the neckline and the cut, I wants it!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi,Lisa, I took another look at the sweatshirt. You are not crazy. It's exceptionally well-cut.

    ReplyDelete
  12. The hedgehog is so fabulous, I would wear him on a chain around my neck.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi, Desert Flower, I actually tried that when I first got him, but he's just a little too small. I don't feel bad about relegating him to a bracelet, though, because when he's on my wrist, I get to see him. And talk to him.

    ReplyDelete
  14. What a beautiful charm collection! It's a great idea to collect ones that mean something to you personally rather than gifted ones (while well-intentioned, most often means more to the giver).

    I love the Paris-inspired prints especially in the form of that clutch. For clothing, I think I'd prefer a skirt rather than a top or a whole dress. Don't know why, but skirts / shorts are where I prefer "louder" prints.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thanks, SPG!
    As for the prints, i agree, and the Cocktail Party print on the blouse actually reminds me of the smocks nursery school teachers used to wear. But I'm still giving Kate full marks for the correct French, even though the clothes aren't for me.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Forget Kate Spade and Garance Dore. I love your charm bracelet! I'm sure there's a nice story behind each of those charms!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi, Rose, well, some have stories and some are "just" generally evocative of a trip, a place, a mood...

    ReplyDelete
  18. So basically you're saying you did Ca$h For Gold! at one of the mall kiosks. lol I *do* love your hand-picked charms. Not self-indulgent at all. That's how it's supposed to work, imo. Beautiful KS blouse.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ps my fave is the traveling bar (slurp)

      Delete
    2. hey, this is the bIg town, no mall kiosks here! 47th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues is nothing but jewelry and jewelry-related businesses, from sub-basements up. Makes Hatton Garden look like a village crossroads. There's shopping and then there's shopping!

      Delete

As Alice Roosevelt Longworth said, if you've got anything bad to say, sit next to me! No, really, please remember to be kind, and don't say anything fred's mother would not approve of (Diner's mom didn't approve of anything. Including fred.)
Wellfedfred and the Whining Diner reserve the right to edit or delete any comments submitted to this blog without notice if we find:
1. Comments deemed to be spam or questionable spam
2. Comments including profanity or objectionable language
3. Comments containing concepts that could be deemed offensive
4. Comments that attack a person individually
and since there's been a flood of spam lately, we're trying the Robot thing to see if we can block some spam...