Studio Dimore Collection

On a beautiful Fall (yet still considered summer by our standards) day in Florence, I came across Studio Dimore Collection located at 41/R Via de’ Fossi. 41R stands for 41 red which is next to 43r but both are between #13 and #14 Via de’ Fossi.  Don’t question it, this is Italy!!  Studio Dimore Collection opened in June 2010 on Notte Bianca, a night when all the stores on Via de’ Fossi remain open late for some spring evening shopping.  They describe themselves as a “negozio di arredementi e accessori contemperano” (contemporary furniture and accessories store) specializing in pieces  from Northern Europe: Belgium, Holland and France.  The collection is vintage (30’s, 40’s, 50’s) but reinterpreted to fit into a modern setting.  Pieces are bought from famous furniture designers such as Andrew Martin, Munna and Eichholtz to name a few. 

I happened to catch one of the partners, Stefano Del Corona between seasons. “Scusa, scusa ma il negozio è un disastro.” Disastro? The store was so perfectly merchandised that I would have ecstatically moved into any of the room settings and called it home. Considering they only opened in June, July was a really good month.  Most of their clientele thus far consists of tourists and Florentine expats.  If you happen to fall in love with an item too big for your carry on, shipping is not a problem. They have had requests to ship as far as NYC.

Stefano comes from a background of interior design which he learned from his partners in Studio Dimore Firenze, the 12 year old Florence based interior design arm of the store, whose projects have taken them from the neighboring city of Rome to such far away cities as Moscow, London and Washington D.C. He decided to open a retail arm of Studio Dimore and teamed up with his friend Giuseppe di Salvo. Giuseppe’s background includes stints at the Guggenheim museum in both New York City and Venice and working in an art gallery in Rome.

Studio Dimore Collection Via de' Fossi 41R, Florence  phone/fax: 055 287 632
email: info@studiodimorecollection.com     website:www.studiodimorecollection.com

I could very easily live here

Table made of camel bone

Holland artist's interpretation of different iconic bldgs

Steel lamps and blk/wht camel bone box

African boxes

Romanelli figurines

Dining

Burmese pagodas

More Romanelli and Holland artist

Leather pillows

These were called Indian chairs because the
British originals in canvas would fold in the center
to become easily portable when they traveled
through India.

Indian chair in black

Indian chair in white

Large fossilized stone

Standing floor lamp

Black fossilized stone and leather tray table 

Cow hide basket

Rodgrigo the silent partner hard at work

MRketNY Spring/Summer 2011 Finale

      

JARED LANG 

Prints

My final stop on this MRket visit was JARED LANG.  Attracted by the bright colors, prints and patterns I found a shirt manufacturer designed in Miami by Jared Lang.   After leaving Stone Rose, Jared along with his  business partner Abbas  decided to start their own line. A little less than a year old, 

these men’s/women’s slim fit, tailored shirts come in a plethora of colors, prints and patterns.  All with attention to detail in vibrant solids with contrast stitching or contrast cuff and placket details; prints in mini florals, paisleys, stripes and geometrics; and stainless steel buttons. All shirts are 100% cotton and made in Turkey and on the right shoulder you’ll find a Canadian maple leaf in honor of their Canadian heritage.  Right now Jared Lang can be found at Detour in Soho or visit www.jaredlang.ca to view this seasons collection.  JARED LANG is represented by Jeffrey Schwager showroom.  212-764-4100

Abbas-Jared-Jeffrey

Stripes with print cuffs

Various cuff detailing on solids

Salute to their Canadian heritage

Stainless steel buttons

EYEBOBS

After having my absolute favorite pair of sun/prescrip glasses lifted in Rome’s airport I have been on the hunt for another stylish pair.  These were perfect because the sunglass lense clipped on over the prescription and were comfortable and convenient without having to wait for lenses to transition.  Every pair of frames I try costs a fortune (because that’s just the way I roll) and I really only need them for distance. TA-DAH!!!! EYE-BOBS.  Eyebobs are actually reading glasses but not your typical Duane Reade or Walgreens type.  These are chic, stylish, made from top grade Italian materials with flexible hinges and come with a one year guarantee.  These are readers with attitude and I can just take them to my optician and have a regular prescription put in.

I spoke with Julie Allinson, president and founder of Eyebobs which is based in Minneapolis. She informed me that once you hit 40 the eyes start to go.  Oh goody, something else I have to look forward to!!  And that 97% of the population will need reading glasses by the time they are 50.  Now whether they choose to actually wear them is another story. If it eases your ego, “eyebobs specializes in eyewear for the irreverent and slightly jaded”. Eyebobs also work well for anyone who has had lasic or cataract surgery and come in strengths from 1.0-3.5.  If you are ordering them only to have the lenses replaced, let them know when you place the order and they will send you whatever they have extra of in stock.

They have been in business for 10 years and are sold in such specialty stores as Nordstrom and Neiman as well as selected optical boutiques.  Go to their store locator to find a store near you. While I was in their stand another very important multi-chain specialty retailer was going ga-ga over this stylish collection.  Eyebobs…1.866.eyebobs or 1.866.393.2627.  www.eyebobs.com

JACK GEORGES

Traditional briefcases

Just because I’ve settled on one tote for my Mac doesn’t mean I can’t still see what else is out there.  After all, "it’s all about options.”  And I’m actually doing this for you, not for me.  And for all my lady friends…this one is for you.

If you are a bit more traditional and looking for a briefcase then you need JACK GEORGES.  I immediately fell in love with the ostrich and croc brief and portfolio collection. I spoke with Mr. Jack George himself who is the owner and designer of this made in America collection.  He has been in business for 23 years but this was his first time at the MRketNY show. Jack Georges carries a full selection of men’s and women’s briefcases (including on wheels), portfolio cases, laptop bags, overnighters and leather accessories AND WOMEN’S HANDBAGS.  Women’s style #6426, Old English was on Showtime’s L Word, so obviously it's very lipstick lesbian chic.  JACK GEORGES is sold at Crouch & Fitzgerald, Sam Flax and Innovation Luggage.  JG also does private label for Brooks Brothers. To see the full collection go to www.jackgeorges.com.  Phone…937-777-6999

Only carry on these babies...never check

Nevada collection 

Ostrich and croc

Generations Edge collection

Passport and wallet

MRketNY Spring/Summer 2011 continued (accessories)

TOKENS & ICONS

Do you have a sports fanatic in the family?  Someone who’d rather buy a bench from an old stadium than get the hot water tank fixed; eat peanut butter and jelly to save for a piece of memorabilia which you consider God awful? Do I have the solution for you…TOKENS & ICONS…recycled nostalgia.

Jewelry from baseball seam

Now admittedly, sports especially team sports do nothing for me.  I am a team player just not that way!! But combine team sports with jewelry and/or some necessary household item and I’m game.

TOKENS & ICONS takes pre-existing items from salvaged sports arenas or about to be scrapped icons and makes them into pens, bottle openers, cufflinks and other manly items.  This is jewelry your husband/bf/partner will be happy to brag about because he’s wearing a piece of history. And this is not only for sports fans…they also use remnants from iconic items such as vintage watches or the fuselage of a Pan Am jet.  So your boss loves baseball, what better way to brown nose than with cufflinks made from the seams of a NY Yankee baseball; a bottle opener made from a Boston Red Sox bat; a wallet divider using the material of a used uniform (It was Fabreezed, I hope).

If he/she prefers vintage watches, why not kiss up with links using the mechanical

movements from the early to mid 20^th century or a bracelet made from authentic watch faces. With sterling cufflinks from a Notre Dame football or a classic pen made from original stadium seating, you might just get those Manolo’s you’ve had your eye on. 

Tokens & Icons can be found at MOMA, Michael C. Fina, Arcadia or at www.tokens-icons.com...877-558-7404…for more info contact ward@tokens-icons.com

Stadium seating

Pan American fuselage

Stadium flooring becomes a stool

Golf anyone?...bottle openers

Copper window sash from NY's Flatiron Bldg

Vintage watch becomes cuff links

Uniform becomes wallet divider

Seating becomes opener

NY Times puzzle links

Seats become openers

Puzzle ring in tri-color

Ring in pieces

SONIA SPENCER LONDON

Jewel tones

If sports and memorabilia is not your thing, I have yet another solution, SONIA SPENCER ENGLAND.  Sonia has been in business for twenty-two years and is sold in stores such as Selfridges, John Lewis, Michael C. Fina and at the Royal Academy of Art.  This was her
first time at the MrketNY Show and is also launching a collection from Pantone. Yes, Pantone, the pantone that you use to design your color palette has a collection of knit ties in satin/silk and a colorful selection of cufflinks and other men's accessories. Sonia's ceramic bone china cufflinks are also worth a look as they make great gifts even if you don't wear cufflinks. These are definitely more my speed!! You must check out her website for a look at the some of the best “occasion” gift selections including gifts for groomsmen.         www.soniaspencer.co.uk 

Ceramic bone

Ceramic bone

Naughty boy links

Burlesque

Pantone links

Pantone links

Pantone links and key fobs

Changeable color combos

Collar stays

Pantone ties