Fashion Trends: Sooki at Grange

Seen at the Boston Design Center:

“Runway To Room”

On-trend fabrics, colors and design collections were perfectly matched on Monday at an invitational trunk show held in the Grange showroom featuring the globally-inspired collections from Boston’s South End clothing boutique Sooki.

Throughout the showroom, spring fashions were casually draped over the classically designed French furnishings. This violet ensemble layered over champagne pink is a hot color trend for Spring 2010 according to the Pantone Fashion Color Report.

The Grange showroom was dressed to impress ...
this room elegantly combined nude pink and
berry sorbet with basic black and creamy ivory.

Similar color combinations were
discovered around each corner.

Brightly saturated colors are in the fashion forecast:
Aurora (Pistachio), Tomato Puree (Hot Pink, Orange),
and Violet pair nicely with neutral Tuscany (Sand).

These hand-printed Italian leather handbags
by Ransom + Scout caught my eye.

I saw one that I liked in particular (as usual,
it is difficult for me to resist a bunny!)

When I posed for this picture with Grange Showroom Manager, Diane Blackman, we did not realize that I coordinated with the black and white dress from Sooki hanging behind me!

This white felted jacket from Sooki with
delicate linen shawl collar was stunning.

Suzan Griffith, the owner and creative force behind Sooki, gave me a brief history of her life in fashion, while showing me her spring line-up of quality-constructed garments that she defines as “classic design with an edge.” Suzan’s background in both interior design and luxury retail (former Boston and Nantucket locations include Sitwell and Panache) give her a distinct eye for design that is cultured, tailored and fun. Everything Suzan selects seems to have an artistic point of view. Don’t you love the black felted vest with slate gray ruffled trim that she is wearing in this picture?!

From Sooki: handcrafted jewelry and
fancy footwear were on display.

Unique handbags stood out from the crowd ...

while stripes and solids “play nice” at Grange.

Loving this trio of multi-colored chandeliers!

Linda Cravens of Sooki and Florence artist (now residing in Boston) Rosetta Nasisi model Sooki fashions. I spoke with Rosetta about her work, and she generously offered to send me some photos!

This piece titled “Woman in black” reminds me of the rich wood tones from the Grange showroom elegantly paired with designer fashions from Sooki! Check back on Wednesday when I post
more works from Rosetta Nasisi ...

Grange, One Design Center Place, Boston

617-449-5506

Sooki, 505 Tremont Street, Boston, MA
617.536.0809

Just because I love it ...

Faux bois ... one of my favorites,
love it on this love seat.

I would love to have this chair and ottoman
(what a great tone-on-tone zebra fabric)
in my new master bedroom.

I love ottomans. The style of this one is
so much fun, but in a traditional way.


Etched Pedestal Bowl

I saw all of these stylish items while browsing at
Ethan Allen in Burlington. What do you love?

Designers take to the road.

Furniture by Sebastian Carpenter Design
I love how the round feet contrast with the
straight edges of this chair and ottoman set,
which are dressed in a new-to-the-line geometric
print and trimmed in chocolate brown velvet.

I had the opportunity to get a sneek peak at this warmly modern furniture vignette that was set up over the weekend at the home of architect/furniture designer Sebastian Carpenter. These pieces (including the very cool sculptural green wall) will go on the road to the Fine Furnishings & Fine Craft Show being held in Providence, Rhode Island this weekend from Friday, October 23rd to Sunday, October 25th at the Rhode Island Convention Center.

Admission is only $10 to view over 100 American artists showing and selling handcrafted furniture, accessories, fine art and craft. Get a chance to see a wide variety of pieces – from traditional to contemporary – and talk to the designers themselves, just like I did (I love to hear the stories behind the design process). Here is what I saw this weekend:

Sebastian’s pieces are strongly influenced by his architectural training along with an inherited artistic eye (see my previous post from June ’09).

He strives to create furnishings that honor the use of natural resources. Many of his techniques, like the rich patina achieved by actually burning the wood of the sofa frame as seen above, employ unique methods to create aesthetic pieces in a “green” way.

His lamps, with shades from Blanche P. Field, are elegantly sturdy and would certainly fit in the back of most cars if you are lucky enough to make it to Rhode Island to see the show. These pieces are also available through the Boston Design Center or contact SCD directly to plan in advance for your next fine furnishing purchase.

These always make me smile ...
a pair of Pony Cubes from SCD.

Also at the show (among other exhibits) will be some incredible work presented by students that are currently enrolled in 3 furniture making programs throughout New England (one being at Rhode Island School of Design). I always wonder if my life would have been different if I had gone to RISD when given the chance way back when. Perhaps one of my boys has inherited my artistic talent and will take that route (although to be fair, BC was very good to me!) Either way, I guess my husband and I should start saving ...

“Mom and me” by Ben, age 5


As for me, this weekend I will be in Reading, MA for
the opening of my friend Beth’s new design shop:



Check out her new website and blog (which I designed for her) and be sure to stop by some weekend to see the great stuff that she has put together. She has taken antique paper (that she has been collecting for years) and has combined it in the most amazing ways to create jewelry and home decorating items that are simply inspiring. Beth will also be offering fresh floral arrangements “to-go” along with vintage treasures. Her shop already feels very “Beth” to me. I find that I feel more creative just being around her!


This week, I will be helping with some prep work on the display areas in the shop for the Trunk Shows that will showcase guest designers over the nine weekends that the studio is open. As I have mentioned, design items from my collections will be on display in the store (thanks, Beth!). These pieces have been my own personal field of dreams (if you build it, they will come). In my case, if you are compelled to create art out of fabric and wallpaper, a store will magically appear to sell them!

From my “Best Friends” collection.


Items like these are looking for a good home ...
come check them out for a limited time at:


Beth Hylan Design Studio
159 Ash Street, Reading, MA
Open Saturdays from 10 am – 5 pm
Sundays from 12 noon – 5 pm
Call 781.246.8552 for more info.


PS...
If you stop by the store, please sign my
guest book if I am not around to say hi!