Sunday, June 6, 2010

Roarke NYC shows in DC

Last Thursday, DC fashionistas transformed their government attire from conservative to glam with one necklace. Laetitia Stanfield, one-half of the duo design team behind Roarke NYC, showcased the fall collection of bib necklaces, bracelets and garters in the chic confines of Napoleon Bistro in Adams Morgan.

The event brought out mom and local supporters of the one-year-old collection donning the line’s signature bib necklace “Le Charlot” adorned with intricate beading and weightless beaded bracelets. Each made-to-order piece begins in an Indian factory known for its beadwork, Oscar de la Renta and Balmain among its clients. The delicate detailing is paired with nontraditional fabrics such as chiffon and pomp mesh. The collection is not to be admired from afar, yet experienced.

The guests gushed over the Aztec and Ikat patterns and the nifty attachable braided chiffon extensions. However, the real showstopper is the bib necklace’s versatility – appropriate for both a day and evening ensemble – and its graceful draping.

“We scrutinize each piece for how the necklace lays,” Stanfield says. “The draping should appear without effort.”

The contrast between structure and fluidity equally describes the designers’ personalities. Stanfield, a former buyer for Bergdorf Goodman, admires her design partner’s ability to create from a blank canvas where she prefers an evolutionary process. Their complimentary nature has redefined statement accessories, propelled by innovation and design. Perhaps, the next iteration will involve recycled materials increasingly being embraced by the jewelry industry.

In their short history, Stanfield and partner, Mignonne Gavigan, have expanded their collection from one design to four, garnering wave reviews by celebrities and industry insiders. Undeterred by the potential lure for mass production, Roarke NYC remains a niche, exclusive to online and trunk shows. To show in DC was a logical choice for Stanfield, a native Virginian and George Washington graduate.

“DC fashion is really blossoming as evident by the number of retailers and designers they are carrying,” Stanfield says.

In the spirit of a good-neighbor policy, DC welcomes Roarke NYC.

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