Inspiration for Au/Wi '13

Who says you can't pair soft sophistication with masculine defined lines?  Next Fall will focus on the contrast between the two looks and how well they blend together.  Consider your own inner core....  feminine with the right kind of masculine.  I can't wait.....  Stay Tuned!

LB xo ;)

Adorn your head with sculpture!

I'm often intrigued and quite disappointed when people pick up a plain straw hat and put it on their head with no thought as to how they look in it.    They can look so much better if they just try on different architectural shapes that highlight their features, ie. eyes, cheekbones, mouth, etc.  It goes the same way for things they may want to hide.  Use your hat as an adornment bringing out your best features.  Here are two hats very different from eachother.  One is a plain hat with no sculptural shape, the other a one of a kind hat that can bring out your best features!   Which hat would you wear?

Handmade in the USA!

Venturing out to NYC today, I am inundated with brands manufactured in China.. Not impressed and very discouraging.... Give me my Frank Sinatra, handmade martini, LB hat and an edited collection of vintage clothing from the thrift store to make my day!

I look to the past for inspiration and construction for the quality of my collections! Call it inspiration or just plain instinct! I am winning today because I can taste, feel, hear and see the difference!

LB xo ;)

GALO SHOES launches the Sp/Su '12 collection!

We are pleased to announce the launch of the Sp/Su '12 collection at GALO SHOES our newest stores to carry the collection.

Galo Shoes has two store locations at 825 Lexington Avenue and 895 Madison Avenue. We are so excited to offer select styles in their stores.

Here is a link to their website and the collection! http://www.galoshoes.com/galoshoes-com-lisa-battaglia.html

See you there!!!

LB ;) xo

Hatting away!

It's crunch time.... I am working on three different things right now..... all critical! I have a HUGE order that came in from a VIP in Las Vegas! She has ordered for the last 3 years but this year she has tripled her order! YAY! All good news... I am also working on Fall/Winter '12 which will see silhouettes in red, chocolate, hunter green, mustard, etc.... My inspiration for this year's collection takes me to the film "Goodbye Again" with Ingrid Bergman. I was inspired by her style and this era. I have designed a few cloches, an "Indiana Jones" style brim in muted green with a leather band, and a small riding cap in chocolate with leather braided cord to match. All of the hats fit into a lifestyle brand which make them comfortable to wear, light on your head and in line with trend for 2012. The styles are a mix of modernized 20's, 40's and 60's hats. We are excited to present the line and can't wait for you to see it!

Stay Tuned!

LB xo

Headbands at the Golden Globes!

Last night I was pleased to see a turn of events in a tradition of non-hat wearers at the Golden Globes! Even if we haven't come so far as to wear hats on the red carpet at least there were quite a few headbands! With the emergence of vintage wear as a staple in our wardrobes these days..... celebrities are taking cues from the fashion scene and incorporating looks from the 20's, 30's and 40's which include beaded and crystal headbands to create a more updated modern look to the vintage theme. If last night is any indication of the future, I am positive this trend will continue as hats become featured more and more. In particular I am paying close attention to the FASCINATOR that was made more popular with Kate Middleton over the last year! Even the Kentucky Derby seemed to be more responsive to this trend in fashion headwear as FASCINATOR headwear was on the rise at the last derby! This trend sheds new light on the future of headwear and it's popularity!

The AMAZING.... "SWANKY BOWLER" hat!!!!

This isn't your grandfather's bowler hat! Even NICOLE RICHIE is sporting this trendy hat! Pair the "SWANKY BOWLER" hat with an outfit ( like the one shown) for a flirty casual day look! To complete the look, finish it off with a pair of JAZZ shoes!

Now available at LORD & TAYLOR and HENRI BENDEL!

Hats, hats and more hats!

Happy New Year! We are ringing in the new year with many a hat! One of our FAV clients from the West Coast has quadrupled her order this season! The heaven's are looking down on us! MUAH! Internet sales are up! BUZZZZZZZZ..... We are HOT! Feel free if you are reading this now to share with your friends and family the BUZZZZZ we are creating with hats! and share this with them! Feeling the trends in hats this season! Last season we were looking at the darker shades of wine, black, chocolate....etc... and feathers... ooh la la.... We introduced the bowler hat in black with an electric blue french ribbon..... thinking it may be too fancy, think again..... pair this hat with a gingham button down OR graphic- t and fitted blazer with your favorite boots.... you are ready to ROCK! The FOX HUNT was a BIG hit with the camel color bucket hat/ feather.... as well as the BUTTERCUP! The BUTTERCUP received KUDOS in INSTYLE FALL Trends '11 kicking of the Fall/Winter season! We are now doing it in a chocolate color with brown braided cord to match! Things are off to a FABULOUS start in 2012!

LB ;)

Inspiration.... Fall/Winter '12

I have had the pleasure to read a few fashion blogs lately to get more inspiration inside this head of mine. Finding inspiration is key right now as I look for what I would like to do for Fall/Winter '12. I have always liked the darker richer shades and I am being drawn to neutrals, pales and even brighter colors for the collection.... Shades of creamsicle, yellow, brilliant blues, orange, mustard and even red ( which I never work with) are creating my inspiration! The colors themselves create a newness for me in this collection.

As I envision these sorbet of colors, it's as if almost a "swirling" effect is taking a hold of them and creating a variety of lollipops in my head! How is that for inspiration? lol.... maybe the process of swirling these little numbers or instead a prop to be used for a future photo shoot... all ideas now.

I am also inspired by Kate's new number, a freeform hat! There is the freeform on top with a bit of structure for the brim. I like how this hat combines both elements of form to create the unexpected.

I am also finding inspiration with the classic "Dick Tracy" hat! Most of you know it by the fedora. I would like to play with this shape for the next collection. I love this color shown, very masculine but elegant in it's own right. I found this hat on a recent trip to Lambertville, NJ. I love the way this hat makes me feel. I stand tall in this hat! I feel like putting on tap shoes and dancing in this hat. I listen to Frank Sinatra in this hat.

Stay tuned!!!!

LB x