COLORFUL CAPSULE COAT COLLECTION: the story behind the collaboration
As a creative, I’m constantly looking for inspiration. I personally extract creative inspiration from a wide variety of subjects: travel, Instagram, friends/clients/family, old black & white movies, museums, the runway, antique/thrifting, coffee table books, red carpet events, and lately my biggest inspiration is The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Are you guys obsessed with that show as much as I am? December 6th can’t get here soon enough with the new season!!! I’ve always loved 1950’s and 1960’s fashion (you should see my bridesmaid’s dresses from my wedding), but lately I can’t get enough of the styles from this era. The colors, the gloves, the ladies’ handbags, the broaches, the coats….all of it! I LOVE it all!!!
Over the last year, I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know the ladies of Amberleaf. This fabulous mother/daughter team are just as lovely as they can be. We bonded over our love of the Austin Fashion Initiative (an organization that creates community for those in the fashion industry in Austin), COLORFUL garments, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. So when chatted about a collaboration, it was easy to find a source of inspiration.
The Miriam coat is the darling pink piece. This coat was named precisely after The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Miriam is her given name but she is more frequently referred to as “Midge” in the show. There is a coat she wears in Season 2, episode 2 where Joel takes Midge to look at a new apartment and we (Lisa, Liz and myself) all fell in love with this coat. We loved everything about it that we worked to recreate it even down to the color. I think this will be a perfect coat to wear around day to day but will also be a great option to wear to those special occasions at night. I’m confident this precious swing coat will be my new go to for the winter season.
The Elizabeth coat is the VIBRANT green little number. From the beginning, I knew I needed a green coat right away in this collection. Green is my absolute favorite color and I never can get enough green in my life. So naturally I think everyone needs green in their life!! Wink wink! This coat was also inspired from ladies fashion of the 1950’s and 1960’s. It’s a great piece that you can wear open (tie the belt in the back) or you can wrap yourself up tight for a more “buttoned up” look.
I knew that we needed to bring in the oh SO talented Laura with Milli Starr once I started dreaming up styling ideas with these fabulous coats. You guys we have a world class milliner here in Austin and everyone needs to know about her!!! I first connected with Laura for a Kentucky Derby hat a few years ago but she creates well beyond the Derby. All of Laura’s hats from this photoshoot are made of ethically-sourced rabbit fur felt, hand-shaped over wooden hat blocks dating to the 1940’s & 1950’s. A description of each hat in order of the photos
Bright plum percher hat with studded bow
Mustard yellow beret with knotted trims
Leopard ombre print driving cap with square peak
Burgundy pillbox hat with bow trim
First opportunity for anyone to shop these hats will be at the Milli Starr Trunk Show at Spring Frost on Saturday, November 23rd from 11 am to 5 pm.
Hats will be online at millistarr.com on Monday, November 25th. Custom colors are available for all of these designs.
For those of you that are interested in my coats, let me fill you in on how you can get your hands on them:
You can simply order online here: www.amberleaf.com
Orders will be shipped out 4-6 weeks
You can either order the coat exactly as I designed them OR you can choose another color option
If you would like to try on the coats for sizing/fit and/or choose another color, you can make an appointment with Amberleaf at 512-694-1010 or support@amberleaf.com
You can also try the coats on at A Christmas Affair 11/20-24. The Amberleaf booth will be right by the Christmas Tree. I will be there Thursday, 11/21 morning in the Amberleaf booth. Come see me!!!
with LOVE and grace,
Elizabeth