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April 09, 2013
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Treasure Tuesdays: Accessories Spotlight ~ Alex Clancy of Love, Alex

A few days ago, I shared the Spring collection of an amazing luxury line called Love, Alex! I loved everything about the bags, learning about its design and more and had to find out more. You can read my initial thoughts and introduction to this line by checking out my previous post (also check out items from the current Spring/Summer 13 collection); however, today, I am including an interview I did with Alex Clancy the designer and founder of this fabulous line! Find out about how she creates the line, the focus on charity and what we can expect for Spring 14! You can also check out some of the pieces that I'm loving for Fall 13 which will hit shelves a few months from now!

How did you come about creating Love, Alex?

Love, Alex was born out of my belief that there’s room in the luxury landscape for a company with altruism at its heart. By building on the theme of love, we’ve created a brand that enables luxury consumers to share their good fortune with the world. Since inception, Love, Alex has made significant contributions to DonorsChoose.org – a philanthropic organization that supports children’s education nationally, and we plan to continue to donate proceeds of sales to DonorsChoose.org as we grow.

How do you begin designing your line?

Art and sculpture are always starting points for design inspiration. Travel is also important as it opens the mind.

Philanthropy is a huge element within your line. Share with our readers how you give back and your charities’ focus.

The transformative power of love is at the heart of our charitable mission. We’ve partnered with DonorsChoose.org because we believe education is the greatest accessory of all.

Where is Love, Alex currently selling?

* LoveAlex.com

Current stores selling the spring 2013 collection:

* B. Barnett, Little Rock, AK

* Frances Heffernan, Winnetka, IL

* Elements, Chicago, IL

* Rafaels, San Francisco, CA

* Lulu Brandt, Pasadena, CA

What fashion icons are wearing your bags and who would you like to see wearing them?

I would love to see Tilda Swinton carry a Love, Alex bag. She is the epitome of understated elegance and classic modernity. Iman and Sandra Bullock are two other beautiful women who I think would appreciate the designs and mission of Love, Alex.

Beyond fashion icons, there is something for everyone at Love, Alex. The highly functional bags come in many shapes, sizes and colors… each one is timeless.

Your line is luxury at its best, beside python, do you see integrating other premium materials within your line for future seasons?

In addition to Python, we use Alligator, Ostrich and Lizard. All leathers are premium quality and produced in Italy.

Will Love, Alex take on additional categories such as accessories, shoes, handbags etc.?

Yes, we plan to expand into other accessory categories including wraps, hats, small leather goods, and jewelry… anything that has the power to transform a look.

How has your family played a role in the creation of this line and the focus on philanthropy?

I am blessed to have a loving and supportive family. My sister, Lisa Llewellyn is a creative genius and a wonderful sounding board. She celebrates all creative endeavors and always finds something of value, even in a bad idea.

Each of your bags have unique names, how did you come about naming them?

Love, Alex bags are named after trees around the world as trees have so many positive meanings and images…the tree of life, children climbing trees, books are made from trees (education is our key charitable focus), trees create the air we breathe. Each bag name is carefully chosen out of love.

I've seen your Spring collection and just viewed you fall collection, what can we expect for Spring 14 - any hints?

For Spring we are continuing to explore volume and layering of materials and color. Hardware is inspired by modern monumental sculpture by the likes of Richard Serra.

What can we expect from Spring 14 from you and as your line focuses on destinations, what area will you transport us to next?

Our spring 2014 collection will continue to feature refined mixing of materials and colors while layering bold colors such as chartreuse and cobalt into our classic palette of white and pale nudes.

What else should we know about Love, Alex?

I’ve spent every summer of my life collecting beautiful shells on the beach in Martha’s Vineyard. The creamy mother of pearl patinas and pale iridescent shades are the inspiration for the core color palette of the Love, Alex line.

November 19, 2010
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Fashionable Fridays ~ Iman is an Icon

Many of you remember that earlier this year I met Iman at one of her skincare events. I found her to be witty and someone that knew her business - she is no wall flower. We have all seen her grace the runway of various shows and in a number of magazines but now the world can see her on Bravo's The Fashion Show: Ultimate Collection and on Nov 23rd (perfect to grab on your way out to wherever you are going to for the holiday season), you can pick up your December issue of Harper's Bazaar, you can find out more about her and clicking the link will give you some behind the scenes footage of this iconic woman! She is a woman with much to say and you'll catch it all.

June 18, 2010
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Fashionable Fridays ~ Iman's Cosmetic Line & a Few Words From Kimmie

Iman is gorgeous and to hear her talk about her line - beyond thrilled! Here more about her collection as well as a few words from me, Charu and more!

April 21, 2010
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Wearable Wednesdays ~ Feeling Good

Last week, there were a number of events that I headed off to whether I was out and about with Lori Goldstein, amazing stylist who is not focused on celebrities per se but has done so many covers and spreads that it could make your head spin! Lingerie presentations brought me into the middle of the week and who doesn't love the idea of boosting your closets from the inside out with great filly things that add an extra spring to your step and then of course, there was meeting Iman in person who looked so regal and yet she is totally the type that would keep you laughing for brunch for hours as she is super funny and laid back. I loved really learning about her cosmetic line and much like the beauty of color, she really expressed the need to enjoy the hues of your skin by evening them out as her line is not for women of color solely but for those that have color and want the right shade to match it at an affordable price point.

As much as my closet continues to grow with fab finds, I actually get the most compliments when I just put something on. Something that feels good to me and of course whatever subtle enhancements I happen to have that also give that "somethng amazing but not sure what it is" look. All week I have been thinking of ways that we all do slight enhancements that take our overall look to the next level whether we straighten/curl our hair with our fave iron, get a whole new perspective from our colored contact lenses from BuyMoreContacts.com, whiten our teeth or just our ritual mani/pedis at Townhouse Spa. These are the little things that make you feel good. Whether it's a beauty ritual or your go to accessories, whatever it is make sure it screams nothing but you!

April 16, 2010
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Fashionable Fridays ~ And Now a Few Words From Iman

Last night was an amazing evening with Iman! To a select group of bloggers, she walked us through her cosmetic collection and answered our questions! Now today is not a beauty post per se but I loved her concept that her line is about great minimal coverage that doesn't hide our fab hues, it evens out our skin tone to one color and most importantly her line is not about focusing on people of color but skins of color. We all have various tones and hues and to know that her line has at least 14 shades is AMAZING. I was so excited to see various writers who had a difficult time finding their shade, find it yesterday and the look that they had was priceless. Sitting so close to Iman was truly an amazing experience as she is absolutely gorgeous but even she shared that "Iman doesn't look like Iman" and that her focus was to create a line at a reasonable price point, that was available at various drugstore retailers, with testers and to even send her makeup team to these locations to show people how amazing the line is and easy to use. Enjoy hearing a few words from this serious business woman and begin thinking of ways that you can enhance you while not covering up the best elements of yourself! PS - her stacked bangles were amazing and once I receive pictures from this night you will see Iman and I together as well as other goodies and I will let you know how easy it was for me to work with the products!

April 15, 2010
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Trendy Thursdays ~ Meeting Iman!

The past couple of days have been chaotic, transformative, inspirational and at times emotional. There are definitely changes coming for the better and in a post later on today, I'll share this as I have met so many people recently that are on the same page as me and have basically validated a lot of things that I have been thinking about over the past two months; however, that's another topic! As I ran around yesterday from client consultations, presentations and finally to LOFT's fall preview (I have to say that I was shocked and amazed at many of the items that will be in their stores and it's a good thing - Joe Zee, Creative Director of Elle, also agreed as well as I literally turned into him before I headed over to the next series of displays) - my mind couldn't stop thinking about today. Yes I have a million things to do today but more importantly, I'm meeting with Iman. What can you say about this striking catwalk model who turned her looks and passion for fashion into an empire of cosmetics, The Color of Beauty (great coffee table read) and her own line on HSN!

There have been a lot of events this week that I have been excited so I'm glad to keep the good events going. So in the midst of everything, above are fab items that I will be wearing as I haven't exactly picked the right outfit yet although I do know my accessories (yeah Alexis Bittar). I'm obsessed with Body Scrubs and this one from Dermadoctor is one of my favorites and they just launched on QVC yesterday so if anyone got the chance to talk with Dr Audrey Kunin, I'd love to know what you asked her! Of course I'm wearing gloss from Iman's collection as I would feel bad not supporting her since I will be at her event! Last month at my visit to Natori's home to hear about her Essentials Collection, I found out about her amazing perfume and if you are a fan of Chanel No 5(which was my initial fave), this is a scent that at first reminds you of it and then takes it to a complete 3.0! I love the black orchid and that really rich plum tone to it - it's like exotic empress! Finally, Sue Devitt Beauty has an amazing collection and as her line if reminiscent of the islands, I love her Kilimanjaro collection which is brand new. I definitely want to go for this fab island look and of course will share all the details of this event and will have my Flip at the ready!

April 09, 2010
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Fashionable Fridays ~ Such a Tease

Where did the week go? No, I'm not talking about the week but the warm weather. I was able to wear flip flops, ruched pants, maxis and more - then I woke up to chilly rain against my window! Last night I headed to Scoop NYC's unveiling of Minnie Mortimor's Spring 2010 collection (super cute pieces that will find its way here on Kitten Lounge and a little birdie told me that soon Scoop NYC will have an ecommerce site details to follow I'm sure). While there, I fell in love with Diane Von Furstenberg's Jaya Jelly Smoke Grey gladiator shoes. It got me to thinking about jean shorts as you see them everywhere but I tend not to wear them but I think this is such a cute way to wear them when you're running around or even getting ready to move from one fab apartment to the next. I love the Sunset Tank as it reminds me of the fab weather that we were teased with. Finally, this earrings are super cute and apart of Iman's Global Chic collection on HSN. Make sure that you check her out tomorrow and look at the site to see the times. I love her collection and am super excited that I get to meet her next week! Don't let the weather get you down as its bound to come back, it's just a bigger incentive to make sure that we are fully prepped for great looks.

Kimmie/KL As Seen On

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Meet Kimmie

Accessories Expert, Founder & Editor in Chief of Kitten Lounge; Co-Founder & Creative Director of Shoe Week; Co-Founder of Style Tweetup, On Air Personality, Stylist and Designer.






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As an Accessories Expert, Kimmie appears on HSN, designs, is quoted/featured in various publications talking about style from an Accessories Forward perspective! To work with Kimmie or to see project portfolio, visit her site here.



Kimmie is the Co-Founder/Creative Director of Shoe Week which launched during NYFW Sept '12 and is styling a number of shows as well as having evening leading up to our second season of shows during NYFW Sept '13.



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Hosted by Style Expert, Makeda of Glamazon Diaries and a number of expert panelists, including Accessories Expert Kimmie, they chatted about all things Oscars. Read through our commentary about the Red Carpet and view the livestream that took place on Hollywood's big night!

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