Perfectly packable

I might be a little late on the Nieves Lavi love train, but I'm now fully aboard. Key reason: I recently heard that silk jersey is the most packable, wrinkle-free material. Most of Nieves Lavi's collection of cute dresses and tunics are made of this miracle material -- the dresses even come with matching silk jersey packing bags to toss in your suitcase. Ooh-la-la and you're off to France!

Plus, the Nieves Lavi's fall collection injects some welcome color (mostly jewel tones) and bright patterns into this season's all-gray-all-the-time palette.

[isadora print]

Love the gold paisley print. The prices are a bit steep -- $350 and up -- but think about the time you'll save not having to iron all your clothes on your next vacation or business trip! Snag Nieves Lavi online at shopbop.com or at Neiman Marcus or Saks.

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The full skinny on Thom Browne

I have an interview with Thom Browne in the Style section of today's Globe about his much-anticipated collaboration with Brooks Brothers, but there was only room for about half of his responses. Fortunately, there's plenty of room on the interweb to post the full interview.

For those who have somehow missed news of the collaboration, Browne has created a line of clothes for men and women based around his well-known style of wool and tweed, European-fit suits. To read the full interview, click below.

By Christopher Muther
Globe Staff

On paper, it looks like the oddest pairing since Felix Unger moved his broom and air freshener into Oscar Madison's digs. But the partnering of designer Thom Browne with retail institution Brooks Brothers will allow both parties to expand their customer base when Browne's new line, called Black Fleece, goes on sale there next month. The clothes are more expensive than the usual Brooks Brothers offerings (suits will sell for $2700), and the styles more adventurous. Browne, busy with preparations for the launch of the line and his own collection, took time to answer questions about the collaboration via e-mail this week.

What did you think when you were first approached by Brooks Brothers for a collaboration?
It was a dream come true, since I've always associated Brooks Brothers as an iconic American brand. Also, I wore Brooks Brothers, my father and my grandfather wore Brooks Brothers, so I thought that this would be a great fit. The collaboration began with Anna Wintour asking me if I were ever to collaborate with a company, who would it be. So she was kind enough to make the introduction.

When designing the collection, did you take into account that these were clothes that would be sold by a store that provides clothes to business men and women, or did approach the collection as you would one of your own?
Both my own collection, and Black Fleece start from the same classical point of view. However, I'm very conscious of making sure that Black Fleece is true to Brooks Brothers, that it is a brand under the umbrella of Brooks Brothers. For my own collection, I am only responsible to myself. I like to maintain my collection as a provocative collection that makes people think. While certainly my stamp will be visible on Black Fleece, it is meant for a wider audience.

What inspired the line for Brooks Brothers? Who did you imagine wearing the clothes as you designed them?
Since Brooks Brother is a 189-year-old company, there are plenty of references and inspirations I can draw from their archives and catalogs. The wearer of Black Fleece may not be all that different from mine, in that I imagine that it would be someone who is a true individual, and independent thinker. This is for both men and women.

I understand that the pant hems will be unfinished so the customer will be able to determine his own length, are you secretly hoping customers will
hem the pant to a Thom Browne length?
The pant hems will be unfinished as my own Thom Browne collection are for stores, but they are meant to be hemmed just to hit the shoe. The point is that there shouldn't be a break in the pant leg. I know that people today think that this is short, but if you look at the way some men wear their pants in Europe, the UK and Japan, it's really not all that unusual. You even see it when watching old American films too.

This is your first, full women's collection. Did you find any challenges in adapting men's designs to women's wear?
I have actually been making suits for women by custom order at my own shop. But for Black Fleece, again, I wanted it to be based around classical ideas that derives from men's wear. The women's suit, of course, is cut differently, but I didn't want it to be a 'guy's suit' for a woman, but a men's inspired suit cut for a woman.

There has been a lot of talk about Brooks Brothers using your name to appeal to younger, more stylish customers. Are you worried that fans
of your clothes may be turned off that you're designing for a 189-year-old store that is best known for navy blazers?
As I mentioned earlier, I've always been attracted to Brooks Brothers, so I don't see how my customers would be turned off by this collaboration. And the purpose of adding Black Fleece to the Brooks Brothers umbrella is precisely to appeal to a new audience, and for the existing Brooks Brother customer as well.

The inseam, arm length, and cut of your suits is an important part of your design. Was there a particular historical time or fashion icon that
inspired the look?
It's not a literal historical reference. I've always been drawn to the American style in the late '50s and '60s. It's more about the spirit of this time that I am drawn to, as this was the time when there was a distinct American sensibility. My silhouette is not exactly the same as this period, but it's been changed to suit what I think is appealing and different.

If there was one thing you could change about the way that American men dress, what would it be?
While I think men in general should not fuss over how they look, I do feel as though they should make more an effort to find a way to look good in their own individual, but natural way. I think it's a shame that it's become acceptable to wear jeans and a T-shirt to any place and function. I always say that what I am doing has become the anti-establishment, because the jeans and T-shirt look has become so acceptable and part of the establishment.

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How quickly they grow up

Suddenly, the sleepy summer, which was never all that sleepy, seems to be over. I'm overwhelmed with cool September happenings. The latest is that Neiman Marcus is turning 100. Yes, the new (and very chic looking) Neiman's opens next month at the Natick Collection. But the birthday celebration appears to be happening at the Neiman's in Copley. Here's a list of birthday events. All of these are free and open to everyone, but at least put on a nice pair of shoes when you show up for the free cookies. I'm very excited to get my hands on the cookie recipe.

MONDAY, September 10th:
Cookie Day
Everyone who enters the store on September 10th will receive a NM chocolate chip cookie and NM recipe

Neiman Marcus Day/Lunch with the Mayor on September 10th
Mayor Menino will be in store at noon on Monday, September 10th officially proclaiming it Neiman Marcus Day.

WEDNESDAY, September 13th:
Prada Ladies shoes Trunk Show

THURSDAY, September 14th:
ETRO Men's Trunk Show
Cocktails with Kelly in Men's 6-8pm

Beauty Week Cocktail Party 6-8pm
Cocktails and makeovers, gift with purchase

FRIDAY, September 15th:
Pop Up and PopOvers
Come in from 12-2 and for pop-overs and coffee, With the New 100th Anniversary Coffee Table Pop-Up book

SATURDAY, September 16th:
Loro Piana men's trunk show

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Coming soon: Bob's Your Uncle

placemats by Bob's Your Uncle

One of the things I enjoy most about New York is wandering from neighborhood to neighhood and coming across small, but tastefully stocked shops filled with interesting bric-a-brac. Happily. it's a trend that appears to be picking up in Boston as well. The South End is already there, and it looks like the Seaport District/Fort Point Chanel is showing signs of life.

plate by Bob's Your Uncle

A Boston company called Bob's Your Uncle (it's a British expression that means everything is fine) is opening a store in the Seaport District later this fall. According to owner Martin Yeeles, the store will be located on Chanel Center Street in Fort Point, near a new Flour bakery and new restaurants from Barbara Lynch.

tray by Thomas Paul

plates by Thomas Paul

pillows by Dwell Baby

He and his wife will be stocking Thomas Paul melamine plates, Mud ceramics, and Dwell baby bibs and toys. Look for a late Oct./ early Nov. opening.

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Vintage edge

I have an old soul -- or at least that's how I like to describe my obsession with anything from the late 60s-early 70s. I dig flowing dresses, Joe Cocker, Neil Young, and especially paisley. Yum, paisley. But don't fear: I'm not going to pack my possessions into an orange VW bus and head west to a commune anytime soon -- obviously, I'd miss designer jeans, chai lattes, and pedicures waaay too much.

Instead I'm interjecting a little vintage into my today style with Rotter and Friends' witty, arty band tees. Jess Rotter and Alison Zero – friends and coworkers at music PR company Girlie Action – started the hand drawn, highly nostalgic line out of a mutual hatred for modern band shirts emblazoned with antlers and skulls.

Love 'em:

["The Wolfking of L.A." shirt]

["Thanks, Neil" shirt]

["Qu est Bobbie Gentry?" shirt]

I love these shirts as much for their hip, underground references to classic bands (the "Thanks Neil" shirt features a Rotter-ized version of Young's "On the Beach" album cover; and the "Qu est Bobbie Gentry?" shirt is a nod to the mysterious subject of Gentry's single, "Ode to Billie Joe") as for their totally unique designs.

How retro!

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Polka dots are the word?

It looks like Marilu Henner ended up at the wrong party last night. Here she is at the Broadway premiere of "Grease." Clearly, she was planning to go to the ABC celebrity impersonation show "The Next Best Thing." She's dressed up as Lucille Ball, yes? I say give that lady the prize money! She can split it with Tony Danza.

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Jonathan Adler to the rescue

Well, sort of.

The famed potter and designer (by the way, who else wants to move into his hotel?) is donating 10 percent of all sales from Aug. 22 to Aug. 31 to victims of the Peruvian earthquake. You can buy from his web site or at his stores. The closest JA store to Boston is New York City. Many of Adler's pieces are produced by Peruvian potters, and this is his way of helping out.

I realize this won't help the Peruvians, but it will help me a great deal if Adler agreed to never say "See you later, decorator" again.

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