Purses A-Go-Go
Ina Nolita is brimming with purses. Quoted famously from feminist Susan B. Anthony, the saying goes, "Every woman should have a purse of her own".
a miniature Louis Vuitton suitcase on a strap
a Lady Dior purse "mini" style
a pearl-encased quilted fabric Chanel
All merchandise INA Nolita: Chanel navy wide leg sailor trousers, Charlotte Olympia neon green cap-toed pump, Spektre cream shades, Sacai white t-shirt with tassel shoulder, Louis Vuitton Petite Malle purse; Christian Dior pink leather quilted Lady Bag, Carven lime silk dress; Phillip Lim white satin bomber jacket with embroidery, silver Torn shorts, Nike platform sneakers, Chanel fabric cream pearl embroidered purse.
Happy Birthday America
It was America, who in 1954, championed Coco Chanel's comeback collection after the second world war. Drop waists, straight silk layers, and tweed suits were best absorbed into the celebrity set by Marilyn Monroe and Romy Schneider, and by Jackie Kennedy in presidential appearances. After France's critique of Chanel as old-fashioned and reminiscent of the 1920s, as opposed to Christian Dior's corseted New Look, Coco turned to America. America had always been the country who best understood her, always best understood the casual chic of sportswear, free and easy.
All merchandise INA Chelsea, from top: Celine nautical stripe long-sleeved top, Miu Miu sequined headband; Chanel pleated skirt and Marni platform shoe with jeweled heel; Parker ivory silk blouse with bell sleeves, Acne navy silk wide leg pants, Ralph Lauren Purple Label black pump with sheer sides and cap toe, Troy Skeeters tan brimmed hat; Chanel double C logo tank top, Chanel pink geometric earrings, Moschino black wide legged cropped pants, Isabel Marant black leather slide; Chanel navy tweed blazer and skirt, Equipment white silk sleeveless blouse, Escada gold chain-link bracelet, Saint Laurent white leather sneaker with stars.
End of Season Sale
Summer is coming to an end, and current markdowns reflect the closing season: find select garments at up to 70% discount in all INA locations. Featured sale merchandise below comes from the racks of INA Men, worn best in tomboy fashion.
A patchwork stitched Opening Ceremony white cargo jacket, originally $165, is 20% off at $132.
Phillip Lim's 3.1 grey cashmere pajama set, originally $275, is now 50% off, with Lanvin sandals to match, originally $150 and now 20% less.
En route to a summer vacation, a Gucci duffel bag is 20% from its original price, now $380. Pair with a Rick Owens sheer shirt wrapped with a Polo plaid belt. The belt is only $28.
Missoni plaid is 70% off at $43, an ideal match to a Mulberry travel leather bag also 70% less, now $281.
Wear a shirt as a dress with hightop sneakers to downplay the short hemline. A Dries Van Noten button-down with plaid trim and Lanvin suede and python kicks are on 20% sale.
Stripes upon stripes: a Margiela striped vest is a practical giveaway at its markdown price.
INA Noho: With Accessories To Match
To match a beaded, runway Prada dress, pair an Alexander McQueen Union Jack leather clutch and Jill Stuart metallic pumps, and to throw on, Sheep Shades sunglasses in beachwood.
Dream in pink to match a Karie Laks silk navy dress with an open back. Pair Miu Miu pumps with an embellished heel and a Nancy Gonzalez skin clutch.
Match a Vivienne Westwood plaid silk dress with a purse containing room enough for a picnic blanket. Pair a Celine leather and suede tricolor Trapeze purse, Gucci leather pumps with bamboo heel, and a Lanvin rhinestone linked circle bracelet.
Final Home makes a return appearance with a clear hoodie. To match, pair Iro leather distressed sneakers, R13 black denim, and a Prada Venetian scene pocket scarf.
A sailor in tow wears a Karie Laks navy-trimmed white cotton sundress. To match, pair a Louis Vuitton monogrammed satchel and YSL denim, cork-wedged platforms, and to throw on, blue Ray-Ban shades.
To match bared skin in a Karie Laks two piece ivory silk set, pair a Louis Vuitton epi-leather rust purse wrapped with a butterfly Loewe scarf, Rebecca Minkoff metallic striped leather pumps, and to throw on, Spektre tortoise shades.
Only an evening at the MET calls for a silk, sheer Prada dress with modernist design. Pair Manolo Blahnik fushia silk pumps with feather strap.
A navy and white woven Chanel sweater vest and Marni denim skirt calls for a nautical pairing: a Chanel silver chainlink bracelet, a Ferragamo white leather zip-around purse, and Reed Krakoff silver canvas espadrilles.
Union Square Celebrates Meg Cohen Collection
Last Thursday evening, INA Union Square celebrated the launch of Meg Cohen's Cotton Dress Collection, currently available at Meg Cohen in Soho at 59 Thompson Street. Meg Cohen has been a longtime collaborator with INA, including the INA and Meg Cohen line of cashmere hats, gloves, and scarfs re-released every winter into all INA boutiques. The Michael Sheridan Trio and singer Vera Merino performed gypsy jazz hits of Django Reinhardt to hands held high.
Many Hats
Looking upon an entire rounder of vintage couture and daily-wear garments in Union Square, I noticed two Galanos sun hats, and one Sylvia Fletcher, straw-woven, displayed in a semi-circle of hat stands. I thought back to the advice of Christian Dior, an old fashioned man. At a time, even 1946, when hats were worn less, Dior refused to show a collection without them. “Personally I consider a woman without a hat is not completely dressed…’How pretty you look today!’ often means no more than: ‘How well your hat suits you!’”
All vintage merchandise INA Union Square: Jean Muir black skirt, Givenchy silk blue and black polka-dotted blouse, Calvin Klein mule, Chanel handbag; Sylvia Fletcher straw hat; Chloe silk belted button-down dress, L'autre Chose metallic platform sandal, Galanos white hat; Geoffrey Beene pink and black lace dress with high collar, Giambattista Valli platform pump; Saint Laurent silk red and black polka-dotted blouse, Chanel handbag; Geoffrey Beene gray knit asymmetrical buttoned dress, Hermes scarf, Chanel ballet flats; Galanos silk white and light blue dress with ruffled seams, Chanel No. 5 embroidered flats.