Thursday, January 22, 2009

Weston Wear ~ Style, grace & comfort.


When Julie Weston was eight years old, her sister - using their mother's sewing machine - helped her design and create her first dress, a mod-style "Correges" inspired dress with a red and white houndstooth print - and a helmet hat to match. Weston had been in ballet since the age of five and would be a regular cast member in the Nutcracker until she was fourteen. Dance, combined with this first foray into clothing design, "cast the die" for what would eventually become Weston Wear.

Julie Weston danced her way through childhood, her teens and through the doors of Stanford University, where she received her MA in Dance. Around the same time, a new fabric had been designed to allow for absolute comfort and movement, perfect for dancers: Cotton/LYCRA. One could look and feel wonderful in clothes made from a fabric that moved with the body without losing its shape, and Weston, along with her friends, lived in their dance clothes like never before.

The Weston Wear line was launched in 1980, the core tenet of which still remains "stylish yet comfortable". Elements of dance and art are felt in the pieces she and her company create, with ever-changing prints and silhouettes each season. Currently based in San Francisco, her new inspiration lies in finding unique European prints for layering with nylon mesh fabric.

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Some of our favorite Weston Wear dresses:



Exquisite grace and elegance flows from the Whitely Dress. An artistic print suggests watercolor and flowers, with washes of dark blue, neutral sky blue and soft earth brown underlying or overlapping linear, free-flowing magnolias. A single pleat drapes from a flattering, gently fitted empire waist, accented by a sweetly feminine tiered V-neckline.

















The darling, flattering and effortless Darleen dress, somewhat reminiscent of an afternoon spent drinking tea while wearing your favorite white cardigan and heels. An impressionist floral print in pinks, charcoals, muted greens, magenta and ivories adorns this beautiful, sexy sleeveless dress. The top is ruched and gently gathered at the sides and at the back, creating an eye-catching yet comfortable fit, with a subtly flared and pleated skirt.







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Thursday, January 15, 2009

XCVI ~ Urban elegance, every-day wear.

XCVI has returned to Ella's! The ever-popular shirred panel skirt is back, in a striking, rich black. We love this skirt because it can be dressed up or down to your fancy, and it adds edge and a little sass to any outfit. With a subtle A-line flare and drawstring waist, the fit is comfortable, the silhouette is classic, and you'll find excuses to wear such an amazing skirt as often as possible!


Victorian-inspired elegance accents this adorable high collared blouse, with faux tortoiseshell buttons, scalloped lace yoke and girlish cuffed sleeves. Pair it with XCVI's sweet skirts or pants, jeans, or slacks.

Utility and urban-chic mingle in the hybrid crops, in which we find everything we love about XCVI: the effortless, comfortable drawstring waist, paired with grommet detailing and ruched panels at the leg - slant pockets pull it all together, as would boots, your favorite blouse or sweater and handbag.