September 22, 2009 by Tracy Hopkins
Filed under Accessories
It’s official, today is the first day of fall. Even though the
weather isn’t the least bit frosty, it’s still a good time to
invest in a quality pair of gloves.
During Fashion Week, I went to a cocktail presentation for
Gaspar Gloves. Designed by third generation glover maker Dorothy
Gaspar, the gloves were featured in designer Erin Fetherston’s
feminine Spring 2010 runway show.
The gloves are also highly regarded in Hollywood and have been
worn by leading ladies including Angelina Jolie (”The
Changeling” ) and Michelle Pfieffer (as a fierce Cat Woman).
Gaspar gloves are like buttah, and I can’t wait to wear my black
leather pair with an eye-catching woven pattern.
Image credit: Tracy E. Hopkins
09-24-2009
Vogue Covers Arms with Gaspar Gloves
Gaspar Gloves can be seen under the "Covered Arm" section of
the Vogue's September online "Run for Cover" article.
There is no doubt that I prefer the sole trader to the chain.
While I am a strong supporter of the much improved stores of the
high street, there is a price to pay for the efficiency and
economy of the offerings of large chain stores. For one thing,
it’s unlikely that you’ll find anything that isn’t designed to
appeal to a broad range of chaps; certain shops valiantly seek
to sell taste but generally speaking, they’ll sell what they
know people will buy. Although this is a central aim of any
trade enterprise, large or small, the smaller the trader, the
more unusual the wares. The trouble with homogeny is that
certain subtleties of manufacture are avoided; the tragedy of
off-the-peg or ‘ready to wear’ is that it is often not ready to
wear at all. The trousers are cut too long, the jacket
too roomy. Adjustments are often needed to really attain the
best value from the economic purchase.
Sadly, there are certain items which cannot be adjusted. Being
of an awkward shoe size can be a bother in stores that do not
stock half sizes, particularly if the shoes are of one’s taste
and budget, but the really disappointing thing about the high
street stores, including the large department stores – so grand
in reputation and scale – is that I can rarely find a pair of
leather gloves that actually fit me. “We’ve got small, medium
and large, sir” said the courteous young American girl on a
recent visit to a department store. I tried a pair of the small.
They were certainly the right size for my palm but my fingers
looked like sausages. “They’re not quite what I am looking for –
my hands look huge” I said, startled by my reflection in the
mirror. The gloves looked more like the sort of thing
snowboarders wear; the delicate subtleties of the human hand
lost in the mass of leather that engulfed the fingers. “I guess”
said the young girl, folding the gloves and placing them back
onto the table “most guys don’t really care about that.”
The problem is that only a few stores, none of which were known
to any persons I spoke to, actually offered gloves in more of a
range than the generic sizes of small, medium and large. My
research on the topic led me to discover that many see the
sizing of small, medium and large as an alternative to the
sizing in inches (6 ½ , 7 etc), the Zavier Jouvin method devised
in the 19th century, and not as a homogenization of glove
sizing. However, despite the fact that Dents gloves are made in
good quality leather, in a variety of colours, when I wear them
I look ridiculous. Having experimented with ladies gloves, I now
know that the problem lies with the particular style of gloves
available to men. Women’s gloves reflect the daintier appearance
of the hands that wear them; they are too small for my hands as
the fingers are far too short, restricting my hand movement, but
the way the leather is finished on the fingers is far more
elegant. There is a delicacy lacking on most of the glove models
available to men; they seem not to be made for fingers but tree
stumps.
I discovered an interesting website, Gaspar Gloves which
offered, from what I could see, more elegant dress gloves for
gentlemen. Priced at $85, Gaspar are quite proud of their strong
connection with Hollywood; on their home page, Angelina Jolie is
pictured in fine leather period-style gloves, clutching a
receiver in her latest film ‘Changeling.’ Gaspar is certainly
the sort of trader I warm to but I dream of such availability in
the real world, and not merely the virtual. I am unwilling to
purchase gloves without first trying them on. I imagine walking
into an independent glove shop just off Regent Street; a huge
range of materials and colours, racks and racks of sizes on oak
shelving, a crackling fire and a Sinatra soundtrack. “Formal
black gloves for the evening, and would sir like some chestnut
driving gloves for the country?” Sadly, such a shop remains a
dream. I think I was born in the wrong century.
12-10-2008
Gaspar Gloves is getting some more coverage at the following
link:
Postbulletin.com
The backdrop decorated with picture of the Eiffel tower and a
bicycle on the runway that really did make you feel like you
were in Paris!
Samora’s spring 2009 line was heavily influenced by la
vie francaise
High-waisted skirts and short jumpers, day dresses, and plenty
of flounces and ruffles were pretty and ladylike, and organza
overcoats channeled Audrey Hepburn.
The row also included white trousers and blouses, with some
rumpled in black and paired up with a layered mint green skirt
that looked admirable together, and sheer robes.
Favorites included a white dress with pockets that had a sheer
rectangle over the chest making it not your customary bridle,
and a floral dress that had ruffles and a v neck hemline as well
as a bow that parceled around and cinched the waist.
Stylish was the flawless word for her gorgeous and stunning
line.
There were lots of ruffles, ruffles, ruffles!
Samora was all about the ruffles for Spring 2009.Gowns were
in ruffles from necklines, to hemlines that gave each part a
flirty feel to it, making it perfect. The floral decorations
were a bit matronly.
Lengths of dresses
ranged from short such as an charming pinstriped dress that was
ornamented with white lace, as well as a long, full of size
princess mango dress-perfect for any occasion, but this pink
corset dress was out of place.
Some were sleeveless, bridle, and thongly.
Pinstripe and brilliant colors were the theme of the show.
Palettes included mint green, black, mango, and shades of pink.
Patterns were remarkable floral prints that brought you right to
spring and painted everything in flowery colors.
Half-gloves are made of leather, not covering the hand in
full.
Gloves were predominantly of black, white and black-and
white color, looking beautiful and unique.
We’re looking forward seeing this collection in stores
worldwide."
10-18-2008
Conservatively
Liberal Voom
by
Joy Han Fashion Show DESIGNER JOY HAN PRESENTS HER SPRING 2009 COLLECTION DOWNTOWN
LOS ANGELES
On October 18th, celebrated designer Joy Han will be presenting
her Spring 2009 Collection entitled "Conservatively Liberal", in
Downtown Los Angeles' Fashion District. Voom by Joy Han is
thumbs down the go to collection for young A-list Hollywood as
well as magazine editors. Eva Longoria-Parker, Paris Hilton, Kim
Kardashian, Miley Cyrus, Jessica Alba and Katherine Heigl are
all fans of Voom.
In Style, Vogue, Lucky, Elle, Audrey, Gisele and In Touch are
huge editorial fans of the line. After taking last season off
from doing a runway presentation, Han in back with a slightly
new direction just in time for the current political climate.
"This season look for more structure", says Han. "The Voom girl
has grown up a bit, and she is looking to the late 60's for her
inspirations, Jackie O to Janis Joplin." "The Voom customer has
many layers these days from conservative to liberal and that's
what I'm representing on the runway this season", says Han.
Han always leaves the media clamoring with interest and her
audience buzzing in speculation on what to look for next in
fashion. This season Han collaborates with Velvet Angels shoes,
Gaspar Gloves & Beijo Handbags, in helping to define her "New
Look" for the season. Each model will be looking marvelous with
the help of the innovative and sophisticated makeup line Temptu
Cosmetics, as they hit the runway. Wilde Aide & White Sands will
be the official hair-care providers for the Voom model's
tresses.
Celebrity DJ Mark Da Spot will be spinning the sounds for Han's
runway presentation and other sponsors for Han's event include
Glitterati Magazine, The Margarita King & Denmark's Edler Flower
Natural Beverage.
VOOM by Joy Han will show on Saturday October 18th at 6:30pm,
check in time at 6:00 pm.
1417 Driving Gloves
1224 Formal Gloves
Photo: Mark Seliger
Check out Dorothy Gaspar's glove
designs pack star power - Los Angeles Times