Palm Beach

Some inspiring shots from our recent trip (click to view larger):

Sunny day on the A1A. We want this Jeep. Southern trunk show tour anyone?

The famous breakers.

Only in Palm Beach (or Newport) do you have classic, old, over-the-top places like this-- with the towering, perfectly manicured hedges, and ornate gates and fences-- in such concentration, sitting empty half the year.

Great elephants. Reminiscent of Elizabeth McKay prints.

Slim Aarons Style

Street Styles: Trinity College

CLICK TO VIEW PHOTO LARGER

It's no secret to people close to me that my favorite color is blue. When I started designing, I often heard people quip, "Are you ever going to design something that isn't Navy?"

When I was setting up in Mather Hall at Trinity, this pretty blonde girl wearing an almost monochromatic outfit of dark skinny jeans and a blue Barbour over a black and cerulean rugby striped shirt, caught my eye. I love the way her backpack and shoes explode against the more subdued palate of her clothing. And the best thing is, she looked (not in a bad way) as if she had just rolled out of bed and thrown the look together. Nothing affected or trying about her styling. It's hard to look to uptight and still pull off a backpack.

-Ryan

PS-- I'm curious what other people think of blue Barbour jackets. Don't mess with a classic? Trying hard to look like you aren't conforming to the NESCAC uniform? or just as timeless? Personally, I've considered buying one to have something to wear with dark green corduroys but can't justify owning another Barbour

Brands We ♥ : CJ Laing

Check out these genuine Ikat shorts from CJ Laing, and at $170, a steal for the quality. We're obsessed with their whole collection. The fabrics are all nothing short of stunning.

(click on the images to see pictures bigger)

The shirtdresses are super cute too, and done in an amazingly light fabric.

You can check them out in Palm Beach, or in a couple months when the weather is better in Southampton.

http://www.cjlaingshop.com/

Artists We ♥: Richard Avedon

Richard Avedon, Dovima with elephants, evening dress by Dior, Cirque d'Hiver, August 1955

The other day Tory Burch's blog posted on photographer Greg Lotus, showing this picture (Below) from Italian Vogue.

I instantly thought back to the amazing Richard Avedon exhibit I attended at the Boston MFA early over the holidays (by the way, the MFA has finally opened it's American Wing back-up after a spectacular renovation.... if you haven't been to Boston in a while it is a must see).

There are few photographers, besides Slim Aarons, whose work I can imagine inspiring countless future photo-shoots for R. Williams. A few of my favorites from the collection were (and I apologize for the poor quality blackberry pictures---- click on them to see them bigger):

I like the stripes of the flowing fabric, and how the angle of the models arm echos the silhouette of the pyramid. Simple, bold, elegant.

Great print on the scarf, and interesting negative space.

I'm quite obsessed with this guy's bowtie and am contemplating having an imitation made (you have to view the picture bigger to get it).

Simply Iconic.

-Ryan

On our mind: Nantucket

Walking to South Station, I passed the Lannan Gallery, the best place in Boston for nautical decor and vintage maps....

and this gorgeous map of my favorite island caught my eye.....

Luckily, I was headed to Nantucket that very (cold and windy, but fortunately sunny) day.

I think it would be great to live in one of these little buildings in the harbor. I wonder if some of them are homes or if they're all commercial.

I was pressed for time so I didn't make it to the beaches. Which would have been freezing anyways. I can't wait to go back once the water has warmed up!

We have a special project in the works using some locally produced stuff from the island (venture a guess anyone?)..... I can't wait to share it.

- Ryan

Inspiration: Antiquing

We love this pattern. Similar to the lining on the Olivia Tote. Can you almost see our logo in that red and yellow Chinese crest?