Staying Cool

A few weeks ago, JH and I went down to the Standard Hotel to see a preview of the Autumn Line of the Peruvian Connection, our friends who besides being online, have six stores across the country (and one in London) including a beautiful shop on Columbus Avenue and 76th Street.

Years ago before I became a professional writer, among my previous occupations I was proprietor of a couple of shops in Greenwich and Pound Ridge where I sold designer sportswear for women. It was a business I fell into and knew nothing about, including the product.

They were shoe-string operations that prospered greatly at the time. I had significant help from a silent partner in choosing the merchandise, and three women who were sales people to assist this novice. However with those collaborations, I soon learned about buying and selling fashion as well as the nature of the customer and the hows and whys of their choices.

It was the success of that venture that gave me the courage and motivation to follow my childhood dreams to become a writer, and in 1978 I sold my business and moved to Los Angeles to pursue my ambitions.

Seeing the Peruvian Connection’s preview of their Autumn line that day brought all of that experience back to me. I found myself looking at the line the way I would approach the merchandise I would buy for those stores -- mainly because I was very impressed by the PC style, the wearability but also by the quality of the fabrics. Style and practicality are what enhance one’s personal fashion.

The following are some of the items that I could imagine would look great on a woman of style today. The line will be available in their stores as well as online in the first week of July.