The Thread that Binds
In this season’s style issue, we celebrate the enduring art of self-expression, stitched not only into what we wear, but how we live.
From the charming boutique and restaurant lined streets of Pensacola to the gilded balconies of New Orleans, personal style thrives wherever intention meets imagination. Julia Ussery, founder of Scout Boutique, brings a fashion-forward sensibility back to her hometown, drawing on years spent in New York’s fashion orbit to curate collections that are as timeless as they are wearable. Just down the Gulf Coast, Yvonne LaFleur has built a sartorial legacy in the Garden District, with an atelier where French silks and Southern grace converge, a nod to heritage and the future all at once.
Fashion, after all, is memory in motion. It speaks through silhouette, fabric, and gesture. From the corseted forms of the Belle Époque to the rebellious energy of the 1970s, our clothing has long mirrored the world’s evolution. Today, the fashion capitals London, Paris, New York, and Milan continue to shape how we dress, dream, and define ourselves.
In this issue, we consider the dual forces of tradition and innovation: Savile Row, where suits are still handmade by master cutters with quiet precision, and J. Hilburn, which offers custom fit at the pace of modern life. Each reflects a truth of the style journey, whether it’s crafted slowly over generations or discovered through a single perfect fit.
We also turn our gaze to the finer details like the language of flowers, once used to convey unspoken emotion, now reimagined for tablescapes, garden soirées, and seasonal storytelling. Whether welcoming guests or simply setting a mood, blooms have the power to elevate the everyday.
Is it possible to have one glass that rules them all? This month Gulfcoast Wine investigates the true potential of a glass and encourages spontaneity and fun when exploring wines and flavor profiles.
And ultimately, that is what personal style is about: elevation through intention. Not trend or status, but knowing what makes you feel most like yourself, and choosing it daily. A favorite fragrance. A well-cut jacket. A single peony in a bud vase.
This issue embraces those choices. Because style, when thoughtfully chosen, becomes far more than fashion, it becomes the thread that binds beauty to meaning.
BIANCA BAIN VILLEGAS, PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
September 2025
PUBLISHER
Suzanne Pope | Suzanne.Pope@CityLifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Bianca Bain Villegas
Bianca.BainVillegas@CityLifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Finn Aldrich, Alex Boykin, Elizabeth McKinley, Stephania Streit, Anna Wall, Laura L. Watts
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Chris Granger-The Times-Picayune, B.Media
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders
AD DESIGNER Jenna Crawford
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kathy Nguyen
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas
inside the issue
Tucked away within the tiny streets of the Granada Souk, amongst treasures and tokens for travelers, a familiar face, Norma Jean or Marilyn Monroe, an icon of her time and even today as she continues to be celebrated the world over, a modern painting emblematic of a story as old as time. That of the inspiration of style, beauty and the
Welcome to Scenic Hills Country Club
Where tradition meets southern charm. Our semi-private club boasts superb facilities and a warm, welcoming membership family. Our 18-hole, Championship Caliber golf course caters to all levels of golfing ability, ensuring every round is a memorable experience.
For over 60 years, Scenic Hills has been a cornerstone of community and family recreation. Our elegant ballroom, versatile meeting rooms, luxurious locker rooms, and diverse dining options—from casual to upscale—offer something for everyone.
At Scenic Hills, we blend class with casual southern hospitality. Our dedicated management staff and talented employees are committed to providing professional, top-notch service, creating an environment where families and the community can thrive. Join us and be part of our rich legacy!
Membership at Scenic Hills Country Club truly comes with benefits! Discounted privileges to course and cart, choice tee times, advanced use of the full facilities, and exclusive event access are just a small sampling of what you receive as a member of Florida’s only course that has hosted a USGA Open.
At Hummingbirds, we’re more than florists, we’re storytellers. Every arrangement, every curated gift, is crafted to carry a message of love, celebration, or remembrance. Whether you’re marking life’s biggest moments or the quiet, meaningful ones in between, our flowers speak from the heart. Join us in celebrating life’s most precious moments and let us be a part of your journey. Together, we’ll create memories that bloom forever.
Savor the Lifestyle: Floriography
“Earth laughs in flowers”, Ralph Waldo Emerson poignantly noted in his poem, Hamatreya, observing how our Earth in her eternal state has its own language, spoken in part by its botanical community, specifically through its flora. Nature has a broad, diverse set of languages to communicate with us as its inhabitants, ranging from the feeling of soft, silky grass beneath our barefeet to the towering sequoias so great and mighty and to the breathtaking, magnificent mountain peaks of the Tetons which make us catch our breath quickly at their first sight, flooding our senses with awe and grandeur. What is the Earth desperately trying to tell us as we move swiftly through our daily lives encircled by our artificial indoor surroundings and lighting? To not forget Her. In our 24/7 blue light lives, how can She compete for our attention? Through the beauty of a Bloom.
The
Language of Flowers
Not only does the Earth speak to us through her colorful array of flowers, we speak to each other through the language of flowers, as well. Floriography, the language of flowers, has been recognized for centuries throughout the world. The ancient Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, and Chinese used flowers and plants throughout their mythologies, folklore, sonnets and plays to artfully communicate their beliefs and culture through their literary works. Even Shakespeare referenced over fifty different types of flowers in his plays and sonnets to portray love, beauty, mortality and the passage of time to engender a bolder and deeper understanding of humanity to his audience.
During the Victorian era, nearly all homes in the 1800s had a Bible and a guidebook for deciphering the language of flowers. Victorian era strict etiquette gave the unspoken word a voice through the sharing and giving of flowers. Many varieties were used to deliver messages that could not be articulated aloud, in public or private. The detail of this silently given but loudly heard language eloquently conveyed messages of love, disdain, devotion, conceit, bitterness and even preference for another. If flowers were given upside down, the imparted idea was the opposite of what was the original meaning. And, of course, a wilted bouquet was undeniable in its message!
Throughout recorded history, flowers have also been used for their medicinal and culinary properties. They communicate healing, sustenance and comfort to our existential human condition. Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D., believes that flowers are important for our overall wellbeing and possess holistic qualities. In 1979, he founded the Beneficial Plant Research Association to promote research on the role plants have in our lives that can improve our health and wellness. Dr. Weil believes that flowers do communicate with us. They have a language all their own that contributes to our overall sense of well-being any time, any place. Dr.
Weil also prescribes flowers to be a part of our daily lives, especially in our home environments. Rutgers University agrees with his findings.
In 2005, Rutgers University conducted a behavioral research study, “An Environmental Approach to Positive Emotion: Flowers,” that proved Nature, specifically flowers, improves emotional health. The presence of flowers triggers happy emotions, heightens feelings of life satisfaction and affects social behavior in a positive manner far beyond than what was previously believed. “The study challenged established scientific beliefs about how people can manage their day-to-day moods in a healthy and natural way,” stated Jeanette Haviland-Jones, PhD, Professor of Psychology at Rutgers and lead researcher of the study. The study also explored the location in the home where flowers are displayed. The arrangements were primarily placed in areas that were open to visitors, such as foyers, living rooms and dining rooms, suggesting that flowers are a symbol of sharing. “Flowers bring about positive emotional feelings for those who enter a room,” shared Dr. Haviland-Jones, “they make the space more welcoming and create a sharing atmosphere.” In other words, Flowers are a love language.
The meanings and traditions associated with flowers has changed over time but our fascination with “perfumed words” persists to this day. A sensory language of experience through touch, taste, feel and smell, flowers can develop our world around us into an intimate, emotionally uplifting daily encounter with Nature, as intended.
Flowers are our proxy with Mother Earth-her way of communicating with us no matter where we are, her laughter, her beauty, her sweet fragrance and the greatest of all-her love for humankind. Whether through a single rose or a grand bouquet, invite Her into your heart and home so you may live the good life and Savor the Lifestyle.
LEARN MORE: When was the last time you were around beautiful flowers? Mine was Fiesta 2025. The plentiful arrangements were stunning at every event. Tag us and share a picture of your favorite flowers.
Proudly Celebrating Over 40 Years!
Pensacola has a distinguished and proud heritage dating back over 450 years. At Connell & Company Realty, Inc., we are equally as proud of the historical significance of the area and take pride in presenting these communities to our customers.
By setting the standard for excellence, Connell & Company Realty has become among the largest independently owned real estate companies in Northwest Florida. We are a multi-million dollar corporation of more than 50 Realtor Professionals and staff. We don’t compete with each other; we work as a team with over 2,000 years combined real estate experience – committed to offering you the best possible real estate experience!
Curated By Instinct
ARTICLE BY ELIZABETH MCKINLEY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY B.MEDIA
THE ART OF STYLE: INSIDE SCOUT WITH JULIA USSERY
“The craftsmanship behind a great piece, the stitching, the structure...that’s what excites me, that’s architecture,”
In a historic coastal city better known for its whitesand beaches than its fashion pedigree, Julia Ussery’s Scout boutique stands as a quiet force; one rooted in an aesthetic, a philosophy, and a tribute to refined individuality. Tucked into downtown Pensacola, Scout is a reflection of Ussery’s decades in New York fashion, her eye for detail, her command of proportion and silhouette, and most of all, her belief that fashion should never underestimate its audience.
“I’ve loved beautiful things for as long as I can remember,” she reflects. That love took root in an unexpected leap of faith. After leaving her job in investment banking in New Orleans, she moved to New York to study at Parsons, where she thrived in the rigors of fashion design. “It was lucky and completely life changing,” she said.
What followed was an enviable ascent: first as an assistant designer at Calvin Klein in the ’90s, then later returning as design director, overseeing the CK line and guiding an entire team. “It was a different era in fashion,” she reflects. “Those years shaped me.” She eventually rose to vice president of design at Elie Tahari, where more than 30 designers, working 7 product lines, reported to her.
Despite the breakneck pace and prestige of Manhattan’s fashion industry, her heart remained tethered to her hometown. “I always knew I wanted to come home,” she says. “New York is my favorite place on Earth, but I’m very close to my family, and after starting my family, it was clear. It was time.” For five years, she commuted between Pensacola and Manhattan, holding onto both worlds until it became untenable. That turning point led to the inception of Scout, a boutique born from a lifetime of vision, global sensibility, and refined taste.
The boutique’s name came to her intuitively: “Scout,” a nod to discovery, curation, and the perpetual hunt for what’s next. Inside, the space is equal parts
gallery and atelier. “Every piece in the store has to earn its place,” she says. “I might not wear everything I bring in, but I have to love it. If I don’t, it doesn’t belong here.”
It’s a philosophy rooted in expertise. Her understanding of design, the cut of a jacket, the texture of denim, the engineering behind a silhouette, informs every decision. “These are not just jeans,” she says of brands like R13. “This is Japanese denim. It’s about the fiber, the wash, the way it fits. Every detail is intentional. That matters.”
That integrity is felt in every square foot of the boutique, from its clean lines to the finely edited racks of labels like R13, Nili Lotan, and Ulla Johnson. Securing some of these brands took years of persistence and proof that Pensacola’s clientele would support them. “It was validating,” Ussery says. “To get those approvals meant Scout had earned its place.”
To Ussery, luxury is less about labels and more about intention. “The craftsmanship behind a great piece, the stitching, the structure, the way it fits a real body, that’s what excites me, that’s architecture,” she says.
She curates for an audience she knows intimately, an ever-expanding group of women Julia considers family. “My clients range from women in their twenties to their eighties. Some are dressing for weddings in Italy, others for every day, and all of them value quality, intention, and individuality. I want Scout to be a place where they’re seen. We know what they like. Sometimes we shop the store for them bringing pieces to their homes or offices. We tailor, alter, customize. If something needs to be done in a day, we try to make it happen.”
Style, for Julia, is never about trend-chasing. “I think the idea of ‘what’s in’ is over. It’s really about personal expression now. Wide-leg, skinny, bright, neutral, it’s all ‘in’ if it suits you. Timelessness is what lasts.”
Scout has also played a role in elevating the creative culture of Pensacola. Julia has produced two fashion
shows that benefitted local organizations. Shows that she says “could have happened in New York,” both in production quality and originality. “It’s important for me to use creativity in a community-forward way,” she says. “But it also has to make sense as a business. That’s the balance.”
What does luxury mean to her now? “Time,” she says without hesitation. “Time to be in my store, to be with my family, to create. That’s the ultimate luxury.”
From New York’s runways to Pensacola’s streets, Ussery’s journey is a testament to trusting your instincts, honoring your eye, and building something with soul. Scout isn’t just a boutique. It’s a living, evolving expression of art, fashion, and fearlessness, curated one piece at a time.
SCOUT | 403 S Palafox | 850.607.7105 | @scout_boutique
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FACE OF the Moment
ARTICLE BY FINN ALDRICH | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED A classical portrait with Exquisite detail and precision
THE EVOLUTION OF THE FASHION MODEL AS MUSE, ICON, AND CULTURAL CATALYST
The fashion model has long been both a canvas and a cultural symbol, shaping and reflecting beauty ideals, social shifts, and industry evolution. The profession began in 1850s Paris when designer Charles Frederick Worth employed his wife, Marie Vernet, as a living mannequin to showcase his designs, ushering in the modern fashion house and catwalk.
In the early 20th century, models were mostly anonymous, featured in illustrations and photographs for department store catalogues. By the 1940s and ’50s, names like Dorian Leigh and Suzy Parker brought recognition and glamour, laying the groundwork for the model as celebrity. The 1960s exploded with iconic faces like Twiggy and Veruschka, who redefined the model as muse and cultural force.
The 1990s introduced the era of the supermodel: Naomi, Cindy, Christy, Claudia, and Linda, who transcended fashion to become global icons, wielding influence beyond the runway. The new millennium expanded that influence, blending fashion with social media, activism, and personal branding. Models today are as likely to be founders, creators, and change makers as they are editorial stars.
Diversity, once overlooked, is now a defining value, with models of varied backgrounds, identities, and body types reshaping the standard of beauty. From couture runways to digital platforms, the role of the model continues to evolve. Ever a mirror, muse, marker of the moment, and penetrator of the human psyche.
1990s: Age of the Supermodel
GLAM GETAWAY
Escape to New Orleans for a memorable adventure at a treasured boutique.
ARTICLE BY LAURA L. WATTS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS GRANGER, THE TIMES-PICAYUNE
Planning a day trip to New Orleans? Amid delicious meals, live entertainment, sightseeing and shopping, be sure to include a stop at the iconic Yvonne La Fleur boutique. Yvonne has operated her eponymous shop in the friendly Uptown neighborhood for more than five decades.
“I invite you to come take a look at my store. It’s a step back in time and a step forward in fashion.”
“I love New Orleans,” says the 78-year-old, who works six days a week and, through the efforts of digital marketing agent Angélique Frizzell, has amassed nearly a half-million Instagram followers. “I like to share all the good things about our city. It’s wonderful to visit. We have a lot going on, it’s so much fun.”
For your getaway to her hometown, Yvonne suggests a stay at Park View Historic Hotel, a ride on the St. Charles Streetcar (her store is at stop #299) and meals at Atchafalaya, Lilette, Gautreau’s and Brigtsen’s. Of course, your itinerary must include plenty of time to explore the Yvonne LaFleur New Orleansboutique, a 10,000-square-foot mecca of women’s apparel, trinkets and treasures. (Open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
“I invite you to come take a look at my store,” says Yvonne, who has dressed generations of women. “It’s a step back in time and a step forward in fashion.”
There’s truly something for everyone at Yvonne’s “pleasure palace,” as she calls it. Casual daywear and business suits. Wedding dresses and ball gowns. Luxurious coats, cocktail dresses and fancy capes. Accessories include elegant French scarves, antique gloves and chic handbags. Gifts range from costume jewelry, candles and silk lingerie to hand lotion and hair ornaments. There’s even an in-store cocktail bar so clients can enjoy refreshments during their excursion.
Yvonne sells a popular signature perfume and designs her own clothing line. Her style mixes classic and contemporary looks, all with a uniquely NOLA flair.
Don’t miss the beloved hat department enhanced by her vast private collections from around the world, including exquisite veiling, turn-of-thecentury flowers from France, silk ribbons from CONTINUED >
Switzerland and antique feathers from Germany. Taught by her aunt Elise LaFleur, Yvonne mastered the art of custom millinery and continues to share that passion with clients. She designs hats for every event: the Kentucky Derby, Mother’s Day, Easter, weddings and christenings.
“There’s always a perfect occasion for these timeless pieces,” says Yvonne, who dreamed of opening her own store from the time she was a young girl and achieved that dream in 1969. She grew up in New Orleans and was influenced by her aunts, who worked locally in the fashion industry. Yvonne began her career working in stores up and down Canal Street as a teenager. She majored in fashion merchandising at Louisiana State University, and shortly after graduation, at just 22 years old, she opened the doors of her shop.
“Come discover the charm of New Orleans style at Yvonne La Fleur!” Yvonne says of her home away from home, located a block from the Mississippi River on the corner of Hampson and Dublin streets, near St. Charles Avenue. “Nestled in the heart of this vibrant city, our boutique brings timeless elegance with a touch of southern glamour.”
With summer winding down and New Orleans’ colorful fall festivities beginning soon, this is a great time to plan a quick trip to The Big Easy. Rich culture, an offbeat vibe, delicious beignets and an unforgettable shopping spree are a few of the treats that await you. Pack your bags and enjoy a dreamy rendezvous to this lively, gracious southern city.
HERITAGE MEETS INNOVATION
TRADITION REFINED, MODERNITY TAILORED: SAVILE ROW AND J. HILBURN IN CONTRAST
ARTICLE BY FINN ALDRICH | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
In the evolving world of men’s style, the suit remains a powerful symbol of polish and precision. But how one arrives at the perfect fit depends entirely on the path taken. At one end: Savile Row, the London street synonymous with bespoke tradition. At the other: J. Hilburn, the American brand rewriting tailoring for a faster, more flexible world. One is rooted in legacy; the other, in access. Together, they illustrate how modern men choose to define style.
SAVILE ROW: WHERE CRAFT IS CEREMONY
Savile Row is hallowed ground for those who view tailoring as art. Since the 1800s, its workshops have suited royalty, actors, and cultural icons. Here, a suit begins with a hand-drafted paper pattern, cut by a master tailor, and brought to life through more than 50 hours of hand-sewing.
“You don’t buy a suit from me. You commission a sartorial image.”
Andrew Ramroop OBE, Master Tailor, Maurice Sedwell
This process is slow by design. Clients return for multiple fittings, an intimate ritual where precision trumps speed. Each piece is made entirely from scratch, shaped to the individual with care and craftsmanship passed down through generations.
“It takes 10 years before you can truly call yourself a Savile Row tailor… It has taken a great deal of time, sacrifice, dedication and passion to achieve the honour of being called a master tailor in my own right.” David “Shane” Airoll, Trouser Maker, Huntsman
Prices reflect this depth of tradition, typically starting at $5,000. But for many, it’s not about the number, it’s about legacy, permanence, and pride in the details.
J. HILBURN: THE NEW STANDARD OF CUSTOM
By contrast, J. Hilburn offers a modern path to made-to-measure. Founded in 2007, the brand eliminates retail stores and connects clients directly with trained personal stylists. Garments are customized using over 30 measurements and hundreds of fabric and design options, then produced in top-tier factories across Europe and Asia.
With prices typically under $1,200 and a turnaround of just a few weeks, J. Hilburn is tailored for the pace of modern life. The appeal lies in flexibility: suits that fit beautifully without the time, travel, or commitment required by traditional bespoke.
“Once they’re in our clothes, clothes that fit better… they look better, they feel better, and other people tell them so. After that, they can’t go back to dressing sloppily.” Hil Davis, J. Hilburn
While not fully bespoke, Hilburn’s made-to-measure garments are leagues above off-the-rack, bringing confidence and custom-fit to a new generation of style-conscious professionals.
TAILORING TODAY: INTENTION OVER LABEL
Both paths offer value, just measured differently. Savile Row is for the purist: the man who values slowness, tradition, and sartorial legacy. J. Hilburn speaks to the modernist: the man who prizes fit, efficiency, and stylist-guided ease.
One offers heirlooms; the other, elevated essentials. One is the ritual of craftsmanship; the other, the convenience of customization.
But ultimately, the decision isn’t about prestige, it’s about presence. And in today’s world, true style isn’t defined by where it’s made, but by how intentionally it’s worn.
For local, custom service for your needs: 850.602.4255 | Wendy.McCullar@jhilburnpartner.com
One Glass?
What if you could have one wine glass that amplifies every wine, allowing the aromas to bloom while also delivering it to the palate just right? A beautiful glass, balanced and elegant. Not only would that glass bring the best out of every wine, with every sip being an experience, but it would bring the best out of the drinker, making them exude style and debonair. What a concept! We have touched on the subject of wine glass varieties before and, I hate to tell you, but the glass (shape and style) does matter, but by how much? Do you really need a specific wine glass to get the most out of every wine type, or could you get away with just one? I set out to answer these questions. I gathered a team of random wine lovers and sat them down, blindfolded. Each blindfolded taster had five wine glasses in front of them and a handler standing next to them. The directions were as follows; “You will try three total wines, a sparkling, a white, and a red. To start I will pour the sparkling wine into all five of your glasses. Your handler will hand you a glass and you will taste the wine. When you are ready for the next glass tell your handler. Try as many times as you want, going back to previous glasses as you desire. Once you have tasted wine from all five glasses you will tell your handler which glass gave you the best experience. Once everyone has picked their glass we will move to the next wine.”
ARTICLE BY ALEX BOYKIN OF GULFCOAST WINE
PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
The glasses were a champagne flute, a standard White Wine glass, a Universal glass, a Burgundy glass, and a Bordeaux glass. I asked the tasters prior if anyone thought that a true Universal wine glass existed. The answer was a resounding NO! No bias here. At the end of each wine, I asked the tasters to take off their blindfolds so that they could see what glass gave them the best experience for that wine. Well, even I was surprised with the results! The winner of the Sparkling (which was a nice Prosecco) was the most shocking, a tie between the Burgundy and the Bordeaux glasses with the Universal glass coming in second! Not a single taster preferred the Prosecco out of the elegant wine flute or white wine glass, and instead everyone enjoyed it more from the bigger wine glasses on the table. If you find this hard to believe I encourage you to try it yourself! I have
known for a long time that ALL good sparkling wine is better from a true, larger, wine glass. Next the white, which was a Sonoma Sauvignon Blanc. 75% of the tasters chose the universal wine glass, with 25% choosing the white wine glass.
Finally, the red, which was a Napa Syrah. Another tie, this time with no second place. 50% of the tasters chose the Bordeaux glass and 50% chose the Universal glass.
What does this tell us? Can a certain glass be perfect for each type of wine? Yes, but can the right Universal glass be the best all around? Yes! At the end all of the tasters were amazed, and walked away with a true appreciation of what the right wine glass can do while also learning that the right wine glass might be the same for many wines! If you are looking to add to your collection or start getting nice wine glasses where either space or budget is your limit, then consider a Universal wine glass. And, to answer the last question everyone probably has at this point; “what was the Universal Wine glass used?” It was from Gabriel Glas. They are not a sponsor, but after A LOT of research and my own personal testing I think they make the best Universal wine glass available. So, is there truly a universal wine glass? Yes, so…Cheers to that!
For FASHION ALL
How Luxury Found a Home on the High Street
ARTICLE BY ANNA WALL | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
COS Shot by Fernando Marroquin
As someone who breathlessly followed Prince William and Kate Middleton’s courtship in the aughts, I first learned the term “high street fashion” through the magazines that chronicled the princess-to-be’s signature high-low style. Kate’s knack for pairing luxury items, like the newest Chanel bag, with affordable finds from high street retailers like Zara helped rebrand the royal family as youthful and relatable. Her sartorial mix also signaled a larger shift in fashion itself, as the rise of the internet and fast fashion made style more democratic and accessible than ever.
Coined from the British term for a town’s main commercial thoroughfare, “high street fashion” refers to affordable, trendy, off-the-rack clothing. The movement arose in postwar London, as chains like Primark and Marks & Spencer opened on high streets across the UK, selling miniskirts, bikinis, and other on-trend items to young people with newfound buying power.
The globalization of the 1990s brought Britain’s high street stores—and their European counterparts—to America. When Spanish darling Zara opened its first US store in 1989, The New York Times coined the term “fast fashion,” citing Zara’s ability to take a new design from concept to store in just 15 days. Swedish giant H&M soon followed suit, opening its first NYC flagship in 2000.
Though these retailers were an instant hit, they didn’t carry much caché with fashion’s elite. Fast fashion was seen as a cheap imitation, a trickle-down of runway trends.
This all changed with Karl Lagerfeld’s 2004 collaboration with H&M. While not the first fashion crossover, it was perhaps the most groundbreaking. Women's Wear Daily wrote that the collaboration "had a seismic effect on the entire fashion system: breaking down barriers between luxury and mass; democratizing design in a new way, and foreshadowing an era of rampant collaborations, drops and pop-up concepts."
Lagerfeld’s capsule collection sold out in one day; everyone was clamoring to score designer fashion at an affordable price. H&M followed up with annual designer collections, including Roberto Cavalli (2007), Jimmy Choo (2009), and Versace
CONTINUED >
(2011). The partnerships raised H&M’s profile and made these previously exclusive designers household names.
With social media, the lines between luxury fashion and the high street continue to blur. Fashion editors can no longer gatekeep trends and designers. Today, content creators bypass traditional publications entirely, sharing runway looks in real time and influencing buyers directly. Fashion houses have responded in kind, live streaming their runway shows and adding a “See Now, Buy Now” feature to compete with the quick cycle of today’s market.
With designer Zac Posen named the new Creative Director of Gap, and Zara launching a 50th anniversary campaign featuring 50 supermodels, the symbiotic relationship between the fashion world and the high street shows no sign of slowing down. In a world where luxury can feel out of reach, style is refreshingly within grasp.
WHAT’S HOT ON THE HIGH STREET
H&M’s minimalist little sister, COS is favored by fashion editors for timeless, affordable wardrobe staples.
& Other Stories burst onto the high street fashion scene in 2013 with globally-inspired finds that give modern, main character energy.
French fashion brand Sézane makes feminine, Parisian luxury accessible.
Spanish retailer, Mango, is known for affordable, sophisticated fashion with a Mediterranean flair.
FALL STYLE FORECAST
A number of new Animal Prints are poised to join the menagerie this fall, including refined dalmatian spots and new takes on zebra.
Last year’s “Quiet Luxury” is unraveling into a more Unkempt Elegance that recalls 2000s party culture. Think delicate dresses paired with chunky knits and chic, disheveled hair.
Browns and Greens are in, seen in rich velvets, slouchy leathers, and sumptuous suedes.
Expect luxe Faux Fur accents to pop up everywhere this season, from jewelry to dresses to coats.
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