We are stopping to appreciate our designers this week, starting out with Eileen Fisher. I feel like I've written this post before. Quite possibly I have. We've carried Eileen Fisher for a LONG time, almost 20 years, so there is a good chance I've posted about her greatness before.
She's been in business forever. The styles are classic, timeless, and always done in fabrics that are vetted for perfection, and almost always washable. We've worked with the same reps for the line as we did 20 years ago, and that says a lot when you have a company that retains the same devoted employees who believe in the designer ENOUGH to stay put (the clothing industry is not a "stay put" kind of industry). Shout out to our rep Valerie, we love you!
I will start out by saying that there aren't a lot of designer that I feel like can be loved by both myself, AND my mother. I've gotten past the age where the mere thought of that concept (dual love for one designer) would make me cringe on sheer principle. Young people can be mean to their moms sometimes, I can still remember the day I burst into tears when my mom tried on my jeans my freshman year of college and they FIT. The clear separation of mother/daughter boundaries included us NOT wearing the same size, liking the SAME designer, NOR wearing the same actual jeans. I'm over all that, but still, it gives one pause and I wonder, "am I getting old, is that why I like Eileen Fisher (aka my mom's favorite designer) so much?"
The answer is a resounding, NO (and that's not just wishful thinking on my part, it's a legit no.). Eileen Fisher, 20 years ago, when her company was much newer, the line much smaller, and the look just a bitt different, had a reputation for being a designer for "older women" (and 20 years ago that was pretty much anyone older than 25 in my eyes). The flowy pieces, and easy washable fabrics appealed to the older mindset and the reputation cemented in the eye of the public. That might have been true back then, but Eileen has crawled her way slowly but surely, from that perception and evolved her image. Her advertising, her styling, and her general approach has been geared more toward timeless, ageless appeal. All of her models look youthful and fresh, and most have this sort of ageless feel where you can't quite tell where they land in years, but they look hip and effortless, and so youthful you want to be them no matter how old you are. They all strike that balance of looking chic, but not like they are trying. Still, I'll admit, it's hard to totally shrug off a reputation, some of it lingers out there, but what I'm finding is that people are finally seeing past that. They'll see someone working in the store in their mid-20's wearing something Eileen and It's like the lightbulb goes off and they realize, 'yeah, it DOES look cool, who cares what I use to think it was all about."
Do I wear head to to Eileen Fisher? No, not usually, and that' partly because the pants don't quite fit me right personally (I'm short, with a longer rise, pants aren't easy). It's also because most of her pieces are NOT body conscious, so head to toe can be too much fabric on me. I do however worship some of my Eileen Fisher sweaters, coats, and tunics. They are great pieces that balance against my skinny jeans or slim leggings. I can pair one of her sweaters with a pair of slouchy ripped up boyfriend jeans, funky leopard slides, or Golden Goose high tops and I feel myself...that is to say, young and hip (and FYI, almost 50 is the new almost 30 in my mind.) Some of her silhouettes now are decidedly body conscious, but even the less body silhouettes can be über cool and sexy when worn the right way.
The pieces I've bought from EF I have had forever, almost too long. Sometimes I've worn a sweater so much that I'm actually SICK of it and I"ll pack it up for a couple years and then pull it out again and love it all over again. No joke. They wash/wear that well. When I have pause over a price tag, I remind myself that it's worth it because there will not be any need to get rid of it unless II just get sick of it. This sweater to the left...I have a current crush on it. LOVE the color, and the soft high neckline. I can't wait to cozy into this as the days get crisp and leaves start to fall.
I know some people take offense to the fact that she hasn't figured out a way to produce everything in the U.S.A. It's a bummer for sure, but what I do love is that she does what she can in the US, and she's sourcing fibers that are organic, and that has a HUGE impact on the environment, plus using low impact dyes when she can. No, not everything is produced here in the states, but she is producing things ethically out in the greater world, and she needs some props for that.
That all leads me to the point of this appreciation post. Thank you Eileen for being a visionary, and for maintaining that vision with such steadfast devotion. Thank you for designing clothing that can be worn by anyBODY, and always looks good. We are there with you, every step of the way.
Signed, ME {lv}
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