Stacy and Andi's Holiday Travel Traditions!

We caught up with Stacy Charles (of Tahki Stacy Charles) and asked him to tell us all about his holiday travel traditions for the collection. His contribution this year is through two collaborations one with TSCArtyarns and the other with Andi Javori of Javori designs. We can't wait to show you their contribution to the holiday collection (coming out tomorrow in a special edition of our Newsletter) but in the meantime, here are Stacy (and Andi's) holiday travel tradition stories for you to enjoy! 

Stacy:

I am fortunate enough to live in two places. It is not that uncommon for residents of NYC. We have a hectic-paced city life during the week - and retreat to a second home, either in the mountains upstate or on the ocean, for a weekend or holiday escape.  My weekend home is in the seaside town of East Hampton on Long Island. It is a charming town, first established by English settlers in 1648, that is at once rustic and elegant. Though packed with seasonal visitors during the summer months, it is all the more enjoyable out of season, when the slanting rays of the setting sun light the ocean on the deserted shore. 

I have spent my winter holidays at my East Hampton home for the past 30 years. I usually do my gift shopping in the less-crowded boutiques in town. One of my gift-giving indulgences is to shop at Tiffany or London Jewelers.  Shopping these stores is an amazing experience. I try to keep my gifts to $100 or less, and though challenging, I always manage to find the perfect gifts. The rest of my time is spent enjoying quality time with family, cooking and enjoying the holiday meals. The highlight of my holidays is the annual formal-dress party we throw for friends and family on New Year’s Eve. Seeing everyone in their finery is the perfect way to send off the old year and welcome the new. 

This past year saw a new version of The Great Gatsby on film. This story also takes place on Long Island, its Gold Coast, and the film’s Flapper Era fashions have re-sparked an interest in vintage jewelry. There was a fabulous 1920’s piece that caught my eye in a local shop window, so I asked a frequent collaborator of mine, the talented Long Island-based knitwear and master jewelry designer Andi Javori, to combine her talents to create a necklace and bracelet inspired by this piece. And the happy results of her creativity are these jewelry kits that we are offering to you. I can envision all the women at my New Year’s Eve party wearing either the silver or gold version Andi has created (which will make my holiday shopping much easier this year). Andi and I hope you will appreciate the beauty and elegance of these pieces to dress up your own holiday season for years to come.

Andi:

In my home the holidays are all about putting everything aside, and getting together with the extended family and friends. Fortunately my husband’s and my family both live in New York, so we don’t have to travel far. I truly enjoy inviting everyone to my home, cooking a special dinner, and just enjoying everyone being together.

The holiday for us is not complete without a visit to Manhattan. My children love visiting Rockefeller Center, seeing the holiday window displays, and sampling the rich hot chocolate in Bryant Park. This has become our annual tradition. At the same time my personal self-indulgence is walking through the fashion district and looking for unique materials to knit into my designs.

When Stacy Charles contacted me to collaborate with him on a special project for the holidays, his vision for this new collection was prolific. We spoke about his find of a beautiful piece of vintage jewelry in a shop window. Inspired by the look and glamour of the Gatsby era, the Jacqueline necklaces and bracelets represent the union of Stacy’s well-known fashion sense coupled with my love of design.

What’s more, when completed, these pieces make a special gift for this holiday season. We hope you enjoy the timeless beauty of the Jacqueline knitted necklace and bracelet kits, and that they add sparkle to your holidays and to all of your joyous occasions!

Be sure to stay tuned for tomorrow when we reveal the entire 2013 Holiday Collection!!! We are SOOOOO excited!