Saturday, April 19, 2014

La Connexion Francaise


When it comes to chic and talks of fashion, French style and influence holds so much sway.
When it comes to icon status, almost no once comes close to the notoriety of the queen 
Marie Antoinette.
Her lifestyle, surrounded in opulence, became a source of contention during her reign.
 For her beauty and style, she was envied by her peers,
while her wanton spending (the queen had 300 dresses made every year) fostered rage among her starving people. 


Today, Marie Antoinette inspires fashion designers, authors, and filmakers.
When it comes to style,
no one does it like the French.   


From the way they dress, their joie de vivre, and how they conduct their daily lives,
 the French are evoctive of a graceful, easy living.
 Fashion, art, architecture;
the whole culture is brimming with a dynamic energy
unmatched in the infulence and impact that is looked on the world over.


To celebrate our French connection,
 we want to show off the French lines we carry in PRIZE!
Each item comes with the charming
 je nais se quoi 
that the French are so famously envied for.


Jamin Puech specializes in the material art of the
one-of-a-kind bag.
Every year, the brand designs two collections of around eighty five intricately crafted,
limited-edition handbags,
each one handmade, unusual, and completely unique.
Best known for their bohemian flair and eclectic beadwork,
 Jamin Puech handbags are a limited production,
which means only a smal number of each style are made.


Eager devotees scramble for first picks 
when seasonal designs are shipped directly from Paris
Karl Lagerfeld has commissioned bags for the Chanel runway. 
 Jamin Puech bags appear frequently in magazines, 
though the featured pieces are almost certainly sold out
on the shelves by the time the issues hit the stands. 
PRIZE is the only store in Austin 
that carries the Jamin Puech line,
 and their new collection
arrives in the store straight from Paris this Monday :)


When remembering a good story
the sensation of smell is so often understated. 
As well as with sight and sound, 
smell contributes heavily to how we remember the mosst important events of our lives. 
The French fragance line, 
Histoires de Parfums 
is an olfactive library that tells stories about famous characters
raw materials and mythical years.


 The collection created by Gerald Ghislain 
is governed by no rules other than inspiration
choosing to bring stories to life in perfumes. 
Histoire de Parfums
 releases its fragrance in a Deluxe edition to
 be read on the skin.


Considered a visionary
the eponymous Serge Lutens 
has his influence rippling through the fashion industry.  
Serge Lutens has brought a visionary touch to almost every creative field.  
A staple in fashion circles in the 1980's,
 Lutens is a perfumer, photographer, hair stylist, fashion designer and more.  
In 2000, Lutens launched his own parfum house 
which includes a range of delectable scents.


French style, while most visibly tasking hold in fashion
is not limited to what goes on your body.
 French style and culture has an easy bearing 
that spills over a number of aesthetics. 
French style is sometimes characterized by simple silhouettes
and other times it recalls the bold and elaborate influences of the baroque period. 
Parisian street fashion is notorious for being effertlessly chic
But when it's time to wind down, 
the French do so in style as well.


Fermob, a French outdoor furniture maker has its marks all over the world. 
Seen in Times Square, at the Louvre, and at the swankiest cafes, Fermob has that easy feeling of clean sophistication that the French are so famous for.


We're extremley privileged at PRIZE 
to be able to bring our customers these amazing French lines! 
To thank our customers for being so wonderful, 
we'll be having our birthday party 
on May 1st from 5-9pm at the store!
 It'll have a fun French theme that celebrates our French connection!  
Come join us! 
See our event and like us on Facebook :)

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Mad About Hats


The Queen of England is a fashion icon.
For over 60 years, she has reigned with grace and sophistication, all in impeccable style.
Her brightly color blocked outfits have been a staple at every grand occasion;  and no event is complete without the queen donning one of her signature hats.


No doubt, the Royal Wedding of William and Kate reignited the love for hat culture in Britain,
but the sartorial monarch has historically on point with her hat game.
With Springtime and wedding season underway, she will once a gain be a style inspiration for countless outfits.  


The English have perfected the art of hat wearing.
Almost the same way we Americans anticipate the glorious gowns that come down the red carpet during awards season,  
the hats that punctuate a grand English occassion are as unique and the women that wear them.  This season, the runways are loving the hat trend.  After all, what is more chic that a really great hat?


Schiaparelli, one of Paris's most iconic designers returns to the runway in full couture glam, hat and all.
Following it's first runway show since, 1954, Schiaparelli's Spring/Summer 2014 line made its debut in Paris Fashion week and feature some very eclectic headpieces, making a bold statement in creative couture headpieces.


And of course, American fashionistas refused to fall behind on the trend.
New York Fashion Week was very in vogue with Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan, and Carolina Herrerra, to name a few, all had models wearing so very du jour hats.


For the British, hats have long been part of their rich history.
Worn as parts of their occupation, as with the Royal Guard, as symbols of class demarcation,
and once upon a time, as a requirement of the law, hat culture in Britain is so sartorially prevalent that it has influenced global fashion tremendously.


Hats have always been a part of the UK' social fabric. Stateside, we have a more whimsical approach to hat wearing, especially when it come to the more elaborate and ornate designs.


Simple hats are worn  to help achieve a certain look, like the "Teddy Boy" look above.


Hats even have the power to present people in a certain way. Are these women witches or are they having a costume tea?


Elaborately decorated hats make more of an American appearance during Easter celebrations
and in events like the Kentucky Derby.


Local Austin milliner, Milli Starr, creates fantastic hats for every occasion imaginable.
Head milliner and owner, Laura Del Vilaggio
creates spectacular headpieces from teh finest materials available.
Each piece is meticulously hand-blocked and hand-stitched using centuries old couture methods, but re-interpreted for a modern lifestyle.


On April 18-19, PRIZE will be hosting a two day trunk show for Milli Starr
Derby Day, Easter, and Wedding Season are upon us,
and Lauren will be in house Friday and Saturday from 12-3 to fit hats and answer any questions. 
Light snakcks and spring drinks will be served while you shop. Check out the Facebook Event here!

Friday, April 4, 2014

Spring Into Color


Spring has finally landed in Austin, TX!  And although it's just a bit overcast today, soon it'll be the perfect weather to reconnect with the outdoors!  What better way to do that than with friends and family?  
Let's get into our spring shorts, tank tops, bright dresses, and open toed shoes!  


Spruce up the patio, bring some color into your home, and brighten up your wardrobe!  It's time for barbecues, drinks on the porch, and days spent on the lake in the warm springtime sun!   
Hello, Spring!  It's good to see you!


Just in time for Spring, some new styles and lines have made their way into PRIZE!  From fun dresses, tops, silk shorts, and and exciting line of outdoor furniture, all of us here at PRIZE are bursting at the seams with our warm weather gear hitting the store. Check out what we've got! 
And don't forget to pick up some Ray-Ban sunglasses on your way out.


The colors of Spring bring a lot of inspiration to how we style our lives.  The bright colors make us want to dress in vibrant hues. For effortlessly chic looks, look no further than Alice & Trixie.  
Their signature prints and lust-worthy pop colors will defintely brighten up any wardrobe!


For a more Bohemian take on Spring fashion, KAS NY is the perfect line.  Realizing a void in the affordable luxury/contemporary woman's ready-to-wear market, KAS New York launched in 2007. Influenced by the designer's life experiences and cultural heritage, Kas NY forms an aesthetic that combines neotraditional urban style with luxurious bohemian vintage accents to create urban lux sophistication.  


Of course we can't forget the boys!  Happy Socks are a great way to add just a little flare to an outfit! 


Before heading out the door, throw on a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses and you're ready for a bright Spring Day!


When its finally time to relax after a full fun day out, make sure you're pad is as stylish as you are. Pillows are an easy way to glam up a space, and Trina Turk has you covered with patterns as playful as the season!



For your outdoor spaces, we are extremely excited to be a retailer for Fermob Outdoor Furniture! Yes, the iconic bistro chairs and tables that grace Times Square, the Louvre, and destinations of the like are now available for viewing and purchase at PRIZE!


Highly sustainable, effortlessly stylish, and unassumingly chic, Fermob's outdoor furniture collection is  a hit!  Fermob's color variety of color options make these pieces customizable to your tastes and themes.  Their light weight and stackble/foldable design means they can be stored when not in use. 
Check out this clever and creative way to store your Fermob


With the days getting longer, and the nights breezier and warmer, Spring is defintely getting into full swing! Check out what else we have to offer at PRIZE
Happy Spring, Austin! And as always, you are PRIZEd.


*Fall into SPRING! Select chic styles on sale 40% only at PRIZE 202 Colorado

Friday, March 21, 2014

Outdoor Sophistication by FERMOB


From Paris to Manhattan, and now to downtown Austin, the famed outdoor furniture brand Fermob has made it's way to PRIZE!


Fermob's brightly colored Bistro Collection can be found in Times Square in New York City and at the Louvre in Paris.  Simple, sophisticated and timeless,  Fermob deleveloped the folding Bistro Collection from the original Bistro Chair registered for patent in 1889.  And now these pieces can be purchased at PRIZE in the 2nd Street District of downtown Austin.



Not only are Fermob's designs great looking, they are also produced in a highly sustainable factory in Thoissey (Ain, France).  Metal, either top-quality aluminum or steel, is the main raw material in all of Fermob's furniture; and today 98% of all metals are recycled worldwide.  Fermob guarantees that its furniture is not just recyclable, it's actually recycled!




    














With our exciting, new expansion as Austin's newest Urban Department Store, Fermob is just one of the many fabulous brands we'll be carrying at PRIZE.  Currently, we have Fermob's Bistro Collection, the same range of folding chairs and tables you'll find sitting in Times Square.


Along with the Bistro Collection now on display at PRIZE, we also have the Luxembourg Collection and the Sixties Collection.

 

 All Fermob furniture is available in a wide array of colors.  Come see the collection yourself at PRIZE, 202  Colorado St. Austin, TX 78701.  Or visit our website at shop.prizeaustin.com.

You Are PRIZEd


Happy Friday Austin!!!  A big hello from all of us at PRIZE as we launch our new blog! Come see us downtown in the 2nd Street District for apparel, art, accessories, fragrance, furniture + interior design services!!!  If you haven't been to the store this year, please come check us out. We've expanded as downtown Austin's newest urban department store! Stop by today; we'd love to see your smiling faces :).