This past weekend, two Burberry-related events happened in Aspen. First, the former illustrious staff of the now defunct Burberry store in Aspen met for their annual reunion in conjunction with my yearly visit here to see friends, ski a few, and celebrate my March 12th birthday! We re-convene sometimes in a restaurant, but more recently enjoyed getting together in someone’s home, bringing food and drink and laughing the night away, as we recall all the hilarious stories about ourselves, our customers and all the retinue of corporate folks who wafted in and out of the historic building turned into the store we called home for up to ten years.
In addition, coincidentally, Burberry itself decided to make a guest appearance in a pop-up event for the weekend, March 12th-March 15th, at the Hotel Jerome. Big splashy ads appeared in the Aspen Daily News and Aspen Times announcing their special weekend at the Jerome. They brought in many of their iconic staples like trenchcoats, quilted jackets, classic check cashmere scarves, other accessories along with newly introduced selections.
The corporate office was represented with senior Visual Merchandising manager, Michael Catalani, Michael Maricic, director of Operations and Isabella Bisbal, Events and Experiences coordinator. They couldn’t believe we came, en masse to the event, representing the brand with our own Burberry pieces accumulated throughout our years with the company. Photos were taken, anecdotes shared and glasses of champagne raised to commemorate our special bond, with varying terms of service to a company we enjoyed serving who gave us so much in return, too.
How the Burberry stars aligned — the pop-up, the annual homecoming of one its staff, along with her birthday celebration with the illustrious Burberry Aspen team!
By Giovanna DiRusso Contributing Writer The Nantucket Inquirer and Mirror
(July 24, 2025) When Staud opened its doors on Centre Street last summer, I was immediately drawn to its windows with mannequins wearing simple, tailored silhouettes: figure-shaping designs that make it fun to put on a dress.
Since then, it has continued to put its fashion foot forward by continuing to focus on clothes that have clean, simple lines with innovative interpretations and accessories, but always an emphasis on good styling, comfort and ease.
In 2015, Sarah “Staud” Staudinger and George Augusto co-founded the Los Angeles-based lifestyle brand upon the idea that “fashion shouldn’t just empower women – it should be accessible too.”
The brand currently has 10 stand-alone stores across the United States as well as a location within Market Highland Park in Dallas. It now has two stores in Los Angeles with the flagship on Melrose Avenue. Similarly, in New York, there are two locations, one in Soho and the other on the upper East Side on Madison.
There’s purpose in its decision where to open. It allows them to serve different neighborhoods and customer bases, offering tailored experiences and curated product assortments to meet the needs of each local neighborhood.
In East Hampton, Staud Sea focuses on beachwear and summer essentials for its clientele there.
I spoke with a publicity representative for the company who expressed the concept that Staud wanted to bring the physical retail experience to those Nantucket customers who already have shopped the brand elsewhere as well as a new audiences.
At the heart of the brand, is design. Crafted at the intersection of timeless classics and perfected novelty, Staud offers a collection for the modern woman who appreciates both.
“If fashion is a never-ending pursuit of style, then Staud is what happens after you’ve found it” is a mantra.
Staud designs collections for all seasons. It will be open on Nantucket from March or April through October or November.
In my own never-ending pursuit of style, according to Staud’s own definition of fashion, I purchased its now famous blue toile classic scoop-neck fitted and flared dress in the Madison Avenue store when I was in New York a few weeks ago.
I felt feminine and tailored all at the same time. Many of the designs are in synch with that same combination which sounds like a winning one to me. I will be watching for their fall collection to see what Staud has in store as summer warmth wanes into winter’s chill.
(July 7, 2025) The annual appearance of our beloved pale pink roses on trellises in Sconset and in town signals the official start of summer on the island as it does on the calendar.
In tandem with nature’s floral profusion is a blossoming of new stores dotting our downtown streets, showing off their own brand of blooms, from fashions in pastels or more vibrant hues, printed with their own display of flowers, whether it be roses or our favorite hydrangeas; to patterns of stripes, checks or dots; and fabrics of cotton, jersey or linen; and let’s not forget about the ever classic summer seersucker making a comeback for men and women.
I’ll start my summer rundown this week with two new stores that have replaced two longtime ones, but have distinct origins on Nantucket.
Photo: Giovanna DiRusso
ASHA is named for owner Ashley McCormack, whose grandmother has called her Asha since she was young.
She spent her summers in Sconset and Monomoy and styled her Nantucket store (the others are in Greenwich, Conn. and Palm Beach, Fla.) as an homage to her childhood memories.
“It is styled like a jewel box with yellow toile walls, beachy painted light floors with wicker style mats, faded Nantucket red displays, all very intentional in keeping with the ethos of the brand,” she said.
It is located in the former Vanderbilt Gallery that was on the corner of Federal and Chestnut streets for over 20 years.
McCormack’s business started with jewelry when she was taking a year abroad at the Sorbonne in Paris as an art history major and happened to be seated next to the head jewelry designer for Chanel who recommended a goldsmith in Paris who made the molds for her first collection.
Her designs are a mix of fashion and fine jewelry with a price range to accommodate everyone’s pocketbook, which are also part of her collection. The mother of pearl charms and pendants are quite special and make lovely gifts.
ASHA’s fashion collection “reflects the relaxed yet youthful styles and colors of island living,” according to store manager Whitney Graves.
Embroidery is a big part of the collection of classic yet timeless silhouettes on caftan dresses, in beautiful colors in three-quarter length tunics, short, midi and full lengths, bell sleeves, some belted and others without, made of either 100 percent linen or cotton.
The store has lightweight linen pareos one can wear as a beach cover-up over the swimsuit line she also carries.
The ever-ready silk/cashmere pashmina is always a good travel staple as well and I particularly liked a soft short quilted jacket which has a vintage look but is also quite current for a quick cover-up for a cool day or night and air conditioned restaurants.
With her cozy Nantucket red covered window seats and furnishings alongside her island style clothing and accessories, Ashley wants you to feel like you’re in a ship captain’s home or even inside a very special Nantucket basket. In this life-size jewel box of a shop, I’m sure you’ll feel right at home.
At the other end of Federal Street, across Main Street in the former Vis-A-Vis is a new store owned by a woman also with Nantucket roots.
Ellsworth + Ivey
Photo: Hailey Shimrock
Ellsworth + Ivey is owned by Taylor Ivey, who at 23 started the very successful Skinny Dip (my personal favorite) in 2016 with two friends.
She has since sold the Palm Beach branch of the store to her manager. Sharing the prosperity seems to be part of her philosophy, which seems to be spreading as Ivey has created a completely different model for her new shop.
Ellsworth + Ivey (Ellsworth is a family name) specializes in knitwear, predominantly sweaters that reflect fond memories of favorite places – Nantucket, perhaps – or sports like skiing or golf, or even a classic varsity sweater sporting the name of your school.
Ivey tells me she’s been manufacturing these stylized pieces from 30 designs she ships all over the country.
“Ellsworth+Ivey has been a brand for over 13 years,” she said, but this is the first brick and mortar store bearing the name.
Made from 100 percent cotton or a blend, her knits are well-priced from $128-$178 to keep it a reasonable and affordable choice.
There are some very luxurious cashmere choices as well. “You don’t want to price people out,” Taylor stressed.
To remember your trip, or to give a wearable shout-out to a favorite establishment or area, you can purchase a sweater repping the White Elephant, Cisco Brewers, Miacomet or Nantucket Yacht Club.
Before she opened this month, Ivey had a trunk show in May at Town Pool. When her company was getting started, Eye of the Needle promoted her creations in 2012 and 2013.
If you’re feeling like you need a little tune-up and update of your Fall wardrobe now that the leaves have blown off the trees and the cooler breezes turn into frosty blasts, what better way than to go to a fashion show with lots of new looks, proportions colors and designs ….and all in our own backyard! The Nantucket Chamber of Commerce did just that for its second annual Fall Fashion Show at the Nantucket Hotel. Enjoy my article in the October 17th edition of the weekly ‘Nantucket Inquirer and Mirror.’
If you’re in the mood to deep six your current fall and winter wardrobe and update your look with some new and fresh outfits, what better way than to check out a fall fashion show and see some new colors and styles that are being offered right in our own back yard.
With the Columbus Day weekend that just blew by along with the falling leaves, bringing with it cooler weather, the timing was perfect.
The Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce presented its second annual Fall Fashion Show at the Nantucket Hotel Saturday in conjunction with its weekend-long Cobblestones and Cranberries shopping initiative, which provided a contest for shoppers to gather stamps on a Bingo card from more than 25 participating shops, resulting in prizes after the card was handed in to the Chamber.
The show was all high-energy with a driving beat provided by DJ XPlod as 10 island shops and boutiques presented fall looks modeled by sales associates, family and friends.
“One-hundred percent local retailers, 100 percent local models,” Chamber executive director Peter Burke said to open the show. Participating businesses included Respoke, Manca Studio, Remy Creations, Blue Beetle, Erica Wilson, TownPool, Dress Code, Alice Walk, vineyard vines and the consignment shop The Rainbow Fleet.
Manca Studios, which operates out of a private home on the island and specializes in Nantucket basket-woven items, tied for first place with Respoke. Second place went to Dress Code with The Rainbow Fleet rounding out the top three.
The fashions themselves ranged from creamy cashmere capes, wraps and sweaters from Alice Walk; to sultry velvet skirts, classic wool coats and weatherproof jackets from Erica Wilson; colorful, printed knee-length dresses from Remy Creations and flowing, feminine dresses you would expect from Dress Code; as well as a Nantucket-inspired pajama set with matching nightcap from TownPool. Sounds like a perfect stocking stuffer to me.
Lots of denim jackets were shown as toppers with everything at least until the weather gets too chilly.
Of course, they can always be a layer under a heavier jacket or coat. There was even a huge multi-colored wool blanket with an outline of Nantucket Island emblazoned on the back, draped on the model over a coordinating outfit, all from The Rainbow Fleet.
Getting ideas? We can’t change the inexorable change of season as it gets colder and darker, but you can certainly take the chill out by surrounding yourself with some rejuvenating textures, warm colors and cozy togs from our very own neighborhood.
Former Massachusetts State Senator Bill Golden and his wife Kristen Golden have refurbished a decommissioned Nantucket Lightship that guarded our harbors for many years, and created a unique rugby shirt that’s all the rage on the island to immortalize these guardians of the sea.
Here’s my article on the Vanessa Noel Shoe Museum in Nantucket this summer that was in the August 8, 2024 weekly edition of ‘The Nantucket Inquirer Mirror’…. Enjoy!
Here’s my first article written for a Nantucket publication, since I’m now living here. I still have my place in Boston, but my heart is here. Hence, this is where I’m spending most of my time.
This is my first article written about food and a restaurant. As it turns out, it wasn’t much of a stretch. After fashion, food is my passion!
The Beet is a new addition to the Nantucket eating scene as of this past summer. Since they’re open on the off-season, which is a lot longer than Aspen’s, they are the ‘go-to’ eatery for breakfast, lunch and dinner!
When you’re here next summer, make sure to check it out. Enjoy the article and you’ll know what to order!
Last Saturday night was a balmy early summer evening, perfect to dress up for a soiree designed as a fundraiser for our city’s grande dame of art and culture, the Museum of Fine Arts. Women shone brightly, predominantly in black, white and red and interestingly, so did the men! This year’s Summer Party was held in the transformed Shapiro Family Courtyard in the shadow of the dramatic Chihuly glass tree sculpture with DJ Rich DiMare spinning the tunes all night long. You can always tell a good DJ when the dance floor is filled to its edges all night long. I certainly spent a good deal of time there! Three cheers to the MFA for a beautiful event, as we celebrated the start of summer while raising much-needed support for the Museum’s exhibitions, community programs and conservation initiatives. Evenings for legendary institutions like this makes me happy that I moved back to Boston!
Last Saturday night was a balmy early summer evening, perfect to dress up for a soiree designed as a fundraiser for our city’s grande dame of art and culture, the Museum of Fine Arts. Women shone brightly, predominantly in black, white and red and interestingly, so did the men! This year’s Summer Party was held in the transformed Shapiro Family Courtyard in the shadow of the dramatic Chihuly glass tree sculpture with DJ Rich DiMare spinning the tunes all night long. You can always tell a good DJ when the dance floor is filled to its edges all night long. I certainly spent a good deal of time there! Three cheers to the MFA for a beautiful event, as we celebrated the start of summer while raising much-needed support for the Museum’s exhibitions, community programs and conservation initiatives. Evenings for legendary institutions like this makes me happy that I moved back to Boston!
Fashionista in Aspen & Nantucket 