Emmett McCarthy | EMc2

Tagua Jewelry: “Ivory of the Forest”

Sometimes the most unpredictable pieces of jewelry garner the most attention.

My attention was captured when Lorena Gaitan returned from a trip from Columbia and showed me a marvelous new collection of  Tagua jewelry.  Tagua is often referred to as the ivory of the forest.

It is the “green dream” of jewelry and is a most politically correct resource. The seeds of the tagua are collected when they have fallen from the trees. The seeds are gathered.  In their natural form they are a flaxen color with dark brown coating. The fibrous constitution of the seed absorbs vibrant vegetable dyes.  Our selection of tagua jewelry is made from sliced and polished pieces strung together with dark brown cotton twine. Cascading of the tagua has been a popular style for our clients, worn both with causal and formal wardrobes. It is the material, color and texture of this jewelry that inspires the question: “That is a beautiful necklace, it is so unusual. What is it made of?”

Our tagua jewelry is available in the Elizabeth St. boutique, exclusively.  Look for it, in the future, online.

• May 17th, 2010
• 2010 Spring Summer
• 1 comment
• #

Saving Your Image in Style – Even During a Recession.

A lot of women ask me for suggestions when it comes to how best to dress for their lifestyle. Constantly I am asked what is acceptable to wear to work, running about town, dinning out, a causal lunch or a special event. I always think of these questions while shopping for fabrics, or thinking up silhouettes for new designs. The demands are growing for more utility in fashion with coordinating pieces to maximize the investment of new items of clothing.

There is no need to suffer from the same fashion victim overindulgences. No need to buy every fashion trend simply because it is in style. Style is about starting out with the right pieces that you can mix and match to wear anywhere. No need to labor over your outfits, understand that the meaning of style is very individual. Buying what suits you, with a great fit, in the best quality and within your budget is a sure investment. Style is not a matter of having it all, it is a matter of having key elements you need to coordinate for your every lifestyle need.

Classically cut fashion worn in a unique way with an accessory that adds an extra design twist or flourish can make each ensemble special and never tired. A beautifully cut trench coat or a dress coat worn over slim pants and a simple solid colored T-shirt along with a handbag and a silk scarf can create an understated elegant look that can take you through your day, morning to night.

Style has never been about money. That is a misconception. Women of all shapes and sizes have style that is recession resistant. At EMc2 our clientele are a wide variety of women with different lifestyles. We approach our ensembles head to toe. Accessorizing classic silhouettes is our approach.

One of our dresses that is a practical and chic is our “Cynthia” in French stretch denim.

What could be more universal to fashion then the familiarity of denim? We believe it is new, using a casual fabric in a classic dressy genre. The denim is 955 cotton and 5% lycra and has a smooth finish with a sheen. Comfortable to sit down at your desk and resilient to wrinkling when you stand up. It is a formal look you can wear to the office, and offers a feminine decollate notch detail at the center neckline.  The 3/4 sleeves give it an overall suit appearance, great for those women who want to show off their jewelry and most flattering for focusing on wrists and hands.

The magic of style and versatility is in dressing up a staple dress with accessories. The “Cynthia” dress can be worn from casual to dressy with the change of a shoe.

Accessorizing is a great way to keep up with fashion without having to buy an abundance of designer clothing. Having a variety of earrings, bracelets, necklaces, sunglasses, shoes and handbags in your wardrobe makes it easy to get the most out of your key pieces.

The “Denim Dress” is both practical and chic, casual and formal. Easily coordinated into your existing wardrobe and utilized as the “go to” dress for all occasions. A great way to put a positive spin on the economy with “Practical” as the new Chic.

• May 3rd, 2010
• 2010-11 Fall Winter
• 1 comment
• #

According to some experts, a flattering swimsuit is one that makes the most of the proportions of a woman’s figure. It’s all about a careful mixing of color and print, the right lines and silhouette.
Emmett McCarthy, (who is going to Spain in 10 weeks in his own bathing suit) offers a few helpful hints on how to succeed at the choice hat every woman dreads – picking out the perfect suit.

Fabrics & Colors

• Crochet: hot, but not practical. Like wearing stilettos at a park, it doesn’t really work.
• Chevron Stripes:  These stripes that form into a v-shaped pattern will make anyone look slimmer all over.
• Use darker colors on areas you want to hide or slim down and brighter colors in places you want to show off.
• Prints with darker backgrounds are usually more slimming, and prints that have lots of movement keep the eye from focusing on certain areas.
• If you want a little detail on your suit such as bows, belts, beading or ties, try to avoid putting them in problem areas; it will only attract the eye to your flaws. Instead, accentuate the positive.

Quick Tips on Fit

When it comes to buying the best suit for your body:

• The torso of a one-piece suit should lie perfectly flat with no puckering near the seams.
• There should be no pulling at the crotch, bust or straps.
• Leg openings: Most important, make sure that the leg openings aren’t digging into your skin; this will create a look that just doesn’t look good on anyone.
• Straps: The straps should lie comfortably on your shoulders. If they are digging into your shoulders, try the next size up; if they are falling down or too loose, try the next size down.
• Bust: Making sure there is enough coverage is important. Try moving around and lifting your arms up, if this feels uncomfortable then it isn’t the suit for you.
• Small bust: A light-colored, print halter top with dark solid bottoms is best.
• Large bust: Minimize large busts with an athletic two-piece that gives plenty of coverage and support. A medium-neck tank is great for this body style.
• Love handles: Accommodate with a string bikini that is tied to fit, so it does not squeeze what you have.
• Bigger hips: A v-cut bottom will magically make you look slimmer!
• Short: Make thighs look longer with a higher cut leg. But don’t go too high, this can actually make you look shorter.
• Waistline: Create a waistline with a side cutout one-piece which will pull the eye inward, or a belted suit.

Have a destination and goal for your swimsuit debut, and wear sun block!

• April 23rd, 2010
• Fashion Tips, Swimwear
• 1 comment
• #

Spring Florals are a great choice to go from casual to dressy.

Easy ponte knit cowl dress.

• April 22nd, 2010
• 2010 Spring Summer
• No comments
• #

Some of the most enchanting surprises of living in New York are finding the small tranquil spaces hidden away from view. Outside on the busy streets, the world marches to the drum of the busy city and most people don’t think to look up to see the roof gardens or wonder about the many courtyards behind the buildings.

Our neighborhood is now crowned by the real estate spin doctors as “NoLita” an abbreviation for North of Little Italy. Elizabeth street is lined with tenement buildings that were built in the late 1880’s. The tree lined street has beautiful architectural details, the remainders of the Italian immigrant masons and artisans who created the facades and embellished cornices of the buildings. It was once threatened by the bulldozers of NYC Parks Department and Urban Planner, “Power Broker” Robert Moses, who had envisioned a highway to be built through the neighborhood. This charming European flavor was spared. A hold over and an authentic “Old Fashioned” New York butcher, Moe, whose family has been selling meats for 59 years at Albanese Meats and Poultry, resides between all the tony shops and Cafe Habana on Elizabeth Street.

Behind the EMc2 Boutique there is a small courtyard.  In preparation for Spring, I asked Kerry Noel, architect, to create the garden environment. The vision was to transform an abandoned urban garden into a Balinese inspired tropical oasis. Kerry thoughtfully considered the idea and drafted the plans. Being “green” Kerry used, where possible, reclaimed wood and stone. To create a space that was intimate yet not overpowered the use of stains allowed the use of elemental details without a uniform look.

The light and dark stains are a lovely backdrop for the lush green plants and trees. An overhang on the design studio covers 4 feet of a porch for additional seating. Kerry Noel treated the facade of the design studio with stucco and dark mahogany sliding shutters, on the windows and door. An exotic walled garden with access to both the boutique and design studio. It is a wonderful way to step out of the bustle of the city into this private secret garden filled with sumptuous plants, pillows and lanterns.

From the design studio, the view through the window is the back wall  of the EMc2 boutique. Kerry Noel, created a wooden slated cornice above the windows and door way, transforming a tarred brick wall into a slotted paneled wall incorporating the existing iron grill work. A decorative fence with a planted boxed of bambo line the perimeter. A horseshoe shaped bench for seating incorporates the slotted wood work design. The floating walk way has a graceful curve to incorporate the stone terraced box for the birch tree.

Kerry Noel with boxes keeps the Zen experience by hiding the mechanical equipment and industrial wiring among ferns, palm trees and exotic grasses.

• April 6th, 2010
• Parties
• 1 comment
• #

A McCarthy legacy began with the good taste and style of my beautiful mother Peggy McCarthy and now continues…

On her wedding day my mother wore a beautiful white voile wedding gown with a rich border of eyelet down the isle, September 8, 1951.

The dress was so beautiful that her maid of honor, Mary McCarthy asked to wear it on her wedding day April 26, 1952. My mother, when faced with the need for a ceremonial gown for the first of her four girls (and four boys) was savvy, enough to know the potential of her lovely gown. She brought her gown to her next generation with the help of seamstress, Mrs. Pamazano, who magically transformed the wedding gown into this lovely confection. Over the course of the next two decades it was worn by all the McCarthy girls: Maura, Kerry, Pegeen and Kathleen and also my Aunt Mary’s daughters, Kathy and Suzie. Each girl with their unique beauty and personality brought fresh life into this beautiful little dress.

Elena Rossi, my God daughter will make her First Holy Communion on May 8th. John and Andrea Selby Rossi, are family friends spanning decades. Andrea asked me to attend the Roman Catholic ceremony. What will Elena wear? I asked as a concerned fashion designer and Godfather. I suggested she wear a McCarthy heirloom that had already gone down the isle eight times. My mother was thrilled with the idea of Elena wearing the dress. Lovingly my mother brought the dress back to life 58 years later by carefully washing it with a non-bleach detergent and a careful pressing.

My Goddaughter Elena was so thrilled to wear this dress that she brought it to school for show and tell: “Look but don’t touch” she admonished!

Last Thursday Elena visited the EMc2 boutique to have her fitting for her dress. In preparation for Elena’s big day I am customizing a McCarthy heirloom. Elena is a bit taller than Kathleen was in 1972. Additional length was achieved by adding in a waistband. The sleeves needed a replacement elastic. I will add the final touch with a beautiful silk satin sash and bow.

After all these years there was not much alteration needed. This dress is lovingly once again ready to grace the isle for Elena’s First Holy Communion.

• March 30th, 2010
• Upcoming Events
• 3 comments
• #

I believe for some women shoes are a vulnerability.

This weekend I watched as women eagerly pulled off their winter boots to try on colorful spring shoes. One nice weekend in New York City and the crowds were flooding the streets and my NoLita EMc2 boutique.

Ruth, my intercontinental best friend and muse arrived on Wednesday from Holland to run the New York Half Marathon.
Formerly, Ruth was a shoe buyer at a chic department store in Holland. She is a tough critic but if I can convince Ruth then I know it will sell. I rely on her help as a merchandiser, because she is knowledgeable of the business, and her vulnerabilities are accessories! She packs a bag for her shoes, or she buys them and asks me for a bag to carry them home in.

Ruth has a special formula, (she earned a Ph D) that she can justify spending, for example; on a business course by the denominations of handbags and shoes. “That course will cost me about 4 bags and 5 pair of shoes.” I think to myself, damn her math is good!

Right before my eyes I can imagine the unfolding of an episode of “Sex In The City” when Carrie is trying to buy an apartment and is counting her shoes in her closet and mistakenly thinking she had $4,000 worth of shoes and on recount realized she had about 10 times that!  Thankfully, Ruth manages her money better, but never lacked in courage to take a risk on a bag or a shoe she loved. She gets her moneys worth out of each accessory as she enjoys them and wears them.

Last Friday I received an email requesting line sheets, before I make a presentation to an online retailer that is interested in the EMc2 shoe, handbag and apparel collections. I asked Ruth to look over my designs and concepts, and help me tighten the concepts so I can successfully convey my brand perspective through product.

But first the New York City Half Marathon Challenge:  Ruth decided to run and train for long distance running. Imagine this: last year, Ruth did not even run!  Ruth ran the half marathon on Sunday morning, the first day of Spring! Coincidentally the day of her parents wedding anniversary. She finished in 2 hours 6 minutes as she RAN the last mile! Tonight, over dinner at the “Ace Hotel” Ruth said she could not believe it was only 32 hours after the race.

Congratulations Ruth for turning your dream into a reality!

Ruth and I for years have shopped tirelessly around New York City, Miami, Holland, France, Italy, Belgium and Bali together. Bazaars, Vintage stores, boutiques, we’ve ventured to all the unknowns many times at Ruth’s insistence to check out the “fabulous” places. We are a perfect power shopping duo. I don’t know of many opinionated people who could get along so well without killing each other. We complement each other. When one is hopeful the other is doubtful, when one is enthusiastic the other is underwhelmed, when one is practical the other is impetuous. Our chemistry works well together. If we had a reality show if pressed we  could pull rags out of a Salvation Army box and coordinate a fashion show. Ruth and I pulled together an EMc2 fashion show/fund raiser for Housing Works in New Haven last December. It was fun to be back home with a friend with whom I have seen a lot of the world with.

We evaluate trends, set a plan and find inspiration in far reaching ends of the world to bring back to Nolita’s home EMc2 boutique for translation and fabrication.

We worked on the shoe presentation this evening. Ruth knows from experience: if the EMc2 shoe fits (and looks fabulous) run with it!

• March 23rd, 2010
• Uncategorized
• No comments
• #

Today, I am buried in clippings from the New York Times dating back to January 2010.

When I return home, I visit Lady Sunderland’s home and each time she gives me an envelope with all sorts of interesting articles. This week it happens to be mostly fashion clipping in the envelope. Strewn across my desk are New York Times titles: ” The Triumph of the Size 12’s”. “A Big Tent To Benefit A Big Cause”,”Kitch WIth A Pedigree” and my favorite,” The Trials of a Former Boy Wonder”. I read them all through her eyes. A stylish woman who has donned the fashions of the late 30’s, into a new millennium. A woman whose daughter had graced the pages of fashion magazines and covers in Europe, and USA.

We sit down to have tea, she serves tea in fine bone china. She likes an eclectic mix of tea cups for her guests and I can hardly remember having tea out the same cup twice.

There is Irish music playing in the background in celebration of St. Patrick’s day there are shamrocks hand painted on shopping bags each with a loaf of freshly baked Irish Bread and tea bags and a bow tied at the top.
Lady Sunderland wants to know the news, she wants to be kept abreast of what is happening now that EMc2 is celebrating four years in business. Have you heard from Zappos? What is going on with QVC? I got a google alert from QVC and when I clicked onto the link there was no photo! Lady Sunderland is a woman of a certain age. She is not to be defied by technology and is up to the minute with her computer skills.

“You know Emmett, when you sent me that email the other day of the fuchsia trench coat with the scarf I thought it was marvelous! But, it wouldn’t serve me in New Haven.”

Frankly, I was a bit shocked as I remember Lady Sunderland wearing head scarves and pant suits in the seventies and cutting quite a figure and having no inhibitions.

She presented me with a gorgeous diamond studded cuffed watch. It was given to her by a friend, set in 14 karat gold with cabochon onyx and red coral and about 1.5 karats in white diamonds. “Why not put it in your store and sell it.”

My eyes brightened and I looked at her and asked, “Why?”

“Oh I’ll never wear it. I’ve worn it and enjoyed it and it’s time for some younger woman to enjoy it. I wore this gorgeous bracelet while attending Frank Sanatra with his big band as he sang, Fly me to the Moon and I get a kick out of you. It was Tony Bennett’s The way you look tonight, that made me feel that all eyes were upon me, when he sang to me in the front row.”

Lady Sunderland resembles Ingrid Bergman a regal woman with a great sense of style, and willing to share in her largess of jewels.

I did not see any of your dresses this year worn at The Oscars! Why not?

How does one answer that?

Well, the customers at EMc2 for the majority are well healed working women, some working mothers, a few celebrities and actresses.

None of them Academy award winners as of yet.

Wait until Bill Cunninham sees this gem on the wrist of some fashionista, I can report back to Lady S. and tell her that her style is timeless.

Lady Sunderland’s diamond studded cuff watch: Price upon request

• March 19th, 2010
• Uncategorized
• 1 comment
• #

Reruns never die, but there is life after Project Runway!

Can you believe 4 years later, Emmett McCarthy, EMc2, celebrates our fourth year anniversary on St. Patrick’s Day. I feel I earned my own MBA!

We officially opened on March 17, 2006 and as any entrepreneur has experienced, you don’t know what each day will bring, but when it is here you have to find a solution.

In this fashion retail economy, it has taken almost pole dancing on the sales floor to sell EMc2 dresses, coats, jewelry off the rack at our Elizabeth Street boutique here in Nolita. Our team is stealth and aware of our customer’s needs, constantly creating irresistible fashions for our women to buy.

This month we launched our new website, www.emmettmccarthy.com – with an e commerce site! Our loyal local, national and international clients can now shop on our on-line boutique. We added a blog which chronicles the process of designing the collection. Our blog will cover the process of design concept, pattern making, fittings, cut, make and sew development, and what will ultimately be offered in our boutique for those whose reach for New York is limited.

Thanks to all of my Project Runway fans from all over the world who knew about me mainly through the show. The loving support of friends and family, including Tim Gunn for his generosity for allowing me to create his bobble head. Also, Cecelia, Judi and Kenny for believing in me and promoting my bags to QVC. My shoe manufacturers who make quality within our retail price points. The New York factories who each week beautifully construct EMc2’s new clothing styles, Dimitry Chamy for his branding and web design and Joe Tanis for his exquisite photography. Susan Scafidi for her wise counsel. My “God Fathers”, Moe and Vincent Albanese who are the good people who look out for me on Elizabeth Street.

Most of all Tom and Lorenzo who have become friends because of Project Runway and have constantly encouraged me. Using wit and guilt, artfully and fashionably tied bondage tape they got me to launch a new website and blog.

Thanks to all, especially my clients who keep comiI have learned it takes a fashion village to survive this economy, but it takes a Fashionable Irish Tiger to THRIVE!

Happy St. Patricks Day! It’s a great day for the Irish!

Emmett

• March 17th, 2010
• Parties
• 1 comment
• #

EMc2 Emmett McCarthy is known for classic style dresses.

Women want versatility in their wardrobe but also want special occasion dresses. Parties, wedding and work events sometimes require the perfect dress that you can rely on.

When asked where to start, I always believe you start with your greatest strength. The “Audrey” dress has been a successful dress for EMc2 because the fit is one that accommodates many women’s figures. The pleats at the shoulders allow ease for different women’s bust sizes. A self covered belt adds the finishing touches.

This Spring Summer I have found beautiful prints that breathe fresh spring air into the dark wardrobes of Fall.
Since this is a great silhouette, I have decided that I will keep the shape and fit elements and offer our clients,
most who have more than one color “Audrey” and update it with a bit of flair!

I found this muted floral printed matte satin.

• March 15th, 2010
• 2010 Spring Summer
• No comments
• #

Copyright © Emmett McCarthy | EMc2 | RSS Feed | Entries (RSS) | Comments (RSS) | Emmett McCarthy EMc2 is UpFront | Design by 2urn