We are at a time when fashion is all over-the-top and all over-the-place: “Camp: Notes on Fashion,” anyone? So it’s refreshing to find a company that is dedicated to just one thing. And that one thing is STRIPES! Stripes are unapologetically uncomplicated, unequivocally chic, universal, and timeless.
I am always reminded of the impactful images of icons like Audrey Hepburn, Pablo Picasso, Brigitte Bardot, Andy Warhol, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Jean Seberg, etc. wearing their classic striped tee shirts. It is proof that certain things cannot be improved upon.
La Ligne ( French for, “the line”), which launched in 2016, is a collection of high-quality everyday classic essentials (tee shirts, sweaters, pants, dresses) and versatile statement pieces geared for the stripe obsessed. The company is New York-based, with a nod to the enduring, cool “French girl style” which has broad appeal.
It is the brainchild of former American Vogue staffers Meredith Melling, Valerie Boster, and former Head of Business Development at Rag & Bone Molly Howard. The trio shares a love of stripes, and they are constantly inspired by stripes in all their forms.
Their collections reflect the founders’ belief in the universal appeal of the always classic and forever chic stripe and that “the best things in fashion (and life) are universal, timeless and classic, but never off limits for reinvention.” Everything is tweaked just ‘so’ with the focus on material, cut, and proportion.
They proudly say that the only thing “fast” about their fashion is how quickly they will arrive at your doorstep.
La Ligne’s ongoing obsession with stripes and lines is commendable and evident in everything they do; they’ve even found a clever way to make use of the word ‘line’ throughout their well-designed website. For example, you are greeted on their homepage with, “Shop La Ligne: The line starts here”.
They just opened their first shop in the Mark Hotel at 996 Madison Avenue, 212 879 7000, and true to their aesthetic; the space feels more like a chic Parisian apartment than a traditional retail store. Many of the personal belongings of the co-founders are scattered throughout the 650 square foot store which carries all of La Ligne’s staples (they add new merchandise weekly).
They also offer in store exclusive merchandise. The location was chosen because of their large customer base on the Upper East Side, but downtown could be next.
As someone who gravitates to the minimal and unfussy, I am obsessed. I’m not a floral print kind of gal, and hardly alone. But while solids can get a bit dull, lines and stripes are more interesting, graphic, and modern. They also go well with leopard and florals.
You can wear stripes anytime, but nothing is better suited for the summer. Is there anything more satisfying than finding a perfect striped tee or French style sweater? They are all on the La Ligne website or store.
Everything is available in several color combinations and black & white. Most sweaters, tops, and pajamas can be monogrammed for an additional charge of $35.
