A sampling of different colored hides at a tannery in the Provencia.

So we know our fall collection is a little barren color-wise.  What can we say?  Winter weather brings out our neutral side.  Spring, on the other hand, makes us want to wear pretty things that look like ice cream flavors.  Yesterday we visited a tannery in the Provencia (just outside of Buenos Aires) and were inspired by all of the beautiful colors of hides.  (Spoiler Alert!)  We are definitely planning on using more than a couple for some fun skirts, dresses and handbags for spring 2011.

Today is so beautiful (80 degrees and sunny) that I couldn’t help but lie out next to the pool (with SPF, of course) on the roof of my building.  I know, it’s a tough life.  But eventually Emily and I had to buckle down and do some work, so we headed to Persicco, which combines my two favorite things for working: ice cream and wifi.

Emily at Persicco, taken from my computer

We are currently indulging in the richest ice cream in the world and working on our business plan, but I had to write a quick post about the most hilarious interaction of my week.  The two high school age boys sitting next to us just leaned over and said , ”Before anyone gets crazy, we would like to offer you to come and take sit,” as they gestured to the two empty seats at their table.  Although it was maybe the best pick-up line ever, we politely declined.

And they just left, so we can now laugh about it out loud rather than just gchatting to each other across the table.

Last week I packed up my apartment, stored most of my worldly posessions and took off for Buenos Aires.  I was only briefly mortified when my eyes started welling with tears while watching my in-flight movie selection, The Blind Side.  But thanks to Ambien and the empty seat next to me, I had a safe and pleasant flight overall.

It feels good to be back in a city full of green leaves, amazing steak and French bulldogs being walked on every block.  Although I have managed to make some time for a few of my favorite Porteño* activities (eating ice cream at Persicco, browsing boutiques in Palermo Soho, drinking Malbec), so far I have mostly been working with Emily on details for manufacturing our Fall 2010 collection and designing our line for Spring 2011.

Yesterday, we visited the woman who makes our gloves, Maria Lucia, at her store, Guantes Adem, in the stately Recoleta neighborhood.  Walking past the designer boutiques, sidewalk cafes and endless French architecture, it is easy to miss the entrance to the galleria that houses Guantes Adem.

In contrast with the designer stores, sidewalk cafes and endless French architecture outside, the dim fluorescent lighting and original signs of the galleria make it feel like you are stepping into a different world.

A display of different glove styles and colors

Once inside the only slightly better lit store, Maria Lucia, came out and warmly greeted us with the standard Argentine greeting of a kiss (a real kiss) on the cheek.  It is so nice to finally meet the people with so much skill who have spent so much time on our line.  And she is exactly as I imagined she would be.

Maria Lucia, owner of Guantes Adem

Maria Lucia is the fourth generation of a glove making family from France** and she makes all of her gloves by hand in the back of her shop.  Even though she can only produce a certain amount of gloves per season, she reassured us that she would be able to complete our order in time for fall.  I am not sure what it is, but something about her quiet yet warm personality reminds me of Old Belfana.  It makes me actually not dread glove-wearing season, which is lucky since cooler weather seems to approaching a little too quickly here in the southern hemisphere…

*Argentines who live in Buenos Aires

**Yes, I mentioned French things/people/pets three times in this post.  Apparently, there is a reason they call Buenos Aires the Paris of South America…