Locals Only
How we're doing summer in VB stores...
Summer has kicked off in full force at Veronica Beard. In honor of everyone’s favorite season, we’re sharing a closer look at a few exciting things happening in our universe. We’re shining a light on some of our favorite emerging brands you can shop in a few of our stores this summer, the making of a very special (very artful) installation at VB Madison Ave. and last but certainly not least, the opening our new store in PARIS.
BRANDS WE <3
There’s nothing like the thrill of discovering a small brand that makes something beautiful—or even better, a little niche. That’s why each summer, we spotlight emerging brands that feel in line with the VB lifestyle and our vision for the season. We’ll be dropping curated edits from each brand in our East Hampton, Southampton and Nantucket stores throughout the season. And because the only thing we love more than coming across a new brand is telling our friends about it, we thought we’d highlight five of our favorites right here…
A brand that will make everyone a hat person. They’re based in Paris, but their gorgeous straw hats feel spiritually at home in the French Riviera—a new take on the whole city-meets-coast thing. They specialize in interesting shapes that feel both modern and vintage, whimsical but wearable, like something you’d see in a Wes Anderson movie. Plus, the details are so considered: a bucket hat with seashells dangling around the rim, a sun hat with a rippled brim and a ribbon to tie under your chin. The proposition captures something about the way people used to get dressed, when hats were more about form than function, and no outfit was complete without a topper.
The innovators behind the Beach Board™—one part towel, one part beach game. These are so brilliant. They come with a backgammon or checkerboard design printed to scale on the terry cloth, plus a little pouch of wooden game tiles to play with. But what makes them really special is just how chic they are. The rich color combinations and geometric motifs are so well done.
We’re obsessed with crafting right now at VBHQ (more to come on that next month) and can’t recommend Emily Lex’s watercolor workbooks enough. They take you step by step through the process—a low-pressure, portable way to pick up a new hobby. Arts and crafts really tap into our sense of summer nostalgia, bringing back memories of making lanyards, painting seashells, etc. The adult version: just picture yourself sitting outside, watercolor brush in hand, phone on airplane mode…need we say more?
You may remember the chokehold Chan Luu’s wrap bracelets had on all of us in the early 2010s, right around the time we launched our first Dickey Jacket. But if you haven’t checked in with them lately, take this as your sign to do so. We’ll always love their beachy jewelry, but we’re particularly drawn to their sequined totes right now. We imagine them looped around the arms of beach chairs, stowed underneath seats on airplanes, filled with sunflowers from the farmstand…and generally starring in all our scenes of Summering.
Serotonin dressing, summer edition. This Colombia-based brand, named after the Spanish word for cove, makes vacation-ready pieces worth planning an entire trip around. There’s just something about their tropical prints and bold color choices that instantly brings a smile to our faces. Their swim and matching cover-ups will be a mainstay in our suitcases this summer.
Give them all a follow, and shop their pieces in our East Hampton, Southampton and Nantucket stores this summer (and on our site).
SUMMERING AT MADISON AVENUE
Last week, we launched a very special collaboration with an NYC-based artist we love: Pauline de Roussy de Sales. Pauline illustrated four summer vignettes—taking us on a trip from the beach to the lake to the mountains to the pool. She looked to vintage summer destination posters for inspiration, referencing everything from water sports at lakeside retreats to bucking broncos at the rodeo to classic East Coast summers at the beach. Then, we transformed her illustrations into a collection of wearable art
And of course we couldn’t stop there. We loved Pauline’s illustrations so much, we asked her to bring them to life in the concept room at our Madison Avenue store. She started by identifying the parts of each scene that had enough texture, color and detail to work as decorative elements on a wall—like the fish swimming upstream, the sunbathing beauties and the cowgirls on horseback.
Then she mapped them out across the space, making sure to maintain a sense of movement and cohesion, so your eye is invited to travel across the room. She used a mix of house paints and acrylic ink to bring it all to life. From start to finish, it took about two days on site to complete. If you’re in NYC, stop by VB Madison Ave. to see it for yourself, and shop the new collaboration.
TOUR DE PARIS
Cue the dream come true: Veronica Beard has arrived in Paris. Our new store is officially open in the 8th arrondissement, and our team spent last week putting the finishing touches on the space (and soaking up all the inspiration the city has to offer). Here’s some of the highlights…
The Flea Market Finds
Locally-sourced vintage pieces set this tone for our Paris store. Back in October of last year, we went on an expedition to Paul Bert Serpette at the Saint Ouen Flea. The first thing we found was a very special Vladimir Kagan sofa. We were immediately drawn to the burnt caramel color and serpentine shape—it was practically made for the curved corner on the bottom floor of the store. We also picked out a colorful midcentury painting that now hangs directly across from the front door, so it’s the first thing you see when you walk inside.
The Ceiling Jewelry
A moment for the Fortuny lighting, please. The famous Venetian silk lamps illuminate the space with the most gorgeous warm glow. We could stare at the details all day—from their intricate designs to their interesting shapes to their signature tassels. They feel like little jewels hanging from the ceiling of the store.
The Private Boudoir
There’s this luxe, bohemian spirit to Paris that we wanted to capture in the store. It’s designed not only for shopping, but also for gathering and relaxing. That vision especially comes to life in the VIP fitting room. It’s a modern take on a chic little boudoir, all done in a monochromatic palette of blush and beige. We’re particularly in love with the moire-covered walls. We imagine groups of friends lounging on the velvet loveseat, chatting about last night as they try on pieces at their leisure.
We can’t wait to welcome everyone to our little pied-à-terre in Paris. Come visit us next time you’re in town.