. Trendy, Stylish Silk Blouses
Three years ago, Hunter Bell and Jennifer Dixon were two Southern women sharing an apartment in New York. Bell wanted to be a designer; Dixon an entrepreneur. They partnered, dispensed with any romantic rags-to-riches notions, and approached things pragmatically. Bell took a day job at a hedge fund while whipping up a collection on the side. Dixon pounded the pavement, securing a few retailers and pitching potential investors.
Their hard work paid off. In October, one of the financiers Bell worked with set Dixon up with venture capitalist John Pound, president of Boston’s Integrity Brands Inc., which is investing in the fledgling line.
Bell’s inspiration comes from her own closet or what she would like to see in it. At present, that means loads of color and feminine flourishes done within reason. Dresses and tanks have ruffled details and vibrant prints, but Bell and Dixon are tuned into a working woman’s reality, which often entails day-to-night transitions and travel.
Thus, they have a custom-blouse program of eight styles available in eight colors that always include black and white. “Basically, after our first collection we found that blouses were the bestsellers,” says Dixon. “You can take them with you anywhere and wear them anywhere.”
Prices range from $175 to $250 for blouses and $200 to $450 for skirts, jackets, and dresses. The collection is available at Saks Fifth Avenue, specialty boutiques nationwide, and will be available on their e-commerce website beginning in July.
Womenetics: Why blouses?
Hunter Bell: Silk blouses are making a comeback. There are few things that rival more elegant ease than a silk blouse. Women are looking for investment pieces, and that means quality, wearability, and timelessness. All Hunter Dixon blouses you can take with you anywhere and wear anywhere. The color choices can give it more of a trend look.
Womenetics: What makes for the perfect blouse?
Jennifer Dixon: Anything you put on and feel fantastic in. The fit is essential for a perfect blouse – a blouse that makes you feel sexy and pulled together at the same time. The perfect blouse has character but not too much, so that it becomes timeless. The length of a perfect blouse should be long enough to belt and long enough to tuck in or leave out.
Womenetics: How many blouses should a professional woman have?
Bell: At least eight to 10. Some pop/trendy colors, print/seasonal, and always black and white.
Womenetics: Is a blouse different than a shirt?
Dixon: Yes, a blouse is typically dressier than a shirt, and the fabric usually drapes better than a shirt. You would typically see a shirt made in a cotton fabrication.
Womenetics: How do you come up with your inspiration?
Dixon: We design pieces that we would want to wear, things that are missing from my closet. Each season we begin with an idea or feeling for where we would love to see ourselves in the world wearing Hunter Dixon.
Our inspiration for spring/summer 2009 was Charleston, S.C., where Hunter was getting married at the time. Our prints were designed around the cobblestone streets in Charleston, and the pastel color pallet was centered around Rainbow Row in Charleston.
For the spring/summer 2011 season the inspiration came from the music festival, Coachella. We are big music fans, and the festival draws so many unique talents from across the globe while including incredible fashion.
Womenetics: What are the keys to having a blouse fit properly under a suit?
Bell: They key is the less bulky the better. You should pick a blouse that is cut close to the waist/body and is not too long. The armhole should be cut closer to the body as well so this eliminates bulk around the arm.
Womenetics: What should a woman look for in a blouse to wear under a suit that will not make her look like she is back in the '80s, “dressing for success?”
Dixon: Color, shape and fabrication – silk is a great fabric to pull a suit together, and at times a piece that is trending currently in stores to freshen up her closet and look. If you have a gray suit, pair the suit up with a pop color, such as pink or purple. Prints that are trending help the suit look less fussy.
Womenetics: How did you convince your investor that your blouses would be successful?
Dixon: Well when we brought on an investor, we were presenting him with the facts of what was selling best and what we both loved and saw our customers constantly raving about them. We had the numbers to prove what our best sellers were.
Womenetics: What is the key to your success?
Bell: We create pieces that we would want to have in our own closets. The product speaks for itself. But it’s not easy out there. Our key to success is hard work, passion, drive, and a little luck. We both love what we do and try to use our strengths best.
Womenetics: What are your future plans?
Bell: We are planning to launch e-commerce this summer, continue to add additional deliveries each season, and increase our retail accounts. We want to continue to evolve but remain true to our aesthetic and customer.
Their hard work paid off. In October, one of the financiers Bell worked with set Dixon up with venture capitalist John Pound, president of Boston’s Integrity Brands Inc., which is investing in the fledgling line.
Bell’s inspiration comes from her own closet or what she would like to see in it. At present, that means loads of color and feminine flourishes done within reason. Dresses and tanks have ruffled details and vibrant prints, but Bell and Dixon are tuned into a working woman’s reality, which often entails day-to-night transitions and travel.
Thus, they have a custom-blouse program of eight styles available in eight colors that always include black and white. “Basically, after our first collection we found that blouses were the bestsellers,” says Dixon. “You can take them with you anywhere and wear them anywhere.”Prices range from $175 to $250 for blouses and $200 to $450 for skirts, jackets, and dresses. The collection is available at Saks Fifth Avenue, specialty boutiques nationwide, and will be available on their e-commerce website beginning in July.
Womenetics: Why blouses?
Hunter Bell: Silk blouses are making a comeback. There are few things that rival more elegant ease than a silk blouse. Women are looking for investment pieces, and that means quality, wearability, and timelessness. All Hunter Dixon blouses you can take with you anywhere and wear anywhere. The color choices can give it more of a trend look.
Womenetics: What makes for the perfect blouse?Jennifer Dixon: Anything you put on and feel fantastic in. The fit is essential for a perfect blouse – a blouse that makes you feel sexy and pulled together at the same time. The perfect blouse has character but not too much, so that it becomes timeless. The length of a perfect blouse should be long enough to belt and long enough to tuck in or leave out.
Womenetics: How many blouses should a professional woman have?
Bell: At least eight to 10. Some pop/trendy colors, print/seasonal, and always black and white.
Womenetics: Is a blouse different than a shirt?
Dixon: Yes, a blouse is typically dressier than a shirt, and the fabric usually drapes better than a shirt. You would typically see a shirt made in a cotton fabrication.
Womenetics: How do you come up with your inspiration?Dixon: We design pieces that we would want to wear, things that are missing from my closet. Each season we begin with an idea or feeling for where we would love to see ourselves in the world wearing Hunter Dixon.
Our inspiration for spring/summer 2009 was Charleston, S.C., where Hunter was getting married at the time. Our prints were designed around the cobblestone streets in Charleston, and the pastel color pallet was centered around Rainbow Row in Charleston.
For the spring/summer 2011 season the inspiration came from the music festival, Coachella. We are big music fans, and the festival draws so many unique talents from across the globe while including incredible fashion.
Womenetics: What are the keys to having a blouse fit properly under a suit?Bell: They key is the less bulky the better. You should pick a blouse that is cut close to the waist/body and is not too long. The armhole should be cut closer to the body as well so this eliminates bulk around the arm.
Womenetics: What should a woman look for in a blouse to wear under a suit that will not make her look like she is back in the '80s, “dressing for success?”
Dixon: Color, shape and fabrication – silk is a great fabric to pull a suit together, and at times a piece that is trending currently in stores to freshen up her closet and look. If you have a gray suit, pair the suit up with a pop color, such as pink or purple. Prints that are trending help the suit look less fussy.
Womenetics: How did you convince your investor that your blouses would be successful?
Dixon: Well when we brought on an investor, we were presenting him with the facts of what was selling best and what we both loved and saw our customers constantly raving about them. We had the numbers to prove what our best sellers were.
Womenetics: What is the key to your success?Bell: We create pieces that we would want to have in our own closets. The product speaks for itself. But it’s not easy out there. Our key to success is hard work, passion, drive, and a little luck. We both love what we do and try to use our strengths best.
Womenetics: What are your future plans?
Bell: We are planning to launch e-commerce this summer, continue to add additional deliveries each season, and increase our retail accounts. We want to continue to evolve but remain true to our aesthetic and customer.
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