Design-phan

Letau Designs's ingenious drawstring scarves that I like to think of as Elizabethan ruffs, designed by Maren Reese, above in the red Guatemalan number. She also makes cozy "hoodie scarves" that are basically scarves with hoods attached. When you're not wearing the hood, it blends into the scarf. I couldn't decide between a drawstring or a hoodie or even on a fabric within either category. Maren finds some great textiles that give her collection a wide range of styles, from juniors-department chic to trés elegante. Luckily, there's a trunk show at Letau's studio on the 27th where I'll probably end up buying one of each. Each personality needs a scarf, right? (More info on that show to come later this week—it's going to be a good one, with Letau Designs plus many more designers of jewelry, accessories and clothing.

From: http://design-phan.squarespace.com/design-phan/2007/10/23/post-post-post.html

Agenda Picks: Just Do It - Le Affaire

The plight of the local artist is a noble one, but not necessarily the most lucrative or glamorous. Which is frustrating, especially when you're as talented as Maren Reese, Stefani Threet, Rakia Reynolds and Zivile Pupinyte. Instead of sitting around waiting for Philly to properly embrace them, the women joined together to form Le Affaire, a series of trunk shows showcasing their work. "If you're a local artist, people expect you to put your stuff on consignment and let it sit," says Reese, the force behind Letau Designs. "This isn't a game to us — this is what we do."

Far from your typical Sunday afternoon shopping trip, the first full-scale Le Affaire features DJs John Schenk and Lexx, massages, LUSH goodie bags and refreshments courtesy of sponsors such as Fizzy Lizzy and Metropolitan Bakery. "We wanted this to be a relaxed environment where you can pick up one-of-a-kind pieces," says Reese. These include her own signature hooded and drawstring scarves, ceramics by Threet, high-end jewelry by Pupinyte and vintage-inspired clothing by Reynolds.

In addition to the organizers, upcoming designers such as Joy Cutler, Kay Louise and Claudia Whittingham will have work on display. Their inclusion isn't a surprise, considering the refreshing motivation behind Le Affaire. "Instead of being each other's competition," says Reese, "we figured, let's team up."

Sat.-Sun., Nov. 17-18, 1-6 p.m., Letau Designs Studio, 621 Reed St., Suite 2R, 215-964-9237

From: http://www.citypaper.net/articles/2007/11/15/just-do-it