Denim has been a household name; it started with Levi Strauss, and then the fascination of, “What’s next? Who’s next? What next is being created?”

The denim industry has existed because of a cult following, but every now and then there is an excitement that prevails. Notify, a brand that suddenly stands out.

We welcome Maurice Ohayon. He brings nostalgia back to the woman. He has infused his collections with the spirit of yesteryear, creating and giving the wearer of his jean a true feeling of luxury. NOTIFY, a co-branded denim collection unveiled at BB1 Classic, is an exciting high quality jean made in Italy. Maurice Ohayon is sought after as a designer and has rubbed shoulders with Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney in different collaborations. He continues to push to conquer new boundaries, in which industry, craftsmanship, and art unite as one. A true tailor, unique, he has been described by French journalists as “the Yves Saint Laurent of denim.” His mastery with cut, treatments, and washes, surpass the wildest imagination. A true visionary, and we see, feel, touch, and enjoy wearing it!

The leg fun continues: Tractr brings creativity to the market. This is a jean for your daughter, your granddaughter, and you. Women are loving it. Tractr slides onto our bodies; these jeans are hip, happening and cool. Jean prints are a trend that really has never gone away. I still have my Shabby Chics from 22 years ago, when designers were using lightweight embossed or printed upholstery fabric – but they could cut and style a pant, and we got them up with very little stretch . . . we just couldn’t wait to get them off! Today the stretch in jeans make you feel as though you’re in sweats.

Diamonds are forever, but new trend colors add a sophisticated finish to the many facets of a woman’s role. Jewels and Jewelry continue to add a fascination and adornment, and our hand-picked collections are refined and add elegance to any outfit.

BB1 Classic introduces Chaz, a stunning collection of luxury pieces in a plethora of precious and semi-precious gemstones. Hand-Crafted in a mixed media of gold, silver, leather and metals, new yet timeless, uniquely created with style and passion adding beauty and blends with today’s trend.

Konplott debuts at BB1 Classic. The line is spectacular, the colors are vibrant, and each handmade piece adds a touch of sophistication and mystery to the woman who wears it. Miranda Konstantinidou makes your word sparkle. Her latest jewelry collection of Africanica hand crafted in antique brass elements, inset with multi colored stones to adorn your neck and ears, are featured at BB1 Classic.

An inspirational line of 24 carat gold and 22 silver pendants with inscriptions from Greatest Hits, adds excitement. Olee’s pieces are attention-getters and create nostalgia for those who listened and rocked to these greatest hits. With the approach of Mother’s Day, followed closely by graduations, and then the holidays – not forgetting special birthdays – these are on our A list for gifts. Pieces come with a chain and O lock, are presented in a beautiful box with an inspirational message, and include a personal note card. Oh, I should say, none of these price points break any bank, all under $190 or so.

Crystals are Silver Night and Jet Black to blend with trends. Cabochette Beads and rich colored gems help complete any outfit. A Bonnie vintage crystal neck with t shirt and jeans, or worn with a special gown, will help fulfill any gal’s dream.

For 20 years or so, our silky second skin has been Liquid Metal. The patented handmade ball cuff still remains today’s favorite. It adds a special touch and has been known to sell off your wrist to those who cannot resist it for three times the price you paid for it – the call is yours. It is replaceable when in stock; we do run out.

March 2013 has arrived. 2012 has come and gone. It was an exciting 2012 Fall, great fashion; the shopper was discerning, had outstanding judgment recognizing value and quality.

It certainly was not a season of quantity, but no one could resist the crème de la crème! We sailed into January 2013, and Fall Collections continued to sell. Together with incredible new spring/summer collections being unpacked, the WOW factor was strong and even stronger now as we roll into the season of new beginnings.

With all this excitement this year, we have already visited Montreal, New York, markets in Europe, and not forgetting our home turf, Dallas, Texas, planning next Fall. Does this not sound unbelievable? The challenge of finding what women love and the excitement of seeing beautiful collections never ceases to create excitement.

We celebrate all woman, the many roles she undertakes. This Spring Summer is all about color, feeling and looking happy. She wears her authority with grace, she loves feminine elegance and sophisticated simplicity, she is classic with a twist, she is the BB1 Classic Customer.

Our collections offer new elements. Luisa Cerano, Apriori, Marc Aurel, St Emile: cut for the woman, Italian fabrics designed to fit today’s lifestyle. Collections that hang with the greats: Armani, Prada and so many others.

Bonnie Strauss: vintage re-invented, sheer, silky, hand-beaded & embroidered one-of-a-kind pieces.

Majestic Tees: you can find these in most designer stores, branded with the designer label; at BB1 Classic, you pay no extra premium for the label.

The mix of BB1 Classic collections from Spain, Brazil, Italy, France and our own American designers help create your own personal style. The theme is Minimalist, as in classic, Romantic, always with a touch of  Radiance and Glamour, keeping up with the female shift, in her busy world of meetings, economics, science, literature, politics, medical health, teachers, professors, associates and managers, wife, mom daughter, sister and chief cook. She defies labels and definitions; she signifies poise and confidence. She is today’s modern woman.

As the seasons begin to change soon, and even though it is still the heat of summer, July, we fantasize about cooler days, and we are excited by the already new fall arrivals.

For us in the buying world, we are already planning for our next spring/summer collections. Seems crazy, so far in advance, but it is an exciting time! As fashion and designers feel a trend, they feel what is happening in the world, and a lot of this is expressed in color and design and style. It’s about our lifestyle, our changing world, and it’s about creating a comfort zone for ourselves, where we want to be.

We start our travels soon, and we will be keeping you informed. But for now I want to share a fashion highlight, which by no stretch of the imagination shows the designer’s humor and what is possible: a hand blown glass halter dress.

The glass balls are attached with ribbon. Maria Lafuente brings many complex details to her design. She works with movement, and inspiration emerges through the genius of artists and their paintings.

Castilla and Leon fashion week, Burgos, Spain will always be a highlight for us. This reminds me of how really fragile life can be. So enjoy the moment, and remember to follow us in our world of fun, fashion and art.

All Aboard!

Lighten your load with this set of Italian GhostZip bags:

The fanny pack around your waist keeps you organized with valuables close by.

The small messenger keeps you hands-free, will be on hand once your travel bag is tucked away, and will act as a day and dinner bag.

The travel/beach bag, holds 65 lbs, so it’s easy to include your travel jacket, your collection of travel toiletries, books, and Ipad or laptap, with room for a couple of clothing changes.

Our Favorite Travel Outfit:

Remarkable stretch skinny pants for travel comfort in many colors, bold or muted.

Washable one size scrunch tops in an array of colors, adorned with . . .

MOI MOI tissue weight cashmere and silk scarves, coordinated colors to add pizzazz, Italian Chic, or Parisian flare, to co-ordinate and enhance any outfit.

Not traveling? These pieces will still work well and make you feel you’re on vacation!

Check us out online www.bb1classic.com.

Bon Voyage!

From “Uptown Blog”, by Audrey on July 18, 2012 in Specialty, Uptown Blog

1. Can you tell us a little bit about your art? How did you get started?

I started painting in 1998 after the unexpected death of my father. I used my art as a means of healing and never intended it to blossom into a career. At the encouragement of friends I started to show and sell some of my pieces. I thought–if I could make a career out of doing something I love I would have to give my all and make it happen.

Although I have a number of art styles, my primary art style is known as Escapism. Generally, it combines confident, vibrant abstract brushstrokes with a few elements of realism: an arrow, a cloud, a numeral or a checkerboard grid. Just as the healing process is not easy, neither is the true appreciation of abstract art. The touch of realism assists the viewer to become comfortable with the world of the abstract.

2. What is/are your favorite medium(s)?

My primary medium is acrylic on canvas or wood. However, I love to work with a great deal of additional media, including salvage wood, neon, enamel, graphite and collage.

3. What are a few of your favorite pieces?

The most exclusive body of work and one that I’m most proud of is the Satori series. You can read and see a video about it by following this link: http://www.johnpalmerart.com/satori.php

4. The goal of your mentorship program is to destroy the stereotype of the struggling artist… How did you overcome the obstacles you faced when you were starting out? Also, how do up and coming artists apply for John Ross Palmer’s Mentorship Program?

For me personally, I learned that I had to trust my own instincts about art and business. So many people would tell me: I’m creating too much, I’m overexposed, I need a Masters degree, I need to be in the “right” galleries. None of this is true. I now create art as a full-time business. I must create to make ends meet–it is not a hobby. I’m not apologetic about wanting to earn money and be a success, just like any other professional. Read more here: http://www.EscapistProgram.com.

5. Finally, from where do you draw your inspiration?

I love to travel and I gain a tremendous amount of inspiration from visiting new places and interacting with new cultures. I have beautiful memories from my childhood from riding horses–they often appear in my artwork. Nature is a huge inspiration, and so is light.

Photo credit: Paul Ladd

BB1 Classic in Uptown Park is known as a destination for art, design, and fashion.

A first in retail, Artist John Ross Palmer, together with Calli and Julian Saitowitz, purveyors of BB1 Classic, has floated a studio of unique and one of a kind items: Hand-painted vintage handbags and wallets, painted memory boxes for keepsakes, highest-quality scarves, books, pottery, furniture, chess boards, and Palmer’s art woven in to silk and wool carpets.

Original works of art are featured on the walls of the Upper Deck of the boutique, where the Artist can be found on most days. John Ross Palmer is known for his Escapism style. He slowly pulls the viewer into the world of the abstract with subtle, realistic images. His philosophy to leave behind life’s challenges, to enjoy the now, and rejoice in the blessings we have can be felt in all of the objects and art pieces John has cobbled together in his second retail environment.

The connection and fusion of Art with fashion and fashion with Art create a major cultural statement. Throughout the ages, art has influenced designers, yet designers are artists themselves through their own design technique and interpretations of what sets the pace in an ever-changing world.

A renowned Artist in our midst and a further collaboration of sisters Calli and Moira, MOIMOI was born: fine cashmere and silk scarf wraps (manufactured with a friend from Nepal) in bold and contrasting colors, with the element of art from John Ross Palmer.

There is no doubt that horses play an important part in the life and art inspiration of John Ross Palmer. MOIMOI brings his “Equestrian Series” to life on distinct scarf interpretations which will awaken and delight your fashion senses.

Art elevating fashion and fashion popularizing art – you can feel it, touch it, see it! The Artist, with a larger than life personality, never stops. The commercial and creative forces engage our customers and have them stop by from time to time just for a zen moment to relax, take it in, and want to take it home.