"Authentically Preppy" in Georgetown

At Elizabeth McKay we owe much of our success to our partnerships with over 250 high-end shops across the country. From the beginning, these stores have given us valuable distribution and aided our grass roots marketing campaign. Part of the purpose of this blog is to give thanks to the customers and store owners who helped Elizabeth McKay along the way. There are countless stores to thank, but today we will begin with Sherman Pickey in the beautiful Georgetown section of Washington, DC.

Ethan and Elizabeth (please excuse the Sunday morning casual dress!)

A wedding in the nation’s capital this weekend presented us with the opportunity to drop in on one of our favorite couples, Lindsay and Ethan Drath, the owners of Sherman Pickey. For those of you outside of the DC area, walking into Sherman Pickey is like walking into a shop on Martha's Vineyard. Similar to North River Outfitters in Boston and Edgartown, the store is located on a beautiful tree-lined street and looks more like a home you’d want to visit than a store hiding an incredible selection of “authentically preppy” clothing.

Pink and Green abound!

Founded 7 years ago, the store is named after one owner’s dog’s name and another’s cat’s name, both rescued animals. From the water bowl on the steps to the dog treats at the counter, Ethan and his staff dote on customer’s animals with the same attention and charisma that they supplied to the endless stream of customers we encountered at the store yesterday.

Pickey and Sherman

While we were there, we witnessed Ethan shower his unabashed attention on a Gentleman customer purchasing sports coats (carefully selected in advance) and then assist a young lady interested in the latest in summer dresses. Ethan’s sense of style permeates the store and his collections definitely reflect his preppy bent and affinity for Palm Beach. Jane, who walked us through some of the newer collections throughout the store, was also equally comfortable discussing Barbour jackets and Vilebrequin bathing suits as she was the latest tunic or dress. This nexus of fashion, function, and personal attention to detail makes for a great partnership with Elizabeth McKay.

The Scotland Ruffle Wrap Dress at Sherman Pickey

With warmer weather upon us, May is the perfect time to visit the nation’s capitol. So if you find yourself in Washington, D.C. anytime soon, be sure to stop in and say, “hi” to our friends at Sherman Pickey located at 1647 Wisconsin Avenue.

- Elizabeth

Two Safari-inspired prints (from the Vault)

At Elizabeth McKay, the only thing we love more than color is pairing it with the big, bold prints we dream up! 

With the exception of the Elephant Brigade print, we've never re-released a print after it's been issued (really!).  Why do we do this?  Because we LOVE coming up with NEW ones!  For every print that makes it through the design process, there are probably three or four that didn't make the cut.  A member of my design team pointed this out the other day and sparked a contest to see how many of our old prints we could name and how many were hiding in the vault, never to be seen again.  After we threw our hands up (we're creative types, not mathematicians), I started thinking about all of the great prints we've had through the seasons and the inspiration for each of them. 

For this post, I wanted to talk about two of my favorites - "Giraffes on the Ark" and "Elephant Brigade." 

When I dreamed up these two prints, I was on my honeymoon fulfilling one of my lifelong dreams - Safari.  I had always dreamed of going on a Safari and have a bookcase full of Fodors and Frommer's travel guides and a stack of Travel + Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler magazines to prove it.  

We started our trip in South Africa in Sabi Sands on a private reserve at one of the most exotic resorts I have ever been to.  We saw giraffes, hyenas, hippos, leopards, and of course - my coveted elephants.  I was so overwhelmed with ideas that I had to buy another journal to scribble in at the local market.  As you can see below, the Fall 2010 Elizabeth McKay line took shape with two of my favorite prints - inspired by the surreal sights and animals.

I loved this Giraffe so much....

that it was the inspiration for this print, "Giraffes on the Ark."

Have I said it once or twice?  I'm OBSESSED with Elephants!

The inspiration for "Elephant Brigade"

Still dreaming of my trip back... What do you think? Maybe Fall 2012 needs to be Safari-inspired?

Cheers! 

- Elizabeth

Two Safari-inspired prints (from the Vault)

At Elizabeth McKay, the only thing we love more than color is pairing it with the big, bold prints we dream up! 

With the exception of the Elephant Brigade print, we've never re-released a print after it's been issued (really!).  Why do we do this?  Because we LOVE coming up with NEW ones!  For every print that makes it through the design process, there are probably three or four that didn't make the cut.  A member of my design team pointed this out the other day and sparked a contest to see how many of our old prints we could name and how many were hiding in the vault, never to be seen again.  After we threw our hands up (we're creative types, not mathematicians), I started thinking about all of the great prints we've had through the seasons and the inspiration for each of them. 

For this post, I wanted to talk about two of my favorites - "Giraffes on the Ark" and "Elephant Brigade." 

When I dreamed up these two prints, I was on my honeymoon fulfilling one of my lifelong dreams - Safari.  I had always dreamed of going on a Safari and have a bookcase full of Fodors and Frommer's travel guides and a stack of Travel + Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler magazines to prove it.  

We started our trip in South Africa in Sabi Sands on a private reserve at one of the most exotic resorts I have ever been to.  We saw giraffes, hyenas, hippos, leopards, and of course - my coveted elephants.  I was so overwhelmed with ideas that I had to buy another journal to scribble in at the local market.  As you can see below, the Fall 2010 Elizabeth McKay line took shape with two of my favorite prints - inspired by the surreal sights and animals.

I loved this Giraffe so much....

that it was the inspiration for this print, "Giraffes on the Ark."

Have I said it once or twice?  I'm OBSESSED with Elephants!

The inspiration for "Elephant Brigade"

Still dreaming of my trip back... What do you think? Maybe Fall 2012 needs to be Safari-inspired?

Cheers! 

- Elizabeth

Launching 2.15.11!