Jay Spring-Summer 2019 Collection

From designer Jordan Glasser:

“My Spring 2019 collection was designed with attention to detail, I wanted to really dig deeper into the key elements of what women & girls today are wearing. With that in mind I wanted each piece I carefully designed to have a standout detail or part to represent ones individuality and ability to express oneself while still staying true to the Bari Jay customer. Whether it be a lace-up corset bodice, a unique cutout, an asymmetrical ruffle, a strappy back, or even the mixture of fabric qualities each piece is unique; just like us as women.

As for the color story, I thought it was important to have a variety of colors ranging from true bold jewel tones, to softer blushes and lavenders. Giving our brand and our customers the versatility to standout and make a statement or on the contrast look effortlessly elegant.
I hope you find each piece as special as I do and choose Bari Jay for your next occasion.”

Bari Jay

On Valentines Day In 1971, Bruce Cohen became a partner in Bari Jay. With a 6 month old daughter, Erica, it was a risky venture. He borrowed some money from a relative and gambled. Soon after another daughter, Susan, followed. By then, Bruce was succeeding in a business that he loved….everything was dresses, all the time. His girls used to say he was in “dress world.”
Through the years both girls worked summers and other occasions at Bari Jay. This doesn’t include the times when they were young and made swatch cards in their basement in order to earn their allowance.

As time went on and the girls grew up they went on to do their own thing. Susan started her career in finance with a specialty of helping other women to invest and ultimately decided to go back to school to earn an MBA in Finance. One of her favorite pastimes was attending almost every Jets home game with her dad. Erica was living in NYC and had a career in the movie business which had her constantly traveling to and from Los Angeles for 14 years. She and her dad both loved movies and celebrities so she was always happy to give her dad tickets to movie premieres.
In 2007 both Erica and Susan both had children and Bruce had four grandchildren; being a grandpa was probably his favorite job! Susan was working in a business from home and Erica was back in school to become a teacher. In September of that year, Bruce suddenly became sick and passed away 9 months later.
Bari Jay is Bruce’s legacy. It is one of the driving forces motivating Erica and Susan and it is the primary memory his grandchildren have of him. It is a small, family owned and operated business. Susan and Erica answer phones and speak to customers, send swatches out, order swatch cards (although it is tempting to have their kids do it in the basement), try on samples, take orders, etc.. It was their father’s blood, sweat and tears that made Bari jay what it is and it is their blood, sweat and tears keeping it going.

Bari Jay is exclusively available at Rustan’s Makati, Rustan’s Shangri-la, Rustan’s Alabang Town Center and Rustan’s Cebu.

ANCIENT GREEK SPRING/SUMMER 2019 COLLECTION

NEW CLASSICS
SS19 sees the introduction of several new classic styles. The Delia, a flattering new style with a back strap to support the foot, makes it the perfect ‘day to night’ option, especially in metallic or platinum tones. The Erikousa, Mathraki, Othoni styles meanwhile, are a series of typical ancient Greek styles have been named after a collection of tiny islands in Northern Corfu. Others include the Korkira sandal and Liston slide, which feature multiple diagonal straps running in parallel, and both the Hippolyte and Antiope styles that use straps running in zig-zag patterns.

NEW MATERIALS
New fabrics for SS19 include the ‘Tweed’, which is available in either white or black with, or a multi-coloured / metallic option; offering a more formal and urban look to the sandals. The Canvas lamé in Celeste, Fuchsia and Gold offers a more playful, evening option. The ‘Retino Pois’, which is a semi transparent mesh with flocked black pois, is a great evening option for a more refined sophisticated look. Within the big buckle group, a vinyl tortoiseshell fabrication has been introduced, adding a new spin to the group. Black, white and natural sandals have also been updated to include an oversized tortoiseshell buckle.

THIN BRAIDED STYLES
Following the success of the delicate braided ‘Eleftheria’ sandal, three new plaited styles have been added to this feminine group. Thin twined leather straps subtly wrap around the front of the foot, while each style now has a more solid vachetta back-strap to hold the foot more securely, especially for long summer strolls. All three styles are available in natural, off white, black, platinum or a bi-colour natural/platinum.

CHAINS AND DIAMONDS IN THE SKY
A chunky curb chain in gold or anthracite decorates four classic Ancient Greek Sandals styles; the Taygete slide; the multistrap Niki; the more discreet Polymnia; and finally the delicate Mnimosini thong sandal with a chain that wraps around the ankle.
For the evening, strappy classic Ancient Greek Sandals styles; including the Apli Eleftheria, Apli Katia, Niki and Sofia; are decorated with an elegant baguette diamond chain that is hand sewn onto the leather upper.

LINKS
Inspired by the Matala caves of Crete, which were occupied by hippies in the 60’s, the links group features straps made up of oversized leather chains. Rounded leather cut-out shapes interlock together, creating soft subtle straps that substitute the plain leather straps on Thais, Thalia, Lito and Estia. On the Poulia, the linked straps form the whole of the sandal, while the Matala leaves the entire foot bare, the links forming a dramatic double ankle strap. This group is available in all classic vacchetta tones, as well as a subtle off white/natural/ platinum combination and the bright crosta mix.

LEATHER PLAITS
Three everyday sandals constituting simple lines: the Kynthia, Plexi and Skyriani have been developed with plaits in place of the classic straps. This simple, but elegant group is available in classic colours, bi-colour combinations and the fun crosta mix.

LOOPS
The new styles from the ‘Loops’ group are named after a group of beautiful Islands called ‘The small Cyclades’: Donousa, Schinousa and Koufonisi. This elaborate group of refined sandals, characterised by thin bands of interlocking leather, are available in natural tones as well as a metallic mix.

ULTRA SLIM STRAPS
In response to a desire for more feminine designs, new ultra-thin straps have been created for SS19. The elegant Meloivia, Eretria and Kilini; available in black, natural or metallic combinations; are the perfect choice for an evening sandal.

SOFT TUBULARS
The new ‘ Soft Tubular’ group features straps of folded nappa leather that are knotted at the join rather than with hardware. Doro, the simplest of the group, uses just a thong style upper for support, while the Hydra and Spetses use extra straps for an easy to wear slide. Elpiniki adds a supportive back strap to the group, while Morphi utilises multiple straps that wrap around the ankle. These simple yet refined sandals are available in a variety of colours and combinations, such as red and pink or violet and yellow, while black and natural sandals are offered with the addition of a leopard insole.

NEW ELEFTHERIA JELLY
Following the success of our classic braided Eleftheria style, Ancient Greek Sandals introduces the Eleftheria jelly for SS19. Created using recyclable PVC, these delicate, feminine styles can be worn from beach to bar, without the worry of damaging the natural leather. The group is available in a range of eyecatching tones including red, fuchsia, turquoise and white, as well as the more playful clear, black or fuchsia decorated with glitter insoles.

COMFORT GROUP
A more comfortable alternative to the signature Ancient Greek Sandals leather sole, the new comfort group features a soft moulded sole with inbuilt cushions to help support the foot during extended wear. Relaxed and anatomical, yet still feminine, the new design has been combined with the classic Ancient Greek Sandals uppers, as well as with the more delicate, refined straps found in the latest collection. For Spring/Summer ’19, the sole has been developed in an array of bright colours including red, pink, lilac, yellow, to sit alongside the classic off white and black. Increased support has been introduced through the use of the soft nappa leather tubular straps in corresponding colours that wrap around the foot. Certain styles, such as the Niki Comfort, also feature the decorative gold ‘nails’; a signature addition to the Ancient Greek Sandals’ roster.

NOTES TO EDITORS:
Born and raised in Greece, designer Christina Martini is a BA (Hons) graduate in Footwear Design and Product Development from the prestigious Cordwainers College (2000). Martini previously worked as a shoe designer for Balenciaga (2008-
2010), Louis Vuitton and Iris srl. Ancient Greek Sandals are available at the world’s best retailers including Net-a- Porter, Selfridges, Matches in London, Le Bon Marche, Colette and Merci in Paris, Antonia in Milan, Theresa in Munich, Bergdorf Goodman, Forty Five Ten and Maxfield in the USA, and Luisa via Roma, Moda Operandi and My Theresa.

Ancient Greek Sandals is exclusively available at Rustan’s Makati and Rustan’s Gateway.