ck bradley

CK Bradley Warehouse Sale...

2011-08-30T12:29:00.001-07:00

Dad, Is it True?

2011-04-02T10:08:00.000-07:00

Dad married Mom on the first day of Spring in 1965. Mom had no idea she was getting married. There was no engagement party, let alone ring. There was just a business trip to Miami where she tagged along with Dad and his partner, Hugh Auchincloss. There was however, a quick stop over in Sanibel Island to go sea shelling at dawn before meetings in Miami later on that day. It was in Sanibel at dawn that a minister came bounding out onto the beach and performed the ceremony, and Dad married Mom.

Mom and Dad Wedding Day, March 21st, 1966

Before the surprise nuptuals at dawn in Sanibel, Dad had courted Mom in NYC and escorted her to many a party...but ONLY during the week. Though he was quite taken with her, he was pretty convinced that his weekend escape routine was something that would make her run.

One day Mom asked where he went on the weekends. So she got the invite and a packing list. (blue jeans, sneakers, etc..)Dad would have bet she didn't own blue jeans, and the only sneakers she had were for tennis, but wanted to warn her is wasn't going to be a trip to Southampton or Litchfield.

So he picked her up on a Friday afternoon in his Mark VII Jag
(I have such an affection for cars...and thought a visual here was crucial considering what is to come)
And to his surprise, she was dressed perfectly for the weekend ahead...

Dad had decided to put this fancy girl to the test. They drove 2 hours out of NYC to what is now Minneswaska State Park, but was then a cabin on remote Awosting Lake, that was Dad's weekend retreat. They parked the Jag, loaded up groceries into woven basket packs and hiked for 45 minutes before arriving at Lake Awosting. THEN, they loaded up the canoe, and paddled across the lake to Dad's cabin (still actually there, but in severe disrepair). All in all, an hour and a half trek from car to cabin. (Dad didn't let on that you could actually drive the whole way to the cabin, because that would ruin the test)

And then, he made her sleep in a tent.

The next morning, Dad awoke to the view of mom casting her fly rod into Awosting Lake. He chuckled, as the lake was a 'dead' lake, meaning no fish could survive in it due to excessive minerals. But no need to stop her artful routine. After all, it's not often a guy is pleasantly surprised that his seemingly citified love interest is talented in the ways of the fly rod...

A bit later he smells something cooking on the open fire.

After getting no bites in Awosting Lake, Mom took to the stream nearby and guddled for trout. She'd learned this technique with her father in Canada on fishing trips as a girl...and, well, imagine knowing trout so well that you find their hiding spot in a stream and they LET you pick them UP!

Yes, mom caught a trout with her bare hands. I'm surprised Dad didn't propose right then and there.

But, soon after, the once social couple in NYC...

got married at dawn on the first day of Spring, and the rest is history.

Dad in lederhosen (don't ask) and the boys a decade or so before I came a knockin' at the same cabin on the same lake where Mom won over Dad after guddling a trout.

-Dad, I know It's True, Bradley.

Dumb and Dumber

2011-03-24T11:51:00.000-07:00

People are calling me Lloyd.

Like the Lloyd from Dumb and Dumber.

We left Aspen and plugged in a route to Squaw Valley, CA for epic snowfall of around 5' in 4 days. The trip got us into Squaw around 7 pm for dinner the following day.

7 hrs into the drive, we started seeing palm trees.
This wasn't alarming, as my GPS, Lucy is TOTALLY reliable, and I have a great sense of direction. (obviously)

Then we saw a road sign for LA.
Now that was alarming.

My co-pilot, (now Harry)had mentioned something about taking rt 50 a while back (like 8 hrs before) and I disregarded the suggestion as not pertinent.
Turns out, that Squaw Valley Ski Resort is in Olympic Valley, Ca. whereas Squaw Valley, Ca is near Fresno/LA. Really CALIFORNIA?

Minor details.

It is time for an Apres Whomper temporary makeover while I live this down....

-Lloyd, Bradley

Telluride AIDS Benefit Fashion Show

2011-03-10T06:45:00.001-08:00

Telluride has an incredible fashion show every year to benefit AIDS research...There were looks from Kenneth Cole, Perry Ellis,

Looks from Lela Rose, Nanette Lepore, Jill Stuart,

Looks that barely covered the girls,

Looks that barely covered the boys....

And then the looks that came from Apres by CK Bradley...

The best part of the Apres show was that the girls stripped off their suits at the end...and those pics I may have to leave to your imagination. It seems that whether I am designing dresses for chic cocktail parties in Palm Beach or ski suits for the 'it' places of the West, the same results apply....the wearers are getting sassy...Keep it up girls, you inspire me every step of the way.

PS. All models are local Telluride residents...that town has a pool of hotties to pick from! (note to self: add to list of possible places to move)

Thank you Stash and all the people that made the show such an incredible event!

-Getting the Mountain Bug, Bradley

Ski Gear and Camping...

2011-03-05T10:01:00.000-08:00

What do ski gear, fashion and camping have in common?

Me, right NOW....

This was Mom in the 1960's in Gstaad...
Enough inspiration to quit designing dresses and start designing ski clothes.

Then me, today.
If someone told me 6 months ago, I'd be living in an Airstream and launching a women's ski apparel line, I would have laughed. What would the summer people say? "Did you hear? CK Bradley is living in a Trailer!"

Now trailer living can be tasteful....I look back at the family albums and see Mom and my brothers 'roughing it' in the woods
But that is more camping...not 'trailering'
Everywhere we go we see signs reminding us that the Bambi Airstream behind us is not welcome in these parts. Aspen is at the top of the list.
Just yesterday, after arriving in Aspen for Fashion Week, when I was about to give up on finding any place to park the Bambi, a big truck pulls up alongside us on Main Street in Aspen: "Nice Airstream" one of the guys says..."Follow us"
It's like the Bambi was our ticket into a new very exclusive club.
The boys showed us where to park, and the rest keeps getting better.
The guys and Ali in front of their much larger Airstream

Now, out West, I BRAG about living in an Airstream. People pull us over just to get a closer look at the Bambi, invite us back to their place for parties in hopes of hanging out in the Bambi, ask for Bambi tours and beg us to tell our story.
And all along we thought it was the Apres Girls they liked.

Bambi: thanks for increasing sales and getting us more attention than hot pink retro suits, 2 dogs and 2 Apres Girls could get on their own.

-I am Happily Living in a Trailer, Bradley

Jackson Night 1

2011-02-22T11:03:00.001-08:00

We arrived in Jackson Hole last night and backed into our cozy spot for the Bambi for the next 8 days. (If you're here...we are in the Teton Village Bottle shop...get your beer n' a dose of the Apres girls all at once)

After dinner at the Rendevous Bistro, we snuggled in for a long Winter's nap in the Bambi.
The dogs were out cold.
But we kept hearing strange human like rumbles from the floor area. One of the dogs had BAD gas. Which is no surprise since Tula had consumed an entire bag of carrots earlier....

ORGANIC no less...

Later on, at 3am, we were awakened by a piercing alarm noise....the carbon monoxide detector...
Turns out Tula's carrot consumption, turned gas explosion had our carbon monoxide levels uncomfortably high.

They say you can't smell it, but in this case, we could. Poor Tula is recuperating OUTSIDE at the moment, and we are still laughing.

-Keepin' the Hounds Away from Carrots, Bradley.

2011-02-20T21:54:00.001-08:00

We arrived in Aspen about a week ago...and let's just say Aspen is NOT trailer friendly....no matter how good looking the trailer is. So we got booted. Rejection isn't my strength, but I am learning to swallow it.

And somehow...miraculously, a friend I went to Nightingale in NYC with, had a spot for us on her Dad's BEAUTIFUL place in Woody Creek, CO. THANK YOU JULIE!

And even better? We were greeted by the sweetest girl, Kelly and 2 cowboys. Now when I say cowboys, I mean the kind that are wearing patterned hankerchiefs round their oh so manly necks...and worn in cowboy hats. I thought these sorts of cowboys only came along in movies...but they are real, if only I had gotten pics...you may have drooled on your keyboard...
The dogs were in HEAVEN at the ranch. Elk, dogs n' coyotes to play with. (the coyotes would howl outside our door at night and I would PRAY that my bladder would hold through the night.)
Then the brushing of the teeth and mouthwash routine. Wintry Airstream living at its best...we have no running water because of cold temps...And speaking of cold temps, we have gotten 'sponsored' by Tecnica and their MOON BOOTS. Thank goodness. They are the warmest, coziest boots I have ever had..not to mention an attention getter. Yes guys, Moon Boots are BACK.

We are now in Rawlins, WY on the way to Jackson Hole. If you are headed our direction, let me know! (or if there are any other cowboys you think I should meet.....)

-Bring on Wyoming, Bradley

Before and Apres

2011-02-04T13:03:00.001-08:00

We ran into 3 hot blondies at the Red Lion in Vail today at apres...

BEFORE

APRES

Get your Apres Pom Pom!

-Before and Apres, Bradley

Denver Photo Shoot

2011-01-30T14:27:00.000-08:00

Denver started out pretty calm. Candy and I wore our Apres Hot Dog Bibs out to a broom hockey birthday party...There was baked brie, beer, broom sticks and a bunch of babes and boys.

The birthday boy got Apres'd with a Pom Pom Hat.

And then it happened...what always happens. We take off our suits...
Which got this guy pretty excited.....
And the Apres shoot began....thanks to the fab photographer, Paul Winner
(his pics are hopefully to come...)
Then Steve came rolling in....and stole the show

I think he was rocking out to 'Like a Virgin'
Thanks Steve for making the Hot Dog Jacket look so damn GOOD.

-Another Night got Apres'd, Bradley

Update from Utah...

2011-01-24T11:52:00.002-08:00

This just in...suits are in short supply, so the Apres girls, Bunny and Candy are on a mission to make apres dreams come true.

For a larger screen, click here.

-Bunny, Bradley

Apres Roadtrip Begins

2011-01-22T12:02:00.001-08:00

So my 3 month road trips to snow laden mountains out West has begun....

First I got the Whomper re-outfitted...

Then Tula, me, 1,000 Apres cups, hats, 1,000 T Shirts, barrels of my favorite cereal, bins of my favorite clothes, grade B maple syrup and a whole lot of 'what if's' hit the road...and somehow managed to drive 2,300 miles in 2 days and a night. Conditions were AWFUL...with visibility at 10' during the snow storm in Nebraska and the pure ice on I80 through Wyoming. Cars off the road everywhere...but the WHOMPER pulled on through..and we made it to Ogden, UT in time for dinner.

Then we picked up 2 new passengers and some hot new studded tires for the Whomper.
One passenger was for Tula, (Summer above)
And one for me, Ali, (below)

Off to ship orders....the website is now taking cc's....so if you want any t-shirts or pom pom hats get em while I have the time to send them!

-Blogging from Mormon Country, Bradley

Last of CK Bradley Dresses Available!

2011-01-06T08:10:00.000-08:00

We have about 100 pieces left. All dresses $120. All skirts/tops $60.
That's right. Last chance guys!
email ckbradley13@gmail.com to order
Sizes listed below styles

-Now to Make you ALL SKIERS, Bradley

How Many Knee Socks...

2011-01-04T20:52:00.000-08:00

Can I fit in my duffel that must last me 3 months on the road?

'Like' our Apres FaceBook page for updates and discounts.

The Bambi Airstream that we are renting for 3 months is smaller than my closets at home. Now, I KNOW I don't need dresses, curling irons and all my boots: high heeled, flat, over the knee etc...BUT I will need some 80's Prom Dresses and a full bin of bikinis and hair pieces JUST IN CASE. Can I tow a trailer BEHIND a trailer for the sake of costumes? Hmmmmm.

If I can't bring an extra trailer with a quiver of costumes...I may just have to wear knee socks (always room for those) and a Mogul Masher Vest.

and a Pom Pom Hat. It's all about keeping your upper body warm anyway, right?

And since I haven't even left the salty state of Rhode Island for snow capped mountains YET, I have had to resort to having 'shows' indoors...great for stripping down for try on sessions, bad for getting action snow shots. Here's a bit of action:
I'll keep the updates coming...we may even have a website soon for pre-orders! For those of you too eager to wait, email: ckbradley13@gmail.com with questions.

-Still Salty, Soon to be Snowy, Bradley

2010-11-30T06:52:00.001-08:00

A new adventure begins. CK Bradley Ribbon Belts brought endless scavenger hunts, contests, and dapper belted boys. CK Bradley Dresses brought fun and frolic to the everyday cocktail party, and the ever growing desire for me to do things in my CK Bradley Dress that hadn't been done before. I have been getting restless with the confines of a dress, and have found another design realm that NEEDS MY HELP.
Ski Mountains.

I'm SICK of not having ANYTHING to wear skiing. I don't want to look like a boy in baggy snowboarding pants, or some technical genius in the latest in high tech gear with reflectors for search and rescue teams when I've probably fallen right beneath the lift. I don't want the cougar look with some getup that's tight in the rear and poofy up top covered in embroidered dragons, leopard print and tassles. Don't get me wrong...I like animal prints, but way better hidden beneath my ski suit than splattered all over it. And vintage stuff is great...but old and cold.

So enter my next adventure:

There are bibs beneath which are actually the HOTTEST part of the suit

OK, so not that hot on me, but give me a D cup and these things start flirting on their own.

The navy blue racing stripes down the sides also are also throughout the Jacket back and arms...and are Spandura - a heavy weight Spandex. A size Small fits a 4-6 and is so darn comfy you might want to replace your bathrobe with the bibs. In fact you don't need to ski to own one of these...just live in a cold place. I tend to think these bibs (pants) fit me better than my favorite pair of jeans - which means I might be wearing these out to bars this Winter.

The colorful outer fabric is Nylon Rip Stop, and there is a layer of insulation as well. Comfy, warm...SEXY!!!!

I am taking pre-orders now. The Bibs are $550, Jacket $450. Ready to ship beginning of January, 2011.

I will be hitting the road starting in Vermont, then headed West to every big mountain January 1st. If you are going to be skiing this Winter, Apres might just be there. Any leads on trunk shows in different mountain towns, let me know so we can set them up. Otherwise look out for us on the slopes, and on the road. I will update as the adventure expands.

-Hot Dog, Bradley

Interested in investing in Apres? Email ckbradley13@gmail.com

Ta-Ta for Now, CKB

2010-09-27T14:02:00.001-07:00

After 11 fun years of living and creating CK Bradley, I am closing our doors for now. Later is another story, but rest assured that I have something brewing...

What an incredible trip it has been:

from our first photo shoot at Hammersmith Farm in the bridal collection circa 2002
to many run ins with the law during the shoots....

to belting the boys
the girls
and myself.
We had impromptu photo shoots on random afternoons in NYC,
and hot afternoons in farmers markets,
at the beach,on the dock,
on beautiful boats,
off beautiful boats,
and up the mast on boats.
We had run ins with people ALL wearing CKB at summer clambakes (ooops)
out an about at night,
outside the Whomper,
on random sunny afternoons,at wedding receptions,
and in our NYC store.
We've had fabulous Punch parties
Dorrians parties,
tailgate parties,
race to Tennessee parties,
wear orange Dickies parties,
and fake wedding parties.
We've had Cheerleaders,
cheer boys,
and bowling boys testing out CKB boxers.
There have been stores in Charlottesville and Richmond,
in Newport, NYC

and at temporarily at the Javitz center.
We've had belt contests with entertaining entries: Beach Bum
Banana Hammock,
and the winner, Beer Goggles.

We've had incredible CKB girls...(Vieve and Ebbie and MANY more)

Vieve, thank you for inspiring me to keep going and sticking by all my crazy ideas for so long!

-When One Door Closes Another Opens, Bradley

ps. the blog is stayin:)

To be Listed or not to be Listed?

2010-08-30T18:09:00.000-07:00

I grew up in a time when everyone had land lines and answering machines. If you needed to call a friend, you'd thumb through the telephone book and find their home number.

In my case, the telephone book was the very BIG Manhattan Directory, BUT our name wasn't in it.

Dad wanted to maintain privacy and be unlisted, but it cost .50c a month to be unlisted. Rather then pay, Dad made up a name...Archimedes I. Zzzyandottie, with enough zzz's to earn the last spot in the world's largest telephone directory. I thought it was normal to have a last name beginning with a B, but listed telephone number under three Z's.

Add that to my list of abnormal normalcies.

Needless to say, this attempt at privacy got a lot of press and prank calls.

Kids prank called it all the time, Playboy featured it in June 1963 AFTER HOURS, and authors created characters inspired by this mysterious Archimedes.

"We regret to report that- as is often the case with sequels-Alexander Graham Bell’s recently published Manhattan Telephone Directory doesn’t measure up to the promise of the authors earlier work…Speaking of numbers, the author has audaciously undertaken the abandonment of the Romantic tradition of lettered prefixes (such as Murry Hill, Gramercy…)in favor of the futuristic device of the digital dialing system-doubtless in an attempt to depict the elimination of individual identity in an age of expanding automation. The effect , ironically, has been so dehumanizing his characters and the book itself. But perhaps most culpably, the redoubtable Archimedes I. Zzzydottie - a picturesque and familiar figure in all of Bell’s more recent works, has the distinction of taking the last bow in the book..."

From Collecting Telephone Books by Gwillim Law:

"We began to see elements of beauty and utility in telephone books. Archimedes I Zzzyandottie was last in Manhattan but first in our hearts. Our neighbor Charles suggested that we write to him and say that his name had been selected at random from the telephone book. (We didn't.)"

Even mentioned as a character in John Crowley's book: Little, Big:

"And the phone book, when (just hypothetically, there was no immediate need) he consulted it, listed surprising columns, whole armies in fact, of Rodriguezes and Garcias and Fuenteses, with great pompous Christian names, Monserrate, Alejandro, such as he had never heard her use. And talk about pompous names, look at this last guy, Archimedes Zzzyandottie, what on earth. "

-I wonder what names I can muster besides Camilla, Bradley

Cover Shoot

2010-07-30T18:27:00.000-07:00

In case you wondered what happens when you mix salt and silk...
This months Quest Magazine cover.
(I may pay your dry cleaning bill if you send me a pic of you topping this pic)
Camilla Bradley in the Oscar Dress in Pink and Ryan Jones in the Cortina Dress in Yellow.

-Still Salty, Bradley

Spotted...

2010-07-11T09:01:00.001-07:00

Spotted in CKB at the IYRS Gala.
L-R: CKB in the white Oscar Dress (with a belt from Mom's closet from the 70's)Barrett in last years Beachcomber, but available in 2 colors this season, and Jennifer in the Cortina Dress in yellow dupioni.
IYRS is the International Yacht Restoration School in Newport, RI. Their annual party is one of the most fun summer parties out here...they transform the enormous workshop where wooden boats are brought back to life into something that resembles the a chic downtown night club in NYC. Well done whoever did it!
Later on at the Cooke House CKB Summer 2008 was Spotted... Gretchen on the far right in CKB 2008 blue birdsilk. Not to mention Ebbie in red, caught out and about after a tough day at the CKB store...and her sister Katie in CKB 2009, Pom Pom dress in white. Go girls GO!

And I am caught leisurely blogging on a sunday morning...wait make that LUNCHTIME on a sunday afternoon! Time to walk the puppy....

-Hoarse Voice, Bradley

W Boat Summer Photoshoot

2010-06-16T11:59:00.000-07:00

Certain sailboats, just like certain men, really know how to make me swoon.

The W's are no exception. Donald Tofias was nice enough to let the CKB team take out White Wings, a w-76 for a shoot yesterday. Wind perfect, sun in full force, and company entertaining.
(CKB in Purple Moroccan Belles Shirtdress, Ebbie in Green Moroccan Cortina Dress and Hannah in the Multi Stripe Oscar Dress.)

Last year we jumped of the stern in dresses for a bit of a splash
But this year things were a bit more tame. Plus, it was hard to forget how cold that water was last year....

Here, L - R: Ebbie in the Pink dupioni Oscar Dress, CKB in the Yellow dupioni Cortina Dress and Hannah in the Green dupioni Oscar Dress.

Ebbie in the Belles Shirtdress in Coral Island
Hannah in the Navy Dupioni Cortina Dress and Ebbie in the Navy Silk Moroccan Geo Oscar Dress.
A little catnap before round 2 of the shoot...
We left the crew of White Wings ready to call it a day.
And then I swooned. This time for a new breed: Speedboat.

next thing you know there was a harness...

and 2 Girls in Oscars on the Spreaders
Then all 3.
Oh the things these boats make us DO! Or is it the boys that are on them?
Thank you to all the SPEEDBOAT Crew for making our day.
Ebbie had so much fun we had trouble getting her down.
-Speedboat added to the Swoon List, Bradley.

Made in the USA

2010-06-09T08:45:00.000-07:00

I can't pronounce half the places people are getting their clothes produced these days...from little towns in China, Peru, Bali to India. There are a lot of options out there, and we have decided to come HOME.

Welcome to Fall River, Ma. Once upon a time, Fall River was a mecca for apparel and bag manufacturers, so today it is filled with empty factories slowly filling up. It's fun to see a place begin to come back to life, a place that is now in my new backyard, and home to CKB production.

This is the fabric being laid out for cutting...

This is a small run of Chelles Halters ready for sewing.
And the Chelles Halter ready for wearing.

-Fall River sure beats the 7th avenue in NYC, Bradley

Tula SUPing

2010-05-14T20:35:00.001-07:00

I am kind of a SUP-a-holic. (SUP= Stand Up Paddle) Last summer alone, I stand up paddled so much, I tore some nasty stuff in my arms and was in rehab for the winter. All that meant was no arm sports, just leg ones. And luckily for me, I LOVE the leg ones.

So now I'm onto the leisure SUPing. And who better to paddle around with than Tula.
This is a slow sport that gives you an AMAZING core workout. And if your feeling frisky, Paddle Surfing is a bit more exciting...but less my speed.

We started out slow...after all, Tula is NOT a water dog.
I had to make sure she could float...

Then we moved onto the board and steady knees...

Then to a stand and sit position...

And finally it all came together. All I could wonder now was how on earth I was going to give her the dog treats I had stuffed in my wet suit without sending us both to an icy finish.

-Thank Heaven for Random Friends that Drive by in Cool Trucks with Great Cameras, Bradley.

New House...

2010-05-05T08:16:00.000-07:00

Commitment SCARES me.

The boys who come in and out of my life figure that out pretty quick. But the animals I have acquired are slowly teaching me the ways of commitment. In fact, Tula has lured me into giving up my furnished church only to move into an unfurnished house... Oh how persuasive puppies can be!Minimum Commitment rules for decorating the new place: Only use fabrics and furniture that I already have. No investing in permanence!

I wanted valences in my bedroom. Wood is a commitment. Cardboard is disposable. So cardboard valences it is. I am not proud of this, but not ready for further commitment yet. So...the how to's of making your place look a lot better than it is...for CHEAP.
Cardboard from Michael's. $2.99. (foam core was $9.99 and didnt come big enough)
I duck taped sides to the front.

Then staple gunned batting and the fabric onto the cardboard and added more duct tape for a better hold.
I stapled ribbon loops that will hang on cup hooks that i have screwed into the ceiling.

This is the room post cardboard valences.
Post Valences. Big difference huh?

One project down, many to go.
-One Day I'll be able to Handle the Commitment of Wood over Cardboard, Bradley.

What I want to be When I Grow Up

2010-03-25T09:07:00.000-07:00

It started out simple. I just wanted to grow up. And grow out. I can't tell you how many times my dad would catch me with tennis balls stuffed in my bathing suit.
Tennis was a HUGE part of my life growing up. I was always on the court watching my Dad, chasing balls...and wearing my favorite whites. I wanted to be Chris Evert Lloyd, and played tennis against a ball machine for hours.
In highschool it continued, and at this point I was pretty sure Tennis was going to be my life. It was my life in high school, with a side order of Salisbury boys.
When I was too old for Tennis camp, it was time for a 'real' job...and my first job at 15 was working at Minnewaska State Park on the Maintenance Crew. Finally being tall was good (it sucked at high school dances when all the boys were shorter) But now I looked older, and my Boss had me driving the Crew truck around assuming I was old enough! That in itself was HEAVEN. I learned to use a chainsaw, spackle walls and change the oil on a dozer, not to mention drive a big dump truck. Not exactly the background of a girl designing dresses for Black Tie and weddings...now is it?
By now I was at Columbia in NYC, still with no idea of what I wanted to do. I joined the sailing team, drank enough to damage my voice for eternity and took a semester off to write a children's book...in hopes of that getting me into Princeton where my Dad was class of '54. Only, I got my hands on my Dad's old Nikon F camera, and decided to photograph climbers in the Gunks instead. The Children's book could wait...and so could Princeton.
That Summer I life guarded on Fisher's Island and thus began the calling of the Ocean...
The following summer was life guarding in Newport at Hazards Beach...but life guarding wasn't going to turn into a profession unless Baywatch came my way, so onto sailing it was.

I crewed on the 12's in Newport, namely the beauty Nefertiti. Learned a lot, and realized I could do this for real if I wanted...as I was still unsure of what to do.
My last summer before graduating from Trinity I worked at Rockwell Group, a pretty incredible Architecture firm in NYC. David Rockwell, its namesake, rented a log cabin from us at our country place, Awosting. That summer I discovered I loved DESIGN. I loved architecture. I love the creative process that went into the details and how they affected those within a given space.

Rockwell Group has done everything from Nobu, a fabulous sushi restaurant in NYC to the set of this years academy awards. When I left that summer with a job offer upon graduation, one of the sweet girls in the Interiors department gave me a cloth bag that looked like a brown shopping bag. I sewed some ribbon on it...and thus began the CK Bradley tote...THANK YOU ROCKWELL GROUP!

I was on my own from there on. And TRUST me...despite having a fashionable mother, I was one of the LAST persons at Trinity that you would have thought would go onto design clothes. Classmates would have bet more on my teaching at Outward Bound.

It's funny how things turn out. Variety can breed opportunity, it certainly did for me.

-Go Seize the Day, Bradley

Sneak Spring Peak!

2010-03-23T12:29:00.000-07:00

I get SO excited for Spring and Summer...not only because I live by the beach and the sailors return, but mostly because I LOVE COLOR, and with Summer comes more color.

The design process happens much differently for me than for most who went to school for fashion design. I dream it up, chicken scratch it and play with it. Play with color, play with prints, play with vintage numbers hibernating in the warehouse...just plain play.

And this year we are manufacturing in Fall River, MA...good old USA! There will be silks, batistes, stretch sateens and prints in heavenly colors...and here's the sneak peak.

I always seem to gravitate to kelly green. It is fresh and I love it.
And who am I kidding...I LOVE corals and oranges
The main print in this drawing is one we call 'Moroccan Geo' inspired by all the geometrics in Morocco. I was in a wedding there a few years back, and was forever changed.
We sipped foreign concoctions in the most intricate tents...These guys played music while we sipped. It seemed everywhere you looked were more beautiful patterns and textures...and a few years down the road CK Bradley's Moroccan Geo was born.

The new Spring line arrives May 1.

-Finishing Touches, Bradley

Way Back When - How I got to Newport

2010-03-11T08:50:00.000-08:00

This was my first post ever posted back in July of last year, but posts get buried, and I thought you guys might enjoy this story, since it will provide good background for ones to come!

It all started on an island called Sanibel at dawn, on the first day of Spring. If you like sea shell collecting, this is a great place to go. My Dad somehow convinced my Mom (his girlfriend at the time) and his colleague, Yusha Auchincloss, to get up at dawn so they could get the best shells. Barefoot and sandy, my father, John Atwater Bradley, proposed to AND married my mother, Marilyn Monteith Bower that day. Yusha (above in 2008 with Me) was the Best Man and became my Godfather.

Mind you, I am skipping A LOT on how this event came to happen....from my Dad spending the previous night in Jail, getting a last minute marriage license, not to mention finding a minister to perform the ceremony at dawn. But that is a story for another day. So we'll move on.

Why Newport? Well, with Yusha as extended family, we made annual summer trips to Hammersmith Farm in Newport, RI.This Pic is of my brother, David in front of the "Big House" at Hammersmith in the '70's

David Bradley, Jamie Auchinlcoss and Yusha Auchincloss: Windmill at Hammersmith Farm in background. 1970's

I didn't really understand the significance of Hammersmith Farm growing up, nor did I understand why buses and ferries full of tourists flailing cameras would pull up to the dock on a regular schedule. I do know now, and in case you don't, Hammersmith Farm was the Summer White House during the Kennedy Years from 1961-1963. Built in 1887, for John W. Auchincloss on Newport's oldest working farm, Hammersmith, was the summer residence for the Auchlincloss family for 4 generations. Jackie Bouvier's mom, Janet Lee, married Hugh D. Auchincloss after divorcing Blackjack Bouvier who took to the bottle after the market crashed (or so I was told).

1945, Newport. Jackie top left, Yusha top right, Janet Auchincloss in Lee's arms.

Here is where it gets cute. Yusha, a young boy then, attending Groton School, was SO very excited about Jackie becoming part of the family. He remembers thinking she could be possible girlfriend material...not really understanding that they were 'related' now that their parents were married. Love it Yusha. And you had good taste Yusha, Jackie sure was cute.

There was always a week or so growing up that my Dad, me, the bird and whatever dogs we had would make the pilgrimage to Newport for the 'social' part of our summer. This time for me was TRULY vacation. And I say 'social' because the rest of my summer was spent in the Gunks, at our place called the Awosting Reserve.
At Awosting, I slept outside every night, took baths in the stream, and had rigourous daily lessons and activities taught by my English Au Pair. Math skills never improved, I HATED swim time in our fresh water black bottomed pool, and washing my hair with the crayfish biting my toes was not normal.

The black bottomed pool...

Stream Baths with the Crayfish

So IMAGINE how excited I was to go to Newport where I got to put on pretty dresses, took a bath in a bath, got to sleep inside, and had going to the Beach and Cocktail parties on my schedule for the day. H E A V E N. My room was the top floor of the Windmill overlooking Narragansett bay. Mmmmmmm.

OK...might have chopped off the top floor, but you get the picture. It was a big change from my mountain top mattress beneath the stars.

And then came dress up. Newport meant no hiking boots, no sneakers. It meant party shoes and party skirts. It meant counting blades of grass instead of cutting and raking them. I loved Newport.

Hammersmith Farm, Windmill for Yusha's Birthday
Me(in a dress!), Dad, and Pyrma and John Pell

My passion for dress making certainly had a few of it's origins in this beachy leisure town...

And that's the story of how I got to Newport.

Yusha Auchinloss and Me: Awosting Reserve, circa 1982

-Still Wear my Dresses that Short, Bradley

Way Back When...Salvador Dali

2010-03-09T17:28:00.001-08:00

Salvador Dali. Mad genius. Spanish surrealist. Wearer of pin stripe suits. Fascinating eccentric who had a 'thing' for my Mom.

They met one day through Carlos Alemany, who spun Dali's surrealistic creations into jewels. By their second meeting, Dali presented my Mom with one of Alemany's jewels...a ruby pin with a LIVE incandescent beetle attached...yes. LIVE. Beauty EXPONENTIALLY increases when it is fleeting I suppose....

In the early 60's Dali gained a lot of publicity in his search for the last color to finish his Discovery of America by Christopher Columbus. For weeks he searched the sewers of NYC hoping to find the missing color! Oh eccentrics....

Then Dad gets a call at home.

It's Dali. He wants to see Mom and Rudy, the parrot. He always ignored Dad completely.

Mom and Rudy

Dad had had enough of Dali and his enormous entourage coming into the apartment, and suggested they meet at Rumplemeyers, a fabulous ice cream spot at the St. Moritz. It was Sunday afternoon, and Dad, Mom and Rudy often shared an ice cream after bicycle polo in the park. (yes, bicycle polo...)
Rudy would perch on the top of the tall sundae cup in absolute ice cream parrot heaven, and lick it clean.
Just as they finished, Rumplemeyers went dark...Dali and his entourage had arrived. The cloud of people stayed outside as Dali swept in through the revolving door.

And what was sewn into Dali's right shoulder of his pin striped suit? A bird perch!!! After all...how else would you meet a parrot on a Sunday afternoon...

He cupped his hand beneath Rudy now sitting on the pin striped perch and directs him to 'pew pew'. Dad has had about enough of this, and directs Rudy to 'poo poo'. Sure enough, Rudy ruffles his feathers, and dumps right in Dali's hand. (This was surely inspired by the 18th Century artist, Jauques Louis David, who finished his last great painting with the caca de dauphin, or the crown Prince's poop color...Dali might have thought Rudy's poop was a worthy 20th Century adaptation. )

Dali disappears through the revolving doors as fast as he came in, and it is suddenly light again outside as the cloud of onlookers follow him down Central Park South.
The Discovery of America by Christopher Columbus is announced as finally finished soon after. And in the Bradley family, we like to think it was Rudy that did the trick...or at least got Dali OUT of the sewers.

-Love Eccentrics, Bradley.

Way Back When: Ralph before 'Ralph'

2010-02-23T06:53:00.000-08:00

Back in the early 80's before Ralph Lauren (at least in my mind) had really made it BIG, he and his wife Ricky were looking for a rustic escape from NYC. They happened upon our place in the Hudson Valley, the Awosting Reserve...then began the fun.

One day my Dad said 'we're going to Awosting for Lunch with Ralph'. Now Awosting was 1.5 hours away by car, and we'd go up there for the weekend...NOT for Lunch. For lunch we'd go to the hot dog stand which we called the Umbrella Club on 5th and 62nd, or SoupBerg around the corner, but not Awosting. I was confused.
I (about 6yrs old) squeezed into the seat on the back of Dad's fold up Raleigh bike and he rode us to the 63rd Street Heliport. Ralph arrived in his black limo, we boarded a Helicopter, and 20 minutes later we were at Awosting. I could get used to this!
One of the reasons I am posting these pics, is I adore looking at Ralph's clothing...what he wore when he was casual...these look like khaki riding pants..and that BAG! To DIE FOR.

He and Ricky came up several times for hikes...love Ralph's belt buckle...

Ricky....you are SO elegantly casual...This is the bedroom Ralph and Ricky would stay in when they were round for an overnight... Ralph fell for this bed and 'Log Cabin' feel, and his installations in Bloomingdales and Neiman Marcus for that season were inspired by this room. And in true Ralph fashion, he brings back the "Log House" look...

What fun we had with the Laurens. I actually went to a Tom's Shoes event at Bergdorf's and ran into David Lauren who I hadn't seen since I was maybe 6...I went up to him and introduced myself, and he definitely had NO IDEA who I was. Oh well.

I met with Ralph in 2000, the first year of CK Bradley, and he gave me what I consider to be great advice. 'Don't design what other people want you to design. Design what you love and you will succeed.'
Thanks Ralph. and PS. I could use some more advice now!

-Doing What I Love, Bradley

Ski Boogie

2010-02-14T10:45:00.000-08:00

I'm back.
And so is Ski Boogie.

Ski Boogie is what happens when Warren Miller inspires, CK Bradley provides onesies from their vintage collection, and a few good friends get together in a in a skiing paradise armed with Speedo's, bikinis, onesies, hair pieces AND a video camera.

Click here to watch Ski Boogie

-Anyone have a place for me to live in a SKI TOWN?, Bradley

Gone Skiing for a Week or So...

2010-01-30T17:54:00.000-08:00

I landed in Salt Lake City last night only to find out United had decided to leave my enormous ski bag in Chicago despite my 3 hour layover. Yuck.

But then we got dropped off at the base of Alta and had THIS waiting to take us to our nook for the next week. A snowcat turns me on. Its that simple. And the combo of snow, good friends and an invincible snow beast is more icing on the cake that I can usually handle.

Day One. Ben Mackay in what I can only describe as another slice o' heaven...a neon colored TIGHT onesie.

This is home for the week...and available to ANYONE if you are interested...KILLER pad.
Anyway, the sun was shining, and the following is a sneak peak at some footage...

-Hope to Top this Moment Again and Again, Bradley

Save Magic Mountain...

2010-01-28T07:17:00.001-08:00

I may have a slight affection for the Onesie. Scratch that. I haven't worn a normal ski outfit since Carrie Fowler showed me the virtues of her vintage number...(Carrie above, braids n' all)

First came Onesie, "Neon Delight"
Then came Onesie "Downhill Racer"

Then Onesie "I can't ski it's so tight"

Then CB bibs I wore at 16...not quite Onesie,
And most recently, Onesie "Svetlana Magic Mountain"
( I may or may not go by Sventlana on the slopes...)

Some guys from Magic make a bunch of very entertaining videos, and Svetlana made the cut in:

HOTPANTS II

Click to find out how you can help Save Magic Mountain

-Svetlana Hot Pants, Bradley

Charlie's Goes Proper

2010-01-26T06:53:00.000-08:00

Foxfields 2006. (Outside of Virginia for those of you who haven't experienced it yet...) It was a day filled with Beirut challenges and frozen drinks made with our 2 stroke, pull start blender. I was tired to say the least.

Cleanup is never any fun after a day like this...but on this particular day, the HANDSOMEST of boys comes up and starts asking me questions about CK Bradley. All I could think was DAMN I'm in the right business! I'm not sure what lured him in..the smell of oil and gas from the 2 stroke, the sticky beaten up Beirut table, the skulls on my cowboy hat...Next thing you know, he was helping ME CLEAN UP!!! Southern boys I LOVE YOU!!!
His name was Charlie Holderness. And he will go down as one of my favorite CKB fans. In fact...he is one of the reasons I love what I do SO MUCH. (Charlie on the Far right in CKB Bowtie and belt)

Charlie entered a CK Bradley contest and won a spot in our Newport Scavenger Hunt in 2006. Then in 2007 he came on our race from NYC to Tennessee in CK Bradley's Banditball.

Charlie and the Judges

Charlie in the beginnings of his modeling career...

Why is it that my version of a 'Charlie photo shoot' is him in orange Dickies and NOT CKB Men's stuff? Arghhhh. One day I will learn....because look at him NOW!!!

Oh Charlie!

Charlie is featured in this months Southern Proper Catalog. I am impressed with SP...they have an original flare that blends Preppy with a side of European. Great cuts, more sophisticated prints...and good looking models.

From Dickies to Southern Proper...Charlie you make us all look good!
(Charlie is tying the knot in June 2010...Congratulations C-Holds!)

-Still Loving Dickies, bradley

Apres...

2010-01-25T18:03:00.000-08:00

I love skiing....but second to skiing, I love Apres.

This weekend a bunch of us headed to Magic Mountain where wizardry and old school mountain blend to make it my favorite place to go on the East Coast. Closer than Mad River, my other favorite, Magic is the kind of place you wish was still around....and IS. A place where the chocolate chip cookies are AMAZING,

the terrain is challenging,

the checkout girl is as good to look at as the quesadilla is to eat,

the lift lines are short and the people are great. Magic, you have cast a spell on me....

What I really want to know is WHY NOBODY thought my ski outfit was out of the ordinary!!?

Maybe because I blended in with onesies EVERYWHERE?
Oh...and Magic is VERY dog friendly...

-Ready for More Snow, Bradley

Family Zoo

2010-01-14T15:23:00.000-08:00

I grew up with A LOT of animals. (brother David with Shep above)

We had turtles in the guest bedroom we'd use as doorstops. I realized that wasn't normal when one guest commented "wherever did we get those wonderful doorstops on casters?" All I could think how come she didn't know it was a turtle...doesn't she have one at home?

Then there were the Weeder Geese. My Mom got these because they ONLY ate weeds in the garden! Brilliant addition to any garden...BUT they were a bit loud. Mom and Dad tried to set them free at the local goose pond, but when they drove away, the pair of geese flew behind the car. So? We kept them.

There were the snakes in the basement. I know....yuck. But we never had a mouse, and the snakes kept to themselves. Except when our next door neighbor in Alpine, NJ came over to complain about the Weeder Geese waking her up with their squawks in the morning. This lady was rather portly and barged right into the living room which was closed off for the Winter. It just so happened that this was where Tiny Alice, a 6' Milk Snake, hibernated in during the colder months. Our neighbor plopped herself down on the couch and my Mom sat across from her. All of the sudden Mom saw Tiny Alice's head come up behind one of the cushions. The neighbors bum must have warmed up the couch so well that Tiny Alice assumed it was springtime and the end of hibernation. Well, THANK GOODNESS for Tiny Alice! The neighbor disappeared as fast as she'd appeared and never complained about the Weeder Geese again. I guess the snake took the wind out of her.

Then there was the friend of my Dad who was DYING for a baby Ocelot. My Dad had some connections at the Zoo and discovered that it was illegal to import 1 Ocelot, but there was no rule against bringing in a pair! Brilliance. 2 baby Ocelots arrived in our apartment and we named them Abercrombie and Bitch. The guy who wanted the Ocelot took the female, Bitch, and we kept Abby.

Abby and Mom at Awosting Lake in the Gunks.
Abby was a great addition to the family animals until he became a mature male and sprayed the apartment in NYC. We lived in a penthouse on 95th and Park, and the ENTIRE place reaked of wild cat urine The apartment happened to be on the market, so the timing was AWFUL. Mom baked bread during every showing in order to cover up the smell of the baby leopard becoming male in a space that was not quite as expansive as the outdoors.

There were the bunnies when I was a wee one...

Neisha the German Shepherd who delivered 9 pups in our NYC apartment. Margo and I are on the couch with a couple of them.

And then Nipper, the Dashound.

And of course the Parrots. This one was named Max. He lived for 40 years, and was brought back from the jungle of Venezuela on my Dad's shoulder in the plane...in the days when that was allowed.

There have been so MANY more animals that have come in and out of my life...but this is a good start for a friday. When I find more pics, I'll write more.

-Zoo in My Luggage, Bradley

Tigger and Tula

2010-01-12T09:51:00.000-08:00

Tula...

2010-01-12T08:41:00.000-08:00

The newest addition to the CK Bradley models and mascots, Kodiak, has been affectionately renamed Tallulah. I was having issues with the name Kodiak, since she has proved to be not as tom boyish as I had expected...giving proof that dogs do not always reflect their owners...

Needless to say, Dad told me a story about a woman who pulled him into her limo wearing a mink and nothing underneath. He later finds out after this provocative introduction, that she is Talullah Bankhead, a well known actress at the time...Dad has never been good with recognizing famous people, and Tallulah was no exception...the story however of the mink and limo abduction has been told many a time, and the name Talullah is rather well known in our family because of it!

And I just plain like it for Kodiak. After all, Kodiak wears a fur coat at all times with not much but bare skin beneath right? So Kodi's new name: Kodiak Talullah Bear. We will call her Tula for short. Hope you approve.

Actress Talullah Bankhead in the '50's

-Ready to Bare All, Bradley

New CK Bradley Model...

2010-01-06T08:42:00.001-08:00

I unexpectedly became a mother this New Years...and THAT changes your life OVERNIGHT. So if you wonder why I haven't been blogging, it is because I haven't had a moment to myself between furry love and jealous feathers. (Tigger likes his new sister...video to come.)
Her name is Kodiak...Kodi for short. 3 month old Bernese Mountain Dog. If I were Native American(and according to my Dad I am....but not enough to have helped me get into Dartmouth) I would call her Sleep Stealer Smile Maker Love Giver Whimperer.

She doesn't flinch with the toys I have bought her...but give her a pile of belts and POOF! Entertainment for minutes. Yes minutes. Hopefully one day it will be hours. But I will take minutes for now.

Sleeping....look at those legs stretched out!

I figure it's not long before Kodi can't fit under anything because she's bigger than EVERYTHING... So she'd better get her fill now!

Puppy Paws...Can they get any pinker and brand spanking NEW?

Anyway, I am crate training her, and I hear SO many mixed reviews...if any of you have input on NOT crate training I'd love to hear it.

-Tired and Finding it hard to get ANYTHING Done, Bradley

SnowDay!

2009-12-20T11:00:00.001-08:00

I awoke this morning to 2 feet of fresh powder outside my door. Now if ONLY Newport was a Ski Town out West I'd be pretty much the luckiest girl I know.
I put on my onesie...and grabbed a camera. My feet are still wet from snow gettin in my Wellies...
Streets were empty except for the occasional plow that saw me coming a mile away
Trinity Church Cemetary..the snow is almost like water lapping at the Gravestones

Bowen's Wharf

Bannisters Wharf-My Dad always used to tell me that Icicles like this are a bad sign...It means the insulation in the roof isn't doing its job, and the heat from inside is escaping through the roof, melting the snow...thus making these deadly but yummy icicles.
Festive door on Thames Street

I made it all the way to IYRS hoping to catch some boats nestled beneath a Winter blanket of snow.
I passed a bunch of things that will inspire me for print design, perhaps for the coming Spring...

The snow really brought this out...it is the Starbucks at the bottom of my street. I had NEVER seen the purple trim before! Also love how the snow clings to the column detail...

-Up to My Knees in Powder, Bradley

Spotted...

2009-12-12T09:53:00.000-08:00

I just finished a show at the Golden Tree Holiday Boutique at the Junior League of NY. It was SO good to be back in NYC (did I just say that?) because it reminded me how much I LOVE MY CUSTOMERS! Some of you came decked out in head to toe CKB unintentionally (my favorite to spot) and others lamented the DRY CLEANERS going into the old CK Bradley Flagship store on 74th off Lexington. Oh if those walls could talk! (I'd have to pay them handsomely NOT to...)

That whole block is SO sad having lost Stubbs and Wooton, Cantaloupe, Payard and CK Bradley in one fell swoop. Places that made our upper east side nook in NY a friendly and cozy neighborhood. Upon return visits I find myself going straight to my dry cleaner around the corner to hear the latest, then up the block to William Poll to hug James and nibble on all of their incredible food. Try their Guacamole if you are there...beyond mouth watering- and that description I usually save for chocolate delicacies ONLY.

Back to the Golden Tree and Spotted....

Devon Carrolls and Me: Both wearing the Sonoma Dress. Devon was sporting her CK Bradley Bowling Bag circa 2004, and I was sporting our new Zelda Hobo.
Vineyard Vines had a booth nearby and thank goodness, as they kept me company during the slow times of the day...Both of us in the Sonoma Dress.

-Looking to Spot You, Bradley

Oh the Blunders...

2009-12-12T09:32:00.000-08:00

This picture was taken yesterday in Newport, RI. We were trying to get our New Website up asap, and needed an image with something current in it. (I wanted to put up my favorite skiing pic, but Genevieve suggested that wasn't ideal for selling product...she may have a point) SO the shoot began. 348 pictures down, and, well, we got a few good ones, and a lot like this. Maybe I jump too much? This pic reminded me of all the other blunders and things gone wrong with CK Bradley Photo Shoots.

This one took place in 2004 in San Fran right under the Golden Gate Bridge. We borrowed an MG for the occasion, got all dolled up, and drove the MG onto the beach with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background. 10 minutes into the shoot, Cops arrived. I should have guessed that driving a car onto the beach via a walking path was not exactly legal, but it seemed pretty harmless to me.
The rest of the shoot was of me talking my merry way out of the Cop towing the MG and giving us some threatening citation accompanied by a court date. In the end, we lucked out with the Cop posing with us before we went our separate ways. it almost looks like we have him cuffed...now that's what I call a photo shoot!

Cops in NYC don't really phase me. I figure they have a LONG list of people doing far more illegal things that what I muster up. But when you STOP all traffic for several minutes in the Meat Packing District at 9pm sometime in April for the start of a 937 mile race to Tennessee, they stop. Maybe it was the get ups we were in, maybe the loudspeaker we were hailing orders through, or maybe the unhappy drivers we'd kept idling before the start. Thankfully the Cops were so amused by the idea of the race, they stopped the traffic and parked along side to watch. Lucky again.
Some of you might remember this picture from our Photo Shoot aboard White Wings this summer..but what you might not know is how many times our wonderful 7 photographers MISSED the 'one time shot'. The idea was simple: Jump off a beautiful W-Class sailboat while wearing a CK Bradley Dress. It had to be caught the first time, otherwise we'd be drenched and not so photographble.

Only a crew member caught us on the first 'dry' jump...not such a pretty shot! So we jumped again, and again...and AGAIN. And were wet for every repeat jump. Thankfully you can't really tell. But a blunder nonetheless!

This was a pic from Spring 2008's Photo shoot. I hope you're laughing, because you should be. Two girls in silk party dresses with rakes hanging off a dirty horse trailer? Odd to say the least.

This was an impromptu shoot (the kind where I am out and about and want to show people how FUN CKB clothes are.) Not so flattering for me or the clothes I'm afraid. My dance partner doesn't even look like he's having a good time...
Then there were the 'let's pose in dresses on this big cool Dump Truck' (above) or the 'let's pose with power tools' (below) shots. Did I honestly think that would sell dresses?
God only knows there are MANY more of these photo shoot blunders, and funny shots but they'll be for another blog, another day.

-Trying to Keep my Feet on the Ground, Bradley

Quest Article

2009-11-28T19:14:00.000-08:00

Ivanka Trump graced the cover of this Entertaining Issue of Quest.
Ivanka...what FABULOUS LEGS!

But moving right along...after 17 house guests, barely enough beds, a crack of dawn hike, a late afternoon swim in 48 degree water, a few thousand photos, and no running water in my kitchen sink (dishes were washed in the bathroom) the shoot at our place in the Gunks hits the press!
Growing up, one of my numerous chores that I recall not liking at all was raking and collecting all the leaves on either side of the gate-oh what I would have done for a gas powered leaf blower then!

This is Tommy Grossi on the right. He's head of our Hunt club, and was showing the boys some tricks to his trade...

They look thoroughly interested...but not quite outfitted for what Tommy has in store for them.

Our fabulous photographers suggested we all get up at FIRST LIGHT to catch sunrise on the cliffs. Needless to say, that did not happen.

But, we did make it to the cliffs. And it was well worth it.

This is me, caught falling, which I suspect you find standard procedure by now.

Here are the cliffs up at Gertie's Nose in the Shawangunk Mountains in Gardiner, NY. Commonly known as "The Gunks", they boast the best rock climbing in the East. Only 1.5 hrs from NYC, this area is a worthwhile day drive. Holler in my general direction, I may just be here!

Above, Charles Darling and Chris Leach caught jumping into what they are about to find out is 48 degree fresh water. Oh what boys will do for bragging rights!

This is Chef John Novi, owner of the Depuy Canal House...a worthwhile culinary adventure if you come this way. He was sweet enough to make a wonderful meal for us...(and Simon...THANK YOU TOO!)

Carrie Fowler Stowe and her Dad, "Jungle Jim" as we used to call him...or Jim Fowler. I have never seen Jim in anything but safari/khaki, but I suppose when you are Jim Fowler, you never know when a wild beast might call and demand your attention. (Carrie and I are NO exception!) I am on the right with my dapper Dad who is surely wondering why he couldn't be in his jungle attire as well...

The whole crew gathers in the dining room around a table whose acorn dropped in 610 A.D. Crazy right? And the bottle on the lower left if 1871 Madeira, and still good! Taking a sip of that is an experience that I can't conjure words for.

The weekend and shoot came and went, and what a wonderful crew of friends and helpers we had! Thank you to Georgina Schaeffer and Quest for conjuring the idea. What will be next is the question...

-Trying to Keep my Footing, Bradley

Playboy..the Vintage Years

2009-11-11T15:05:00.001-08:00

I was 23 years old. It was mid summer, and my Dad and I were at the monthly Mark Vail Auction in the Pine Bush, NY which was a hop, skip and jump from our cabin in the woods. A set of vintage Playboys from 1964-1981 came up for auction. I was mulling about in the back of the room embarrassed to look at who was avidly bidding on the lot. I hear "I've got $300...now $350, no $400, $450 going once, going twice, SOLD to bidder # 800!"

Bidder # 800 was oddly familiar. IT WAS MY DAD. How could he? HOW embarrassing! I wanted to go run out to the car so that nobody knew I was with the guy, much less MY DAD, who just bought ALL the Playboys.

We got in the car. I was FURIOUS. He was laughing his head off. He said "sweetheart, I got those for you!" What? Did that make ANY sense? Well, after years of perusing them, it does. They have inspired me more than I could have possibly imagined, and he knew they would. The line :"I read Playboy for the articles" is actually a line I now understand. Except, I would add that I personally read vintage Playboy for the articles, fashion section, sketches, and most of all ads.
And thus we come to a 1968 edition with something called The Playboy Coloring Book:

Eloquent, frisky, colorful and fun. Well done Playboy. Hope this wasn't too frisky for some of you...there is oh so much more to come.

PS. Dad, you were right. Thank you!

-Color Me Happy, Bradley

Tigger Tuesday

2009-11-02T19:45:00.001-08:00

Melissa Morris has a thing called 'Monty Monday' on her blog and I love seeing pics of her sleek and alluring Monty. I have been scanning a bunch of old family pics and noticed a slew of parrot pics and had an 'Ah Ha' moment. It is almost Tuesday...and I wonder. Can I make a habit of Tigger Tuesdays inspired by Monty Mondays? Melissa please let me know. If not, I understand....

It's funny how you can go through your life without actually looking at your life. This is the picture that made me stop and think tonight:
I have seen this picture a hundred times. I am usually filled with desires to take up fishing as it was one of my mothers favorite things to do. And according to legend, she was pretty darn good! But tonight I saw something new.
I saw her parrot Rudy holding on to one of the bamboo rods! (Rudy was 2 generations of parrots before my parrot Tigger)
And it hit me. I have been raised with such a strong memory of a mother whose spirit is EVERYWHERE.
Now, I am the girl juggling a parrot at the grocery store,
in the car
at the polo fields chattin up Wade,
I LOVE discovering that I have become a bit like the mother I never knew in body, but have spent a lifetime discovering in soul; with a little bit of chance, a lot of stories, a slew of photographs, genetics and maybe, just maybe, this little parrot.
Dad. You were a big part of it too!

Making of a Print

2009-10-26T07:37:00.000-07:00

Another example of how prints are conceived at CK Bradley...

The New York Yacht Club wall in Newport has these FABULOUS Spanish roof tiles as a decorative detail in their wall.

I got up close with visions of a print running through my head...

changed the colors...

made it thicker...
added some color...
and dimension
And voila! Then our wonderful illustrator got to work...

and we had a photo shoot to sell the finished print on skirts and dresses...

From a wall detail outside the NYYC to a print for dresses and skirts...you never know where inspiration might strike.
(Yesterday I was taking pics of man hole covers - stay tuned for what comes of that!)

-Get Creative, Bradley

Quest Magazine Photo Shoot at Awosting

2009-10-21T08:12:00.000-07:00

I've been a bit out of touch these past couple weeks, as I have been far removed from a computer in the depths of my Awosting wilderness in the Gunks. Usually I go up there to hike, write, sleeeeeeep, get inspired and most importantly see my Dad, but this time is was to CLEAN. No chit chatting, no emailing, no old movie watching, no apple crisp baking; just scrubbing, polishing, sweeping, laundering, buffing, waxing, and more buffing and waxing. And for what you wonder? A good friend of mine, Georgina Schaeffer, asked me a while ago if Quest could do a shoot at our country place, and I said yes. And boy am I glad I did!

The cast of 17 crew and guests arrived Friday night and spent hours sorting out outfits for all the guests.
The boys had some good ensembles waiting for action...
Off to bed we went with an early morning wake up call. Had my Dad been there it would have been him blowing Revelry through his Boy Scout bugle at the first sign of light...
First was the 'Lover's Coffee' shoot on the deck. It's remarkable that Chris is so active so early....
Then a FRIGID hike to Gertie's Nose with the huckleberry bushes begging to be photographed.
The Hiking Crew

Note that I can't post the professional pics till the November issue of Quest comes out..so much better ones to come. Mine are more of the 'outtakes' and sideline shots. To follow the latest hot spots and parties at Quest on Twitter, click here.
Now you ALL know I love to jump, fall, fly, and capture the moment. Mimi Crawford, our photographer, and I must have been sisters in a previous life, as she was a kin to all this and had us doing calisthenics all day...including having the boys go in for a dip.

Chris Leach and Charles Darling about to jump into a slightly nipply 48 degree pool. I'm not sure clothing off the 'models' is what Ralph Lauren, J Maclaughlin, or Lilly were hoping for when they sent up press samples, but it works for CK Bradley...

After their dip, the boys went off to meet with the Head of our Hunt Club, Tommy, for a lesson in all things MANLY. Darling is wearing RL I suspect here...lookin good!
And now you may laugh. Yes, that is me in a CK Bradley Bamba dress from last season, on a polar bear rug, with a hair piece and a chess board. The picture below was one of my mom from a shoot, and, well, why not attempt a recreation? Maybe a good Christmas present for my Dad instead of the super size set of AA batteries I always give him as a joke.

Then it was time for Cocktails. L-R: Betsey and Jim Fowler, Carrie Fowler Stowe and Camilla Bradley...in the new Sonoma Dress in Burnt Orange with Trim. (The dress is a limited edition as are all of our styles now, and comes with just trim on the sleeves too for a more daytime look. And in BLACK! So comfy and perfect with flats, heels, boots)

Now in case Jim Fowler rings a bell to you, it is because he used to be on Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, and was certainly the first Animal guy....here's a picture I love...

Finally in the Dining Room, Dads and daughters. And I can't forget Tigger, who was in the shoot for a bit, then retired to the kitchen where he was found nesting in a case of Rolling Rock.

Sunday came and it was time to go, but not before the crew did one last picture. It's one of our favorite looks: Lace Face.

Thanks to all the people that made this happen...the guests, QUEST, Mimi and her crew, John Novi at the Canal House and Georgina for dreaming it up.

-Tuckered and Tired, Bradley

Oh What a Week!

2009-10-20T08:05:00.000-07:00

I have oh so much to report, from Quest Photo shoots at our rustic cabin in the Hudson Valley to how to clean an 1871 wooden floor to 4 star country restaurants to first sightings of snow to Ralph Lauren's latest collection to how to feed 17 hungry hikers to the reason why we can't sell chocolate in our store anymore...(we eat it ALL!)

Stay tuned...pics to come. I just need to sleep a bit more.

Mom in a Playtex Girdle Commercial

2009-10-03T10:44:00.000-07:00

My Dad always tells the story of how my Grandparents called from Japan to tell my father they had "...just seen Marilyn (my mom) on TV in a commercial!" My fathers quick response was, "Now Dick, (my grandfather) do you really think I would let Marilyn be in a commercial?" And then of course, Dick felt silly, and realized that it must have been a woman that looked remarkably like his daughter on TV.

But...it was my Mom.

She did a little modeling then, and had been brought into the film studio to show other models how it should be done. But they wanted to use her. My father was not happy, but was assured by her agent that the commercial would probably not even make it to prime time. By the late 60's it aired in 14 countries and was translated into 9 languages. Upset it had gotten this big, there was nothing my father could do. (He didn't want the love of his life on someone elses TV screen)

But I am happy it did air, as it is the only time I have ever heard my mothers voice. (I lost my mother and brothers in a car accident when I was 2...and thankfully had the best Dad anyone could hope for to raise me)
Here is the commercial...for women to be relieved we dont wear these, and for men to be happy they don't have to fumble taking them off women! And for me to hear my mother's voice.

Description:

The camera pans up to a beautiful woman, and what does she have on her mind? "My girdle is killing me!"

This series was lampooned widely on variety shows of the era, which was great for Playtex.

I think you need Real Player for this...

Click for Playtex Girdle Commercial

-Not Wearing a Girdle, Bradley

Way Back in...

2009-10-03T09:25:00.000-07:00

Just because you think something is GREAT, doesn't mean others agree. Shocking, I know.

Striping friend's cars when they least expect it is right up there on my list of FUN practical jokes. (Others include beef bullion cubes in the shower head and short sheeting beds..please send yours in if you have some!)

It was November 2006. My friend had just gotten a new Wagon to replace his YELLOW Audi Wagon that had been stolen from East 63rd Street and taken for a joyride throughout the boroughs of NYC only to be found stripped and battered the following day in New Jersey. (Sidenote...WHO steals a YELLOW car?)

Well, it's this guy's birthday, and I figure he missed having a LOUD car that everyone recognized. So for his birthday, I searched high and low for the perfect stripe color for his new navy wagon. Thoughtful, right? And boy did I find the perfect stripe...or so I thought. At 2am while the birthday boy was sleeping, I went outside with my headlamp and striped to my hearts content.

Voila! PINK! He's obviously going to LOVE it!

(notice the orange CKB Tigger sticker on the back)

Um, NO. He hated it. Couldn't even get him to pose next to it. What's with guys these days afraid of a little pink flare? I'd say my present made it to his list of 'worst ever's'. But that's OK, I like lowering expectations so I can send them sky rocketing again when they least expect it.

And I remain confused. If anyone would like a fat pink stripe on their ride, I may just have some pink lying around.

-Phantom Striper, bradley

Spotted...

2009-09-27T18:42:00.001-07:00

Nothing makes my night like running into one of YOU in one of my dresses...
This weekend was the 12 Meter Worlds in Newport, RI. Sailors with all the hottest of accents were out and about...distracting to say the least! But somehow despite all the sailors, I managed to spot the Apres Dress on the prettiest girl. She wanted to put her Dark and Stormies down for the pic, but a girl double fisting Dark and Stormies isn't captured every day. Thank you Goslings for sponsoring!

I too am outfitted in CKB, the Alta Sweater Coat and Durango Gingham Shirt. I was not however drinking those yummy Darn and Stormies as I was on Day 3 of the Master Cleanse. YUCK!

-All Liquids, Bradley

The Life of My CKB Tote, By Arianne Berger

2009-09-26T08:46:00.000-07:00

The new CK Bradley website is being created as we speak, and one of the parts of it will include Guest Writers, asked to write about all things from travels and where to go, to CKB stories worth sharing.

Arianne Berger, head of the CKB Cheerleading Team(in uniform on Left above) and CKB intern in NYC a couple years ago, is now recent graduate of St.Lawrence University and has sent in the following stroll down memory lane about the life and adventures of her CKB tote.

The Life of My CKB Tote

I once read that Elizabeth Taylor, when asked to comment on today’s fresh female faces in Hollywood, had responded by saying that they “don’t look like they own their clothes.”

In the era of publicists and Perez, the brevity of a style can last just long enough for trendsters to purchase and then pack away when a newer fad is deemed “must have.” In my opinion, the best clothes and accessories are those that are well-loved, and therefore evidently well-worn - sun-bleached fabric, tears, and the odd stain are proof that it belongs to you, and is tailored by your life’s adventures.

I spied my first C.K. Bradley tote at Rags, one of my favorite boutiques to frequent when I visited my family in Greenwich. On one such visit, 3 generations of Laidlaw women simultaneously invaded the store at the top of The Avenue. Clearly, I was oh-so-excited when my favorite (and always chic) Auntie Suzy (picking up on my hints), bought me one of the totes for my 14^th birthday. The blue floral tote became my favorite, and a quick part of my high school weekend uniform.

In college, the CKB tote still occupied my personal IT bag status, and luckily so, as on my first day at St. Lawrence, I spied my future best friend Samantha because of her equally well-loved CKB tote, and we sparked up an initial conversation due to the obvious commonality.

Later when I ventured to Costa Rica to work on a sea turtle conservation project, though I feel I can rough it with the best of them, I didn’t think twice about bringing my CKB tote with me along with my hiking boots, mosquito net, and lonely planet guide-book.

Over the past few years, an increasing collection of totes (I’m up to 5) accompanied me to the Uffizi as I gazed at Leonardo’s and Botticelli’s, to South African elephant sanctuaries, and on boats in the Seychelles en route to uninhabited islands.

Thinking about what has been “toted” is also an interesting reflection of my life’s adventures as I begin a mental list of the London tube maps, bathing suits, love letters, English reading assignments, carefully hidden to-go sushi and made-at-home kettle-corn smuggled into movie theatres, as well as the seashell treasures that I stashed in the inside pockets.

More recently, en route from London to Nantucket, I stopped by Newport to check in with the CKB gang. Of course, I couldn’t help but pick out a new one from Camilla’s personal archives in the warehouse.

You can bet that through bike rides to Sconset, ferry trips to visit my latest love interest, and autumnal quests to savor the last of summer on Great Point, the newest tote won’t look that way for long.

While I have yet to see it on the trendster pages of US Weekly and InTouch, my well-worn tote, though not a Kelly, Birkin, Louis or Marc, makes a statement of its own – and one that I much prefer to make.

Check out Arianne's blog

I'm just plain tickled. If you have stories about your dress or tote, email blog@ckbradley.com

-So Many Totes, So Little Time Bradley

Harriman Cup Strikes Again

2009-09-24T10:48:00.000-07:00

With EVERY social event comes the opportunity to see who you can get to strip.

The Whomper made it's way to the Harriman Cup last weekend for the annual UVA vs. Yale Polo Match. I brought Stackle for the gamers, and Sonoma Dresses for the sneak peakers. In typical Camilla fashion, I changed outfits 3 times in a span of 1 polo match. Not exactly the usual way to introduce a new dress, but Why Not? I mean who needs Runway shows at Fashion Week when I've got a Polo Field filled with potential and repeat customers? No better press than that, although Oprah would be nice...

No changing rooms at the Polo Field. That's where the stripping comes in. Note the look on the guy checking her out...Yowzer!
Pull the Sonoma Dress over your head,
Squiggle out of your top,
Check yourself out in the nearest non aero dynamic car door

And Presto. New outfit. And what a great model she is!

Now not everyone stripped....This girl tried it on over her shirt and jeans...

Any way you slice it, good test marketing for the Solid Sonoma dress in Ponte Knit...perfect for Fall. More colors are soon to come, all made and sourced in New England we are happy to FINALLY report!

Even caught a beautiful sunset on the way back into NYC....
-Never a Dull Moment, Bradley

Caught in CKB

2009-09-17T08:21:00.000-07:00

Oh how I adore it when customers send me pics of them in CKB Dresses! Above is author of the blog Let the Tide Pull Your Dreams Ashore. A lover of ruffles, seersucker, heated blankets, storms and all things summer, this Maryland native has just taken a trip to Newport. I only wonder where I might have been when she visited the CK Bradley store...probably in the depths of our warehouse futzing with ribbons...

Then this came in from Alice Richardson of Emma Roughton caught tailgating in vintage CKB at a Furman football game... WHERE WAS MY INVITE? Oh how I do love a good Fall Football game...(Emma is in the middle in the white strapless Caretta Dress with green embroidery on the hem)

And then an email from 'Chip' who stumbled upon my BLOG and Website in search of something 'fun and cool' for his beautiful 13 yr old niece, Sydney who would like to own her own company one day. Well Chip, I am glad you found us...and Sydney, when you find something you LOVE to do, the rest comes easy. I was actually never really into fashion...but knew I had to do something on my own that was different than what others were doing...and thus CK Bradley was born. I consider what I do more design than fashion, as it doesn't need to change depending on trends...and that is one thing I love about what I do.

-Wrapped in Ribbon, Bradley

Green Thumb

2009-09-16T16:55:00.001-07:00

I'm good with plants. I PROMISE. So I was quite confused when our window box looked like this. If we were trying to win 'Worst Window Box on Bellevue Avenue', that would be one thing. But we are usually trying to compete for the best.

I watered them every few days...

And STILL they looked like this. Go ahead and question my green thumb. But determined I was to return them to the Home Depot. I figured I should put some pics together to show my INCREDIBLE way with plants and trees in case the people at Home Depot questioned it.

Back in the 70's I planted a wee tree

Through the 80's it grew as I cared for it

And way into the 90's it grew....grew...grew
(Yes. That IS a Sony Sport Walkman attached to my hip)

We loaded the Whomper, drove to Home Depot and stood in line at the Returns desk.

And guess what. Home Depot took MY WORD for it and refunded me without question!

Justin, from the Home Depot Nursery section, helped me pick out new plants for our window.
So I have concluded this:
Customer Service at Home Depot in Middletown: A+
Returns Policy at Home Depot: A+
Justin from Home Depot: A+

-I Like my Outfit from the 70's the Most, Bradley

ps. Thanks to Jan and Sweet Berry Farm for their BEAUTIFUL props, and Green Thumb! If you are in my neck of the woods Sweet Berry is the place to go for fresh picking of ANYTHING in season...and fresh eating of all sorts.

Inspired by Your Comments...

2009-09-14T11:58:00.000-07:00

LOOK WHAT YOU HAVE DONE! Inspired me. I am now the proud owner of a Tory Burch Isa Tote.

And to give into shameless self promotion, imagine how cute it will look with the new Sonoma Dress that has just landed in CK Bradley Boutique!

We had 2 other colorways that have SOLD OUT already...Next time I'll be quicker about getting it up on the site before we sell out to our Wholesale Boutiques.

Here's to Tory Burch and CK Bradley looking good together...

-Never say Never, Bradley.

Spotted...with Tory Burch

2009-09-13T08:29:00.000-07:00

Sometimes a Blog can really draw me in. Before I know it, I have spent an hour perusing other peoples lives. But that doesn't happen often...Having left NYC for salty air, I find myself enjoying other peoples accounts of the parties I used to go to, and the people I used to see. Melissa Morris is a great customer of CK Bradley, looks great in almost anything she wears...and has an adorable dog, Monty. Her Blog has accounts of nearly everything from eating to travel to..a day in the life of Melissa. Scrolling away, I came upon Melissa wearing CK Bradley with Tory Burch.

Love it. You look fabulous Melissa!
It made me do a little thinking about Tory Burch. CK Bradley had been around for a year or two when Tory decided to start her business. Tory hired my first employee, Meg Doepke to be her right hand woman. Meg was great at CK Bradley back in the day, and Tory was SMART to hire her. Meg actually still works for Tory today, and I run into her outside of the daunting orange walls they put up around the Tory Burch booth at the Coterie every year. The Coterie, for those of you who don't know, is THE show where boutiques and larger department stores come to buy lines for the following season.
This was CK Bradley's FIRST Coterie Booth in 2004. Tigger is in his kelly green cage in the right hand corner! All of our samples were in white fabric, and we had drawn the print on laminated paper for stores to pick and choose what color ways they would like. This will require another blog, since I am getting OFF topic reference Tory Burch.

So back to Tory. Who is the Tory customer? I don't own anything she makes, but that's not to say I don't like her taste, I do. So why don't I buy her stuff? Something to ponder. And it's NOT because I get to design my own clothes...my closet is full of Marc Jacobs, DVF and old Tocca.

-Any Ideas? Bradley.

What is Sexy

2009-09-10T19:02:00.000-07:00

My Dad thinks a woman in a flannel nightgown is the cat’s meow. In fact, he adores a woman in a long flannel nightgown so much, he keeps a stash in our foyer ‘gift’ closet for his latest ‘lady friend’. Meanwhile, a Belgian baron I had the pleasure of sitting next to at a wedding in Marrakesh, nearly carried me to the nearby alter when I talked of having gone to cooking school and my ability to sew.

Wedding in M'Kesh (bridesmaids dress courtesy of CKB and Baron not included)

For others, stiletto’s paired with a flesh hugging leather pencil skirt (or kelly green pique skirt) is hotter than hot. Alas, we put sexy in the eye of the beholder.

The ooohing and ahhing of men for women in high heels and a tight skirt just plain confuses me. Wait, no, I GET IT. What I mean is, is it fun to be out with a girl that has to sit on the sidelines when the night calls for skipping and cartwheels? Is she willing to dump the shoes for bare feet and to rip her ‘oh so sexy’ too tight skirt? Is her ‘sexy’ ensemble going to kill the fun? Probably not for you if you're a guy...but for me, YES.

I like to think things gone wrong can sometimes make the fun. So sometimes, restrictive clothing adds to the fun…but only if the wearer is willing. At the Orange Ball a few Winters ago, surrounded by many a dashing Dutch man, I split the zipper of one of our CK Bradley sample dresses doing a dance move over the back of my very nimble partner. (This is just one of the MANY ways we test the clothing before it hits the racks at CK Bradley) Now I must admit, had I known the move my partner was about to thrust upon me, I would have rapidly swooshed off the dance floor in search of another lime for my libation, but my dance partner was just too quick. He had me up and over his back before I could blink. Over him I went, zipper ripping as fast as my mind was wondering where the floor had gone. I landed on my feet, (thanks to non-stiletto’s) and grabbed the front half of my dress that now lay around my waist before the whole party could see my bare breasts.

(there was a time when I didn't mind showing off my bare breasts...)

The rest of the night I danced about the Ball with a tablecloth wrapped about me like a Pashmina covering my top half. Now I realize this might not be sexy…but it sure was fun. (And to be honest, had it been a tight skirt that split, I would have had just as much fun wearing the tablecloth about as a full dress/toga)

Back to the ever popular sexy stiletto. At 5’11”, I don’t wear heels that often. No need to be taller than that on a day to day basis. So when I do decide to be out and about in heels, I am far from the hip swinging, hair thrusting diva that owns her heels and attitude while wearing them. Instead I feel like I am playing a video game avoiding all hazards from sidewalk cracks to subway grates to uneven asphalt. If someone sends me to fetch a Jack and Ginger at the bar, I walk like an 8 yr old playing dress up in her mom’s pumps and have to down half the drink before my return trip to minimize spillage. If the menu calls for heels, like some black tie party, I stick some flip flops in my usually large clutch. This makes me totally mobile if necessary. With a moments notice, I can outrun the other 10 people trying to grab a cab, run after the cutie who thought it was OK to leave the party without introducing himself, or flee at lightening speed from an old flame who thinks its time to break the ice, again.

Maybe sexy boils down to confidence. When you have it you can possess any mood you wish and present it to the world as you like. I suppose if you can ride piggy back on the cute boy you just met in your tight leather skirt and win a race up a Down escalator in your Manolos, you are sexy and are having fun. But its plain sinful to let sexy get in the way of fun.

-Barefoot and Fancy Free, Bradley.

Kim Holcombe Photography

2009-09-09T19:50:00.001-07:00

A friend of mine, Kimberly Holcombe did a photo shoot with some CK Bradley's looks from Summer 2009. If you need a photographer for fashion, weddings or just need a 'time out' to be inspired by the art of photography click here.

Thanks Kim!

Tigger Strikes Again

2009-09-09T19:01:00.000-07:00

So I thought that Tigger kept a pretty low profile in Newport just like his mom...but I wonder after receiving this in my mailbox today...('bird' refers to Tigger of course...)

What could they possibly referring to I wondered by Tigger's bathroom habits?

Aha!! Tigger caught in his favorite spot whistling at the neighbors, no doubt. What a lovely picture postcard to get from a neighbor! I'll see what else I can put in that window to encourage more mailings from neighbors....

-I LOVE Mail, Bradley

Spotted...

2009-08-30T17:24:00.001-07:00

Whitney and Kelli spotted at the Black Pearl on Saturday for to die for Pearl Clam Chowder

I'm sure you've seen it with your friends. They get married and they start dressing alike. 'By accident' they claim...I have yet to marry and test out whether I will fall victim to this dressing phenomenon, but as long as you are sporting CK Bradley I am ALL over it...

-Who will be Caught in CKB Next? Bradley...

Raingutter Regatta

2009-08-28T08:27:00.001-07:00

Its the beginning of Goslings/IYAC Rain Gutter Regatta Racing season in Newport.

7 pm: All teams hover at the IYAC in Newport drinking beers while the judges gather to pass out the boat kits and list the rules for the Regatta. A lot of 'big talk' ensues...

The Rain Gutter table top is delivered by several strapping sailors...but that's not why we are here...

My team of lookers (referring to my boys of course) gathers outside awaiting instruction and materials.

Ashley, from another team, shows her bag o' tricks filled with special glue, hot sauce?, a paper plate and the ever important last season DVD of Gossip Girl, Ted on MY team organizes our 'car o' tricks' with power sanders, saws, heat lamp, tank for float testing, and just about every tool he could fit into his wagon. The pressure is ON. No way can we let a team ooohing and ahhing to Gossip Girl while they paint their nails and glue their boat beat us when we are armed with enough tools and power to build a small town.

7:27pm- Teams are given boat kits, and given rules: All boats must measure no more than 6.5" long by 3" wide. Hulls must be made of the wood supplied in the kits, and sail material may be made from anything. Teams have 1 hour to build. GO!
Outside, my team, hard at work.
Another team used the sidewalk for manual sanding...kind of brilliant, IF you don't have an power sander that is...
INside the IYAC, other teams glue, paint, drink...
Meanwhile, Tigger is trying his darndest to get people to come in and cheer for us...

Back at base camp, we've got outdoor lighting for night work, way to go TED...

Meanwhile, inside IYAC, Justin one of the Judges(who I buttered up with a slice of pizza...shhhhh!) is measuring the water level to make sure both gutter lanes are of equal depth.

Judgment time.
All competing boats lined up...yes, there is a Solo cup sail in there...but our red rig looks pretty fast...plus, I was counting on my 'pep socks' for distracting the opposition.

8:36pm. Races begin. First up, us vs. some kiwi boys. Now it does matter how fast your boat is, but in this particular regatta, the 'life jacket switch' can make or break you...each team member needs to remove the life jacket and put it on the next relay team member before they may begin blowing for the next lap.

If I thought wearing red hot knee socks were distraction, they were put to shame by the opposition next to me removing his pants only to showcase his Superman Underoos. It had been brought.

As luck would have it, we took home the Gold. Goslings that is..wait, what happened to that bottle guys?
Thanks to the boys Ted, Wade and Bob on the team for making me look good, since the only thing I had down was pizza delivery and removing layers (in this case the life jacket) FAST. And Geoff, thanks for taking the pics to remind us where we were last night.

-Is it Wrong that I want a Gutter Race Table in my Backyard, Bradley?

Tigger gets a Makeover

2009-08-24T20:02:00.001-07:00

Note from Holland and Gracie after their Newport CKB store visit with mom, Alison Culver.

A couple months ago I got an email from a customer, Alison Culver from Mequon, WI. If only I got emails like this everyday...she made me laugh, smile, and LOVE what I do. As if that wasn't enough, she and her girls came to visit the CK Bradley Store in Newport, RI a couple weeks ago. After a photo shoot with her beautiful daughters, Holland and Gracie both sporting the latest in CKB headbands,

they gave me this:

And let's just say, its a great book. It is full of ideas, wisdom and games for any day for any age. I might have to begin writing my own version however....

And girls...Tigger sure looks good!

-Always up for a dare, Bradley

Viva la Fish Taco

2009-08-24T09:30:00.000-07:00

I flew all the way to San Fran

Got in a Toyota Tundra with 3 others, (2 of whom I'd just met) drove 8 hours to the Tijuana, and began the Taco Tally Challenge to try and eat 50 tacos in 4 days.
We got through the border without even a passport viewing,

Followed the religious statues,

Checked out the Cacti on the 32 pit stops along Baja's Rt 1,

And stopped at as many Fish Taco stands as possible from Tijuana to Mulege.

At first, as a Fish Taco virgin, I was thrown of by the large piece of fried fish on a plain tortilla, but once you add the fresh cabbage, pickled onions, lime, avocado, pico de gallo, and special sauce there isn't many a meal that can top these for me now.
Taco Tally at the end of the trip? 47. So close.....

-Still Craving Fish Tacos, bradley

Whomper Adventures...

2009-08-24T08:35:00.000-07:00

The Whomper (CK Bradley Suburban) lives a pretty exciting life. Last week I drove to Maine to pick up a friend in Bar Harbor. On the way back, we stopped at his families cabin on the Kennebec River, had a fresh water swim, outdoor shower and delicious dinner. The next morning we loaded her back up, turned the key, and zilch...nada...no juice...battery dead. Well, she is equipt with a box full of 'just in case' including a hammock, dice, football, frisbee, blanket, portable loudspeaker (in case the built in one fails) twister, backgammon, tape, rope, tool box, rachet set, knives, cutting board...and yes, thank goodness, JUMPER CABLES.

Problem was, we were pretty far from a public road, and no other cars were about. My Co-Pilot, who we will call Maverick for now, went to the garden shed and started up a lawn mower. Kind of an odd time to decide to mow the lawn I thought, but perhaps he was being productive and assumed I was going to hike down the LONG driveway and hail a car to jump start the Whomp.

I could only laugh at what happened next. I mean even I know that you cant jump start a BIG Suburban with a wee little grass cutter.
Kind of made me sad that Maverick knew so little about batteries that he thought this would work. But in hopes of not crushing his male ego, I allowed him to proceed. I turned the key, and OBVIOUSLY nothing happened. Then Maverick goes over to the Lawnboy, and pushes the speed in neutral from Turtle to Rabbit for optimum output, I guess...

And again, I humored him by turning the key in the Whomper...and? WHAT??? WHAT? The Whomp started? Impossible. I just don't get it. Maverick, you're looking pretty darn crafty right now....I'm going to go ahead and say DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME.

Back on the road, released from cables and Lawnboy's, a Whomper tradition came into play.
Whever there is an odometer repeat, it requires a swim at the closest watering hole you can find before your drive is through. Now this I will say, is a fun tradition. It makes you get off the beaten path and explore a bit.
We got off at a close exit,
Found water,

And got in it. This particular spot was not so nice...in fact it made me a bit itchy. Maverick wasn't the only one who got wet...I did too...but someone had to take the picture...

-Newfound Respect for Lawnmowers, Bradley

The Engagement Party

2009-08-09T05:20:00.000-07:00

This Weekend was Jeff and Vieve's Engagement Party in Newport. Vieve basically runs the show and me at CK Bradley, (Probably shouldn't have admitted that...) so this week was a bit of a mess at Newport Headquarters as I tried to do her job while she prepared for the big week. No big upsets that I'm admitting to...
Friday Night was a beach bonfire and Barbecue courtesy of our friend Patrick at Preppy Pig BBQ.

Ummm...I had to get closer
You get to choose spicy or sweet, and let's just say both special sauces stop conversation.

I caught a glimpse of some CKB gear...

Louisa Ryan in CKB Spring 2006

Whitney Rugg spotted in a blue 'n pink CKB belt. Love a man in pink....
And if the pulled pork sandwiches weren't treat enough, someone must have paid big bucks for the Harvest Moon we got that night rising from water. I'm not sure cameras are supposed to be able to capture the essence of all sights...I know this picture does the moon injustice-

The next day was a Cocktail Party at Buddy and Suzy Hills house. As a committee member, I'd been asked to secure some more 'cornflower blue' Hydrangeas in the event that the ones delivered the previous day had wilted. Well, I fell asleep early Friday night, and missed the boat on my midnight stalking and snatching adventure...so on the way, we may have found some back ups....
This house was under construction, so we are pretty sure we did these flowers and owners a favor. Not only do Hydrangea bushes like to be trimmed to relieve them of their weighty baubles, but so too do they like to be oogled and ahhhed at. Thank you house on the left for these beautiful additions to the party...
And yes, Meghan, you look fabulous.
What's this? A Phoebe Dick spotted in The Bamba Dress? This dress has gotten a lot of blog press lately....and don't worry Kirsten, I am still on the lookout for the proper color thread for you...

And later on, a CKB purse was spotted...
All in all, a wonderful weekend in Newport full of sand, pulled pork and borrowed flowers. Jeff and Vieve, may your days be filled with laughs and smiles.

-Still craving Preppy Pig pulled pork, Bradley

This Just In....

2009-08-04T11:09:00.000-07:00

Taylor Friedlander in her CK Bradley Bombardino dress. Our website picture is awful...but in case you wanted to know how it looks on....

I met Taylor in a slope side Chalet while skiing Alta.

The place was accessible ONLY by Snocat.

In fact, while there, we were in the midst of receiving fit samples for the Spring 2008 line. So I found myself at the teeny weeny post office a few times that week picking up boxes from East 74th street full of the Spring 2008 line. I did fittings by the wood burning stove with ski socks on. Then, of course, we'd do photo shoots....in the picture below, Kara wearing the Long Lola Dress

Yes, that is a brown pleather sectional we are using as our stage. We decided it was formal night at the Chalet, so everyone had to come up with formal attire. Olivia in the red is wearing her long johns with a cow print sash made from skiing skins, Heather on the far left in a Minnie Rose cashmere ruffle wrap fashioned into an asymmetrical skirt, Kara in CK Bradley, me in a striped nightgown belted by cow print skiing skins, Fernanda in some scarf getup, and Carrie in nothing but 2 scarves posing as cover ups. Brilliant girls, well done.

I think I love thinking about how a line gets made. At CKB it is very hands on, and if I'm traveling, work comes along for the ride. Doing fittings in Alta between bump runs probably isn't ideal...but why NOT?

Wianno Ballroom Boutique

2009-08-02T06:32:00.001-07:00

The Wianno Ballroom Boutique happened few weeks ago in Osterville, Ma. It is a fabulous show, and luckily for local shoppers, happens EVERY summer. In typical CK Bradley fashion, we arrived an hour before the show began. Thankfully, the Whomper was greeted by a slew of very, very cute boys. The kind that had me thinking. Wait. "Are they too young to date?" Well, Camilla, yes. They are just starting College.
Genevieve and Ebbie at the show worked the CK Bradley booth for a couple days, Genevieve in the pink Cataluna Halter and Ebbie, (who is on her way to Trinity College in the fall, go BANTAMS!) in the Islamorada Dress.
Across the room from us was KEP Designs who we adore, and if you haven't checked out Kelly's latest designs, do...they are scrumptious. Here, Annie part of the CKB Team, in the Islesboro Dress and Rebecca from KEP in the Daphne Dress.

KEP cuffs and earrings
Then there were these boys from Three Islands. They make mens and womens shirts and tunics in Bali and have been on a trunk show circuit for a few months. If you have a show in your town you think they should come to, let them know! (i'll add website soon)Their shirts are GREAT. Priced at $40 they are hard not to buy several of. We are selling them at the Newport CK Bradley store if you happen by.
Some of the vibrant prints from Three Islands
Then there are the delectable clothes for little ones by Little Follies.
These cute numbers are the opposite of birth control.
And who doesn't want a custom painted mini Adirondack Chair?
Great presents....
And speaking of great presents, Carolyn McCoy's, Papers and Presents has a slew of the perfect personalized gifts for anyone on any list....
Peter from Smathers and Branson was there with all of the line's great needlepoint creations...including FLASKS? Yum.

Then there was Jill Rosenthal's beautiful painted pottery and other tidbits. What a wonderful talent and CK Bradley model she is...and a fun addition for the show as well.

As if everyone's booths weren't distraction enough, Hermes was there. TROUBLE.
Oooh, mmmmmm. Oooh.

All in all a great show. We outfitted a bunch of beautiful women, children and even vendors, and made some friends along the way.

-Nothing is better than work that feels like play, Bradley

How many Girls came before MOM?

2009-07-29T07:44:00.000-07:00

Sailing off Rockport with four friends

I was strummaging, (yes, a combination of strumming and rummaging) through an old box of faded photos that I snagged from my Dad's house a month or so ago. Searching for pictures of my Mom and Dad from the early years, I found myself flipping through picture after picture of OTHER women! Other women? I knew there were others, just didn't know there were SO MANY! So what's a daughter to do? Send her Dad an email requesting the scoop on the who, the what's and the where's of the women he courted before the one he married. Obviously!

For anonymity's sake, we'll call this pretty girl Cherry. From Dad: "Cherry from Houston, Texas. Pix is my lifeguard chair at Waccabuc Country Club on Lake Waccabuc 1950." Well Dad, she is cute. And likes to pose! But then again, you must have had a way with women, as they ALL liked to pose for you. And judging from the pic below, you didn't mind posing either.
I had to put this one in...It actually hung on the CKB NYC store's "wall of fame." I put it there just to enjoy people's reaction when they pounced upon your oh so gallant stance, somewhat shocked.
Back to the ladies....

And this one deserves the nickname Bunny. From Dad: "Bunny at 1960 New year's week opening of Hunter Mt. Ski Bowl Resort. Investment by Broadway talent, including Oscar Hammerstein family, ANTA and I. Bunny's Father was CEO of NY Stock Exchange Co "Combustion Engineering Co." They built first 7 nuclear subs at Groton, CT and dealt directly with Admiral Rickover who behaved in a dishonest way and was 'thrown out' of the Union League Club at lunch by her father (I was other guest for lunch). His nephew Arthur was Commodore of the NYYC and was Captain of his 80' yacht in a race where he refused to 'ease off' and a volunteer sailer lost a finger. Late that night his boat was blown into a dock when an anchor buoy was disconnected (on purpose) in Marblehead MA. I refused to ever sail with him again. Louise and five girls were guests on the boat during the race." With 5 girls on the boat, I'm sure it was a hard race to miss...

We'll call this damsel Claudette. From Dad: " Claudette at Lake Awosting. I was off to Arabia and left four friends to look after her. They all, except Yusha (Camilla's Godfather, Yusha Auchincloss) behaved badly. Claudette spoke no English. I learned basic French thru Pillow Talk." Yes, my Dad did just write PILLOW TALK. And claims to know basic French? Questionable....

For this girl, no anonymity because her story is widely known. From Dad: "Wendy at Palm Beach, 1959". It has been said that Wendy living for a few young years at the Plaza Hotel was one of the inspirations for Eloise (whose portrait hangs in the Palm Court) in the fabulous children's book Eloise. Kay Thompson and Hillary Knight were friends of mine."
Wendy, where did you get that fabulous bikini? Be warned, you may see a twin of that coming out of the CKB sewing loft for spring 2010...

I don't see much of a resemblance between lovely Wendy and little Eloise, but they both grew up in the Plaza in NYC and were both rather precocious...

I like Buffy for this girl, short for bouffaunt. From Dad: " Buffy at Pool at Upper Ausable Lake, Adirondacks. Pool was empty." Good thing that pool was empty...imagine ruining that up-do? I mean Buffy is not going swimming, of that I am pretty sure.

From the look on this girls face, I imagine her having a cute nickname like Pumpkin. From Dad: "Pumpkin at Princeton, 1952. First love of mine." Could a girl look happier? If I wear a red cardigan and button it up all the way will I feel like that?

Then there are the girls whose names Dad can't remember!
(I can't really blame him when there seemed
to be so many...)

And the one he chose? My mom.

-Thankin my lucky stars Dad chose Mom, Bradley

Sisterhood of the Traveling Dress

2009-07-28T08:49:00.000-07:00

Every now and then we get an email from a customer that reminds us WHY I do what I do. It's not so much the dress designing, but more the inspiration to have fun. Yesterday Genevieve (my right hand wom) received this email from a customer...

Subject: Thread

Hello Genevieve,

My name is Kirsten Durocher and my sisters and I are huge fans of your line. We have enjoyed watching your company grow from the cool bags and accessories to some really awesome clothes and more specifically some very unique dresses. Unfortunately my reasoning behind emailing you was that one of my very favorite dresses from your collection has had a bit of an accident. This is a dress that has gotten more compliments than I can even explain and has been borrowed by just about every one of my girlfriends from Boston to Los Angeles. Honestly, the dress has been a bit of a "sisterhood of the traveling pants" as cheesy as that is and when my friend recently wore it to Opening Day at Del Mar Horse Track in San Diego she said strangers were literally seeking her out across the room to compliment her (my CK Bradley) dress and ask her who the designer was. Needless to say, each and everyone who has worn the dress, including myself has been thrilled to death with the compliments and are always immediately thrilled to spread the good word of CK Bradley. Anyways, long story aside, its most recent wear was at a wedding where one of my friends may have been too aggressively performing her "moves on the dance floor" when a strap on the dress broke. It is a perfectly clean break and should be easily fixed, however upon first attempt we have not been able to track down the specific colored thread and the mend is currently a bit noticeable (at least to me the owner of the dress). The dress is totally wearable, but as a bit of a perfectionist, I was hoping that I might be able to track down a bit of the blue thread used to sew the straps on so that my tailor could perhaps fix the dress in a less noticeable way. I have attached a picture of the dress (pre-incident), as I am not 100% sure what its official name/style was. I would appreciate any advice/help you could provide with this matter. On a side note, do you have any of these dresses still kicking around in either this specific pattern or anything else. I am part of a rather small chested/small waist/larger bottom club and this style could not fit my body more perfectly. I wanted to pick the dress up in the blue/green combo (size 6), but didn't manage to find it in time. Thank you again for your help and my apologies for sending such a lengthy email. I look forward to continuing to shop the CK Bradley brand and having recently moved from Boston to Los Angeles, I can't wait to wear all my CK wear out here. All the best. -Kirsten Durocher -- Kirsten Durocher

Let's rehash this a bit. Does "...too aggressively performing her moves..." include shaking and or stomping? I ask because I, the namer and designer of the dress think it might have had something to do with the dress, not your friend. Can a dress inspire behavior you ask? I think so. The dress in question here is called the Bamba Dress after the dance and song La Bamba...and the origin of that according to Wikipedia "... has no direct English translation, but is presumably connected with the Spanish verb, bambolear meaning "to shake", or perhaps "to stomp". So...could I be at fault here for not making a dress with super heavy duty thread knowing that it is almost IMPOSSIBLE not to want to dance while wearing it?

Even before the dress was put into production...we danced with the idea of no straps as you can see above, but opted for straps in hopes that that would lessen the occurrence of a surprise peep show. Other dresses also inspired by dances....

Kirsten. We are on a search for your thread. Stand by....

-On my way to delve into the CK Bradley dress archives on a hot and sticky day...

Quest Article: American Vacations

2009-07-27T08:03:00.000-07:00

I was recently asked to write about a road trip by a friend at Quest Magazine. It came out in the June issue, and I thought the topic would remind us that though Summer has been downright soggy thus far, it is still WARMER than winter....so here we go..an escape from the sogginess to the cold that awaits.

It was 6pm on a Friday night and I couldn’t wait till Manhattan was a glimmer in my rear view mirror. A couple thousand miles lay ahead, and only 1 point left till my drivers license would be revoked. Would I make it? I didn’t know. But I thought my chances were better off at night. Plus, I’ve had my share of sweet talking the cops, especially with my famed parrot Tigger as my co-pilot.

So off I went, bound for the beckoning plains of the Lazy E-L Ranch in Montana. I have done plenty of cross country road trips and I have always chosen the southern route merely chasing warmth and delectable Southern accents.

If you think the largest cross in the Western Hemisphere or the biggest ball of twine in the world are worth seeing on a trip cross country, I beg to differ. That’s where EVERY tourist goes. The only thing you will be looking at is the back of a motor home as you try and sneak a view of the coming attraction. I prefer the unexpected attractions. The sneaky ones, that shock you. Talladega, Alabama was one of those for me.

Imagine 10 miles of campers and motor homes lined the Interstate which paralleled the Talladega Speedway. Forget weekends in the “Country”. This set already lived in the Country. Weekends for them were an escape aboard their second home on wheels. Prime real estate has more to do with how early you get there than how much you have to spend on it. There were no hotel rooms, beer or ice for 60 miles. Talladega, I will remember you.

But this trip I decided to leave the tumbleweeds and speedways in the dust in search of moose crossings. The cold route awaited me.

There is such a peace of mind that comes from driving cross country. Every exit leads to a life I have never known. My ipod doesn’t stop playing. But on these journeys, I choose the radio. Country music was all I found on the local stations, and I LOVE country. I liked this route. Farmers outnumbered bankers and pickups outnumbered sedans. Diners are a good bet, and nice farm equipment is a status symbol. You just feel more American.

I’m not the most patriotic person. I celebrate the fourth of July, know a bit of America’s history, but it wasn’t until I got out into the far reaching parts of this incredible country, into the towns I had never heard of, and may never pass through again that I got a real sense of American pride. Though I live in one of the largest cities in the world, I have never felt smaller then when on a road trip through our vast Country.

Five days, no speeding tickets, nine tanks of gas and one of ethanol later, I reached my destination: The Lazy E-L Ranch in Red Lodge, Montana. One adventure down and a few to go. The National Ski Joring Championships now had my full attention.

Ski Joring practice: Skiier: Ben Mackay

Race Day: Yes, a skiier being pulled by a mighty fast and nimble horse

After a few days at the Lazy E-L, I packed up my bags, Tigger and some new belt buckles. Now I had to make it home…

-Awaiting the next road trip, Bradley

Caught in CKB

2009-07-27T07:15:00.000-07:00

I received this email from Jen Gallagher last week, and have been meaning to post it...She is wearing the Cortina Dress from Holiday 2008. Her email follows...

Hello,

I bought this dress for the Presidential inauguration in January and wore it to the New England Ball. It was incredibly comfortable and received a ton of compliments! Thanks!

Jen Gallagher (Boston, MA)

-Its about time I get other people up here besides me, Bradley...

Maine Bound

2009-07-07T11:02:00.001-07:00

They say Happiness is not a way of travel, but a destination. Well, this past weekend, I experienced BOTH.
I hitched a ride up to Portland, Maine with 2 chocolate labs and a friend for the 4th of July in his '74 International Scout.
The Scout was introduced by International Harvester in the 1960's to compete with JEEP's CJ's.
The beauty of google if finding this when you are looking for something else....
Let's pause for a moment for this hot ticket, who, you guessed it, is in front of a Scout...

The drive was going great. Andrew had rebuilt much of his Scout and it was happily purring up 93 as any tough old coddled truck should. Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash were blaring. Traffic? None to speak of. This was the way to travel. Open road, open truck. We pulled over for a dog rest stop once we hit Maine. Andrew was bent over the Scout futzing beneath. What was he doing I wondered? Just checking to make sure the frame was still attached to the wheels, since he had, after all, put all the bolts on himself. Umm, nice Andrew, nobody told me to bring a helmet!

But we made it...and what a great drive it was. I wished Portland was further away to prolong the gasoline smell/wind thru the hair drive.
We passed this boat in Portland's harbor on the way to Cow Island. No comment...

I was fortunate enough to be included in a wedding celebration for a friends family on beautiful Cow Island run by an organization called Ripple Effect.

The family I fell for, the ceremony thought provoking, the food yummy, and the DJ irresistible. The drive was too short, and the destination was fun filled and beautiful. What a treat to be included.

-Looking for that DJ in Maine, Bradley

CK Bradley Photo Shoot aboard White Wings

2009-07-07T09:06:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the best things happen without much planning. This particular day began with the SUN! Shocking, I know. Clothes were quickly shed for optimum skin to sun ratio. We (team CKB) decided to leave work as we know it and head to the Newport Shipyard for yummy treats and SUN.
I ran into Donald Tofias, owner of two beautiful W-Class Sailboats: White Wings and Wild Horses. The W-Class boats are new boats designed by Joel White, but oh so classic with details of sailboats from the golden age of sailing. You can charter them for a leisurely cruise or race them against each other. Either way, you'll be wondering why all sailboats aren't this beautiful.

So what better activity for a long awaited sunny day BUT a CK Bradley Photo Shoot!

CKB and Ashley wearing the Tamanaco Dress

Our mouths were open here because of the fear factor, not the fun factor...

Donald Tofias in blue and his dapper crew

Ashley, who is actually crew on Wild Horses, helping lower the main...hot. Girl in CK Bradley dress on a W-Class Yacht? Hotter.

And hotter still? Girl in CK Bradley dress jumping off White Wings into the frigid harbor. Why? For bragging rights of course.

This is not exactly classic W-Class yacht behavior...

CKB soaked to the bone in 55 degree salty water in the Islesboro Dress

Thankfully the crew aboard White Wings were armed with cozy blankets and strapping poses

And the photo boat caught the action thanks to Sailfly
We happened upon these beautiful sloops for a photo shoot...but Wild Horses and White Wings (above) are available for charter. They evoke the spirit of tradition along with the soul of the past with their timeless lines and masterful construction. If any of you are moved to take up yacht racing (and want to be in the BEST looking boats), are already a seasoned sailor, or just want to relax with friends, family, clients, whomever, the W-Class yachts have been chartering for afternoon sails and sunset cruises, photo shoots, special events, and racing in New England, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. Check them out at www.W-Class.com or call Amy at 401-225-3098

-Still Salty, Bradley