Showing articles 11-15 of 16
So the blog hibernated a little too long (or maybe it was the hangover) after a great first winter at Rye 51. Spring is here!! Good morning.
Tons of new spring/summer merchandise has arrived. The new season of Mad Men is now underway, and the (complimentary) whiskey bar is always open. If you're in the area stop in and say, "howdy", and let's enjoy a glass together.
So we're 11 days in. How are those resolutions holding up? For those (yep, that's you) seeking to get in shape, but are tired of the same monotonous routine, go old school with these kettlebell workouts. It's simple and ridiculously effective. And when you shed those pounds, rest easy knowing we can get you taken care of for all your clothing needs. Now do work fellas. Good luck.
Thanks for making our first year a great one.
Wishing You and Yours Happy Holidays and a Fantastic New Year!!
Cheers,
- The Rye 51 Team
great article today in The Journal. when it comes to Cashmere sweaters, no one does it better than Brunello Cucinelli. look for Rye 51 to carry Cucinelli in the months ahead.
Mr. Cucinelli takes good care of his cashmere collection, believing the pieces can be handed down for generations. He has pieces that are more than 30 years old. "A cashmere knit is like a book," he says. "It is something to save and go back to time after time. It is the feeling of an embrace." Indeed, when cashmere is well cared for and stored, Mr. Cucinelli says, "its look can improve and the feel can become even softer." After each washing, the cashmere fibers get wider and more open.
But the designer, who is based in Solomeo, Italy, doesn't send his cashmere sweaters to the dry cleaner unless there's a tough stain that requires a specialist. While he sends coats and pants to the dry cleaner, he favors washing the rest at home by hand. Never wash cashmere in a machine, he adds. It "accelerates the aging of the fiber."
When cleaning cashmere at home, Mr. Cucinelli generally fills a container with warm water for pieces that are one solid color. For pieces that are printed or have more than one color, he uses very cold water.
Then, he takes a tablespoon of gentle hand soap or a soap that's specifically created for knitwear and dilutes it in five liters of water. (If you're using a fabric softener, he says, try a natural one such as white vinegar, as chemicals could alter the texture of the garment.)
Mr. Cucinelli soaks the garment in water for two to three hours "without moving it," a step that allows the fibers to open. Then he gently squeezes the water out without twisting the cashmere, which he notes would stretch the fiber too much. He repeats this step until all soap and water are gone.
The designer always lays the piece flat on a soft towel to dry. If he chooses to iron the piece at the end, he places a soft cloth on the piece so the iron is not in direct contact with the cashmere. Also, he uses the iron's steam setting to avoid harsh direct heat.
When stored, cashmere needs air, Mr. Cucinelli notes, "so it can 'breathe' because it is a natural fiber." The designer prefers to store pieces in a colorless cardboard box with cedar disks inside. A lightweight fabric bag also works, but a box gives material more room to breathe, and the cedar disks deter moths while adding a subtle scent.
If a spill happens while Mr. Cucinelli is out, he is careful "not to intervene right away, as you may worsen the situation by rubbing the stain too much." Instead, he waits until he can hand-wash the garment or, if the stain is bad, he takes it to a cleaner that specializes in treating cashmere.
© Rye 51 Textile Disitillery
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