at the moment i‘m getting all of my fall 07 collection samples together (this time I have 7 looks!) and i am also making a few really beautiful one-of-a-kind pieces to show in new york on february 1st at albertine. The time will most likely be from 6 to 9pm….though I promise to post the invitation once its been made – speaking of the invitation, the beautiful and talented artist virginia loughnan is actually hand painting it for me…I can’t wait to see the proof! She painted the mural in the front of leontine, yes, that luscious golden cloudy one- you can see it here:

i’ll be in new york for about a week so if you’re there too, and would like to set up a private fitting with me let know and I’ll be glad to fit you in just email me: sales@christinahattler.com

this past Sunday, the glorious New York Times’ Style Section made a little mention of us when writing about Leontine!! take a peek at the write up….

I just returned from puebla, mexico, where I spent new years eve….if you don’t know of it, it is a beautiful old city (actually, one of the oldest colonial cities in Mexico) filled with buildings and churches which are centuries old- walking the streets of puebla is a dream- UNESCO designated it a World Heritage site in the mid 80’s, which more-or-less means that buildings can no longer be torn down, so one truly gets to feel as though they were running backwards through time.

I was traveling there with my fiancée and we were both quite blown away at how clean and well kept it is, and most of all, how welcoming the Poblanos (what people from Puebla are called) are. We were there only two quick nights and literally became the best of friends with an entire family who own and run a really cool little bar called El Breve Espacio . Not only did they take us in as their own and invite us to their house after their bar closed, but the next day gave us a tour of the entire town and another town near by, Cholula, where there are exactly 365 churches, one for every day of the year. Choula also claims to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the hemisphere—for approx 2500 years. There is also and enormous pyramid in Cholula, larger than those at Giza in Egypt (in its base) though it is hardly visible, because the Spaniards covered it with dirt and built an ornately beautiful church on top, using of course, stones gathered from the pyramid. Ah Mexico….

But the most fun part of all of this was not only that we were discovering for ourselves one of the most interesting parts of Mexico, but that that we were tramping around town with what happened to be a group of HOT, YOUNG & SMART men who all happened to be artists of one type or another (remember that family from the bar?). I was wishing some of my New York single ladies were with me to enjoy all this…around 4 am I counted and there were exactly 15 Sexy Poblanos, my fiancée and myself. Not too bad for a Saturday night in a small town in the middle of Mexico!

Puebla also has great antique market in the Centro Historico, we arrived late, around the time everyone was closing up shop, but we did happen to stumble across a beautiful antique gem of a chair that we haggled down to about $30 usd….We took some great photographs on the trip so take a look; I’m feeling a return to Puebla coming on soon…and even better, possible inspiration for the Spring 2008 collection in the wings!

Feliz Año Nuevo!!!

love, christina

Living in Mexico has, as I had hoped, greatly influenced many things in my life, but most importantly and most recently, since I’ve become a little more settled, I’ve had the time to dig around and discover some fantastic Mexican women to admire and take as mine for inspirational muses…now please…don’t be afraid…its not all that bad. Mexico has some fascinating women in its history- and it does not all begin and end with Frida Kahlo – however unbelievable she was—I’m thinking along different lines. I’m actually heading over to the golden era of Mexican cinema- and specifically to María Félix otherwise known as La Doña . She was a Diva if ever there was one, and as famous for her excesses as she was for her famous ex-husbands and beauty, which inspired many an artist and song writer. She was thought to be a fashion icon in her day and an excellent client of Cartier and the House of Dior.

For my Fall 2007 collection I’m departing the girly frivolity of recent past… and drawing upon a more womanly, sexy character, the María Félix of the 1950’s, for this upcoming season. My fiancée has an aunt who actually resembles María Félix quite closely, physically and what I’d imagine, individuality as well. She is also in her own right very divaesque—she smokes like a chimney, speaks with a low sexy voice, has shockingly black hair for her age, wears lots and lots of makeup, wears huge diamonds and gems as though they were plastic baubles, has ex-husbands, lovers and enemies. She’s quite wonderful and it all works very well on her….so I’m taking little cues from these over the top women- and incorporating them into what should be a fresh look for this next season…..

Here are two photos of her from the internet, but I suggest watching a few of her films to really get the essence of …. La Doña

today christinahattler.com was the featured witty write-up on dailycandy.com thanks to the dailycandy.com team & all of you sweet daily subscribers for supporting us! xox

fashion week daily wrote a sweet bit about leontine’s opening party…..

the daily’s leontine write up

kyung lee’s new store leontine just had its grand opening this past thursday night in new york and it was a huge success! the store is much larger than albertine and claudune, her other two boutiques….its filled with antiques she sourced from all over the world, john robshaw bedding, an incredible selection of lotions and hand soaps she imported from a monastery in italy, stunning french vintage couture, one of kind clothing from yours truly, a small garden in the front of her shop where you can buy little potted orange trees and freshly cut flowers and there is huge wooden antique table in the back of the store where kyung is planning to hold private dinner parties….does it get more amazing than that? this is the best store ever.

the beautiful girl modeling all of the Las Niña’s collection is a neighbor of mine. she’s 17 year old Selene Gaitan. this is her first time in front of the camera and i think she did a really beautiful job….take a look here: christina hattler boutique

I’m going to be visiting New York City from November 27th thru December 1st. If you’re interested in receiving a private fitting and consultation for a one-of-a-kind piece while I’m in town, please email buy@cristinahattler.com to schedule one.

Kyung Lee, boutique owner extraordinaire, of Albertine and Claudine in new york, will be opening yet another exquisite boutique, Leontine, near the south street seaport area of New York City. There will be a grand opening party the evening of November 30th, time and address are TBA, I still need to get the stats, though once I do I will post them here so you can attend if you’re in the NYC area. Please just be sure to email me at: chattler@christinahattler.com an RSVP by November 25th so I may place you on the list.