Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/121906
High-end fabrics are the foundation of Mike & Ton's collection. "The ideal client—she's bold, she's strong, and she knows herself." —MICHAEL DE PAULO So how did this onetime dentist find herself designing women's clothing? "I've always been drawn to design. I became an architect of the mouth," she says with a laugh. But her innate creativity found an outlet even as she was telling patients to open wide: "I learned how to make jewelry essentially at dental school. We were using all the same processes—making crowns out of metal, doing castings, bending wires for orthodontics. [So I] decided to start my own private jewelry label." With Mezrich's jewelry line and De Paulo's couture apparel both receiving rave reviews, they knew it was time to harness their creative power and launch Mike & Ton. Their first collection, which debuted two years ago, was lauded for the flattering fit of its garments. "We [use] stretch fabrics, which beautifully mold to the body," De Paulo explains. "In Mike & Ton clothing, [women] feel sexy." In addition, the duo have a discerning eye when it comes to fabric quality, choosing only the best silks and wools to Citron canvas ensure their clothing will last for years. Artisans in ingénue such as Jennifer peplum cutout Boston and New York then transform the material Lawrence in them. "But dress ($550) and papaya into finished pieces. we also have 80-somecanvas circle While they design for the modern, busy woman, things wearing our skirt cutout dress ($550). De Paulo and Mezrich are not afraid to play with clothes," Mezrich adds. color. Their most recent collection, dubbed City Says De Paulo, "The Lights, was inspired by the nighttime colors in a ideal client—she's bold, metropolis like Boston. "The bright citron yellow she's strong, and she knows herself." comes from the yellow stripe on the road." Mezrich Locally, WCVB's Liz Brunner and says. "Papaya orange reminds us of the orange Bianca de la Garza have been seen in cones in the street, and blacks and grays of the Mike & Ton, as has Linda Pizzuti Henry. asphalt and navy of the dark blue sky." The collec- Nantucket's Dakota carries the line, and tion includes flirty silhouettes fans of the brand can with fitted bodices and pencil or look to The Tannery for circle skirts, some with peplums pr ivate -appoint ment at the waist and some with geotrunk shows; there's also Delicious design: Mike & metric cutouts. Yet De Paulo and an upcoming trunk show Ton has been tapped to design the uniforms for Mezrich point out that the whimsy at Moxie in Wellesley. Boston's own Sweet in their designs is always tempered The designers now cupcake cafes. with a clean and feminine aesthetic. want to apply this "bold Inspiration: "We look to The mix of classic lines and daring and strong" philosophy brands like Rag & Bone or colors means Mike & Ton is as likely to be to other collections and Alice and Olivia—brands seen on a sophisticated Generation Y-er have their sights set on an accesthat start out with a as it is on one of the city's grande dames. sories label as well as men's and children's signature item and then expand into a global "[Our line] can go from 20-something to lines. "We're creating a global brand," brand," says Mezrich. 40-something," says Mezrich. To wit: The says De Paulo, who then adds with a What's next: "We'd designers say they would smile, "We happen to be based in absolutely love to show at Actress Liza like to see Angelina Jolie in Boston." For information on purchasing Mercedes-Benz Fashion Lapira in a Mike their creations as much as Mike & Ton pieces, contact the designers & Ton dress. Week," De Paulo says. they'd like to see an at mikeandton@gmail.com BC INSIGHT BOSTONCOMMON-MAGAZINE.COM 086-087_BC_SS_StyleSetter_LATESPRING_13.indd 87 87 4/10/13 12:32 PM