Aspen Peak - Niche Media - Aspen living at its peak
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY JODIE LOVE in exquisite textures, has a sophisticated air, and knows her own sexiness comes from this untraditional mix. It's safe to say that Kate Middleton would like this boutique. A willowy model type and Basalt resident, Lippincott balances the " I love seeing what I've bought work for my customers. —SARAH LIPPINCOTT demands of the Aspen business with her 2-year-old son Townsend, while moving forward with a venture started four years ago, her own line named Gray. Though still in its infancy, Gray shares coveted space with the most stylistically concentrated and globally revered brands: Ports 1961, Derek Lam, Phillip Lim, Alexander Wang, and Lela Rose, among others. While browsing the store it's hard to tell which are her pieces and which belong to " urban than Ralph Lauren, you'll see these established lines. More artsy and and feel Gray's silks, cashmeres, cot- tons, and Italian jerseys, all elements of proper English classics with a hint of aristocratic flair. Her line is not trendy. She continually reintroduces one of her most successful items, the one- shoulder Piper dress (an early staple of the line), season after season. "I don't have any formal design training," Lippincott says, "but I do have sophisticated taste." The biggest challenge, she admits, was finding a small production venue. "Everything is made in New York in the Garment District. I have a great relationship with my pattern maker, which is lucky because [patterns are] hard to do from afar." Penelope Chilvers Chelsea Chap boots, a favorite of Lippincott's. Her reward for being both the store's buyer and stylist is personal con- tact with happy customers. "I love getting inspired by great collections and seeing what I've bought work for my customers," she adds. "I love doing it all—being a designer, buying from other designers, as well as styl- ing it all on my customers." Her everyday must-haves this season? "A Penelope Chilvers Chelsea Chap boot from London, worn with great MiH skinny jeans," she notes. However, not everything she carries is from inter- national locales. Simple gold jewelry from local designer Megan DeNev Wussow—investment pieces that easily pair with most everything—adorn the accessories case. Her keen fashion sense was recently punctuated when hip online retailer ModeWalk approached her to create a pop-up store based on its theme du jour, a featured series of up-and-coming Parisian designers. It proved a huge suc- cess. Additionally, trunk shows, fashion shows, and struggle with a cocktail parties with such favorite brands as Ports 1961 and Cobra Society regularly round out iCals for local and visiting stylistas. "Being a locally based store (and designer) I like to get involved with things in the community," adds Lippincott. Of course, when most new designers showcase for their products, Lippincott was fortunate that she had a flourishing store. Now with nearly 100 or more Gray pieces, this small-town brand with big-city connections contin- ues to make a sophisticated statement. 520 E. Durant Ave., No. 102, 970-544-4893; gallerieaspen.com AP ASPENPEAK-MAGAZINE.COM 123 Lippincott custom-fits regular customers Silbi Stainton and Elizabeth Slossberg. Lippincott counts MiH skinny jeans among her must-haves this season. Lippincott's best-selling Piper dress is reintroduced each season.