Marlene Atelier & Caroline Jourdes Clothing Launch

I had the privilege of attending the launch event of the women’s fine suit clothing line designed by Chicago business woman designer, Marlene Franke, and the luxury ready-to-wear women’s coat line by Caroline Jourdes.  I’m usually the guy behind the curtain doing hair and makeup for fashion shows but this apparel debut was different, there were no models, just the clothes and a presentation with the the designign women so I got to hang out with the fashion swells and savor fine chocolates by Catering Chocolate and sip Voli Light Vodka (loved!).

Marlene Atelier is Marlene’s company name. Marlene Atelier and Caroline Jourdes had a joint launch party because both women became friends and inspirers to each ever since they met by chance, five years ago, in the elevator of the building where Marlene worked and ranked high in corporate finance and accounting. [I totally checked her out on LinkedIn, and Caroline is an art director at Leo Burnett.]

You’d think two successful business women would just stick to what made them successful in the first place, business and the corporate climb. But, people are always the sum of their experiences, and Marlene’s line of “Classically Inspired Custom Fitted Hand-Tailored Executive Women’s Suits” are the "cumulation" of years of wearing professional suits while still yearning to stay fashion forward. Her suits not only make the statement that they are for women in authority and business position, they are for the woman who is tired of St. John & 80s inspired pointy tapered waists and shoulders being the unthinking go-to standard of business dress for the ladies who have long paid off their student loans. Marlene Atelier is inspired by the city-woman chic of the 50 and 60s, when women were hitting their stride with equality crusades, so Marlene’s offerings present dignity and dashing, while not detracting from a women’s form.

Marlene Atelier suits are made from the finest fabrics and they are all lined with silk charmeuse which is hand sewn. I met the Russian artisan, a 3rd generation tailor, who put together the line for the launch and he’s old school skilled and particular so the construction of each garment is flawless. Private showings and an upcoming “e-showroom” brings Marlene Atelier to you. MarleneAtelier.com Click video below to see her suit collection. A portion of the sales of this line goes to Almost Home Kids!

Caroline Jourdes is a ready to wear line of fine tailored coats and they will keep every woman warm and in vogue. I found the styling and design very approachable and for every woman. With the same dressmaking team as Marlene Atelier, Caroline has conceived a winter wrap that will last from season to season without the top-designer prices. I had no idea I was attending a double fashion line launch but these two women have teamed up and resourced to make their individual dream lines a reality. Click here for my interview with Caroline & see her fabulous coats and check back at CarolineJourdes.com to see when they will be available.