Westport, CT - On Monday April 10th, Nancy Sharon Collins will be visiting Bespoke Designs from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. Mrs. Collins will introduce her Lagniappe line of stationery and sign copies of her book, The Complete Engraver, Monograms, Crests, Ciphers, Seals and The Etiquette of Social Stationery.
Bespoke Designs is the exclusive carrier of the Lagniappe Curated Collection of Hand Engraved Stationery. Lagnaippe is a term used in New Orleans, where Mrs. Collins is based, and means ‘a little something extra.’ This curated and hand engraved line features monogram styles drawn from Mrs. Collins’s proprietary collection. Initials are hand drawn and hand engraved onto a 1/2” thick steel die, then hand printed in gold, silver or white ink.
Bespoke Designs LLC recently opened its doors at 5A Sconset Square in Westport, CT. The couture invitation, stationery and celebrations studio offers custom products including luxury stationery, invitations, monograms, Julia B. Couture Linens, customized tableware, and a full range of merchandise for weddings and all of life’s milestones. Designs are brought to life through traditional engraving, letterpress, foil stamped, thermography and contemporary digital printing techniques. All custom designs, such as monograms and crests, can be embellished on the finest papers, linens and china. Bespoke exclusively represents Alexa Pulitzer, Thornwillow Press, and Nancy Sharon Collins.
Mrs. Collins is the country’s leading expert on engraved social stationery and owner of the eponymous company bearing her name, Nancy Sharon Collins, Stationer LLC, featuring exquisite, bespoke, hand engraved writing papers, note cards, monograms, ciphers, and ephemera. Mrs. Collins authored The Complete Engraver a guide to monograms, crests, ciphers, seals, and the etiquette and history of social stationery. She has been featured in such publications as Town & Country, Garden & Gun, Veranda, Vogue, The New York Times, and Martha Stewart.
Prior to launching her stationery company, she owned the graphic design firm Nancy Feldman studio in New York City. Clients included Bergdorf Goodman, WaterfordWedgwood, Clinique, Prescriptives, Revlon, Charles of the Ritz, Curve fragrance, The Metropolitan Opera Shop and the Museum of Modern Art.
Bespoke Designs is the brainchild of designer and entrepreneur Shari Lebowitz. “In this digital age there is nothing as warm and personal as a handwritten note on an exquisite piece of brightly colored, beautifully textured stationery. It takes an ordinary gesture and makes it a celebratory one. How wonderful it is to reach into your mailbox to find that gorgeous, handwritten envelope,” says Lebowitz.
The timing for Bespoke’s arrival couldn’t be more ideal. An upscale paperie and celebrations studio has been very much needed since Printemps closed its doors on Avery Place over 5 years ago, and more recently MMilestones of New Canaan.
“All entertaining begins with a great invitation. Whether you are planning a wedding or a spring party, we are here ready to welcome you with our highly curated collections. I am so excited to be a part of such a wonderful community,” Lebowitz stated enthusiastically.
A graduate of the Parsons School, Lebowitz enjoyed an illustrious career creating sophisticated, comfortable interiors for both primary and secondary homes nationwide. Her work has been published in such prestigious publications as Traditional Home, Westchester Cottages & Gardens, Connecticut Cottages & Gardens, East Coast Home & Design, New York House and the New York Times Magazine. Having relocated to Westport nearly two years ago and recently remarried, she saw the need for an upscale paperie and celebrations destination.
With wedding season fast approaching, Bespoke Designs is excited to open its Bridal Studio, dedicated to developing the most exceptional wedding celebration stationery possible. “We can offer our brides and their families the very finest selection without having to venture into the city. Each point of contact, beginning with a Save the Date Card to the very last thank you note, meticulously reflects the spirit and individual needs of each couple,” she added.
Her design sensibility lends itself beautifully to the new studio space outfitted with elegant Japanese seagrass from Phillip Jeffries and hand printed wallpaper from Farrow and Ball. Her trained eye can be felt in the mix of furnishings, both classic and contemporary, which sets the tone for a warm, intimate space evocative of a private home.
The intimate setting of the atelier offers a comprehensive range of services for clients to consult with Lebowitz on their ideal design and presentation. She was inspired to open Bespoke Designs from her own passion for letter writing and calligraphy. “Writing a wedding announcement or a letter to a friend is the time to express yourself uniquely and sincerely. We believe in connecting to the world around us by putting pen to paper.”
While scheduling an appointment for private consultation is preferred, walk-ins are warmly welcome.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Shari Lebowitz, Owner
Bespoke Designs, LLC
5A Sconset Square
Westport, CT 06880
info@bespokedesigns.com
203-557-6777.