New to Larchmont: Outerluxe
by Paula Eisenberg
(November 6, 2002) Just as the bitter winter winds
arrive, so has an antidote: Outerluxe, a new luxury
outerwear store at 1989 Palmer Avenue in Larchmont.
Owner Joe Barlow chose Larchmont as the site of his
new store because, he believes, Larchmont women have
style. "We checked the demographics," he said,
"And we believe women here have the sophistication
necessary to appreciate our clothes."
One needs sophistication, yes, but deep pockets wouldn't
hurt either. Although you can find adorable ponytail
scrunchies in mink for $5, jackets start at $700 for
a fur-lined denim model and go up from there. The average
price for a coat at Outerluxe is in the $2,000 range,
 according
to Barlow. The coats and jackets are luxurious and finely
made, many with unusual designs and surprising details.
One meltingly soft shearling, dyed a soft blue, has
intricate folkloric embroidery along the sleeves. An
eight-ply cashmere coat is ribbed on the outside, with
pearl-gray woven cashmere inside, topped with a black-dyed
Russian sable collar.
Barlow, a Scarsdale resident, has spent over 30 years
in senior management with such luxury retailers as Neiman
Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Sulka and the Danish firm
Birger Christensen in Copenhagen.
Barlow manufactured luxury outerwear for Karl Lagerfeld,
Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan and Michael Kors as a licensee.
This work inspired him to develop his own collection,
Outerluxe. Made in Florence, Milan and Bologna, the
collection is sold at luxury stores in Denver, Dallas,
Chicago and San Francisco, as well as Larchmont. Ranging
from everyday-casual to elegant, the pieces have an
almost made-to-measure fit, according to Barlow. "We
can also special-order any size," he said. "Many
of the pieces are one of a kind, sheared, embroidered,
tie-dyed, distressed and appliqued."
Why luxury furs, now? Aren't women turning away from
fur in these uncertain economic times?
"Our clothes aren't like your grandmother's mink
coat," Barlow said  with
a grin. "We're showing unique, artistic pieces
that show a woman's spirit and style. They're not boring."
Unexpected touches abound, including asymetric hemlines,
large leather whipstiching juxtaposed with mink, and
even water-resistant silk taffeta coats with fur linings.
Asked to describe the ideal client for Outerluxe, Barlow
said, "She is someone who understands quality and
design and appreciates detail. She could be a stay-at-home
mother, a financial analyst, an educator or an artist.
She wants something classic but with a 'twist'."
Barlow expects his unusual merchandise, coupled with
excellent customer service, to attract this kind of
customer.
Outerluxe
1989 Palmer Avenue
Larchmont, NY. 10538
(914) 834-2345
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