Products Of The South: NOLA Couture

I still recall the incident quite clearly. Two and a half years ago, after My Lovely Wife’s close friend began working at a local women’s shoe boutique – Feet First, My Wonderful, Darling, Lovely Wife dragged me into the store for her to spend what I knew would be a long time shopping; my wife ended up having to drag me out of the ladies shoe store.

Why?

NOLA Couture Ties.

To say that I was instantly enamored by these ties would be to understate the strength of my feelings for them, and to overstate the length of time it took for me to feel that way. The variety of things important to me that are depicted on these high quality ties in a great style (I can’t think of a one of their ties that wouldn’t look great with a seersucker suit) is mind blowing. Wetlands, Speckled Trout, Streetcars, Mardi Gras Floats, and Hurricanes are among many, many more of the items depicted in reoccurring patterns on these ties.

I would later come to discover that they do make more than ties, but that is the company’s flagship product. I like the ties so much that I developed quite a collection of them. Once I had a large supply for myself, I bought them for other people. I gave each of these to the groomsmen in my wedding as a gift. The variety of these ties is so extensive, that I had no problem find a tie to match each groomsman’s personality.

I decided to contact the NOLA Couture to express my appreciation of their products, and I ended up discovering that not only does this company, lead by the wonderful Cecile Hardy make great ties, but it also supports some great causes, including oil spill recovery.

Cecile Hardy, a New Orleans native who returned home to help rebuild her city after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, founded NOLA Couture in August 2006. Cecile worked as a Merchandiser for Gap, Inc in San Francisco for five years, working in their Global (US, Europe, Asia and Canada) Women's Outerwear and Items department and then their Girls Department (knits, wovens and denim) for the European Market. After Gap, Cecile accepted a position with Williams-Sonoma home doing buying and product development for their Textile, Upholstered Furniture and Lighting departments. After Katrina devastated Louisiana and the Gulf Coast region, Cecile put her career on hold to help her city recover from Katrina.

This is when she came up with the concept of NOLA Couture, a clothing line that is inspired by the New Orleans culture and the Gulf Coast region. It is also a company that cares very deeply about its community and is dedicated to helping rebuild southern Louisiana in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. NOLA Couture donates a portion of all sales to local charities that are contributing to the rebuilding of New Orleans and Southern Louisiana. Since its inception, NOLA Couture has helped over ten local charities and foundations, recently teaming up with the Greater New Orleans Foundation to help in their Gulf Coast Oil Spill Cleanup effort. Since the news of the oil spill, NOLA Couture began donating $5 of each sale of its Shrimp Cocktail and Gulf Oyster ties to the Cleanup Fund.

NOLA Couture designs and produces a line of men's and women's clothing and accessories. Items currently in the line are men's silk ties (all with small motifs that are inspired by New Orleans and the Gulf Coast (such as “Gulf Oysters”, “Louisiana Redfish”, “Alligators”, “Fleur De Lis”, “Shrimp”, “Streetcars”, “Jazz/Trumpets” among a few), T-Shirts, Club Belts, D-Ring Belts, Dog Collars and Key Fobs. NOLA Couture is currently in the process of launching and expanded Women’s Accessories line to include tote bags, makeup bags, and beach hats, headbands, wallets and purses

Also, I hear they will now be donating 20% of the sales of the pelican tie back to the Oil Spill Recovery (likely to the Audubon Society). So, please check out NOLA Couture, and remember that buying one of their products is a great way to improve your style and to support a great cause. It’s also a great idea for the impending Father’s Day. 

Comments

[Allison]

You can purchase NOLA Couture at great local stores including Feet First (http://www.feetfirststores.com/). Her products are so local and so wonderful, everyone in New Orleans should have one.

[Imanolagirl]

Well hello Mr. SS! I love your blog. This feature on NOLA Couture was wonderful. It's always nice to learn more about homegrown businesses, but even better when those business are such amazing corporate citizens!

Thanks for sharing!!

[QB]

I concur. My groomsmen and I will be wearing NOLA Couture ties in my wedding and they look fantastic.

[JRS]

Great blog! I've been catching up. Any idea where I can find that crawfish belt? I don't see it on their website...I'm a little obsessive for emblematic belts (http://redclaysoul.blogspot.com/2009/11/rcs-collection-emblematic-belts.html)

[Irene Love]

A good tie is a gentleman's best friend indeed. I have to say I love putting on a tie as well every now and then. I think it's quite alluring on a woman, especially when worn with the right clothes. I love the fact that NOLA Couture designs are inspired by New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.

Irene Love
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