ML - Aspen Peak

2013 - Issue 2 - Winter

Aspen Peak - Niche Media - Aspen living at its peak

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Many of the pieces sold at Maison Ullens are convertible and travel-friendly, the result of the owner's desire to cater to stylish women on the go; a cashmere knit jacket ($3,800); a patent leather and cashmere reversible coat ($5,875). photography by brooke casillas (boutique); courtesy of maison ullens (sweater and model in coat) clockwise from above: penchant for elevated style and art is reflected in every well-appointed nook and cranny. Similar to an exhibition space, the boutique, with muted beiges and clean lines, serves as a sleek backdrop to the star of her latest show: the 2013–2014 Maison Ullens collection. She notes that an eye for art has informed her style. "Certainly art influences fashion. When you're focused on art, your eyes are open all the time," she says. "It's very important in fashion, too, to have your eyes open. We love the American artists from LA. We will have a piece from sculptor Thomas Houseago that will be shown at the Aspen boutique." Crafted in France and Italy in collaboration with artistic designer Véronique Leroy, the new line is cozy-chic, with an emphasis on Italian leathers and knitwear. Many of the pieces are reversible, the result of her desire to create travel-friendly, convertible pieces for stylish women on the move. "When I travel, I like to carry the smallest luggage possible, so the reversible pieces are wonderful," Ullens de Schooten offers. After conferring with several designers to no avail, she finally found her match in Leroy, who has a direct sense of style with a dash of whimsy. "She's very focused, and because we are both Belgian we had that immediate connection," says Ullens de Schooten. She met Leroy while creating her second collection, and, now on her fourth, the fledgling company has found its stylish stride. A Paris boutique is slated to open by the end of the year, with a London outpost to open shortly thereafter. The latest collection appeals to a wide age range and flatters various body types—not an easy feat. Fittingly, it has an Aspen sensibility, with looks that incorporate leather or knit leggings, chunky cashmere sweaters, and sophisticated layering pieces. At the same time, shoppers can find a sleek black leather sheath with perforated leather or an elegant floor-length gown for an evening out. Ullens de Schooten models one of her favorite pieces—a reversible, gray and white chinchilla and knit coat that's easy to wear yet makes a statement. And as a departure from many high-end cashmere and knitwear lines that stay in the safe zone of grays, beiges, and blacks, Maison Ullens celebrates brilliant color, with several pieces finished in emerald green, bright red, and sapphire blue. "If I had to choose my favorite, it's red," she adds, touching her red leather pants. But perhaps most notable on Ullens de Schooten's checklist is the Mimi " spen embodies the A Maison Ullens spirit. It's beautiful." —Myriam Ullens de Schooten Foundation. A breast cancer survivor, she launched her nonprofit 10 years ago. "When I had chemo, I was surrounded by my family and friends," she says. "Yet I would walk the corridors of the chemo center and was surprised to see how many people were going through treatment alone. I made a promise to myself that when I was healthy I was going to launch a foundation." What started as one wing of a Belgian hospital has evolved into a presence in four hospitals in Belgium, in addition to centers in both France and Switzerland, all of which give free support to cancer patients. Nearly 15,000 patients benefited from the Mimi Foundation last year; its six centers assist with psychological counseling, beauty treatments, and hairdressing services. Ullens de Schooten's passion for giving back is integrated into Maison Ullens, with a portion of all proceeds from the line benefitting the Mimi Foundation, giving retail therapy a whole new meaning. 445 E. Hopkins Ave., 970-429-4170; maisonullens.com  AP aspenpeak-magazine.com  135 134-135_AP_SS_Stylesetter_WIN13_SPR_14.indd 135 10/30/13 3:26 PM

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