Aspen Peak - Niche Media - Aspen living at its peak
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/824799
76 ASPENPEAK-MAGAZINE.COM PHOTOGRAPHY BY FELIX WONG (S/S17 COLLECTION, BOUTIQUE). HAIR BY TAKAYUKI SHIBATA. MAKEUP BY DAVID TIBOLLA. MODEL: TIANA PERRY (S/S17 COLLECTION). STYLING/ART DIRECTION BY SAYURI MURAKAMI (ALL IMAGES) the brand's by-appointment atelier in New York and multi- ple wholesalers around the country, Kova considered fac- tors like pedestrian traffic, level of international exposure, and overall sense of community. "We did extensive research, and Aspen was one of the cities that came up," says the Russian- born designer. Clearly it was the right choice: "We had a really good response to our products from clients who have houses in Aspen, but also from people who come and go, and we just felt that winter didn't offer us enough exposure." As she did for the first resi- dency, Kova will create pieces exclusive to Aspen—only this time, instead of fur jackets and cashmere frocks, the line will be based on lighter materials like cotton and linen. "There's so much going on in a place like Aspen in the summer— people go for a walk, go to the farmers market, they have lunch," says Kova. "We're thinking of what uniform this woman wants." The store will also offer all-season items, in keeping with both the brand's DNA and the fashion sensibil- ity of Aspen's shoppers, whom Kova refers to as "international women": "She needs clothes that are great for different cli- mates, great for travel." Also exclusive to the resi- dency will be 100 different colorways (as opposed to the few available online) for every item in the brand's Icon Collection, an everyday-luxury line of sculptural dresses, skirts, vests, and jackets, offering Aspenites a special bespoke experience. "We want [shoppers] to come in and customize," Kova says. "What we create is a wardrobe." 208 S. Mill St., 970-710-7631; valentinakova.com . Summer silk: Francis trench ($1,950), cami top ($432), and Augusta chiffon pants ($1,775), from the Spring/Summer collection. BELOW: Valentina Kova's Mill Street boutique. STYLE TASTEMAKER