Carlisle Collection
Encyclopedia
The Carlisle Collection is a U.S.
fashion design company founded in 1981 by William Rondina
, CEO and Chairman of The Connaught Group, Ltd, to offer elegant classic clothing and accessories for women by private appointment. Based in New York City
, the firm has an extensive network of sales consultants in over 500 cities and upscale suburbs throughout the United States.
The Carlisle representatives, called consultants, are well-connected socially, draw from their friends and acquaintances, and build a loyal following. As The New York Times
reported in 2002 in Ginia Bellafante
's article "Clothes That Whisper, I Belong to the Club," the company is predicated on the idea that the sales staff will inspire loyalty from the clients because the sellers come from the same socioeconomic class they do." In fact, the word-of-mouth network is so powerful that Carlisle advertises only in Vanity Fair
magazine.
Each piece of the wardrobe coordinates; and, the consultant reviews her records of everything that has been purchased in the past to guide future combinations or new looks that can be created by extending what is already in the client's wardrobe. Attention is also paid to limiting the sales of new items in each market so that customers will not be at a dinner with someone else with the same design.
The company's offices are located in mid-town Manhattan
. They were designed by Robert Denning
of Denning & Fourcade
.
On an annual basis, the Carlisle design team creates a unique silk scarf that benefits the Susan G. Komen for the Cure
foundation. Since 1998, Carlisle's Fabric of Hope annual scarf program has raised over $1,600,000 for the foundation's effort to help save lives and end breast cancer forever.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
fashion design company founded in 1981 by William Rondina
William Rondina
William Rondina is an American designer as well as the Founder, CEO and Chairman of The Connaught Group, Ltd and William Rondina, Inc. in New York City. The Connaught Group is Rondina's innovative New York City-based fashion and design parent company to top women's fashion lines including...
, CEO and Chairman of The Connaught Group, Ltd, to offer elegant classic clothing and accessories for women by private appointment. Based in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, the firm has an extensive network of sales consultants in over 500 cities and upscale suburbs throughout the United States.
The Carlisle representatives, called consultants, are well-connected socially, draw from their friends and acquaintances, and build a loyal following. As The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
reported in 2002 in Ginia Bellafante
Ginia Bellafante
Ginia Bellafante is an American writer and critic for the New York Times. She has also written for Time magazine....
's article "Clothes That Whisper, I Belong to the Club," the company is predicated on the idea that the sales staff will inspire loyalty from the clients because the sellers come from the same socioeconomic class they do." In fact, the word-of-mouth network is so powerful that Carlisle advertises only in Vanity Fair
Vanity Fair (magazine)
Vanity Fair is a magazine of pop culture, fashion, and current affairs published by Condé Nast. The present Vanity Fair has been published since 1983 and there have been editions for four European countries as well as the U.S. edition. This revived the title which had ceased publication in 1935...
magazine.
Each piece of the wardrobe coordinates; and, the consultant reviews her records of everything that has been purchased in the past to guide future combinations or new looks that can be created by extending what is already in the client's wardrobe. Attention is also paid to limiting the sales of new items in each market so that customers will not be at a dinner with someone else with the same design.
The company's offices are located in mid-town Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
. They were designed by Robert Denning
Robert Denning
Robert Denning was an American interior designer whose lush interpretations of French Victorian decor became an emblem of corporate raider tastes in the 1980s.-Early life:...
of Denning & Fourcade
Denning & Fourcade, Inc.
Robert Denning & Vincent Fourcade, Inc. was an interior design firm which for over forty years was a leader in opulent interiors with offices in New York City and Paris...
.
On an annual basis, the Carlisle design team creates a unique silk scarf that benefits the Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Susan G. Komen for the Cure, formerly known as The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, often referred to as simply Komen, is the most widely known, largest and best-funded breast cancer organization in the US....
foundation. Since 1998, Carlisle's Fabric of Hope annual scarf program has raised over $1,600,000 for the foundation's effort to help save lives and end breast cancer forever.