EASTER CLOSURE

Springtime on the UW campus

Butch Blum will be closed in observance of the Easter holiday tomorrow, March 31, and will reopen for our normal schedule (10am-6pm) Monday, April 1.

CORTIGIANI COTTON/SILK SWEATER

Sea Island Cotton and silk cardigan - Cortigiani - $845

Sea Island Cotton is a unique breed of cotton plant (Gossypium Barbadense), named for the "Sea Islands" off Georgia and South Carolina where it is most hardy in the United States.  Its incredible softness comes from its extra-long fibers, which when spun into yarns are as soft as silk and have a dull sheen.

Cortigiani mixes these precious fibers with silk for their incredible summer cardigans, which are dense but breathable - an elegant alternative to a casual jacket or sport coat.

MANNEQUIN MOMENTS - SPRINGTIME AT BB

Outfits by Blumarine (Hers) and Coppley (His)

"Despite the forecast, live like it's spring." - Lilly Pulitzer

ARMANI JEANS TRENCH

Polyamide trench - Armani Jeans - $345 (also available in black)

For a city that rains as often as it does, Seattle has surprisingly few adorable outerwear options. This piece by Armani Jeans combines practical weatherproof fabric with a fashion-forward silhouette, with great details like a washed finish and beautiful faux-Tortoise hardware.

NICKY HANDMADE NECKTIES

Handmade ties - Nicky - $185-225

We *LOVE* the fabrics from this season's collection by Nicky Cravatte, a small Italian company that still uses a single, talented seamstress per necktie, to sew interlinings, contrast linings, and fabric together all with a needle and thimble. The fabrics themselves are an unusually rich selection of jacquards and bouclés that add 3-dimensional texture to vivid color.

ARTISAN DAYS WINDOWS

Styles from Sartoria Partenopea, Fratelli Rossetti, Fabiana Filippi, and Faliero Sarti

Styles from Nicky, Cividini, Transit, and Biella Collezioni

FABIANA FILIPPI FOR SPRING

Crepe silk and ribbed cotton shell - $575
Knife pleat silk skirt with ribbed cotton waistband - $325

Fabiana Filippi's collection is one of the most sophisticated in our store. Playing with classic ideas like silk shells and knife-pleat skirts, Filippi adds interesting details like soft draping, crystal embellishment, and expanding ribbed and jersey fabrics for comfort. Wear these pieces together for a fun daytime ensemble, or dress them up separately with something more tailored.

MARTIN MARGIELA ZIP-SIDE SHIFT

Cotton/viscose shift - Martin Margiela - $835

This is a lovely, versatile piece, especially for the seasoned traveler...the side zippers in the skirt let you play with volume - when they're unzipped, the garment hangs straight away from the body, when the garment is zipped up, it forms a more pencil-like silhouette. Wear it as is, or accessorize with a great belt, as below on our mannequin!

BUTCH BLUM AT ONE LOVE

Stop by the Hyatt at Olive8 today to see the Butch Blum booth at the One Love Seattle LGBT wedding show! We'll be here until 5pm.

JOHN VARVATOS ✩ USA JACKET

Coated linen jacket - John Varvatos ✩ USA - $425

John Varvatos' diffusion collection "USA" has much of its parent company's sensibility, but it's filtered through younger eyes. The jackets are a bit more rockstar-fun, featuring linen (like this one) with just a hint of shine to it, or jeans that are just a touch skinnier. It's a fun way for guys of all ages to dress down without getting sloppy, with pieces that will remain wardrobe mainstays for years. 

NEW JEWELRY FROM MIMA

Center - Sterling St. Christopher's medal - $385
Middle - Faceted topaz beads - $495
Bottom - Surgical steel and suede with raw agate - $255 - all handmade by Mima

Mima is an eclectic collection of layerable necklaces and bracelets from Puerto Rico, designed by Marimerce Santiago. Santiago has been in the trade for over 20 years and has done jewelry design for celebrities such as Nelly Furtado, Ricky Martin, and Rosario Flores, was the fashion editor for Caras  magazine, and was most recently with the YSL accessories division. Check out this incredible collection this spring - exclusively at Butch Blum in Seattle.

BACKSTAGE W/SARTORIA PARTENOPEA

 This cheeky little video takes us backstage for last year's Sartoria Partenopea ad campaign, featuring a simulated suit jacket painted on the model. It illustrates - rather literally - the feeling of a custom handmade garment from this company...like a second skin.

NEW ARRIVALS - FRATELLI ROSSETTI

Fratelli Rossetti - $450

Fratelli Rossetti's handmade and hand-finished shoes are just incredible. This season's offerings feature beautiful canvas and leather detailing in rich, but not flashy color. Dress it up with a cotton suit or a tropical wool sport coat, or dress it down with your favorite pair of chinos.

CELEBRITY SIGHTING - JEREMY PIVEN IN VARVATOS

Jeremy Piven, along with rockers Steven Tyler and Joe Perry and actor/director Ben Affleck and wife Jennifer Garner, were present at the John Varvatos benefit for the Stuart House, a treatment center at the Santa Monica/UCLA Medical Center that provides support for rape victims.  We love Mr. Varvatos and all his celebrity friends getting together for this charity and think Mr. Piven especially looks terrific! It's a great way to look soft and casual in linen without looking sloppy.

ONE LOVE SHOWCASE

Butch Blum celebrates love in all forms, and is thrilled to participate in the 2013 One Love Wedding Showcase - an LGBT-oriented presentation of all things nuptial. Join us Sunday, March 24 at the Olive 8 Hyatt downtown as we present special order and custom options for the bride and bride or groom and groom and everyone else involved in your special day.

NEW ARRIVALS - ORIGINAL PAPERBACKS

 Shorts in assorted colors - Original Paperbacks - $105 each

We're preparing for warm weather early with our favorite shorts from Original Paperbacks, a company that specializes in soft chino fabrics in washed colors perfect for summer. It's a great way to try a pop shade without breaking the bank - or investing too much in a tricky color like watermelon or aqua.

INIS MEAIN LAPEL CARDIGAN

Hand-loomed linen cardigan - Inis Meain - $595

This cardigan is hand-loomed the old-fashioned way - on wooden looms that are over 100 years old, from locally sourced materials in Ireland. In the US it seems like a refreshingly different way to approach fashion, but for Inis Meain (named for the island where production is based) it's the only way to do business.

NOTHING GREEN TO WEAR?

Items by (Clockwise from top) John Varvatos, Citizens of Humanity, 
Agave, Gravati, Transit and Gianetto Portofino

Green is a prominent color in our Men's Spring 2013 lineup, so if you're finding yourself without something festive to wear to St. Patrick's brunch tomorrow (or to a fun early party tonight) come see us, and we'll send you on your way with Irish eyes smiling.

NEW ARRIVALS - ARMANI JEANS TRENCH

Armani Jeans - $385

This darling little trench takes a classic American mainstay and adds a dash of Italian flair, courtesy of its fun but not attention-stealing fabric and shapely fit. The cotton/poly fabric is weatherproof, yet soft and light - ensuring you won't feel muggy underneath your coat.

SUNDAY STYLING WITH CAMERON LEVIN - UPDATE

Treat yourself to the most discerning style-gal in the Northwest, on us! On Sunday March 17 from 2-5 (UPDATE - the 12:00, 1:00, and 2:00 spaces have been reserved), Cameron will choose from among her favorite designs at Butch Blum to give you the perfect look and fit for Spring 2013. Ms. Levin's discerning sense of style and modern flair, will be an asset to anyone looking for a lift. Only 5 complimentary style appointments available, each "on the hour", and each includes a special gift from one of our perpetual favorites, Fabiana Filippi. (We) Love, Cameron! RSVP to promotions@butchblum.com with the hour you'd like to come meet Cameron. You can also RSVP on Facebook - shoot us a private message with your preferred time. 

Cameron Levin is an eco-friendly women's wear fashion designer and editorial stylist. Her clothing is currently featured on the cover of the March issue of Seattle Magazine, and in their Spring Fashion Trends spread. She was also named one of Seattle's Most Influential People of 2012 by Seattle Magazine last December, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Seattle Chapter of Fashion Group International. 

SCENES FROM ARTISAN DAYS - PT 2

TRANSIT SHOW EXTENDED

For those of you who missed out on the Artisan Days show this Tuesday and Wednesday, we will be keeping the samples from Transit until Sunday at 5pm. It's a chance to own a unique piece of Italian sportswear and be the only guy in Seattle who has it!

SCENES FROM ARTISAN DAYS

GLASSYBABY AT ARTISAN DAYS

Last night, glassybaby brought hundreds of its handblown candleholders, as well as their mission of giving, to Butch Blum's Artisan Days celebration.  glassybaby are created by a team of 70+ artists at a Seattle studio in 400+ colors, taking four artists and three layers of glass to create each unique votive holder.  The company was founded by a three time cancer survivor and has donated more than $1.3 million to charities dedicated to healing.  glassybaby donated 10% of all sales during our Artisan Days to the National MS Society's Greater Northwest Chapter.

TRUNK SHOW EXTENSION

Although we are saying farewell to Sartoria Partenopea and Luciano Barbera tomorrow, you can still come by this weekend to peruse offerings from Cividini.

Samples from Cividini are available in multiple colorways, with samples of the different dye lots available for perusal.

ARTISAN DAYS - TODAY

 Today - March 12 - and tomorrow, March 13, Butch Blum (in partnership with the Italian Trade Commission) will be hosting a spectacular presentation of handmade clothing, from diverse artisans like Sartoria Partenopea, Luciano Barbera, Faliero Sarti, Transit, and Fratelli Rossetti shoes.  For ladies offerings, click here.

We will have special order opportunities from the designers, in both Made-To-Measure and Ready-To-Wear clothing and sportswear, as well as delicious hors d'oeuvres from Barolo Ristorante and wine tasting from Wilridge Winery - Seattle's oldest continuously running winery. The Olson Kundig Architecture firm will be bringing a selection of Tom Kundig's handmade interior accountrements, and Glassybaby will be providing their unique handblown signature votive holders.

Please email promotions@BUTCHBLUM.com to RSVP. Space is limited, so early RSVP's are greatly appreciated! We look forward to seeing you at this incredible event!

ARTISAN DAYS OFFERINGS FOR WOMEN

looks from Biella Collezioni

On March 12 and 13, Butch Blum will be hosting Artisan Days, an event dedicated to the Italian designer collections featured at Butch Blum which feature hand-crafting, hand-dyeing, hand-detailing, and hand-loomed fabrics. In addition to the offerings for men during the Artisan Event, you will find incredible women's fashions from a varied roster of designers, including Biella Collezioni, Blui, Cividini, Fabiana Filippi, and Faliero Sarti!

We look forward to seeing everyone for the event! For any questions or to RSVP, please email promotions@BUTCHBLUM.com, or call us at 206-622-5760.

MANNEQUIN MOMENTS - CIVIDINI

Linen/Cotton jacket - $745...Silk/Cotton/Lycra Shirt - $575

This outfit is perfectly indicative of Cividini's dedication to their unique, artisanal craft. The top is a very special silk, cotton, and lycra blend, which is hand silk-screened with original Cividini artwork. The top is knit using an expensive, fully-fashioned pattern - where the sleeves and pocket details come off the machine in a single piece and are hand-attached afterward. After the piece is completely sewn together it is hand blocked with steam to ensure a perfect shape.

See more from Cividini's incredible collection, available for special order at our Artisan Days event, next Tuesday and Wednesday! 

TOM KUNDIG INTERIOR COLLECTION

Tom Kundig of Olson Kundig Architects with raw materials from his handmade collection

Also appearing at our Artisan Days event is Tom Kundig's award winning (2012 Best of Year Award from Interior Design Magazine) collection of interior fixtures- drawer pulls, handles, etc. Representatives from the Olson Kundig firm will be in store to show available styles and finishes.

WILRIDGE WINERY AT ARTISAN DAYS

 Appearing at our Artisan Days event (Tuesday, March 12 from 5-7), Wilridge Winery - Seattle's oldest continuously running winery - will be hosting a very special wine tasting! Open since 1988 and pioneering special technology including a reusable/refillable wine bottle (refilled at their 34th avenue location of course).

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM

@BUTCHBLUM is now on Instagram, the mobile photo sharing service that lets you stream your favorite things to your friends. We'll be sharing goings on at the store, especially fabulous shots from vendor campaigns, and more!

SEATTLE DANCES IN TRANSIT

 Client and friend John Teutsch (seen here in one of our Transit t-shirts!) shared this video with us of a dance routine he performed recently, with dance partner Alison Cockrill. The event was called "Seattle Dances" and was a fundraiser for the Plymouth housing group, a non-profit entity devoted to providing housing options for the homeless. The event was an incredible success, raising over $480,000. (Mr. Teutsch's routine begins at the 1:30 mark).

NEW ARRIVALS FROM CIVIDINI

We are in the middle of our heaviest Spring receiving period (it'll start to taper off toward the end of the month) and have just brought a wonderful group of items from Cividini onto the selling floor! Hand-blocked cardigans, tailored trousers in precious fabrics, hand-painted blouses, and more. Come check out their latest shipment, and come to our Artisan Days celebration for a peek at the entire collection - available for special order.

ARTISAN DAYS MANNEQUIN MOMENTS

Outfits by: (Left) Luciano Barbera, (Center) Biella Collezioni, and (Right) Faliero Sarti

NEW ARRIVALS - BIELLA COLLEZIONI

Left - Crinkle-finish wool blazer - $1265
Center - Tailored cotton blouse - $395
Right - Linen embroidered shift (available in black)- $695

Biella Collezioni is a tailored, yet modern line from Maria Luisa Barbera featured in our upcoming Artisan Days event. Featuring substantial hand-work as well as incredible fabrics from some of the best mills in Italy, this line is perfect for the woman who wants something fresh and unique - but not so trendy that she can't rely on wearing it for years to come.