LAST DAY IN THE STORE

Look how empty 1408 Fifth looks without all its fixtures! In case you didn't remember, in the top photograph there was a wallet display case, as well as a bank of cupboards where we gift-wrapped packages. In the below photo, we had two glass display cases on top of the beige fabric full of suits - all gone to new homes.   

Our first official day of business in the new store is Monday, March 3 - we're looking forward to seeing all our friends in the new store! 

NEW ARRIVALS - CIVIDINI

The latest arrivals from Cividini are here! Fabulous lightweight garments featuring screen-printed motifs, as well as their signature hand-painted knitwear.  Come check out this unique collection - exclusive to Butch Blum in the Northwest!

NEW ARRIVALS - CIVIDINI

Knit-back, knit-front coat - $2375

Knit jacket with metallic fibers - $1565

More terrific new arrivals from our Milanese exclusive Cividini.  Created with an eye for artisanship, all of Cividini's fabrics are proprietary - exclusive to Cividini - and feature hand-embellishments like spray-dye and handsewn buttons and zippers. 

NEW ARRIVALS - MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA

Maison Martin Margiela - $1895

This clever blazer alternative from the Maison is a subtly fashion-forward choice. Using a micro-patterned wool, the Maison plays with tradition by taping the edges of the lapel in the same fabric, at a 45 degree angle. The effect is almost tuxedo-like - for anyone savvy enough to notice.

D'EXTERIOR'S "ITALIAN-MADE" INTERN

Mihyon having fun with D'exterior's fabulous young intern - he's "Italian-made" too!  We love the way young Italians dress, don't you? 

DEAL OF THE DAY - PAPERBACKS PANTS

Paperbacks - were $135, now $59

These pants are a great way to welcome the spring - pair them with contrasting colors and let the red (a washed-out watermelon) pop.  Available in 32, 33, and 34in waist.

MAJESTIC DEALS OF THE DAY

Was $195, now $69

 We have some incredible deals from Majestic Filatures - those fabulous ultra-washed French tees, tanks, and turtlenecks - in beautiful wardrobe-basic styles you'll love until they fall apart. Especially exciting is the black-over-navy stripe above, the deal of the day at only $69.  Available in every size (sized 1/s 2/m 3/l 4/xl) - while they last!

Assorted styles - 60% off! 

THE MOVING - WEEK 6 AND BEYOND

Incredible vaulted ceilings!

Ceiling tiles and new pillars

The denuded MTM department

That Biedermeier was SO HEAVY

Where does this thing go again?

The old gift-wrap counter in its new home in Operations

LUXE BASEBALL JACKETS

An American classic, the Baseball jacket is getting a continental makeover for the FW '14 season.  The crew-neck jacket with a banded bottom and sleeve is being reinterpreted in dense, lush jacquards and excitingly feminine patterns.  Wear a shrunken style in a dressy outfit (top photo) or choose a more casual, slightly oversized version for your tees and jeans (middle, bottom photo).  The result is a 'forever piece' - a look that you'll love coming back to.

WATCH THE CIVIDINI FW 2014 FASHION SHOW

Watch the Cividini FW '14 fashion show, recorded live at the Palazzo Clerici Sala Pirelli, at Cividini.com!  Make notes on all your favorites, because April 5-7 we present the collection in our new space (1332 6th Ave - corner of 6th and Union) for special order.  

HAT UP - FALL WINTER 2014

More selections from Kay and Mihyon's trip to Fall '14 market...the luxe theme continues with ultrasoft cashmere fabrications trimmed with rabbit and sheared mink.Trends of charcoal and taupe continue interspersed with pops of orchid and fuchsia.  As always, the Italian craftsmanship is apparent in every tiny stitch. 

The clear message for Fall '14 is to "Hat Up"- preferably with one of these exciting styles. We're ooking forward to seeing this product in the store! 

DEAL OF THE DAY - ARMANI DB NYLON QUILTED

Armani - was $1195, now $399

Entirely appropriate for Spring (or a mild winter) this dark gray, weatherproof peacoat alternative from Armani is stylish and unique.  In a city like Seattle - where all anyone sees you in is outerwear - it's important to have great choices like this in rotation. Available in a size 42 and 44.

COSTUME NATIONAL - SELECTIONS FOR FW '14

Ittierre S.p.A. may not be doing well, but Costume National has passed the transition with flying colors! Check out these amazing styles we selected for the F/W 2014 buy!

NEW ARRIVALS - MARCOLIANI

Assorted styles - $30 each

Incredible new Spring styles from Marcoliani - the Italian masters of fashion socks - have just arrived! Enjoy fashion fancies as well as terrific basics. More colors are available for special order - check in with us to see what's available.

SCENES FROM THE MARKET

Luxe coats with expensive fabrics and trims in fur and leather are making a big splash for Fall 2014 - what do you think of these styles?

DESIGNER BIO- LUCIANO BARBERA

Luciano Barbera began his design career in the 1960's, when a Uomo Vogue photographer captured a photo of a young Barbera wearing a suit of his own design, made of fabric from his father Carlo's mills. The photo was seen by fashion icon and founder of the legendary Louis Boston store, Murray Pearlstein, who encouraged the young Italian to produce his own clothing. 

The young Luciano Barbera

The Barbera brand has always been for the man or woman "who believe in individuality and intelligence" - people who care more about the garment and its functionality than trends or labels, yet always cut a stylish silhouette.  Barbera's wool and cashmere fabrics are considered some of the finest in the industry, achieving their signature drape and softness from a secret process which includes aging the yarn before it is woven in subterranean caverns in order to maintain the wool's natural moisture levels. Every Barbera suit is entirely made from Carlo Barbera fabric, woven from Italian yarn in the Barbera factory in Biella, Italy.

Our Luciano Barbera shipments for Spring 2014 have just started to arrive - look for fabulous neckwear, ultra-soft leathers, and some incredible knits, with lots more to come! 

ITTIERRE'S TROUBLED TIMES

Italian fashion magnate Ittierre S.p.A has been facing financial woes off and on for the past few years, but 2014 could signal the end of the company.  Ittierre S.p.A. has had licenses with a wide variety of designers including Versace, D&G, Balmain, and two of our favorites - Jean-Paul Gaultier and Costume National.   Costume national severed ties with Ittierre last fall (their diffusion label "C'n'C" is still produced by Ittierre). While Jean-Paul Gaultier ended his contract for the Pret-a-porter women's collection in 2012, he also signed agreements in 2012 for a new streetwear label for men and women, to be launched Spring 2014.  With the current bankruptcy situation it is unclear whether they will be able to fulfill the contract.

DEAL OF THE DAY - GRAVATI LOAFER

Gravati slip-on...was $595, now $99

This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity - a handmade Gravati slip-on shoe for under $100...over 80% off! Hurry and snag this terrific loafer while it's still here.

(Size 8.5 still available)

FINAL SALE DAYS - EXCELLENT CASUAL PANTS

 We have an absolutely outstanding selection at the moment in casual pants at 60-80% off from one of our favorite vendors-  Gardeur.  Many of these styles were not included in our original Fall/Winter collection - so even if you've shopped once this season, drop by for a nice surprise!  With 15-30 options per size, there is an excellent selection for everyone.

Sale pants from Gardeur - were $195-225, now $115-135

FINAL SALE DAYS - MALENE BIRGER LACE SKIRT

By Malene Birger lace skirt - was $425, now 99

The final sale days deals keep coming! This fabulous little garment is a super fun way to add color to a Spring outfit - for business or for pleasure.  It's neutral enough to go with a surprising amount of colors, and the lace overlay adds wonderful texture.

60-80% FINAL SALE DAYS

Today we begin our blowout FINAL SALE DAYS - with terrific options for men and women in casual and dress modes.  Find the best from Giorgio Armani, Blumarine, Barbera, Jean-Paul Gaultier, John Varvatos, and more!

Hurry in - our final sale days only last until we move into the new store and the best selection is here now!

FINAL SALE DAYS - EXCELLENT SUITING SELECTION

Today begins our 60-75% Final Sale Days - 60-75% off all current season merchandise - and we have an especially great blowout suit selection. Timeless designs from Samuelsohn, Trussini, Armani, and more at 60% off or more - with an especially nice selection in 42R, 44R, and 46L. 

Don't miss out on the incredible deals - available for a short time only!

DEAL OF THE DAY- CROSSLEY HOODIE

Crossley hoodie - also available in red - was $265, now $99

This rice-stitch hoodie has a slight funnel neck for extra warmth and style. Crafted entirely in Italy from Crossley's signature organic cotton yarn, it's a piece you'll love to wear for years.

MORE FROM THE MOVING

Removing LED bulbs and replacing them with Halogen - taking all our bulbs with us is very green!

This piece is getting re-finished for the Ladies fitting rooms

One more bulb and you're done!

CELEBRITY SIGHTING - LUPITA NYONG'O IN BLUMARINE

Lupita Nyong'o - fresh from her critical and commercial success in 12 Years a Slave, graced the "Vanities" section of Vanity Fair magazine this month in a gorgeous special occasion gown by Blumarine - a look that makes you say "I want to go where she's going!"

Get that same feeling with our everyday-wearable (but still glamorous) selections from Blumarine, available exclusively in Seattle at Butch Blum!

HUGO BOSS LIVE

 Join us today at 2:30pm EST (11:30am our time) for a live-streaming event - the Fall/Winter 2014 collection, by the First Lady's preferred designer Jason Wu.

See something you like? Email us with a description - or take a screen shot - and we will inquire about the item when we visit the Hugo Boss showroom later this month.

THE MOVING - VAULTED CEILINGS

The ceiling clearance in our new store - for the most part - is 2-3 feet higher than our current space, but in the tailor shop we really open things up - check out these amazing vaulted ceilings and the street-level windows looking down.