a trip to CAPITOL is an experience. don't take it from me, rather- take it from Hutton Wilkinson, curator historian of the extraordinary TONY DUQUETTE home Dawnridge. Hutton is always busy creating his own design legacy as well-interiors, jewelry, books, what next? Hutton said in all his travels of late, there is none more chic, more beautifully laid out store than the glamorous women's design atelier-CAPITOL. The collection is edited by the charmingly feminine Laura Vinroot Poole. Laura, a petite powerhouse, is as gracious as they come. A visit to CAPITOL must be much like a visit to her home- come early, stay late. You don't want to leave.
Capitol scenes from de Gournay & Albers
A vignette created for the Duquette jewels- featuring Oscar de la Renta's patchwork
embroidered evening skirt and silk blouse.
Hutton Wilkinson was on hand to show his collection of otherworldly jewels from Tony Duquette.
I will never,
Ever,
look at a brooch without first thinking of a Duquette brooch.
I will likely visualize any dress or lapel as being slightly lack luster without a brooch--preferably a Duquette one- with "air" behind it (that means perching it up a bit up on the shoulder so it can show properly).
Laura wearing a necklace of citrine,aquamarine, peridot, spocolite in 18 karat gold
with designer Hutton Wilkinson
Hutton describes the earrings and necklace of malachite, citrine, and emerald bead in 18 karat gold
as emulating pond scum. My vision is of a pond somewhere in the Pavlovsk Palace Park with shards of
malachite scattered across the water by a water nymph. It was my favorite in the entire collection,
without a doubt.
Both brooches above are made of emerald, green amethyst & fluorite in 18karat gold
Looking over the two couture floors of CAPITOL is viewing fashion for Fall 2010-at its best. What could be better? Nothing-
unless it is the smooth sophisticated decor the clothes are shown in.
Everything works, it is glamorous- like the clothes-but does not overwhelm them. Very important.
Again-Hutton Wilkinson put it beautifully-It is like being on the set of the 1939 movie THE WOMEN. The centerpiece of the fashionable "movie" CAPITOL is the fantastic Vertical Garden created by botanist and inventor, Patrick Blanc.
The Tony Duquette collection is not just jewelry-each piece is a work of art. Hutton creates his jewelry from stones in the original Duquette collection & special gems he has amassed. He entertains at the legendary Dawnridge frequently and is thinking of declaring certain of his soirees as a full out wearing of couture only. After seeing the well dressed women come out for CAPITOL'S party honoring Dara Caponigro of Veranda, he wants to see women at Dawnridge wearing their best couture, their best jewelry- just the way they did when Tony Duquette and his wife Elizabeth entertained there.
the 3 images above copyright Tony Duquette, used with permission
an aquamarine and diamond in 18 karat gold ring
photographs of Elizabeth Duquette
...more scenes from CAPITOL
An evening event honoring Dara Caponigro was standing room only for the fashionably dressed -the decor was certainly VERANDA worthy.
Owner, Laura Vinroot Poole of CAPITOL-looks at fashion through a unique lens and what a beautiful setting she has created for a fashionable life.
CAPITOL Interior Designer is Barrie Benson & Architect is Perry Poole-Laura's husband.
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