A union of angels — what a lovely vision that might make! If you’re Cynthia Babspt, founder of Union of Angels Clothing, you can take that vision and turn it into something equally lovely — a Union of Angels clothing collection. I first got a chance to see these unique, “Boho-style” clothes at a Southern Designer Fashion and Travel Event in NYC. This particular event, featuring a number of unique entrepreneurs in fashion and beauty, and reality television stars (E.g. Alex McCord and Luann de Lesseps of The Real Housewives of New York). I may not be on reality television –yet–but I too, was instantly captivated by the trendy but generation-spanning designs. There’s something for everyone from form fitting crochet dresses and tough-ish, rock-star, micro-minis, to gauzy cover ups and tunics for those less blessed in the slim-ish figure department.
Beautiful, Cynthia “Cindy” Bapast is an international clothing designer, entrepreneur and celebrity stylist. Her designs reflect her love of the equestrian lifestyle of the Virginia countryside in which she now resides. Her designs have been seen in numerous publications and runways. She also dresses talented artists in the country music scene, in partnership with Warner Brothers and Big Machine Records in Nashville.
The Summer and Fall lines feature both bohemian styles, and those with a sexy equestrian look, but there’s really someting for everyone. If you’re looking for something light, breezy and easy to wear, some of my favorite pieces in the Summer collection include a gauzy beaded tunic dress perfect for day-to-evening at the beach or pool, including St. Barth’s, where Union of Angels has one of two stores (the other store is located in Washington DC — and there’s also a web site with E-commerce http://www.unionofangels.com/).
- Union of Angels Joplin Dress
Summer brings easy, breezy little dresses, many with hippy chic touches. For example, take a little piece of (his) heart out, wearing this Joplin Dress ($125.00 plus shipping) inspired by the free spirited style of Janis Joplin. The easy to wear, gauzy, 100% cotton , off-white dress has an included slip, and comes in sizes XS to Large. The dress can be worn as a casual beach cover-up, to a more sophisticated dinner, \depending upon your accessories. I love the rock-star style with brown shell beading around the sleeves and bottom of the dress, and a string-tie neck that can be worn open for a “hippy-ish” feel. You can even wash this in the machine on a gentle wash, and hang it to dry.
The Juliet Dress ($165.00 plus shipping) is available in turquoise and white, and in sizes XS to Large. This off the shoulder dress in soft, luxe, 100% poly/silk can be worn unbelted and loose, or belted (with included fabric belt). The sizing is generous enough to accommodate even those with a bit of a “pooch” but it looks more form-fitting belted, with the included, fabric belt. This is no ordinary, gauzy dress. It has rows and rows of gathered elastic in the neckline that can be boho, or super-sexy, depending on how you style it. Wear it in the sexiest way off the shoulders, like the heroines in bodice-rippers. It even has elastic gathering in the sleeves that drop to a graceful, wide bell. Wear it as a short dress or a tunic (it’s lined so you don’t need an additional slip) or tuck it beneath a long, full skirt, cinched at the waist with a wide belt. All you’ll need is “Fabio” to appear to star in your own, love story.
- Union of Angels Crochet Dress
For those blessed with a fabulous body, nothing beats a sexy, crocheted dress. This Crochet Dress ($195.00 plus shipping) will get every head to turn in your direction. The fabric is 100% ivory cotton. I love the graceful, bell sleeves and the versatility. The ivory, boho dress comes to mid thigh (to wear now with glittering, flat sandals, and later, with boots, or over leggings as a tunic). It comes with a cotton slip and ties in the front with a thin, brown suede tie to add a funky, “Tom Jones-ish” touch. This photo shows the uber-sexy dress in classic ivory, but it’s also available in black. For fun, you could wear different colored slips or a form-fitting blouse underneath and change the character of either dress, completely. While some crochet dresses are too thin to wear comfortable, this one is substantial enough to hold it’s shape, but not so thick that you feel like you’re wearing a blanket. Choose XS to Large.
When you see photos of the clothes, they look amazing, but they are even better, in person.
Going into Fall, the Peyton Blouse ($100 plus shipping) spans the seasons. It’s long enough to wear as a dress if you’re young or adventurous enough to pull it off, or with pants, if you’re more conservative. The white cotton/linen blend fabric is styled for a slim silhouette, and it’s substantial enough so you don’t show all the goods, but it’s not so heavy you can’t wear it now, over short-shorts (Union of Angels have super-mini, cotton/linen ones for $45.00), or maybe, leggings. The neckline features an elasticized top that ruffles, romantically to wear on or off your shoulders. Black , gross-grain bows accent the bell sleeves and are reminiscent of revolutionary costumes.
As the leaves start to fall, you’ll want to treat yourself to the Angel Turtleneck ($99.00 plus shipping) in black or white, made of very soft, 95% cotton and 5% spandex. This beautiful blouse has drape-y sleeves that make the ordinary, extraordinary. Wear it with leggings, jeans, pants, skirts…anything! It’s shown in this photo with the very fabulous and very short, Union of Angels Celtic Skirt ($75.00) that even a more mature woman might risk, worn with leggings or thick, black tights and tall boots. It is thick cotton with three bands of gross grain ribbons with round, silver rings adding a punk-ish look, accenting the waist. The short skirt features a flounce of small, flirty pleats that move as you walk, As with all the other pieces, these pieces are available in XS to Large. Also for fall, there are a variety of romantic and pristine, white blouses, some with a boho vibe to others, with a romantic, equestrian look featuring cascades of ruffles. While many of the pieces are elegant white in natural fabrics like cotton and linen, Fall brings riding pants, “military” and equestrian-influenced jackets, and more.
To get your favorites, Visit the Union of Angels Web Site http://www.unionofangels.com/ The Union of Angels online fashion store also carries: Apart, Baily 44, Casting, Cynthia Vincent, Georgie, Jour & Nuit, Leifsdottir, Letarte, R.U. Swanky, Sandy Duftler, Tasha Polizzi, Tracey Reese and Voom, all at price points that are extremely reasonable. You can see the clothes “in person” at the Union of Angels Boutiques in Washington D.C. and St. Barths. Plans are underway to open two new boutiques in September, 2011: in Palm Beach and Nashville. I wish they’d open one in New York, too!
