the gamut guide

from designer accessories to cutting edge tech gift able goods guaranteed to make this the most splendid holiday season ever

by savannah sitton and matthew mizrach

Christian Louboutin “Eloise”
A chic shopper with handles wrapped in metallic studs and an optional adjustable shoulder strap. $2,190, cocopari.com

Cartier Tank Anglaise in Steel & Pink Gold with Diamonds
Here, a stainless steel band and face is surrounded with pink gold set diamonds on either side, with navy blue steeled hands complimented by a sapphire crystal crown. $16,200, garymichaelsfinejewelry.com

Forevermark The Tribute Collection Stackable Rings
The Tribute Collection celebrates the unique and brilliant woman who wears it its thin but intricate bands can be worn layered to reflect and celebrate individual style. Prices Available upon Request, nevesjewelers.com

Michael Kors Mink Fur Stole
Exclusively available at Saks Fifth Avenue, this piece is the pinnacle of elegance. The concealed hook and eye closure in front allows for a secure fi t. Available only in “Blue Iris.” $4,400, saks.com

Degs And Sal Gold Dotted Dog Tag Necklace
A ruggedly cool gold plated necklace, made of 24k sterling silver for the adventurous gentleman. $180, garmany.com

TOM FORD Jacquelyn Sunglasses
Cat eye chic is always in style this soft metal pair is 100% UV protected and guarantees added poise to any ensemble. $475, dseye.com

Christina Lombardi Alessandra Heel
This nude leather pump hits the perfect balance between work and play by adding edgy gun metal hardware to elevate a timeless silhouette. $465, christinalombardi.com

Bogner Doubleface Bella Jacket
This modern double face jacket charms with its luxe texture, oversized cut, fringed hem, and lamb fur pockets. $1,200, theoclothier.com

Bonobos Jetsetter Trim Fit Plaid Wool Dinner Jacket
Fitted with satin shawl lapels and colored in bold plaid, this modern dinner jacket is sure to turn heads. $700, nordstrom.com

Apple MacBookPro Touch Bar and Touch ID—2.8 GHz Processor and 256GB Storage
Step into the future with Apple’s newest sleek, light, and powerful MacBook Pro, featuring a Touch Bar that, like unlocking your phone, can recognize your finger print for hassle free login and Apple Pay usage. $2,399, apple.com

Sally LA Pointe Rib Knit Fur Sleeve Pullover
Knit from soft and dreamy cashmere, this pullover sweater is cut in a loose fit silhouette with fur sleeve detail for a laid back addition to your sweater collection. $2,850, modaoperandi.com

Poor Cat Designs ID Cuff
Here, a dreamy ID bar is paired with a 18k yellow gold clasp cuff and an industrial arrowhead—great for mix and matching. $375, $2,100, and $750, poorcatdesigns.com

Breitling Colt Sky Racer
Experience the “New Generation Breitling,” made with its patented casing—advertised as 3.3 times lighter than titanium and 5.8 times lighter than steel. Guaranteed water resistant up to 100 meters. Available in black and camo. $2,000, leonardojewelers.com

Hook & Albert Weekender Bag
Thoughtfully designed for a casual overnight jaunt, week end getaway, or business trip, this is the perfect duffle, and with garment bag functionality. $585, michaelduru.com

Giuseppe Zanotti Kriss Sneakers
Unique and fashionable, these suede and calfskin mid tops (shown here in brown) are available in a wide array of colors and styles, including python and crocodile. $795, cocopari.com

ANNA By Rab Labs Heritage Cocktail Shaker
An elegant stainless steel shaker topped with a sparkling cluster of natural amethyst edged in silver. The perfect gift for your favorite host or hostess. $295, annanewyork.com

Louis Vuitton X Supreme Malle Courrier 90 Trunk
Despite its international notoriety for designer handbags and purses, LV began its journey selling trunks. Part of a first ever collaboration with the skate centric brand Supreme, this courier trunk displays the house’s signature monogram in the defining “Supreme Red” hue. $149,500, uncrate.com

Sherri Hill 51281 Two Piece Dress
This exquisite, fully beaded two piece design features a gorgeous side to back cutout with a jewel neckline and sheer hems for the right amount of modesty. $550, dianeandcoonline.com

Google Pixel 2 XL
Touted as the “phone only Google could make,” the newly designed Pixel 2 XL just may give iPhone Xers a run for their money. The best part? Free unlimited storage for all your photos and videos. From $849, store.google.com

Saint Laurent Opium Appelle Moi Patent Pumps
With French for “call me” on its heel plaque, the new black Opium is flirtatiously crafted of patent leather with an ultra feminine pointed toe and skinny ankle strap. $995, cocopari.com

Attico Rosie Striped Sequined Gauze Clutch
Made from soft and supple black gauze and embellished with rainbow hued sequins, this drawstring bag will pop against a monochrome outfit. $395, net-a-porter.com

Blake Kuwahara Black Hastings Sunglasses
Known for his unique designs, Kuwahara here joins a square lens to a matte black steel frame to impress art enthusiasts and originality lovers alike. $525, eyedeisgnnj.com

Alex & Ani Joy (Set of 3)
Keep holiday traditions close and the spirit of the season alive with this rose gold set with a string of gems that resembles glowing lights and magical stars. $98, wolffinejewelers.com

Robert Graham Adirondacks Vest
Warm up in this woven plush vest with quilted wool and leather trim. $498, sallauretta.com

Gucci Candy Mink Trim Mules
Expertly blending brown GG velvet with dyed brown mink for a luxury comfort fi t, these mules are both versatile and practical. The 1.4 inch heels also come with a beautifully painted leather sole, as well as a rose print lining. $1,150, saks.com

Veronica Beard Windsor Shearling Jacket
Look incredible when the temperature drops in this super cozy beige suede and shearling jacket with moto leather detailing. $2,295, garmany.com

Givenchy Runaway Totem Sweatshirt
Divining his inspiration for the Givenchy Fall 2017 Collection from eye catching Totemic Images, Italian Fashion Designer Riccardo Tisci stakes his claim on the traditional cotton crewneck sweatshirt. $1090, nordstrom.com

Poor Cat Designs Star, Evil Eye, & Moon Necklace
This stunning piece masters the art of mixing metals with its 18k yellow gold five point star, pink gold evil eye, and white gold crescent moon. $3,125, poorcatdesigns.com

Sherri Hill 51816 Dress
Lush roses in fire red and green apple add a magical tone and illuminate a contemporary pleated hi low strapless silhouette. $570, dianeandcoonline.com

Beats Studio3 Wireless Headphones
Newly introduced by Beats and Apple, the Studio3 features Pure Adaptive Noise Cancelling (Pure ANC for short) as well as the W1 chip by Apple. $349.95, apple.com

Sea folly Jungle Paradise Swimsuit
Wander through a jungle paradise with this girls hibiscus and fern print one piece, complete with an adorable rued neckline. $63, shopittibimi.com

Emenegildo Zegna Tec merino Black and Silk Mask
The Tec merino is made of half wool and silk with innate performance properties that dynamically regulate heat and breathability while providing a superior fit. $195, garmany.com

Fendi Backpack
Carry it all with this men’s bucket bag, made of technical fabric and sleek black leather with rubber patches inspired by the Fendi Vocabulary theme. $1,500, fendi.com

BMW Active Hybrid Bike
The famed German automaker has successfully translated their craftsmanship to a new and growing endeavor: electric bikes. The Active Hybrid is the newest addition to their line, and can travel a distance of 62 miles per charge. $4,000, uncrate.com

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver
The world’s first luxury sports watch universally recognized as a design masterpiece, this royal blue piece is part of AP’s new Funky Colour collection and will top anyone’s Christmas list. $19,900, materialgoodny.com

Judith Leiber Just For You Bow
Relish the holidays and dazzle party goers with a handmade Lieber clutch a stunning champagne diamond encrusted bow. $5,995, judithleiber.com

Wurkin Stiffs Silicone Dopp Kit
Leak resistant inside and out, this 100% silicone bag is ready for whatever you throw its way. $45, michaelduru.com

Swarovski Star Wars Droids
May the force be with you! This special edition R2D2 is crafted in crystal and has 446 luminous facets and detailed prints. To finish the droid collection, crystal C3POs and BB8s are also available. $239, swarovski.com

Gucci Sequin Embroidered Velvet Gown
Gucci’s fascination with mythical creatures remains a constant theme with this black velvet midi dress, gorgeously embellished with sequin finish and dragon and timeless puff sleeves. $12,500, gucci.com

Fendi ISHINE Watch
This stainless steel beauty comes with a 0.55 carat black spinel crown, rotating gemstones (including white, gradient red, and pink topaz), as well as a genuine alligator leather strap. $2200, fendi.com

Pandora Sparkling Bow Ring
Wear this diamond bow like the gift that you are! The quality and craftsmanship of Pandora combined with the whimsy of the holidays. $400, wolffinejewelers.com

Creed Silver Mountain Water
A modern scent that is meant to embrace the mountains of the Swiss Alps, SMW has been a best seller since its launch. Notes of sweet blackcurrants and green tea are expertly blended with bergamot and sandalwood. $290 to $780, bloomingdales.com

Georgeanna Suede Over The Knee Boot
Made of soft micro suede and a Dring closure, this sophisticated design will spice up any outfit while offering protection and comfort with a short chunky heel. $229, calvenklein.us

Audemars Piguet Millenary Hand Wound
AP does it again with an 18k white gold timepiece, set with diamonds, a mother of pearl face and authentic alligator strap. $30,700, materialgoodny.com

Herve Leger “Merlyn” Geometric Spliced Grain Gold Foil Gown
In glimmering gold, with curve defining bandage embellishments. $1,890, coocpari.com

Forevermark Wing Diamond Earrings
A gorgeous pairing of yellow and white gold modeled after angel wings. They will instantly light up every holiday get together all season long. $27,400, nevesjewelers.com

Chloe “Pixie” Medium Bag
A double bracelet handle in deep navy suede and with smooth calfskin with a long shoulder strap to carry cross body. $1,890, cocopari.com

Scotch Shrunk Print Shorts
Featuring an all over printed design of an exotic harbor and a drawstring waistband with side and back pockets. $69, shopittibimi.com

Eleventy Navy Striped Blazer
Hairline stripes bring sleek definition to this slim, two button blazer crafted from Italian stretch jersey with laser cut seams. $595, sallauretta.com

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Pearl master 29
In solid white gold with rounded five piece links, this was created in 1992 but has been revamped with exquisite diamond settings thoughtfully placed at each hour. Price on request, leonardojewelers.com

Scotch & Soda Shrunk Print Tee
This cotton jersey tee shirt is printed with a story book seascape for your adventurous little pirate. $44, shoppittibimi.com

Cartier Tank Anglaise in Steel & Pink Gold with Diamonds
A stainless steel band and face is surrounded by pink gold beset set diamonds on either side. With navy blue steeled hands complimented by a sapphire crystal crown. $16,200, garymichaelsfinejewelry.com

Christina Lombardi Kenzie II Mule
Sure to be your next go to slip ons, made of beautifully rich velvet and complimented by ornamentally detailed fawn nappa and a rose gold heel. $315, christinalombardi.com

Dress the Population Gwen Strappy Midi Dress
Perfect for cocktail hour, this siren red midi is as alluring as it is elegant. $195, bloomingdales.com

TOM FORD Tom N.13
Shiny and sophisticated. Real horn frames are complimented with light blue tinted lenses and finished with shiny rose gold “T” logos on either side. $990, dseye.com

DJI Mavic Pro
Ranked as one of the top consumer drones of 2017, the DJI Mavic has 4K video recording, obstacle avoidance software, and the ability to fly at up to 40mph. It also has the added benefit of folding down to water bottle size. $999, amazon.com

TOM FORD Long Peacoat with Shearling
Crafted of Japanese Melton wool with soft shearling lapels, this long peacoat is made for warmth, but with an ultimate touch of style. $6,390, tomford.com

Gucci Supreme Wallet
Hand crafted in Italy, this calfskin piece is quintessential Gucci. It’s available in both black and tan options, and has signature stripes embossed on the front, as well as brand stamped logos throughout. $380, nordstrom.com

Nicole Benisiti “Fordham” Black Tricolor Slimming Bomber
Lightweight down, trimmed in fox fur and leather detailing along the pocket. $1,500, cocopari.com

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht Master II
Dedicated to yacht enthusiasts and experienced sailors, the newest Oyster is equipped with hands and dial that enhance legibility and sharpens its aesthetic appeal with an ocean blue engraved bezel and a stainless steel bracelet. $18,750, leonardojeweler.com

Alor Gentlemen’s Cuff Links
Exquisite and classy stainless steel cuff links with black cable detail and mother of pearl center for an easy dose of tasteful style. $225 nevesjewelers.com

Blake Kuwahara Gwynn Sunglasses in Grey Horn
These lavender tinted lenses are subdued by tasteful frames suggestive of dark hand stained wood for a simple combination of modern and retro. $585, eyedesignnj.com

Fendi Sweatshirt
Here, a cozy white cotton maxi sweat shirt with wide set in sleeves is decorated with multicolor studs and crystals that just scream Fendi. $1,740, fendi.com

Salvatore Ferragamo Samy Leather Backpack
Sporty and sumptuous, this pack is beautifully crafted from Italian Leather. Available in both Nero Black and Gold. $1390, bloomingdales.com

Michelle Gold Plated Navy Alligator Smartwatch
This hybrid smartwatch beautifully displays the features of a traditional timepiece, but also includes fitness tracking, notifications, haptic vibrations for alerts, and the ability to play music and take photos. $495, wolffinejewelers.com

(full article here)

Churchill Downs Magazine 

Fashion In Field

Photography Clay Cook | Creative directions/styling Gunnar Deatherage | Creative assistant Kate Roach | Hair Ana Catalina Perez | Makeup Bethany Hood, Lauren Bradley | Models Zackary Alexander, Abbey Hedershot, Amanda Limer, Julia Long, Noah Wichman | Photography assistants Hunter Zieske (lead), Chelsea Marrin, Amie Santavicca 

J Brand denim, Lafayette 148 cranberry sweater, Julie Vos chain link bracelet and gold pendant necklace. 
J Brand grey pant, Joseph Pibkoff Tartan coat. 
Elie Tahari black leather pant, Tribe leather vest, Nicole Miller white blouse, Christina Lombardi black pumps. 
Hats by Christine Moore.

Black Joseph Ribcoff military coat, black J Brand denim. Alice and Olivia champagne top and black flare pant. Trina Turk white shirt, Nicole Miller black pant. Heels by Christina Lombardi. Hats by Christine Moore.

Tan Canalie sport coat, charcoal Canali trouser, baby and white Eton button down, baby and brown BIGI tie. St John tweed skirt and jacket. Grey Canali suit, white Eton button down, green and navy striped BIGI tie. Black lace skirt, white flare blouse, black embroidered Kobi Halperin jacket. Heels by Christina Lombardi. Hats by Christina Moore.

Button down by Calvin Klein, belt by Cremieux, trouser by Michael Kors. Burnt orange Antonio Melani dress. Hat by Christine Moore. Heels by Christina Lombardi.

Antonio Melani wine blouse and striped trousers. Antonio Melani trouser, Free People white blouse.  Antonio Melani tan trouser and blazer. Hats by Christine Moore. Heels by Christina Lombardi. 

Ralph Lauren dress. Free people dress. Hats by Christine Moore. Heels by Christina Lombardi. 

CHIC ATTIRE

by Graham Pilotte

Horse racing is known as the Sport of Kings. With a field of sleek horses and hopeful crowds clenching their bets, race day continues to redefine its role in society. Evolving in sophistication while balancing an understanding of consumer trends, the Thoroughbred industry’s distinct parallels to the world of fashion extend far past the finish line. What was once your grandfather’s sport, a day at the track can now be considered an opportunity to show off one’s personal style. And while some may think “track style” is synonymous with “Derby hat” - 2017 Breeders’ Cup fashion partner, Christina Lombardi dares your to walk a furlong in the shoes of the racing industry’s feminine audience. 

Chrissy (as she’s referred to) is the owner and designer of her namesake line which has seen quick success and growth since launching in 2016. Now just one year later, the young designer can add the title of official luxury footwear designer can add the title of official luxury footwear designer for Breeders’ Cup to her accolades. “Fashion has really become a see-and-be0seen aspect of Thoroughbred racing and being an official fashion partner of this year’s Breeders’ Cup is very special to me,” Lombardi says. Showcasing feminine lines and thoughtful details, Lombardi’s footwear has an approachable take on modern elegance. “My brand’s mission is to empower women to feel confident by providing them with accessible glamour.” 

The New Jersey native’s passion for design started at a young age when family outings included afternoons frequenting Monmouth Park Racetrack in Ocean Park, New Juersy. “Decades ago my grandfather owned horses, which led to my dad’s interest in the sport and it trickled down from there,” Lombardi recalls, admitting to getting swept up in the excitement and nostalgia of America’s pastime. “No matter how big or how small the race, whether we had a horse running or not, we’d all head to the track as a family and make our way to the rail to cheer as loud as we could.” Those experiences, combined with a natural design aesthetic, have equipped Lombardi with a unique insight needed for designing women’s footwear in an industry still overwhelmingly male-dominated. “I have firsthand experience of what works and what women are looking for so they can focus on having fun and express themselves in a pair of stilettos without compromising comfort,” Lombardi asserts. 

A quick scroll through her well-curated online showroom reveals thoughtful creations. Flattering lines, trendy textures, and up-to-date prints populate the website, paired with time-tested classics. From delicate sandals to studded flats, each design demonstrates careful work on an elegant product. “It’s really been fun to see my designs evolve over time,” Lombardi says. “Stylistically, I am taking more risks and introducing more custom and complicated components to my work - which, I hope, has helped broaden my clients’ interest. I think it’s very important, for every aspect of life, to be open to evolving as a person in whatever you do.” This can also be said for her approach to the business of fashion. Among other unique brand practices, Christina Lombardi footwear has adopted a post-luxury model approach to design by motion to release only a few styles every two or three months, which allows her to forego the strict seasonality that can sometimes limit designers int he world of retail. 

Theses types of risks are balanced by Lombardi’s artistic sensibilities and a strong sense of the business she’s running. Understanding that brick-and-mortar stores are a relic of fashion retail’s past, instead, she has embraced the work of e-commerce by directly selling to her customers. By doing so, she avoids box box stores and is able to offer buyers luxury products at accessible prices. The product materials are sourced from, and made int the same factories as many of the high-end, powerhouse brands people are familiar with, but much more affordable because of this method. “We want to encourage women to take risks and have fun with fashion, without breaking the bank - or breaking a poorly-made heel,” Lombardi says. 

For fashion enthusiasts seeking an affordable option for trendy footwear, effortless glamour and always-in-style comfort, Christina Lombardi might be the winning ticket. Most of all though, Lombardi urges confidence. “The best piece of advice that I can give anyone, is just do you,” she says. “Don’t feel like you need to wear something because that’s what’s on trend. There’s nothing worse than feeling self-conscious or uncomfortable at the track - or anywhere.” Instead, she says, choose an outfit that reflects your personal style. For her, that’s not always a dress: “My current go-to look for a day at the races is a pair of shorts or three-quarter pants, usually silk or patterned, with a simple tank top or crop top and matching blazer,” Lombardi describes. “Depending on the event or the venue where I’m going, I usually reach for my nude Angelina pumps. If I know I’m going to be walking around all day, like on are day, I’ll pull out the Sofias.” 

While Lombardi’s top selections for event-specific activities roll off her tongue with ease, asking her to pick an overall design favorite presents more of a challenge. “As a new designer, you really become attached to each design as if it’s your own child.” Lombardi says with a laugh. However, if she had to choose one from her recent line, she looks no further than the classic Aria sandal. “Currently, I live in them.” As her designs continue to evolve in style and trends, she is also cognizant of how footwear rotates with the every-fluctuating weather. “I’m looking forward to my Kenzie II flats and Alessandras in the cooler months,” she recalls. “We spent a lot of time shifting the lines of Alessandra so that the end result is the most flattering version possible. The studding accents and color combinations give an added flair of edginess to this updated silhouette.” 

Whether you’re headed to the track, traveling the country, or enjoying the comfort of your own home, there’s no better time than now to be fearless with fashion. Christina Lombardi footwear is a perfect place to start, since the brand seamlessly blends easy elegance and high-end style. “Now is the time to experiment with fashion and find what works for you, enjoy it. Take risks, do it up, and always wear a smile,” Lombardi says.

how this nj native created a line of affordably-priced luxury footwear that’s sold directly to consumers

by jessica jones-gorman photos by anne molnar photography

Christina Lombardi has always loved shoes—sparkly, spiky, round or pointed toes—and for years, amassed an impressive collection. But with each pair she envisioned more: a flirty cut-out here, a sexy ankle strap there.

So, after college and a few years in marketing and advertising, she decided she would launch her own shoe brand.

“I’ve always had a love for fashion and wanted to work in the industry,” Lombardi said. “So, with a lot of support and encouragement from my family and friends, I quit my job and enrolled in some courses at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan.”

A few years later, she moved to Milan to study at Arsutoria, a world-famous fashion school that specializes in the design of footwear and handbags. Later, back in the States, she began studying the business of starting a footwear label.

“After some trial and error, I found a great factory outside Florence, Italy, put a great team in place, and was fortunate to launch my first collection in 2016,” she explained.

Her company, Christina Lombardi, creates footwear that blends ultra-feminine elegance with classic but unique silhouettes.

“My first collection was the toughest because these were my babies,” Lombardi said. “But over the past two years, the process has gotten easier as each collection rolls out.”

Still, the process is comprehensive: Each shoe is handcrafted in Italy. From design to sketching, prototyping, and production, every style is examined, tried, refined, and retried to create designs that appeal to a wide range of women. Lombardi uses only top-of-the-line materials and components, many of which are produced exclusively for her.

“Every pair of shoes is a special work of art,” she said. “The process from sketch to production is extremely labor-intensive and rigorous, so when the factory is hard at work developing my previous collection, I begin work on my next line—researching trends and new technologies and pinning to an inspiration board colors, materials, and patterns that inspire me. Over the years, I’ve built a catalogue of swatches and materials, and I go to trade shows to see what’s new. Then I begin sketching. Flats, heels, sandals, boots—whatever I envision wanting to wear—it just spills out.”

For Lombardi, a New Jersey native who as a little girl would dress up as Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz in a costume complete with ruby-red slippers, the idea of this business is still something of a dream come true.

“Growing up, I had a mannequin and a simple sewing kit in my room that I would play with, making dresses and embellishing shoes—just for fun,” Lombardi said. “I was also inspired by my grandmother, who was always fashionable—she was a model in her day, and used to draw fashion ads for newspapers and magazines. She was an incredible artist, and I think a lot of my inspiration is drawn from her.”

Lombardi also comes from an entrepreneurial family. Her mother owns Sweet Expressions by Geri, a chocolate store, and Foodies, a cooking studio, in Denville, while her father owns SportsCare Physical Therapy, which has more than 70 centers in New Jersey, New York, and Florida. She says her parents were instrumental to her success.

“They always told me that there were no limits to what you can accomplish if you put your mind, heart, and soul into it, and to always reach for the stars,” she said. “Having that kind of support and love instilled in you is a very unique thing.”

Her designs, which range from flats to stilettos, are inspired mostly by her journeys.

“My travels and day-to-day life, as cliché as that sounds,” she noted. “I do find inspiration in patterns, architecture and art, color, and nature when I travel, but ultimately my collections are designed for everyday girl bosses—because we really do run the world. As a woman designing for women, it is important to me that my designs help them feel empowered while also being able to live their lives. I know and live the hustle of balancing a career, a home, a social life, and more, and I want to create shoes for ladies to wear through it all.”

She thinks the best feature of her shoes might be their comfort.

“We create a high-quality, luxury aesthetic with added comfort,”  Lombardi noted. “A lot of beautiful shoes are just not wearable for more than an hour or two. We strive to make ours feel as good as they look. We use the same factories and suppliers as the major fashion houses, but are able to bring our products to a broader spectrum of women. But we have also been told that our leathers and patterns are what our customers love. We custom-make a lot of our materials and components, and I think that gives a bit of uniqueness in an overpopulated market.”

Lombardi’s enterprise has also enjoyed success because of its direct-to-consumer business model. Styles are available online at christina-lombardi.com as well as on Amazon.

“Today, e-commerce is becoming the standard in retail,” she said. “By skipping the big-box stores, we are able to offer footwear directly to the consumer at a more attainable price. We’re still creating beautiful shoes with the same passion and craftsmanship; we’re just cutting costs by bringing our product straight to buyers,” adding that her business model also allows the company to over lines more quickly, avoiding strict seasonal release dates.

This summer, Lombardi’s best sellers were the Aria slide and anything featuring the company’s palm or maiolica prints.

“But as we transition into fall, the Kenzie II mules and anything in pony hair and velvet are really picking up,” she said. “The embellishment and craftsmanship on the studded Kenzie IIs is just incredible. They are handcrafted, and the attention to detail is off the charts. They are like little gems for your feet. Our nude patent leather Alessandra with studs is also a very solid seller throughout the seasons—it’s the perfect nude pump with a little something extra.”

Despite her success, Lombardi wants to do more than sell shoes. “My mission is to empower women and help them feel confident by providing them with accessible glamour,” she explained. “As a woman designing for women, I have firsthand experience in what works: what they want to wear, are comfortable wearing, and what it is like to run around all day in a pair of stilettos. Those experiences combined with my design aesthetic gives Christina Lombardi the ability to allow women to have fun and express themselves with fashion, while not having to compromise the comforts and certain aspects of their day-to-day lives.”

What’s next?

“I intend to continue to stick to, while expanding on, that message in the future,” she said. “I will always be hands-on in every aspect of the process, which I think is so important in such a fast-fashion, robotic world. I think handbags would be something fun to dabble in, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say I have been getting pressure from day one to do men’s shoes— thanks to my dad and husband—so we’ll see where life takes us in terms of that!

Christina Lombardi

(full article here)

CHRISTINA LOMBARDI 

With the launch of her new eponymous Italian shoe line, this New York City transplant has taken the District by storm. 

The best way to describe my approach to fashion is:  I need to be comfortable, look fabulous and throw on pieces that dont require a ton of effort. My style icon is…my grandmother - she attended the Fashion Instite of Technology and dew advertisements in newspapers for department stores She always had the most amazing costume jewelry and silk blouses. I recently found a picture of her from before I was born and she was wearing a tuxedo to a wedding she attended - with a red bow tie. I never leave the home without…my sunglasses. They really enhance a look, and I’m really into Prada’s styles this season. My favorite designers are… Dolce & Gabbana. They make the most beautiful pieces and send such a great message of love. When it comes to footwear, always…have fun! Shoes can make or break an outfit. And they can make or break  your confidence if they aren’t comfortable. As a woman designing for women, it’s very important for me to strike the balance of glamour, fun and comfort. Footwear should always empower women.

“One of my favorite items is a beautiful purse from Milan: it was the first gift my husband bought me. It comes from a wonderfully talented craftsman at a market along the Navigli River in Milan”

Quest Fresh Finds

By Daniel Cappello and Elizabeth Meigher

OUR ANNUAL AUGUST issue always celebrates the “Quest 400”—the best of the social set and of the city we call home. So we called upon some favorite bold-faced fashion names to help get the shopping started: Carolina Herrera, Stuart Weirzman, Edie Parker, and Mikimoto. But the shopping doesn’t stop there, so keep flipping through these pages for more finds to call your own.

"High-end hardware adorns the high-style shape of Christina Lombardi's Angelina heel in nude patent"

3 Chic Work Outfits You Haven't Thought of Yet

We are so happy to announce that we have received all pre-order items and are fully restocked!

Visit our site to get this fall's must have styles today! We ship worldwide!

Hope you all have a fabulous Friday!

xx - Christina

Happy Friday from Italy, where @christinalombardicollections are hand crafted and now available for purchase on our online store! We are excited to bring you along for the journey!

Follow us on instagram @christinalombardicollections and like us on facebook @CLCShoes for exclusive behind the scenes posts from our trip!

Media Contact:

Jim Gluckson, Breeders’ Cup, 212-230-9512, jgluckson@breederscup.com

                                 Hayley Karlan, Nike Communications, 646-654-3445, hkarlan@nikecomm.com

BREEDERS’ CUP ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH DESIGNER CHRISTINA LOMBARDI

Christina Lombardi Collection to Serve as Breeders’ Cup’s Exclusive Luxury Footwear Partner

 PASADENA, CA. (September 18, 2016) – Today the Breeders’ Cup announces a partnership with Christina Lombardi Collection, the new luxury footwear label designed by Christina Lombardi, for the 33^rd Breeders’ Cup World Championships taking place November 4 and 5 at Santa Anita Park in Pasadena, California. Through the new partnership, attendees of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships will have exclusive access to Christina Lombardi’s newest footwear collection at pop-up venues in the Langham Hotel, Santa Anita Park and at the Finish Line Celebration. Already considered one of the most prestigious horse racing events in the world, the Breeders’ Cup’s commitment to high level fashion partners, both established and emerging, reaffirms the race’s unique foothold as the ultimate lifestyle, style, and entertainment experience.

Launched earlier this year, the Christina Lombardi Collection is the designer’s eponymous footwear label. Inspired by the designer’s travels to Italy, family history and passion for Italian beauty, the line makes use of the finest and most luxurious materials to create a one of a kind product that highlights the confidence and glamour of all women. Daughter of horse owner Ron Lombardi, who’s horse Tightend Touchdown placed second and sixth in the Turf Sprint race in the 2013 and 2014 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Christina has been a horse-racing fan her entire life and has become a race day fashion expert.

“Christina Lombardi’s design aesthetic perfectly aligns with the Breeders’ Cup luxury experience,” Craig Fravel, President and CEO of the Breeders’ Cup. “Christina’s love of the sport makes her a natural fit for the partnership, and we are excited to give fans access to the Christina Lombardi Collection at this year’s event.”

During Breeders’ Cup World Championship week, Christina Lombardi Collection will have a dedicated space at the Langham Hotel in the Breeders’ Cup Official Hospitality Lounge for shoppers to browse the brand’s twelve different shoe styles, ranging from heels and half-booties to flats. Throughout the weekend, fans can also visit Christina Lombardi Collection’s lounge at Santa Anita Park and enjoy a complimentary glass of sparkling wine while trying on the designer’s Autumn/Winter 2016 collection.

Christina Lombardi Collection will also take part in the Longines Prize of Elegance, the annual competition that honors the best dressed men and women at the races, by gifting finalists a pair of shoes in addition to the grand prize of a Longines timepiece. [BC Team to confirm]

About Breeders’ Cup

The Breeders’ Cup administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Thoroughbred racing’s year-end Championships. The Breeders’ Cup also administers the Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifying series, which provides automatic starting positions into the Championships races. The 2015 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, consisting of 13 (grade I) races and purses totaling $26 million, will be held Oct. 30-31 at Keeneland in Lexington, KY and will be televised live by the NBC Sports Group. Breeders’ Cup press releases appear on the Breeders’ Cup Web site, www.breederscup.com. You can also follow the Breeders’ Cup on social media platforms Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.