March 25, 2008

Teach Their Own

Elliot Mann Spring Collection

Obi-Wan to Luke. Tim Gunn to Christian. Ari Gold to Lloyd.

It’s tough to achieve greatness without a larger-than-life mentor. Which is why Danish designer Louise Mann named her label Elliot Mann, after her mentor-slash-grandfather figure.

Her clothes are as sweet as the gesture, but you’d never know it: Mann’s designs debuted for spring 2006 but until now have been available exclusively in Europe and Japan.

Have a field day with the spring collection — an eclectic mix of casual shirts and dresses in light-as-air fabrics like chiffon and China silk. Standouts include a crinkled metallic tunic and green pin-tucked shirtdress, both of which are soft and seriously feminine.

If we were Mann’s mentors, we’d be beaming with pride.

And more than happy to hug it out.

Available at La Rousse, 430 Virginia Street (206-448-1515). To see styles, go to elliotmann.com.