Two decades in, Monica Paolini and Sean Monahan are seasoned mariners of the sea of fashion. For resort, they steered their ship to Newburgh, New York, the location for their resort lookbook. “Because of being inspired by maritime workers and growing up in a river town upstate in the Hudson Valley, we decided to shoot it actually in our hometown,” Paolini explained. “Instead of going somewhere exotic, we just decided to keep it back to our roots since it is our 20th anniversary,” she added. “Bringing everything home.”
Their resort trawl includes garments with nautical and fishing elements, romantic and lacy lingerie looks, and dandyish tuxedo dressing. Or, as Paolini put it, “I thought about an elegance to practicality . . . a practical and romantic approach to everyday clothes.”
A new label “Sea NY & Supply,” attached to some garments was a nod to the vintage sporting goods that the designer referenced. A cheery daffodil yellow raincoat spoke to utility as did camo cargo pants, a windbreaker, and cargo skirt set. Scarf prints featured fish, and creel baskets reimagined for landlubbers had foulard-wrapped handles. There was a cummerbund apron and another smart-looking leather one that was, Paolini said, very popular on set. It’s shown with this season’s one-and-done dress that looks like a polo worn over a shirt with a skirt.
Prep segued to precious when lace and pearls entered the picture. Paolini believes in both bloomers and culottes. And she’s into colors like jade and amethyst. “It just feels like freshness,” she said.
