In my last post, I mentioned I found a dress by a previously unknown–at least to me–designer named Andrea Jovine. Several of you, Dievca, Sinead, 1WriteWay et al, wanted to see the dress. So here she is.
It’s of black ponte fabric. Nice and stretchy but with plenty of structure too. It works double duty: it gives and holds. The illusion of a crop top overlay together with a simple oversized grommet detail smack up front with criss-crossed ribbon are the only design details.
Jovine? So fine!
After conducting my investigations, it appears Andrea Jovine was a popular American “Bridge” designer who launched in 1983 to offer an alternative to professional women who wanted comfortable chic instead of the Wall Street Warriorwoman get-up of the era.
Bridge is one of those terms used only in the US fashion industry that denotes a price level below Designer but above Contemporary (There’s also Moderate, Missy, Better, High-end; I heard Upscale Niche Contemporary recently… Really, dude? They all overlap anyway. One woman’s Bridge is another one’s Better.)
Geez, Grommet!
Jovine’s story is quite interesting. A grad of FIT she built her business quickly unlike many of her struggling peers. Women welcomed her brand of ease and glamour.
She soon attracted an investor, Victor Coopersmith, a dress salesman who had risen to become head of another NYC 80s apparel mainstay, Adrienne Vittadini. The attraction became romantic and they married. As a Seventh Avenue power couple they built an apparel business of $100 million at its peak but struggled to keep it afloat in the late 90s.
In 1998 in a tragic accident her husband was killed at age 51 while swimming in Lake Powell near Page, Arizona.
Nowadays, Jovine’s name is not often heard in the industry although she maintains an accessories and interiors business.
I’ll be wearing my Jovine number tomorrow. Those 80s vixens in their rejection of the dress-for-success cliché of masculine shoulders and pin stripe, might have styled it with red stilettos, big earrings and a briefcase. To give you an idea, here’s one of Jovine’s old ad campaigns:
Werrrrk!
If I’m to match her stride, I’ll be stealing from the men however and sporting it with these…
Speaking in brogue
If you see me, let me know what you think of my Jovine!
Jackie Mallon 
Love, love the dress, even more so with the brogues (or a pair of flat boots)
Right up your street, I think.
I have all manner of boots to wear with it too. Hate to see Winter leave because it’s my footwear season. Not really a sandals girl at heart.
Funny…I have hated sandals since I can remember. And don’t get me started on the Roman-style ones…
Would love to see you in the dress! It looks perfect and constructed of my favorite fabric 🙂
Is that the next of it?! Today I’m wearing… You might have to make do with it on the hanger 🙂
OMG! Jackie the dress is absolutely fabulous! I am sure you looked stunning — I missed seeing you around NYC. The brogues are great, too. I love the history and haven’t heard the word “bridge” collection in awhile. XO
PS. The advert is cool, too.
I knew you’d appreciate it, D. I feel you would rock it more like that advert 🙂
I wish — not enough curves. XO
🙂 Oh, yes, I’d love to see you in the dress and how you sport(ed) it!
Can’t somebody take a pic of you wearing it – perhaps copying the ad?
The ad is great – so very 80’ies 🙂 xo
Copying the ad now, is it?! 🙂 You’re all getting carried away 🙂
I’d love to see you in the dress. Im sure you look gorgeous in it x
Well, it’s a very friendly dress. It makes you feel good on those tricky days 🙂
I’m so upset I still haven’t got hold of your book. I got a friend to order it for me and send it to her house but she bought the kindle version by mistake. Doh. Haha. I can’t wait to read it!!
Oh, I hope it’s worth the wait when you do get your paws on it. If only you could read Turkish 🙂
I am sure it will be worth the wait! If u want to get something done, you have to do it yourself! ;p
Oh, it’s lovely. Feminine and a little quirky. I love things that are a little bit different.
It’s a keeper, Olivia. One of those dresses that will get you out of many a tricky spot. In fact, now I think about it I’ll wear it to a friend’s leaving dinner tomorrow night…Sorted! What a problem solver you are. 🙂
Jackie I love the dress, it looks gorgeous & if it’s forgiving too, it sounds like a magic garment. The shoes are a perfect match, although I do also really like the boots in the add. I see you’ve batted away requests of you in the dress so I won’t ask 😉