Equine by Design: Top Equestrian Designers
By Laurel Scott
Irene Filacchione
Connoisseur Equestrian Collection
301-830-1796; www.connequestrian.com
The elegance of dressage meets the chic sophistication of European couture in Irene Filacchione's designs for Connoisseur Equestrian Collection.
A rider for more than 20 years, Filacchione's longtime interest in dressage is matched only by her passion for fashion. "My background is in retail with Bloomingdale's and the May Company," the Potomac, Maryland, resident explains. "I was a buyer for many years and did product development overseas for the corporation. But even before I got into retail and worked for the United Nations, my love was always fashion, and I designed my clothes and had them made to my specifications when I lived in Vienna, Austria. So I have a long love affair with fashion design."
As a professional "shopper" who also rides, Filacchione found equestrian clothing sadly wanting in terms of quality, style and performance. So she started her own equestrian clothing company, naming it after a former Region 9 Prix St. George champion she owns. "I founded Connoisseur Equestrian Collection based on my vision of what I wanted to wear when I school my horses," she explains. "I wanted to offer colorful, coordinated, high-quality and chic designs for the woman who is particular about what she wears [when schooling]."
Gone are the grungy jeans and sweats that so many riders wear around the barn. In their place are stylish and practical garments that make clever use of color. "I make it easy to put together a versatile wardrobe in either tonal or contrast color combinations where tops, vests and several jackets (along with socks and matching saddle pads) present a chic, sophisticated look suited for the most discriminating woman," the designer says.
article continues below|
|
"I feel color--I mean pretty color--is important, and I'm winning over many women who used to wear khaki or whatever color they felt did not 'show' dirt."
These garments also fit well and are comfortable, being made from Filacchione's own washable, durable fabrics--various combinations of triblend (cotton, polyester and spandex) that dry quickly, but that have the look and feel of cotton. "My bonded lightweight jacket repels hay and is the most comfortable jacket in the world," she offers. "[Dressage star] Yvonne Barteau says I should advertise it as 'the best jacket you'll ever own,' and I agree."
"The other thing I consider important is that when you layer my shirt, vest, bonded jacket and quilted jacket on top... they all fit on top of each other in a super-comfortable way--no pinching, no pulling; just a perfect look," she notes.
Not surprisingly, clothes with these characteristics also speak to the general market. "My collections have appealed to the non-rider right from the beginning, as well as to the golfer--and my line can now be found in top resorts worldwide," she attests.
A dedicated businesswoman, Filacchione remains a dedicated horsewoman, as well, lamenting (as many of us do) that she can only ride "as often as my business allows, which is not often enough."
