Moving to a new location!!!

To all the leather lovers out there who have faithfully followed my tips, explored their elegance, and loved their Ines Gloves:

Thank you so much for supporting Friends of Elegance Canada! From now on, however, I will be posting exclusively to Friends of Elegance, which can be accessed from the main Ines Gloves website. Check back often for even more leather elegance from a uniquely Canadian perspective!

Ines Gloves' glove of the week

Oh, how I love my warm gloves! This week's glovey feature presents a very stylish, very unique way to keep your hands warm in cool weather. As always, Ines gives us flexibility in fashion!

Introducing my shearling-lined suede long gloves...

These suede gloves are wonderfully warm and lined with shearling wool for added comfort. Very hot, very chic!!!

Wear them pulled up over the elbow to show off the luxurious gray suede...

Or fold them down to reveal a soft, shearling lining...

Either way, my shearling-lined suede long gloves are certain to please the eyes and warm the hands!

Leather trends for fall 2013 - an overview of what's to come!

As much as I don't like to admit it, the cool gusts of autumn are starting to blow in. Fortunately with that comes the ability to dust off your leather gloves, hats, jackets, and pants! Before heading out to watch the leaves change color, take a look at the latest and newest fashion trends for fall...

Once again, leather remains huge on the runways and in the minds of our favorite fashion designers. This season, leather has become more than simply accessories - gloves remain very much a large part of our fall wardrobe, but they are now accompanied by pants, skirts, and vintage-style jackets.

~ popular design label Mulberry has decided to make leather their go-to material for fall.  

Feel free to dress head-to-toe in leather! If you dare to do this, be careful not to mix too many colors. The model pictured above looks beautiful in cranberry leather, which includes a pair of my sensual past elbow gloves in my wine. Wearing long gloves in this way will give you an accessory to show off once you remove your coat! Delightful!

We all have leather accessories in our closets - gloves, boots, and the staple leather coat. However, designers have really capitalized on the total leather look for fall...

~ Chanel looks very cozy in a fashionable pleated leather skirt, offset by icy white my where are my fingers gloves.

We have lots of new trends in store, so stay tuned for future posts that explore each new leathery trend in detail.

Tools used in the art of glovemaking

The making of gloves is a very intense process that requires a creative mind and a steady hand. Historically, glovemakers used the three tools pictured above to create their very desirable accessories:

~ embroidery scissors: small, precise, very sharp scissors that enable access to the sharp curvatures of the glove to carefully snip the ends of thread when stitching leather panels together.

~ glove darner: inserted into the fingertips of the glove to sew areas of these tight seams or to repair holes in gloves.

~ darning egg: a wooden tool used to provide a solid surface upon which the thumbs of a glove can be stitched and properly set.

Glove tools in history - button hook

Women in the Victoria era would not be seen in public without their gloves. At this time, however, gloves were made to fit so tightly that assistance was needed in buttoning their gloves.

And so, the button hook was used...

The steel button hook was quite often attached to a handle that was either quite decorative (as above) or simple. The hook is inserted through the buttonhole to grasp the button shank (the metal loop on the back of a button). The button is then drawn through the buttonhole, closing the glove.


Gloves throughout history: gloves of the round table

It was during the Renaissance period that gloves really began to take on very special and unique meanings. Use caution when handling your Ines gloves, as you never know when history can repeat itself!

Handing a glove to a specific person labeled that person as an enemy. The next step involved throwing that glove under the feet of the enemy. Let the duel begin!

Receiving a glove from a lady had a very different meaning...

The giving of a woman's glove to a male suitor was a symbol of great love and reverence. As a token of his esteem, the recipient would proudly wear this cherished glove around his neck in a special bag.

Ines spotlight on Canadian designers - Denis Gagnon

We all love leather, and because of this, we love fashion designers who love leather. Enter Canadian designer Denis Gagnon, a Quebec, Canada native who uses his stylish collections to indulge in his preferred fetish material... leather!

Denis' creative artistry originally manifested itself in making costumes for theatre troupes. Then, in 2000, he debuted his first solo collection to a huge response.

Denis is known worldwide for his couture approach to using leather in his designs. His pieces are themselves works of art, made from the combination of precision and style. In the photograph above, you are seeing a first glimpse of Denis Gagnon's fall/ winter collection for this coming season. The model seems to be celebrating by wearing gloves very similar to my where are my fingers gloves! These unique gloves will make a unique addition to any fall ensemble.

What an elegant use of leather! A slightly oversized bolero-like leather jacket with beautiful long sensual past elbow gloves. Wearing shorter sleeves like this will definitely work to show off your fantastic gloves...

Leather is still going strong in the fashion world, and shows no signs of disappearing. Make leather accessories part of your daily ensemble, as they are both practical and very fashionable!

Bring your Ines Gloves out of storage!!!

It's that time of year again... the warm evenings of summer are cooling off, and the leaves will soon begin to fall. It's now time to bring your favorite Ines Gloves out of storage and once again make them part of your daily wardrobe!

It is very important to store your leather gloves properly throughout the spring and summer to ensure long life. Fashionable leather gloves are typically made from the highest quality sheep and lambskin, which are thinner, softer, and more delicate when compared to cowhide. A leather conditioner is very important, but to preserve the suppleness of your favorite leather gloves, here are a few easy tips for storage:  

~ when storing leather gloves for a long period of time, keep them in a well-ventilated, dark area. This will ensure that the leather remains soft and supple without becoming moldy. A dark area is especially important, as sunlight tends to dry out the leather, causing it to crack.

~ however you choose to store your gloves, make sure that they lay flat. Leather is a type of skin, and so it can become permanently creased over time.

~ do not store your leather gloves in a sealed plastic bag! Because it is a natural material, leather needs to breath. The best option is to carefully wrap your gloves in cloth (while laying them flat, of course).

~ if your gloves happen to become wet, do not heat them up to dry them! Simply allow them to air dry. Drying your gloves using mechanical means will cause them to lose their natural oils, causing the leather to become brittle. 

As with anything, if properly cared for, it will last you a lifetime. Ines Gloves are no exception. They are made from the highest quality hides, and so deserve the highest quality care!

Ines Gloves' glove of the week

This week's glovey special is for those who truly wish to make a bold fashion statement... introducing my elbow high leather gauntlet gloves!

These daring gloves include a flared arm piece that is meant to be worn over the sleeves of your jacket, blouse, or coat. The hand of the glove is unlined, but the cuff has a soft leather lining. This way, your hands are treated to a delightful leather hiding place when worn.

My elbow high leather gauntlet gloves are made from the highest quality leather, and are designed to be bold, yet fashionable. As a special treat, we can even include a beautiful Swarovski ring on the middle or ring finger for a very elegant touch.

Also, these unique gauntlet gloves are for men and for women! Try them out, and I guarantee both you and your onlookers will love them!

Kate Upton sssizzles in Ines glossy leather

Supermodel Kate Upton indulges in a pair of brilliantly black my sensual glossy almost elbow high gloves. These patent leather gloves look delightful when paired with a shorter sleeved dress, and the unique snake scale pattern shows off your elegance... with an edge!  

Did you know???

The traditional gift for the third wedding anniversary is leather!!

The third year of marriage is most often when a couple first becomes aware of the durability of their relationship. Being one of the most durable materials, leather has traditionally been the gift of choice for this celebration.

Congratulations to all our leather lovers celebrating their third wedding anniversary this year!

Glove tools in history - glove box

Victorian women would often store their gloves in ornate wooden boxes when not in use. As you can see, the gloves are laid flat so as to avoid creases, and are stored with a glove stretcher and a buttonhook for easy access when needed.

A guide to glove button length

The length of any glove is historically measured in "buttons", which dates back to a time when buttons on gloves were intentionally sewn to be precisely 1-inch apart. Button length refers to the distance measured from the base of the glove thumb to the topmost part of a glove.

~ 2-button: 8 - 9 inches in length, reaching just to the wrist without passing it.

~ my pearl shorty gloves

~ 4-button: 10 - 11 inches in length, covering the wrist and extending several inches up the forearm

~ my warm silk brocade gloves

~ 6-button: 12 - 13 inches in length, extending along the forearm and often including a gauntlet-style sleeve

~ my elbow high leather gauntlet gloves

~ 8-button: 14 - 15 inches in length, reaching just to the elbow without passing it.

~ my sensual glossy almost elbow high gloves

~ 12-button: 18 - 19 inches in length, reaching just past the elbow.

~ my sensual cashmere past elbow gloves

~ 16-button: 22 - 23 inches in length, typically ending towards the middle of the upper arm. this glove length represents the classic "opera length glove".

~ my sensual stretch leather shoulder high gloves

~ 21-button: 27 - 29 inches in length, reaching all the way to the shoulder.

~ my sensual indulging up-shoulder gloves

Glovey elegance in Ancient Egypt...

 

The climate in Ancient Egypt may have been sweltering, but it was not enough to stop pharaohs and Egyptian women from enjoying a lovely pair of gloves.

As you might expect, Egyptian men wore gloves to protect their hands in battle or when working. However, the great pharaohs (such as King Tutankhamun) wore them as a symbol of their station.

~ a preserved glove belonging to King Tutankhamun

Ancient Egyptian women had it best, though, when it came to wearing gloves. Similar to our Ines Gloves, women used their gloves to beautify their hands! They would begin their beauty regime by rubbing their hands with honey and fragrant oils, and would them place their treated hands in a thin pair of silk gloves!

Ines loves Lanvin cow leather gloves

Lanvin has wonderfully embellished upon my fashion cow hands driving gloves to create a delightful past elbow glove that is both pleasing to the eye and just a lot of fun!

The Ines creation is made of unique, high quality, hair-on cow leather for a very creative approach to gloves. We love it!!

Ines Gloves' glove of the week

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to wrap yourself in leather while you sleep? Well, now you can find out with an entire bedroom collection made specifically by Ines Gloves!

 We would like to introduce my tasteful bed-couch glove, and all of the wonderful accessories that can be added to create a bedroom of luxury and elegance.

~ my tasteful neck-roll glove

~ my tasteful pillow glove

This king-size cover is made from delightfully soft sheepskin, and lined with a sensual red silk lining. Four red leather tassels hang from each corner of the cover. Sleep soundly and comfortably while breathing in the rich scent of leather. Sweet dreams!

Glove tools in history - powder shaker

A Victorian woman would often carry a small wooden shaker containing powder to assist her in donning her gloves. Leather gloves would often stick together; applying powder would allow her hand to slip easily into her gloves before stepping outside.

Madonna at the Met

This year's Met Gala took place in May, with a Punk and Chaos-themed evening. Celebrities wore leather, bling, bright prints, and fabulous designs.

Madonna was no exception... this ultimate princess of pop delighted onlookers with her Givenchy outfit...

Me? I'm loving her gloves! Very blingy, with just an edge of elegance...

If you want to add an edge to your gala ensemble, visit Ines Gloves and check out my fashionista two strap black and white leather gloves. Elegant leather gloves with a twist!

Ines spotlight on Canadian designers - Todd Lynn

Todd Lynn takes centre stage, stepping out from behind the scenes where he has been quietly creating wardrobe for the music industry's elite. He is rock n' roll's best kept secret! His clients include Bono and Adam Clayton from U2; The Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Ronnie Wood; Marilyn Manson; Soft Cell's Marc Almond; Courtney Love; and PJ Harvey.

Todd Lynn launched his much-anticipated eponymous collection in London to press and buyers in September, 2006. His collection embodies the easy, dark, and beautiful rock n' roll cool that his music industry heavy-hitters have long appreciated. The collection incorporates the hybrid fusion of perfect tailoring and casual deconstruction. Once the sole domain of his celebrity bespoke clientele, now the world at large can access the Todd Lynn aesthetic.

The style-conscious and rock n' roll fan alike can get their hands on the goods at the world's top fashion retailers!

This combination of fur and my sensual shoulder-high leather gloves is perfect rock n' roll chic! This makes for a very classic look with a touch of edginess! Functional, yet fabulous!

Dressing from head-to-toe in leather is an ideal way to really indulge your senses! The scent and soft feel of the leather instills confidence, exudes elegance, and appeals to every eye... the leather look can be toned down with a sexy suit jacket or accented with a pair of colored leather gloves. Try a pair of my fashion scoop half gloves in My fire!

I love the look of a long leather jacket... very classy and ultimately sexy and slimming for a very sleek look. If you really want to show off your leather gloves, a pair of almost elbow high gauntlet gloves can be worn over the jacket.

Leather pants are a must-have for any leather enthusiast! Very sexy, and can really be worn in any season... pants paired with my sensual past elbow gloves is great for a spring day. Show a little skin, with a touch of elegance.

Black is certainly not the only color for leather! White leather gives off a lot of charm and appeal, making for the ultimate get-noticed, classy look... white is also very easy to complement with colored short every day glace gloves - my fire, my sweets, or even my candy!