Star-Stitched

Kinetix energy at a hip downtown retailer.

By Carol Tisch

If you’re wondering who dresses the beautiful people in Sarasota—the hip, young, vibrant ones —look no further than Stitch Boutique, which became the closest thing to an under-the-radar-club Friday night with a party celebrating its newest coup: exclusive dibs on the hot new Kinetix Clothing line.

Vinny Sizemore, Ramses Serrano, Tess Evanoff, and Shay Wilson

The sliver of a store was packed with fans and friends of Vinny Sizemore, who runs the operation, and his business partner Tess Evanoff, perhaps better known as the owner of Sarasota’s Spa Hollywood. Fortunately for this reporter, the young cognoscenti and fashionistas at this fete were really good people: down-to earth as they were gorgeous, and graciously welcoming —although allusions to their mothers’ hair, clothing and even cameras did tactfully come up (albeit with intriguing but well-intentioned suggestions for a makeover).

For a fleeting moment, the thought of a new me was tempting. If Tess Evanoff, just 26 days away from giving birth to her first child looked so amazing in a skin-tight Kinetix tee-shirt, perhaps I could, too. On second thought, I decided to take my pictures and leave the chaperoning to Vinny’s long-time pal Kelly Campayno, who helped him with meeting, greeting and serving drinks – astonishingly unspoiled considering she looks remarkably like Bo Derek at her peak (second impression: Bo Derek with brains): Kelly sold nuclear medical equipment prior to becoming marketing director of WG Mills, Inc. a major construction management firm here in town.

The King of Kings T shirt

Everyone came out to meet charming and remarkably unassuming Shay Wilson, the designer and founder of two-year-old Kinetix Clothing. A former model for Calvin Klein, Hugo Boss and Marc Jacobs (to name a few), Shay was a designer at 575 Denim before starting his L.A.-based company, now famous for jackets and shirts. He told me he went into tops because he had a non-compete for bottoms. No problem: The success of Kinetix is meteoric, with customers like Barney’s, Fred Siegel, Neiman Marcus—and Stitch Boutique.

I asked him, “Why Stitch?” Wilson replied, “It’s the hippest boutique in Sarasota. I’m on the road all the time to be sure we’re only in stores that mirror our philosophy. Stitch has the exclusive for our brand in all of Central Florida.” It also helps that Kinetex’s director of operations for Florida and Latin America is Sarasotan Ramses Serrano. Serrano, proprietor of the Sonnet Gallery here, is typical of the multi-tasking entrepreneurs who shop at Stitch and eschew stereotypical “dress for success” attire.

These guys would rather wear clothes that celebrate individuality and artistry, like Kinetix’s Leonardo Da Vinci tees and hoodies, or the King of Kings tee—clothes that have attracted celebrities from Rachael Hunter to Andy Dick and hip hop star, Tricky.

“Shay is one of the great upscale designers today,” Serrano said. “He is one of five hot designers whose clothes have the right mix of quality, luxury and urban street style.” Check out the website to view the celebrities who agree.

Stitch Boutique, 1636 Main Street, Sarasota, (941) 366-7268

Posted: 5/6/2007 8:56:15 AM | 0 comments

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