Emersonmade Proves That It’s Never Too Early To Revive A Trend

When I first received a Facebook message from Emersonmade, a Portsmouth, New Hampshire-based brand specializing in fabric floral pins, I assumed it was another crappy, desperate label trying conjure a bit of press from an “up-and-coming” fashion blog. I might have been right about the push for press, but I was definitely wrong about the concept and quality of the product.

Emersonmade is doing something rebellious with its poppies, roses and dahlias. It’s attempting to revive a trend last taken seriously around 2000, when Sarah Jessica Parker’s Carrie Bradshaw made flowers as ubiquitous as Manolos on Sex and The City. This style was certainly not for everyone–some found the often-garish flowers to be vomit-inducing–but overall, it was seen as a sweet, playful accoutrement. Until it wasn’t.

But while Bradshaw’s flowers were wild, outlandish and above all, exaggerated, Emersonmade’s versions–in beautiful, muted colors like dusty pink and denim blue–are classic, preppy and definitely beautiful. It helps that the two founders, a married couple who recently moved to New Hampshire after spending ten years living in SoHo, are so fresh-faced that they could pass for a pair of J.Crew models. The floral pins of the early Naughts may have been worthy of Elle or Glamour magazine, but pieces from Emersonmade belong in Martha Stewart Weddings, on Design Sponge or maybe even in the Vogue Index.

By the way, Mickey Drexler, if you’re reading this: I would immediately approach Emersonmade regarding a collaboration with J.Crew. Glen Sank’s people over at Anthropologie are surely already on the case.

Full disclosure: Emersonmade sent me a box of floral pins before the holidays. While I haven’t worn one yet, it’s been useful because I was able to make sure the items were solidly constructed. (There is not a stitch out of place and the fabric is anything but flimsy.) Be the first to email me on lauren@tfbeat.com and I’ll send you this gorgeous Big Dandy clutch, which is going to be very difficult to part with!