Tropical print ankle-cuff pump, Gianvito Rossi for Altuzarra ($795). Neiman Marcus, Copley Place, 617-536-3660. Black canvas clutch with etched landscape, Dries Van Noten ($720). Barneys New York, Copley Place, 617-385-3300.

For spring many designers looked to dramatic foreign landscapes, utilizing digital and photo prints as a way to bring those exotic inspirations home and give them new life. Peter Som took classic blooms and presented them in whimsical saturated blues, while Mary Katrantzou designed digital tromp l’oeil interiors. It was Joseph Altuzarra's lush hothouse tropics and Dries Van Noten’s dreamy 17th century botanical etchings that brought these bold graphics to front of mind, though. Such super-charged accessories have us daydreaming of far-off destinations and channeling our own adventurous spirit—through our wardrobe, that is.

Eco-minded celebrities, including singer Florence Welch, actors Mark Ruffalo and Rosario Dawson, and director Spike Lee, teamed with Kiehl’s to create Earth Day-inspired label art for the brand’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque ($23).

The labels feature artwork reflecting each contributor’s vision of social responsibility, and celebrity photographer Timothy White shot the photos for the accompanying ad campaign. Throughout the month of April, Kiehl’s is donating 100 percent of net profits from the sale of each limited edition tub, up to $100,000, to Recycle Across America, a non-profit that promotes recycling through simple, standardized sorting labels.

Formulated with Amazonian white clay, the masque replenishes and revitalizes skin while reducing the look of enlarged pores—and it works with all skin types. In addition to ultra-rejuvenating white clay, sourced at the basin of the Amazon River, the masque is packed with soothing aloe vera and oatmeal. 112 Newbury St.,617-247-1777

All-natural canvas and leather lace-up shoes by Salvatore Ferragamo

As winter sheds its gloomy haze, we get ready to leap into spring. March welcomes the beginning of the season and the freshest trend in footwear: the canvas lace-up. The lighter version of a sophisticated work shoe, the canvas lace-up turns a classic navy suit into a full spring look, and goes all the way to summer as the weather starts to steam. All-natural canvas and leather lace-up shoes, Salvatore Ferragamo ($575). The Tannery, 711 Boylston St., 617-267-5500.

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Nina Ricci silk floral dress ($1,690)

 

Valentino Aphrodite handbag ($2,095)

 

Fendi Fendista coral and taupe peep toe slingback platform pump ($820)

 

Dior Garden Clutch makeup palette for glowing eyes and lips with eyeshadows and lip gloss ($75)

 

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Waist-Defining Dresses  
“Ladylike dressing is always current, especially in spring. In this season of ladylike refinement, the dress with a defined waist is the perfect addition to any woman’s wardrobe, especially floral prints and special embroideries, in an array of feminine fabrications.”
Gretchen’s Pick - Nina Ricci silk floral dress ($1,690)
 
The New Skirt  
“Novel skirts were seen all over the runways for Spring/Summer 2012. New skirt silhouettes include the pleated skirt, the fuller skirt and the skirt with a flounced hemline.”  
Gretchen’s Pick - Akris Punto navy floral printed pleated skirt ($795)
 
Petite Purses
“This season’s must-have bags are scaled back in size and are a demure companion to the refined ladylike look.”
Gretchen’s Pick - Valentino Aphrodite handbag ($2,095)
 
Brightly Colored Platforms  
“This season’s must-have shoe is a bright colored platform. This season’s shoe is also available in mixed-media which combines high-contrast material in varying colors and finishes.”
Gretchen’s Pick - Fendi Fendista coral and taupe peep toe slingback platform pump ($820)
 
The Tropic of Color
“Spring brings with it an assortment of tropical color palettes for makeup. Exotic eyes reflect the saturated shades of a sunset.”
Gretchen’s Pick  - Dior Garden Clutch makeup palette for glowing eyes and lips with eyeshadows and lip gloss ($75)

All looks available at Saks Fifth Avenue, The Shops at Prudential Center

The new Dolce bag ($1,025)

Prints of exuberant floral blooms and fresh produce set the tone for Dolce & Gabbana’s Spring 2012 collection, which recalls the fertile soils, famously beautiful women, and joie de vivre of the Italian coastline. While the designer duo seasonally celebrate their heritage, this show in particular, with San Gennaro festival lights strung from the rafters, recalled muses such as the legendary Italian bombshell Sophia Loren. Models marched down the runway, looking as if they were plucked straight from the Amalfi coast, wearing jewelry emblazoned with produce—such as garlic and farfalle—and basket-like bags, in vibrant, curve-accentuating dresses.

The newest addition to Dolce & Gabbana’s arsenal of unmistakable handbags is the Dolce bag. The trunk-style bag is made from innovative materials such as foil and synthetic plastics, and exotic leathers in pastels, classic neutrals, and playful prints. Perfectly timed to the graceful retro trends this season, the top-handle style pairs beautifully with the pencil skirts, lace, and florals seen on the Spring 2012 runways. Saks Fifth Avenue, The Shops at Prudential Center, 617-262-8500.

Shreve, Crump & Low sterling silver beaded mint julep cup ($874), 232 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill, 617-969-6262

You’ve heard him on both television and radio for years—Will Lyman has been the voice of BMW, but most famously remains the voice of Frontline. In April, he’ll be on stage at the New Repertory Theatre playing the lead role of James Tyrone in Long Day’s Journey into Night, which happens to be Lyman’s favorite of all of Eugene O’Neill’s work. “It’s such a heartfelt story, one of those plays where nothing really happens, but it’s riveting to watch the characters attempt to care for and express love for one another,” he says. “They’re just unable to do it. You can’t discount the past, so all the pain of their past comes up in their faces every time. I find it lovely and heartbreaking at the same time.”

“O’Neill’s plays changed the course of American theater history,” says Lyman, by leaving out spoken interior monologues and having characters confronting their failures in a naturalistic way. “Not realistic, but naturalistic,” he says. But Lyman is no stranger to monologues, having long been part of the voice-over business. “I got into it to survive in theater,” he says. “The first one I did was for Stanley Hand Tools. It’s so easy compared to theater—you don’t have to shave or have your hair done. I could do it in my pajamas… if I wore pajamas.”

The Burlington, Vermont, native is also on the board of the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company and is as passionate about the bard’s classic work as he as about O’Neill’s. He’s seen Hamlet 16 times, including standing through a four-hour performance at Stratford-upon-Avon at age 18. “I never even noticed my feet,” he says.

He’s always been a bourbon drinker, but after meeting his Southern-raised wife, Anastasia, and spending time with her family in New Orleans, Lyman developed a taste for the mint julep. As soon as the mint comes into season in his Jamaica Plain garden, he breaks out the muddler. “The key is to not put any water in it,” he advises. And he insists that including some bits of stem in the drink is not much ado about nothing: “There’s good oil in the stem as well as in the leaves.” For tickets to Long Day’s Journey into Night, call 617- 923-8487.

Lyman’s Mint Julep

• At least 2 oz. good bourbon, such as Bulleit
• 6 to 8 fresh mint leaves (including top leaves and bits of stem)
• ¼ to ½ tsp. confectioner’s sugar

Use a heavy pestle and a splash of bourbon to muddle the mint leaves and the sugar, being sure to crush the stems to release the most mint flavor. Swirl until sugar is dissolved, fill the glass with crushed ice, and top with bourbon.

Photograph by William Brinson; Styling by Ed Gabriels for Halley Resources

	Kuhlman’s unique twists and subtle details redefine the classics

Boston is Nantucket preppy,” says Scott James Kuhlman, founder and designer of the men’s apparel line Scott James, when asked to describe the city’s fashion scene. “At Scott James, we are Tuscan preppy.” Kuhlman is referring to the twists his designs put on American sportswear at his Boston flagship, offering customers much more than strict basics. Through his many variations on the perfect gingham shirt and detailed stitching on washed cashmere sweaters, he is giving heavy hitters like Ralph Lauren a run for their money.

This fall Kuhlman is taking the label’s Americana foundations and layering them with a European feel. “The collection is heavily influenced by the movement we have seen in Europe over the past several years,” Kuhlman explains, “where the gentleman’s ‘uniform’ consists of a great soft jacket paired with a lightweight cord in the winter.” He is taking his well-tailored jackets, shirts, and trousers and incorporating modern fabrics like moleskin, canvas, and twill. His goal? To provide the “floor plan” for the modern gentleman’s uniform, creating what he hopes to be his customers’ favorite everyday pieces.

Describing why he enjoys working with Boston’s dapper clientele, he says: “Since the foundation of the Boston gentleman is classic Americana, the city is a great jumping-off point for our brand. Here the men possess knowledge of classic soft-shoulder jackets, gingham shirts, etc. It makes our job easy.” Scott James, 160 Newbury St., 617- 247-9700; scottjamesonline.com

For those in the know, the Ferrari watch license has gone around the block more than a couple of times. A couple of decades ago, a division of the then Cartier Group was producing Ferrari accessories, writing instruments and timepieces. Then came the famous Girard-Perregaux alliance approximately a decade ago, followed by another partnership and then a Panerai collaboration. Whew, the alliances are not quite as fast as the cars, but they keep you on your toes.

Now, Swiss luxury watch brand, Hublot has formed a relationship with Ferrari to unveil the first genuine Ferrari-stamped Hublot watch. Created in a limited edition of just 20 pieces, the Big Bang Chrono Tourbillon Ferrari made its debut in China, and is, in fact, exclusively for the Chinese market. The unveiling celebrated Hublot’s announcement of its watchmaking partnership with Ferrari. More than just a watchmaking collaboration, however, the Hublot agreement is a comprehensive package covering the full range of activities in terms of Ferrari brand image and commercial activities including “Official Watch” of Ferrari, “Official Timekeeper” of Ferrari, “Official Timekeeper” of Scuderia Ferrari, “Official Watch” of Scuderia Ferrari, “Official Timekeeper” of the Ferrari Challenge, and partners in Ferrari special events with which Hublot will be closely associated. It should be a fun ride. We’ll keep you posted.

Read more about watches from our timepiece editor Roberta Naas at atimelyperspective.com.

No longer just the little brother of Kate Spade, Jack gets a store of his own on Newbury Street this fall. The Jack Spade brand is expanding its Boston presence with a full menswear store offering the label’s classic totes and briefcases along with a full line of ready-to-wear. Cuan Hanly, Jack Spade’s vice president and brand director, explains the excitement: “Bostonians have always been great supporters of our brand and our products, as we have seen over the years with our small space in the Kate Spade store. As we started to develop our retail expansion plans, Boston was an obvious candidate for building a larger space that allows us to show the full breadth of the collection. Our new site is perfect for this, as it gives us fantastic street visibility on a great block, and the interior allows us to really bring the brand in full force to our customers.” 129 Newbury St., 617-536-0528; jackspade.com

Pink chambray shirt ($195) and Buffalo check shirt ($165)

Omega watches have graced the wrists of astronauts (even on the moon), presidents and, as official timekeeper of the Olympic Games, world-class athletes. The strong focus on its luxury heritage is showcased at a brand-new, standalone boutique at the Natick Mall. We love the recently relaunched Ladymatic in rose gold with a diamondstudded face—incredibly feminine without being dainty. The style, first crafted in 1955, finds the perfect balance between an everyday timepiece and fine jewelry. On a recent visit to the Natick store, Switzerland-based Omega president Stephen Urquhart pointed out the hand-polished lugs and fastidious mechanical engineering on all of the brand’s watches, including the iconic “Moon Watch” (officially known as the Speedmaster Professional), worn in 1969 during the first lunar landing. The timepiece has changed very little since its initial creation (the astronaut’s bands were Velcro, rather than the metal links available today), but looks surprisingly modern. And your dollars go to a good cause: Sports-minded Omega has partnered with Champions for Children to donate 10 percent of proceeds from the new boutique to Children’s Hospital Boston until its annual gala on December 1. Natick Mall, 1245 Worcester St., Natick, 508-545-2398; omegawatches.com