JUNE 2018 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 79
FASHION
A SUMMER CLASSIC,STAPLES:
CHIC LOOK
By RUTH BASHINSKY
Their beachwear had a soft social
they are small yet they can hold
before starting their
media launch during winter. Resort
keys.”
business. During a
Patty and Katie McInerny may not be
wear launches in a few weeks.
European textile
French but the identical twin sisters
show in Manhattan,
embrace and embody the French
“People like the airy fabric,” says
their creativity kicked into
aesthetic of looking effortlessly chic
Patty. “You see the outline of your
full gear. They
with confidence and ease.
bathing suit without feeling too
exposed. It also serves as a day
Their company name: SECLAT, is a
dress, so it’s cute enough that you
can leave the beach or the pool
d i s c o v e r e d
combination of two French words
they loved, explains Patty: Seclat
and go run errands.”
means subtle and Eclat means
panache.
“Our tunics are
cotton,” she adds.
“French words define our company
“Most out there
because we identify with French
are rayon; we
women’s simple but chic look. They
really wanted
never look like they are trying too
a soft, natural
Their floral
hard, but always look amazing,”
fiber. It’s
raffia foldover
says Katie.
lightweight and
clutch with
the eyelet keeps
fringed edges
For summer 2018, their eyelet
them breezy.”
will debut
beach tunic with leather tie and
soon. The
three-quarter split sleeve, raffia
T h e i r
sisters enjoy
wristlet and Moroccan tote is
handwoven
what they
making waves on and off the beach.
Mo r o c c a n
do and are
Patty, who worked as an editor and
beach totes with
grateful to be working
writer for many women’s fashion
vivid colored tassels
together.
magazines in New York City for
are popular, along
more than a decade, has high style
with their natural
“As twins, we have
standards. Her sister, Katie, whose
raffia wristlets that
a unique ability
background is in finance, joined
are ideal for easy
to anticipate and
forces to launch Seclat New York, a
transport. They
understand each
boutique accessories/apparel brand
can be worn with
other,” says
that focuses on smart, busy and chic
a bracelet or a
Patty. “We both
women.
detachable cross
share a unified vision.
body strap.
We collaborate on all designs
“We do well in these areas because
and materials bringing a unique
we have a very resort summer vibe,”
says Patty. “The quality and materials
dynamic to our business.”
we can offer to customers at a lower
They spent a year looking
price due to our small business
structure and direct sales approach.”
for unique materials
Deciding to enter the beachwear
market was easy, explains the duo.
Since the brand launched four
years ago, it’s drawn attention from
Miami to Martha’s Vineyard.
“We noticed the current beachwear
was either too preppy or too sexy.
It was hard for us to find cover-ups
“They sold out last year and
that were sophisticated, modern
were the biggest seller at The
and had a more ‘Hamptons vibe,’”
Ritz Carlton boutiques,” Patty
says Katie.
says. “People like them because
embossed cork clutches
that looked “skin-like”
and were new, unique, and
environmentally friendly.
“Our embossed cork designs
give you the luxury of exotic skins
without the guilt,” says Patty.
With several designs manufactured
in Italy they also worked closely
with European and New York
artisans.
Working in an industry some feel is
saturated does not dissuade them.
Their access to materials that many
high-end fashion designers use,
they say, makes them stand out.
And, they limit production runs
and don’t sell in major department
stores, so their products feel unique.
“We are a small company and able
to get products out quickly, often a
year ahead of the larger companies,”
Katie says. “Last year, Jimmy Choo
used the same fleurette raffia in his
wedges that we had used the prior
summer.”
Another perk to the consumer is
personal service.
“We sell directly, unlike bigger
companies, so we listen to our
customers and are responsive to our
designs,” Katie says. “If we hear that
a cross-body strap is too long or a
style didn’t work, it’s gone from the
next run.”
Prices range from $75 to $225. Look
for new arrivals at seclat.com.