September 2007 CAPPALLI The Signature “Feminine” Style In Puerto Rico By Zain Deane Fashion, and high fashion in particular, is a big deal in Puerto Rico and in San Juan, in particular. Whether it’s basic beach-ware or ultra-chic couture, Sanjuaneros like to look good and dress smart. The cool thing is that they often look to their own people for guidance on what to wear to look good. And even cooler than that, their own people know how to design great clothes: Enter Lisa Cappalli. While there is no consistent theme to Puerto Rican fashion, generally speaking, sexy is in. And Lisa Cappalli has helped define sexy—from casual to dressy to wedding—for generations of Puerto Rican women. Cappalli knows the impact her clothes have on the local scene: as one of the frontrunners of women’s fashion in San Juan, her signature work hangs in closets all over the island (and well beyond). She described her style to me as “timeless, sensuous, very sophisticated, and above all, feminine.” A quick browse through her store corroborates everything she says. Designer for many models, singers, and TV personalities, Cappalli’s designs run the gamut of women’s wear, including a children’s line, casual wear, formal wear, and bridal gowns. Her pieces are almost instantly recognizable for her use of lace and for her meticulous attention to detail. Every piece in a Cappalli collection is handmade (yes, even the jeans), and many have started trends. Most of the clothing I saw in her store in Old San Juan had a vivacious and free-and-easy feel to it, but everything had that signature extra touch of work, from custom embroidery on a pair of slim-fitting jeans to tops adorned with elegant (not frilly) lace. In fact, more than one young woman has told me that a Cappalli lace blouse hangs in every Puerto Rican woman’s closet. What is remarkable, especially for a designer with a solid name and a strong following, is how affordable most of her pieces are. If you’re looking for Banana Republic and Gap prices, you’ll need to keep walking, but if you understand what it means to buy designer clothing, you’ll be extremely happy with the price tags in her boutique. There’s a reason she has a broad international clientele in addition to her devoted local fans. Cappalli has two boutiques in Puerto Rico. The one across from Plaza Colón in Old San Juan houses most of her casual collection and ready-to-wear stuff. It’s a small but beautifully appointed space stocked with the latest offerings. The other store, in nearby Santurce, is where women flock for gowns and more formal clothing. Cappalli 787-289-6565 206 O’Donnell Street Old San Juan 00901 Zain Deane is the author of the upcoming guidebook, “Great Destinations: San Juan, Vieques & Culebra,” published by the Countryman Press. |
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