Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/975396
36 "M.D.S. STRIPES IS KNOWN FOR BLUE-AND-WHITE STRIPES, AND MI GOLONDRINA IS KNOWN FOR ITS MEXICAN HAND-EMBROIDERY. SO THERE YOU HAVE IT: A BLUE-AND-WHITE COLLECTION WITH OUR STRIPES AND MI GOLONDRINA'S SIGNATURE, BEAUTIFUL EMBROIDERY." A g l a m o r o u s , carefree, jet-setting aristocrat bounces around Tulum in an effortless white frock, its ruffled hem hand-sewn with a lace floral motif. Around her waist, a blue-and-white striped sash, gorgeous with hand-embroidered edges, is knotted into a bouffant of a bow. She is the definition of chic. This is the girl L.A. interior designer Mark Sikes imagines wearing his newest collection, a collaboration between his fashion line M.D.S. Stripes and Dallas- based Cristina Lynch's Mi Golondrina, swoony Mexican-made and -inspired clothing. "The collection is simple and the clothes are beautiful," Sikes says. "I think that's what most people are looking for — and believe it or not, it's hard to find." Sikes, is one of the most well-known decorators in America. He loves blue in all forms, chinoiserie, and rattan, and has a fabric and wallpaper collection with Schumacher and a furniture and accessories collection with Henredon. His first book, Beautiful: All American Decorating and Timeless Style, is a best- seller. This man is on fire. Lynch, known for her natural beauty and charm, launched Mi Golondrina in 2013. Her elegant mother, also named Cristina Lynch, collects Mexican art, textiles, pottery, and hand-embroidered clothing; her aunt is artist Jan Barboglio. Lynch spent much of her childhood at her grandfather's ranch house in Mexico. It's only natural that her South of the Border heritage drives her business: classic Mexican-embroidered dresses and tops, made with traditional Mexican methods by female artisans in Oaxaca. About a year ago, Lynch and Sikes finally met in person, after a mutual- admiration affair via emails and social-media messages. A collection was born. "M.D.S Stripes is known for blue-and-white stripes, and Mi Golondrina is known for its Mexican hand-embroidery," Sikes says. "So there you have it: a blue-and-white collection with our stripes and Mi Golondrina's signature, beautiful embroidery." After multiple trips to Oaxaca for Lynch to oversee production and design, Mi Golondrina x M.D.S. Stripes debuts this month, with eight pieces. The Isabella is a glamorous one-shoulder wrap dress in cobalt silk and swathed in white embroidery from top to bottom, while the Josefina is an off- the-shoulder dress in a vibrant blue hue with a ruffled, embroidered skirt. The showstopper from the collection is the Julieta sash, which can be worn as a waist-wrap or tied into a summery, skin-baring top, now lush with hand-embroidery. The collection will be available at the Mi Golondrina showroom and through mdsstripes.com and migolondrina.com. — Mark Sikes MARK D. SIKES AND CRISTINA LYNCH HAVE A BLUE MOMENT BY CHRISTINA GEYER Mark D. Sikes An artisan in Oaxaca stitches lace for the collection. Model Ashley Louise Perich and Mi Golondrina founder Cristina Lynch, both in Mi Golondrina x M.D.S. Stripes