American and French fashion come together at LuxEncore
By Patra Ann Taylor
Michelle Lally and Amy Roddy live busy lives. The two neighbors often crossed paths during their decades raising families and pursuing their careers in Charleston, but they bonded through their shared passion for Hermès scarves that coincidently began for each as young professionals in New York.
“I have collected Hermès scarves along the way,” states Michelle, a developmental pediatrician at the Medical University of Charleston. “I love them and enjoy wearing them, but they are too fragile to wear to work.”
Amy agrees. “As a government contractor, I generally want to blend in. I don’t accessorize much.” On the way out the door to go to work, or to activities with their busy families, both women developed the same habit: They left their sumptuous Hermès scarves in a drawer and grabbed their favorite jean jackets. Though they enjoyed their scarves, finding inspiration in their artistic beauty, fine craftsmanship and commitment to elegance and luxury, both women found they didn’t fit their lifestyles.
A couple of years ago when the two got together, their visit turned to their passion. They talked about how neither had much opportunity to wear their scarves. “With changing lifestyles and our desire to live more sustainably, we wanted to create a way we could wear our works of art every day,” says Michelle. “That’s when Michelle had a bold idea: “What if …””
After their conversation, Michelle took a deep breath and delivered her favorite jeans jacket and one of her beloved scarves to a local tailor. The result exceeded both women’s expectations. They were ecstatic.
Amy knew immediately they were on to something and soon the two professionals plunged into deep end of owning and operating an international retail business … and are loving every minute of their new challenge. In 2023, Michelle and Amy founded the sustainable, luxury atelier, LuxEncore, in Charleston. LuxEncore features a line of classic Levi’s jackets adorned with Hermès scarves and ties. The brand’s approach merges the best elements of American and French fashion to create a harmonious blend of functionality and elegance. Using the finest materials and attention to detail, each unique piece is meticulously handcrafted by a local artisan. The jackets are available for both men and women.
Born of the idea that the best things in life can be even better together, they knew they’d discovered the perfect marriage of companies in which to build a brand. Levi Strauss is a household name in America. Founded in 1853 in San Francisco, the dry goods business strived to meet the need for work pants that could hold up under rough working conditions. Today, the company remains the world’s largest brand-name apparel company and a global leader in jeanswear, in addition to the high quality and comfort of their jean jackets.
Hermès is a renowned French luxury goods company with a rich history dating back to 1837. The first Hermès scarf was introduced in 1937, exactly 100 years after the company’s founding. Made of the silk of 250 mulberry moth cocoons, each scarf takes about 18 months to produce from start to finish. Beyond enviable fashion accessories, Hermès scarves are considered wearable works of art, representing the pinnacle of luxury craftsmanship and design.
LuxEncore uses up-cycled Hermès scarves and ties for their jackets, hand-sourcing their silks from collectors from around the world. “We take the authentication process of our scarves and ties seriously,” notes Michelle. “Each piece goes through a rigorous multi-point in-house inspection. We buy only from the manufacturer or its authorized suppliers. Each dealer undergoes our own third-party authentication audit.”
“What sets LuxEncore apart from other luxury brands is our personal commitment to joy. We believe that luxury should be accessible and wearable all the time, not just on special occasions. LuxEncore’s jackets are not only stylish and sophisticated, but practical and versatile. The Lowcountry is a mix of splendor and simplicity with a history of beauty and resilience and an air of casual elegance,” Amy says. “Imagine wearing all of that in one piece of clothing and having it be comfortable, too.” The jackets are machine washable.
Recently, LuxEncore was showcased at the Brookgreen Gardens Art Festival in Murrells Inlet, where the new brand was well-received. On November 10, the atelier is slated to be part of Art on the Beach, a dynamic tour of homes on Sullivan’s Island, complemented by a well-curated gallery of artists in each location. All proceeds from this event will benefit Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services, a non-profit organization that provides free civil legal services to hundreds of low-income individuals and families each year.
For more information about LuxEncore and its unique approach to everyday luxury, please visit www.luxencore.com.
Patra Ann Taylor is the author of “One Christmas,” an historical novel set in the 1930s during America’s Great Depression. She is currently working on “Mullet and Marsh Hens,” the biography of Lowcountry legend, J. Sidi Limehouse, III. For more information about her work, please visit her website at www.patraanntaylor.com or her newsletter, “Life of Sidi” at substack.com/@patraanntaylor.com.
