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Between the Shows: April 20, 2009
Homebase: St. Petersburg, FL Designer: Maureen Rubini Quinlan Sizes: 1 to 8 years; Wholesale prices: $45 - $100
"I'm known as the 'dress lady' and the 'voice of handwork,'" says designer Maureen Rubini Quinlan. Before taking on those titles, the talented Rubini Quinlan was known as 'banker.' After receiving an MBA from Vanderbilt University, she spent 20 years working in the corporate banking industry. Her career path changed permanently in 1997, when her daughter needed a bone marrow transplant. "I made dresses for my daughter and everyone in my circle loved them so I decided to sell some and donate a portion of the profits to the National Bone Marrow Foundation," she says. Today, QRubini supports a number of worthy charities and causes. Her core product is hand-smocked dresses. "Our dresses are primarily purchased by moms and grandmothers for special occasions for the little ones in their lives," the designer says. Rubini Quinlan's classic dresses are hand-smocked by artisans in Leon, Nicaragua. Growing up with a mother who sewed, it's natural for Rubini Quinlan to be tuned into color, shape and design. Living in Tampa Bay, Florida, has influenced her color choices as well as the smocked motifs. Among sweet, traditional shades of white, pink, periwinkle and lilac, one can find hot pink. The smocked details include varieties of flowers and teddy bears, as well as flamingoes and palm trees. "I live near the Tampa Bay and walk its seawall every morning. So I'm moved by color and nature. I always have dresses and color combinations in my head," she says. The dresses in the QRubini Signature Line do not change from season to season. "When we find colors and shapes that work well together we keep them in the collection," she says. On occasion, the designer offers limited editions such as made in the U.S. organic cotton spring and winter dresses and a fall grouping with a nautical theme.
Two charming examples of the QRubini style are the traditional "The Agnes," named for Rubini Quinlan's mother. Girls will appreciate the delicate lilac tone, pretty face-framing color and undulating floral smocking.
Shaking things up is the "Take Me to Miami" frock in hot fuchsia edged in deep chocolate. Great flamingo and palm tree details lend a playful edge.
QRUBINI tel: 727-898-3921 email: maureen@qrubini.com
Originally published April 20, 2009
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