Saying goodbye to a TIC fave
Get in on Brooklyn's coolest brand while you can, babes.
Welcome to This Is Cute. We’re Jenna, Jayna, and Verena. We text all day about cute stuff so you don’t have to. If you’re interested in seeing the previous and equally unhinged editions, they’re here.
We all have slightly different styles here at TIC. We hope that’s one of the things that makes this newsletter worth reading. For every vintage cat shirt that I (Jayna) find adorable, there’s a chic new loafer brand that Jenna’s discovered, and a silky dress that only Verena can make work in the dead of winter.
But then, of course, there are plenty of things that we all l-o-v-e. Ilana Kohn is one of them. Her easy silhouettes, instantly recognizable jumpsuits, and extremely fun prints have all found their way into our closets over the years, which is why it was so sad to see her announce this week that, after 15 years, this would be the last season of her eponymous brand.
It’s always sad when something you love goes away, and this one really hurts. I remember going to sample sales in Ilana’s old apartment, which was small and special and filled with cats, and feeling like I was in on the coolest secret in Brooklyn. I wrote about the brand when I was at Lucky, and it felt like a huge deal to get an independent, women-led Brooklyn label into the magazine. She’s also become a friend—one season she had a Jayna dress!!—and I feel really fortunate to know her.
I also feel really fortunate to have my collection of Ilana Kohn pieces and, truly, everyone should stock up now before it’s gone for good. Here are a few of our current faves (all on sale), and Ilana if you’re reading this—you’re amazing and incredible and let’s please go get drunk on wine soon!! xoxoxo JM
OKAY, I’ll go first! I’ve written about these pants before, because they’re perfect. But honestly, the print is what’s truly perfect, so if you’re not a pants person, snag the dress while you can! - Jayna
It feels a tad sacrilegious to highlight a non-printed Ilana piece. It’s kinda like going to Ample Hills and ordering vanilla (for the record, would NEVER). But I have always been drawn to the designer’s softly ballooning silhouettes in their solid states. Case in point: a version of this jumpsuit I’ve worn for years and years (and through two pregnancies!), and the below pants-and-shirt look, which would make the perfect base layers for a drapey coat. -Jenna
I’m such a sucker for a print, and I don’t know if anyone does a print better then Ilana. Just the thought of being able to wear these breezy lilac and buttercream daisy pants on a sunny August afternoon—or cozied up with a chunky knit sweater on a crummy, cold day—brings me an almost indescribable amount of joy, especially as the sun sets not just on our beloved Ilana Kohn, but on my favorite season, summer. -Verena
ILANA FOREVER!!!!!!
dammit verena now i own those pants