It's on everyone's fashion "must-have" list this season, and Lafayette 148 has been the white shirt 'darling' of the fashion set.  Crafter by designer Edward Wilkerson, (recently featured on "The View"), Lafayette 148 offers contemporary white shirts with sexy wraps, tunics, tuxedo looks, astand up collars, toggles and more.  Diane Sawyer, Eva Longoria, Meryl Streep and Oprah are some of the many Lafayette 148 white shirt devotees.
 
Prices for Lafayette 148's white shirt collection begin for under $200. and is available at Saks, Neiman Marcus, Nordstroms and at http://www.lafayette148.com/
 
Founded in 1996 and named for its New York street address, Lafayette 148 New York offers the modern, intelligent woman sophisticated, chic designs in the most luxurious fabrics and a wonderfully consistent fit. This high quality designer collection, with its outstanding attention to detail and craftsmanship is best known for beautiful, feminine suitings as well as novelty embellished pieces and exquisite leathers and suedes.

Edward Wilkerson is the creative force behind Lafayette 148 New York. A native New Yorker, Edward has been driven by a love of fashion since his youth. Influenced by his mother's immaculate sense of style, he dreamt of designing clothing for the world's most stylish women. Following his passion, Edward graduated from the prestigious Parson's School of Design. He designed for Calvin Klein and Donna Karan prior to joining Lafayette 148 New York as Design Director in 1998.

The fabrics and design aesthetic for which Lafayette 148 New York are so revered stem from Edward's inspiration from his frequent travels abroad and his passion for art. As Edward best puts it, if you stay in a box your clothes will be the same. Traveling has taught me to see the beauty in everything. Edward has realized his vision for Lafayette 148. When a woman looks at our clothes, I want her to see quality, top-of-the-line fabrics and a designer cut that fits her perfectly and makes her feel wonderful, he says. The result is a thriving business and a following so devoted that Edward was invited to appear on the Oprah Winfrey show to discuss his life and designs. The fashion world is fascinated by his worldy outlook and influence on fashion. In fact, in July 2004, Edward's work was recognized by his election to The Council of Fashion Designers of America.

Edward Wilkerson is an artist who lives and breathes his work, literally. An avid photographer, his stunning photos of African people and locales have been the subject of several gallery showings as well as a photography book, Tribal Knowledge. His homes are lavishly decorated with the exotic treasures he collects on his travels and have been featured in several magazines. He has also applied his discerning eye to the Lafayette 148 New York showroom with rich cultural touches that reflect his global aesthetic.

The Lafayette 148 New York collection can be found at select Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Lord & Taylor doors, as well as at 250 specialty stores throughout the United States and Canada.

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