Lark Hotels to Open The Break, Boutique Hotel with ‘Surf Vibe’ in Coastal Narragansett, RI

NARRAGANSETT, RI –Lark Hotels, a collection of designer boutique properties located in iconic coastal New England hot spots, will grand open The Break, in Narragansett, Rhode Island on June 19, 2015, with a soft opening anticipated in May. The property, a new build, will feature a retro chic surf vibe and will be the first hotel of its kind in this historic seaside town, which boasts some of the best surf breaks in New England.

Situated just one block from the ocean and a short walk to the beach, The Break will offer 16 guest rooms and suites, each decked out with king beds, fireplaces, rainfall shower heads, Apple TV, iPads and iPod docking stations. Most accommodations feature private balconies with ocean or sunset views.

Special guest amenities at The Break will include a intimately sized restaurant, Chair 5, a rooftop lounge with panoramic views, a heated outdoor swimming pool, hot tub and sun deck, a fitness center and a small spa and salon.

The decor, by Rhode Island designer Jocelyn Chiappone, will tap into the vintage surfer nostalgia of the late 60s when local surfing legend, Peter Pan, burst onto the scene and put Narragansett on the map. Bold, modern textiles pop with color palettes of bright orange and yellow, earth tones, crisp white and shades of green and blue. Furnishings combine dark woods with modern wicker chairs and chandeliers, mid-century modern inspired armchairs and sofas, fabric headboards and ceramic tables.

Developed and owned by locals Jim and Becky Durkin, The Break will embrace the beach community history of this distinctive stretch of sand and sea. Chair 5 will feature modern spins on comfort foods and seafood favorites. The rooftop lounge is destined to become a top guest destination with indoor and outdoor hang out spaces and expansive views of the ocean and the Point Judith lighthouse.

A sampling of the hotel’s personalized concierge services will include arranging surfing and stand up paddle boarding lessons, board and kayak rentals, beach picnics and fishing excursions – Narragansett is home to the second largest fishing port in the northeast.

Rates at The Break will range from $159-$459 per night, depending on room type and season, and include a curated small plates breakfast.

The Break participates in Lark Hotels’ “On a Lark Club” program where points are accrued for each stay and can be redeemed in the future at each property for exclusive benefits, packages and experiences.

For additional information on The Break, visit www.thebreakhotel.com or call (401) 363-9800 or (855) 559-3001.

Lark Hotels is in the midst of a major expansion. In addition to The Break, the company is opening:

The historic Whitehall Inn, Camden, Maine, in May 2015. The hotel will house Lark’s first signature restaurant, Pig + Poet, helmed by celebrity chef Sam Talbot.

Gilded,, where 1890s opulence meets modern amenities, will open in Newport, Rhode Island in May 2015.

As-of-yet unnamed properties in Mendocino, CA; Napa, CA; and Stowe, VT

Set in seven coveted seaside locations – Camden, Kennebunkport and Portland, ME, Nantucket, MA, Portsmouth, NH and Newport and Narragansett, RI – Lark Hotels embrace the locations they are in, but in playful, unexpected ways. Think “sense of place” with imagination and a touch of mischief. Each Lark Hotel invites guests to experience modern luxury in the heart of an iconic destination, to feel the pull of a nostalgic getaway while surrounded by today’s amenities and to find attentive service when they want it and privacy when they don’t.

For information on Lark Hotels and the “On a Lark Club,” visit www.larkhotels.com.

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Lark Hotels to Open The Break in Seaside Surf Town of Narragansett, RI

Lark Hotels is opening its newest boutique property, The Break, in Narragansett, Rhode Island in June 2014. The property will feature a retro chic surf vibe and will be the first hotel of its kind in this historic seaside town which boasts some of the best surf breaks in New England.

Lark Hotels, a collection of designer boutique properties located in iconic coastal New England hot spots, has announced the launch of its newest hotel, The Break, grand opening in Narragansett, Rhode Island in June 2014. The property, a new build, will feature a retro chic surf vibe and will be the first hotel of its kind in this historic seaside town, which boasts some of the best surf breaks in New England.

Situated just one block from the ocean and a short walk to the beach, The Break will feature 16 guest rooms and suites; each decked out with king beds, fireplaces, rainfall showerheads, Apple TV, iPads and iPod docking stations. Most accommodations feature private balconies with ocean or sunset views.

The decor, by Rhode Island designer Jocelyn Chiappone, will tap into the vintage surfer nostalgia of the late 60s when local surfing legend, Peter Pan, burst onto the scene and put Narragansett on the map. Bold, modern textiles pop with color palettes of bright orange, earth tones, crisp white and shades of green and blue. Furnishings combine dark woods with modern whicker chairs and chandeliers, midcentury modern inspired armchairs and sofas, fabric headboards and ceramic tables.

Developed by locals Jim and Becky Durkin, The Break will embrace the beach community history of this distinctive stretch of sand and sea. The hotel will feature a rooftop lounge overlooking sweeping views of the ocean, sunsets and Pell Bridge in Newport. Guests will also enjoy a heated outdoor pool, hot tub and sun deck, as well as a small spa and salon and a fitness center.

A sampling of the hotel’s personalized concierge services will include arranging surfing and stand up paddle boarding lessons, board and kayak rentals, beach picnics and fishing excursions – Narragansett is home to the second largest fishing port in the northeast.

Lifestyle brand vineyard vines®, the official outfitter for all Lark hotels, will provide coastal, preppy chic attire for the staff at The Break.

Lark Hotels

Set in six coveted seaside locations – Kennebunkport and Portland, ME, Nantucket, MA, Portsmouth, NH and Newport and Narragansett, RI – Lark Hotels embrace the locations they are in, but in playful, unexpected ways. Think “sense of place” with imagination and a touch of mischief. Each Lark Hotel invites guests to experience modern luxury in the heart of an iconic destination, to feel the pull of a nostalgic getaway while surrounded by today’s amenities and to find attentive service when they want it and privacy when they don’t.

For additional information on The Break, visit http://www.thebreakhotel.com or call 401-363-9800 or 855-559-3001. For information on Lark Hotels and the “On a Lark Club,” visit http://www.larkhotels.com.

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Newport’s Preservation Society Costume Exhibit at Rosecliff Traces 20th Century Fashion

As the summer playground to many of America’s wealthiest families, Newport was once a swirl of couture dresses in a seemingly endless string of balls and entertainments. The Preservation Society of Newport County’s annual costume exhibition at Rosecliff (1902) this year highlights 20th century fashion and the way designers marketed changing styles and silhouettes to American consumers. The 11 dresses on exhibit are among the finest garments in the Preservation Society’s collection, from designers such as Chanel, Givenchy and Halston, among others.

Among the highlights of the exhibit is a 1925 evening gown by Callot Soeurs of Paris. With its straight profile, this evening dress epitomized the style of the period. The increasing popularity of automobiles and dance crazes such as the jitterbug necessitated shorter hemlines and ushered in a new silhouette for the 1920s. Heavy corsetting and layers of skirts were out, girdles and bras that flattened out the figure were in.

From the late 1930s to the mid ’40s, dresses were back to having a more defined waist and fuller skirt to emphasize the female figure. The exhibit includes a 1941 tea party dress made of cotton organdy which demonstrates this style.

Additional highlights include a 1965 red skirt suit by Chanel, a 1985 cotton organdy pant suit with glass beads by Halston, and a wool cocktail dress by Givenchy from the 1990s.

The Preservation Society’s costume collection helps to trace the changing role of women in American society over the centuries. The creation of one-of-a-kind garments, known as haute couture, has represented the pinnacle of high fashion since the 19th century. The allure of haute couture still captivates the imagination today; however, due to dwindling markets, collections now include fewer pieces than they did in the early 20th century.

Beginning in the 1960s, designers licensed their names for use on products and expanded their own lines beyond apparel. At the same time, the retail clothing industry diversified, providing more options at different price points. Today, haute couture collections no longer set the standards for how women should dress. Instead, they have evolved into marketing tools that shape a designer’s “brand” and increase sales of affordable products. Some devotees still buy haute couture clothing, but it is a shrinking population.

The exhibit is on display in the Lesley Bogert Crawford costume galleries on the 2^nd floor of Rosecliff through November 22. Admission to the exhibit is included with any Rosecliff tour ticket, including multi-house tickets. Rosecliff is open daily for tours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through November 22, except when it is closed for the Newport Flower Show June 20-23. Newport Mansions tickets can be purchased online at www.NewportMansions.org, or in person at any Preservation Society property.

The Preservation Society of Newport County, Rhode Island is a non-profit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and dedicated to preserving and interpreting the area’s historic architecture, landscapes and decorative arts. Its 11 historic properties—seven of them National Historic Landmarks—span more than 250 years of American architectural and social development.

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Tickets on Sale for 7th Annual Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival

The Elms is one of the historic Newport Mansions hosting the 7th annual Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival, September 21-23 in Newport, Rhode Island, featuring world-renowned celebrity chefs Emeril Lagasse and father-daughter duo Jacques and Claudine Pépin, as well as exclusive wines from around the world © 2012 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com.

The Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival celebrates its 7^th year as the most sophisticated wine and food festival on the East Coast. The event returns September 21-23, featuring world-renowned celebrity chefs Emeril Lagasse and father-daughter duo Jacques and Claudine Pépin, as well as exclusive wines from around the world, and fabulous food from the region’s most-celebrated restaurants and caterers. Sponsored by FOOD & WINE, the Festival takes place in the historic Newport Mansions, Rosecliff, The Elms and Marble House in Newport, Rhode Island.

The fun kicks off with the Wine & Rosecliff Gala, where guests will enjoy vintages uncorked exclusively for the evening alongside delicious food pairings. The activities continue throughout the weekend, with a 2-day Grand Tasting, informative seminars with some of the industry’s most respected personalities, auctions, and new this year, a Collectible Wine Dinner at The Elms.

Tickets to the 7^th annual Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival, including the Grand Tasting on Saturday and Sunday, as well as all-inclusive weekend packages, are on sale now, and may be purchased at http://www.NewportMansionsWine andFood.org.

Ticket packages are tailored to satisfy the interests of all guests, whether in town for the day or the weekend. Individual tickets are available for each event, but for those guests who want to enjoy more of the weekend, combination tickets are available. The Connoisseur’s Package includes Wine & Rosecliff admission and either the Saturday or Sunday Grand Tasting at Marble House. For those who want to experience everything that the Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival has to offer, the Wine Lovers Weekend Package, new this year, provides admission to Wine & Rosecliff, one Grand Tasting day, the Collectible Wine Dinner, and three seminars.

Wine seminars will be offered all three days of the Festival, offering entertainment and enlightenment for everyone from the curious new wine drinker to the most seasoned connoisseur. Seminar presenters will include Thirsty Girl’s Leslie Sbrocco, Master Sommelier Laura Maniec of New York City’s Corkbuzz Studio, Stuart and Suzanne Bryan of Pride Mountain Vineyards, and wine writer Jordan MacKay, among others.

The Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival is also sponsored by National Trust Insurance Services, Buitoni, Porsche of Warwick, United Airlines, Alex & Ani, Stella Artois, Dasani, Alaska Seafood, Clarke Luxury Showrooms, Dave’s Fresh Marketplace, Honest Tea, Vinho Verde & Wines of Portugal, Casa Cornoer and the Italian Trade Commission, Hyatt Regency Newport, Amtrak, Johnson & Wales University, Roseann Tully’s Intermezzo, Travelocity, New England Home and Yankee Magazine.

All proceeds from the Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival benefit The Preservation Society of Newport County, a non-profit organization accredited by the American Association of Museums and dedicated to preserving and interpreting the area’s historic architecture, landscapes and decorative arts. Its’ 11 historic properties—seven of them National Historic Landmarks—span more than 250 years of American architectural and social development.

For more information and to purchase tickets for the 2012 Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival, visit www.NewportMansionsWineAndFood.org, or call 401-847-1000.

Preservation Society of Newport County Costume Exhibit Traces Victorian Fashion

The Elms, one of the Newport Mansions of the Gilded Age © 2012 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com.

The Preservation Society of Newport County’s annual costume exhibition at Rosecliff (1902) this year features highlights from its collection of historic clothing, several of them never-before-displayed. The Victorian Wardrobe Revealed: 1840-1900 exemplifies the best of the Preservation Society’s collection—fine materials, expert craftsmanship, and a wealth of interesting stories about the societies in which they were created and worn. The exhibit is open through November 16.

Arranged chronologically, each garment reveals a story about fashion history and production. For example, visitors can trace the changes in women’s dress silhouettes through the 19^th century, from the low shoulders and full skirts of the 1840s and ‘50s, to the nipped waists and bustles of the 1880s. Women achieved each of these shapes by a combination of the construction of their dress and an ever-changing array of undergarments beneath it. These understructures – including crinolines, hoop skirts, and corsets – existed well before the 19^th century, but became integral components of the Victorian woman’s wardrobe.

The exhibition also traces developments in the way clothing was manufactured and purchased. In the early 1800s women often made their own clothing or commissioned it from a seamstress. Department stores emerged by the middle of the century, offering broad inventories of fashionable ready-made clothing at affordable prices. For the luxury consumer, the couture industry developed in Paris during the 1860s, with high-end workshops providing a glamorous alternative to small-scale local dressmakers. The textiles on display encompass the full spectrum of this progression, including skillfully handmade 1840s day dresses, a tea gown by the Providence dressmaker Jennie Carr, and capes from both the Liberty department store in London and the Parisian couturier P. Barrion.

Another highlight is a black and white striped gown by the couture house of Charles Frederick Worth, donated to the Preservation Society by Alice Brayton of Green Animals. It required over 300 hours of conservation work to prepare it for display. This gown is an excellent example of the bold fabrics used by high-end couturiers, and hints at the fashion-forwardness of women who patronized these designers. Other noteworthy examples include a simple Quaker dress handmade from a luxurious but understated brown silk, and a uniquely-draped example of Victorian mourning fashion.

Co-curated by Jessica Urick and Rebecca Kelly, the exhibit is on display in the Lesley Bogert Crawford costume galleries on the 2^nd floor of Rosecliff, 548 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, through November 16. Admission to the exhibit is included with any Rosecliff tour ticket, including multi-house tickets. Rosecliff is open daily for tours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through November 16, except when it is closed for the Newport Flower Show June 21-24. Newport Mansions tickets can be purchased online at www.NewportMansions.org, or in person at any Preservation Society property.

The Preservation Society of Newport County, Rhode Island is a non-profit organization accredited by the American Association of Museums and dedicated to preserving and interpreting the area’s historic architecture, landscapes and decorative arts. Its 11 historic properties—seven of them National Historic Landmarks—span more than 250 years of American architectural and social development.

The Breakers, The Elms, Marble House, Chateau-sur-Mer and Rosecliff are open daily. Plan your visit now.

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