From Velvet Mills to Modern Runways: Discovering Luxe CT & Christian Siriano in Mystic

I discovered some fabulous fashion while scrolling through social media and noticed that the pieces were part of an exhibition in Mystic, Connecticut. A gorgeous sequined piece, a fabulous feathered detail and the unmistakable drama of Christian Siriano’s work immediately caught my attention. I knew I wanted to see it in person, so I asked my longtime friend Abbie, who creates content around Stonington, if she knew anything about the exhibition. Before long, we had turned it into a girls’ weekend, and I was off to discover Mystic and the surrounding area for myself.

I had never been to Mystic, so I was curious about both the town and the exhibition. What was Christian Siriano doing in this coastal Connecticut setting? And what did “Velvet Mills to Modern Runways” have to do with Connecticut?As it turns out, quite a lot.

From Velvet Mills to Modern Runways: Discovering Luxe CT & Christian Siriano in Mystic story and photos by Brigitte Segura.

Luxe CT: Where Textile History Meets Fashion

Luxe CT: Velvet Mills to Modern Runways, on view at the Mystic Museum of Art through the end of October 2026, explores the significance and evolution of textiles in the region, drawing inspiration from the historic velvet industry of southeastern Connecticut.

The exhibition brings together historic and contemporary beadwork, embroidery, quilts, velvet and fashion, creating a beautiful visual story about craftsmanship, materials and the people and communities behind them. But what immediately caught my attention was the contemporary fashion.

The exhibition also offers a fascinating reminder that Connecticut’s textile history is much bigger than a story about mills and manufacturing. These materials became part of everyday life as well as fashion, art and cultural expression, and the exhibition shows how those traditions continue to inspire designers today. Seeing historic pieces alongside contemporary work makes the story feel less like a chapter from the past and more like an ongoing conversation about creativity, craftsmanship and the enduring appeal of beautiful textiles.

Seeing Christian Siriano and CFDA designer Peter Som alongside historic textiles gave the exhibition a completely different energy. It wasn’t simply a look back at Connecticut’s textile past; there was a wonderful conversation happening between the history and the fashion of today.

The “Vote” dress was one of my favorites from Siriano, along with the gorgeous sequined piece and that fabulous feathered detail. The drama, sparkle and personality of the pieces were exactly what had caught my eye online, but seeing them in person was even better.

Peter Som’s work added another beautiful contemporary dimension. I particularly loved a blue cotton and velvet gown, where the lighter blue fabric was beautifully contrasted by the richness of the velvet. Several of his pieces incorporate velvet details, making them a lovely visual fit within an exhibition inspired by Connecticut’s historic velvet industry.

Alongside Siriano and Som, the work of Connecticut designers Xarea Lockhart and Toriana Sauro adds a fresh contemporary note. Their presence brings the story forward, showing that Connecticut’s relationship with textiles and fashion is still evolving.

What I loved about the exhibition was that you could appreciate it simply for the beauty of the pieces, while there was also a deeper story underneath. The textiles and objects reflect craftsmanship, labor, immigration, cultural identity and changing ideas of value. Historic embroidery, beadwork, quilts and velvet sit alongside contemporary fashion, creating a connection between the past and the creative present.

From the Museum to Mystic & Stonington

Over the course of the weekend, Abbie showed me around Mystic and Stonington, and the trip quickly became the kind of girls’ getaway I love—fashion and art mixed with wandering, shopping, antiquing, food and time by the water.

One of our stops was the Velvet Mill in Stonington, which felt like a particularly fun continuation of the museum experience. The American Velvet Company operated there from 1892 until 1996, and the old industrial building has since been reinvented as a creative marketplace.

Today, the space is bright and inviting, with large windows bringing in beautiful natural light. Inside, there are antiques, vintage finds, local businesses, makers, food and plenty of charming things to discover. I loved the contrast between the historic industrial character of the building and its fresh, lively atmosphere today.

We also wandered through Mystic, crossed the famous Mystic Bascule Bridge, explored the surrounding area, did more antiquing and stopped for a snack by the water. There is something about this part of Connecticut that invites you to slow down and actually look around.

On another outing, we spotted the Mystic Chamber of Commerce vintage mail truck, which doubles as a visitors center, featuring an adorably illustrated map of the area created by Abbie. It was such a fun little connection to this coastal haven that she knows so well.

And there was an even more personal connection: Abbie also illustrated my Lady Brigitte logo. Seeing her sailboat, lighthouse and carousel illustrations on the map made me realize just how perfectly her artwork captures the spirit of the place—and how beautifully those same nautical details tie back to my own logo.

Which, naturally, made me think: HELLO, NAUTICAL STRIPE SHIRT!

Because if there was ever a weekend that called for a nautical stripe, this was it. Strolling through Stonington’s quiet streets and shops along Water Street feels like taking a step back in time. It’s in the details—the people, the places, the architecture, the shops and the things you find along the way. There is an effortless charm to wandering without a strict agenda, popping into a shop, discovering an antique treasure or simply taking in the waterfront.

And then came one of those travel moments you can’t plan: a gorgeous tangerine sunset over Stonington.

A Fashionable Coastal Escape

What began with a few fabulous fashion pieces on social media turned into a weekend filled with fashion, art, history, shopping and discovery. The museum gave me the fashion fix I was looking for, while Mystic and Stonington provided the perfect setting to slow down and explore with a friend.

Luxe CT: Velvet Mills to Modern Runways is on view at the Mystic Museum of Art through the end of October 2026. If you’re looking for a coastal New England escape with fashion, art, history and a little shopping, Mystic and Stonington are worth discovering.

Sometimes the best trips really do begin with seeing something fabulous and thinking, I want to see that.

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