Sharing a reverence for luxury, Debra Principi of Windswept Clothiers and Geneviève James, daughter of Cornelia James, have forged a partnership that fits like a glove
Interview by Kristen Hampshire
Once upon a time, there was a glove with a rare and prestigious name: Cornelia James. The glove, which carried the British Royal Warrant mark of excellence, consistently graced the hands of international majesties and influencers since 1947. This coveted glove could only be found in one U.S. shop: Windswept Clothiers in Easton.
Owner Debra Principi started Windswept Clothiers on the heels of the pandemic shutdown in 2020. The shop quickly grew a loyal following and reputation as a destination, and has thrived with its niche offerings.
While curating a blend of luxury labels, Debra happened upon the Cornelia James brand and took a chance. Would the line that was world-renowned for a trousseau of gloves handmade for the late Queen Elizabeth’s wedding consider an appointment in her Easton shop?
“Design student flees Nazi scourge, arrives in England with suitcase
full of fabrics, finds fame and fortune as glove maker to the Queen,”
is the one-liner recap of a legendary background.
Geneviève James, carries the torch of a now third-generation global cottage business out of Sussex, England.
Debra reached out directly and connected with the founder’s daughter, Geneviève James, who is carrying the torch of a now third-generation global cottage business out of Sussex, England. Sheep roam about the bucolic land—and 10 seamstresses fashion gloves from the finest materials under the design direction of Geneviève, inspired by her mother Cornelia’s archives. Every aspect of the process, start to finish, happens right there.
Cornelia James gloves are style icons in their own right, handmade in merino wool, cashmere, sueded cotton, leather and pure silk. Each glove contains 8 feet of stitching. Cornelia James spent more than 70 years trying to make each stitch perfect, believing a good pair of gloves is a thing of joy. Seamstresses make a complete glove from start to finish, dotingly taking ownership over each. Every pair is finished by hand before being carefully tucked into a pretty box with a hand-written note.
There’s a ceremony about it all. And of course, there’s a story.
Distinctive Design.
“Design student flees Nazi scourge, arrives in England with suitcase full of fabrics, finds fame and fortune as glove maker to the Queen,” is the one-liner recap of a legendary background. Geneviève tees up the narrative, explaining how her mother could pack just one bag as she quickly fled Vienna in 1939.
“She took what she loved, which was the material she worked with,” she says. “She was then interned, as refugees were in England at the time, and she did occupational therapy by teaching British soldiers how to use their hands.”
“Because it was wartime, there was no extra money to spend and there were rations—most people couldn’t afford to buy a whole outfit,” Geneviève continues. “She designed a whole range of leather gloves in different colors. Even if you couldn’t buy a whole outfit, you could treat yourself to a pair of gloves.”
She remarks on her mum’s knack for clever enterprise.
During that time and up until the 1960s, you simply didn’t leave the house even on a simple errand without a proper glove. While times have since changed, the needle is moving back to gloves as a luxurious statement, a treat, something special.
While Cornelia James eventually diversified into scarves and served as a wholesaler, under Geneviève’s direction, it returned to a purveyor of fine gloves only. Today, Cornelia James sells direct to consumers online and to the exclusive Vera Wang Bridal and Lovely Bride salons.
But Windswept Clothiers is the only boutique of its kind to carry Cornelia James.
Aside from fitting the royals with gloves, Cornelia James creates an eclectic range of evening gloves for film and stage productions including Downton Abbey, Bridgerton and the Harry Potter movies. The Empress of Japan and Saudi Royal Family also wear Cornelia James. The brand has caught the eye of many A-listers such as Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Zoe Kravitz, Ariana Grande and Joan Collins.
The brand is consistently featured in fashion shoots of the world’s top magazines and fashion editorial. But the fame all started with Queen Elizabeth— before she was a queen.
Reflecting on the Cornelia James breakout moment, Geneviève shares how Elizabeth had a couturier named Norman Hartnell who made the princess’s wedding gown for her marriage to Lt. Phillip Mountbatten. Norman asked Cornelia James to fashion the gloves. “He was my mother’s muse—she loved his watchful eye,” Geneviève shares.
“So, that was the start, which was lovely, actually,” she says.
“After that, she became very well-known. With my father, an accountant, their combination of design and financial knowledge was very necessary in the fashion world,” Geneviève says.
In 1979, Cornelia James was granted a Royal Warrant, a prestigious seal that must be renewed every five years.
GOOD STYLE NEVER DATES.
After a lengthy and delightful conversation with Geneviève, who then determined that Windswept Clothiers would fit like a glove as a partner, “I fell in love with the story, the product,” Debra says. “She took a chance on me, and I appreciate that,” relates Debra.
“I wanted to try something unique that was not already available on the Eastern Shore, so I started small by featuring only apparel and accessories related to the weather,” she says of a wind, rain, sleet, snow and sunshine theme. This translates to rain trenches and matching boots, cashmere wraps and sweaters, wispy cotton dresses—all items sourced from around the world—and now Cornelia James.
Geneviève says, “We’re quite choosy about who we work with, and Windswept is the only shop of its kind. Her whole concept is quite appealing, and she carries some iconic brands.”
Windswept sells Wallaroo hats, Kinross Cashmere, Frances Valentine, Max & Moi, Samuel Dong and Frances Valentine, among others.
As for Cornelia James, each glove is a hand-finished work of art. “It’s all about style and while fashion dates, good style never dates,” Geneviève says, ultimately capturing the essence of the family brand and Windswept Clothiers’ philosophy.
The rest is history.
1 comment
Debra, Thank you for sending me that article. Loved learning the history of those beautiful gloves and your history as well. So glad that JoAnn encouraged me to stop in.
Your boutique is beautiful and I’m sure to return.