Casual elegance is a term one hasn’t heard in recent years. Happily in my book, dressing up is coming  back, replacing the athleisure day to evening wear according to a recent article in the New York Times  . Ala von Auersperg is an artist and designer who does it so well, with her tropical inspired fashions whose prints originate from her one of a kind paintings and drawings. They attract a serious following, and I can certainly see why. And note, she has designed an Habanero shirt for men with her Queen Palm Print.

Ala has quite an illustrious background. Born Princess Annie-lurie von Auersperg, as a child she visited Parisian couture houses with her mother, Sunny Crawford von Bulow. Her mother and grandmother, Annie Laurie Aitken, planted seeds in her mind that would take root later in life. In 2009 in searching for a creative outlet, she decided to take painting lessons with Oprah Shemesh, a teacher from the New Studio School, and discovered a talent she never realized she  had.

But it was only when her dressmaker Antonio Gual suggested printing one of her original creations on a dress that everything finally clicked.Since then, Ala has poured all of her newfound passion and energy into Ala von Auersperg, her namesake label of women’s clothing

Much welcome in these tumultuous times, her designs are joyful, feel good, and even a little flirtatious. Each print is unique, inspired by her tropical surroundings in Antigua, with themes like florals, nuptial, foliage, plumage and exotics. Fabrics are ideal for the tropics, in linen, silk, cotton, mesh and stretch knits, and are designed to work for vacation, dinner at home or a night out. She also has plus sizes which she calls “extended sizes”.

Find pants, pareos,  stretch tops, blouses, shorts, kaftans, skirts, dresses, gauzy tunics to give an added touch of style, and accessories. They’re made to mix and match. “While my creations start as a creative statement of my own, I want them to end as a creative moment for my clients. I like the idea of each woman making my designs their own – changing the clothes to suit themselves and becoming their masterpiece,” she explains.

You can find her clothes in her own boutique in a lovely Via off of Worth Avenue in Palm Beach, online, and in their new location in Charleston, South Carolina. She also does popups around the country which are announced on Instagram. That’s  where I first found her clothes, at a recent popup at the Mr.C Hotel in Coconut Grove.

What’s on the drawing board? Her own line of housewares.

Ala von Auersperg , 312 Worth Ave Unit D, Palm Beach, FL 33480

After shopping, want to check out other things to see and do in Palm Beach? Click here for my post.

And here’s my list of best restaurants in Palm Beach, too. Click here.