Many products are being removed, and others are being upgraded.  The market reach is also being cut back from where it has recently been, as the newest owner – John Rigas of Sciens Capital Management — seeks to service only the world’s wealthiest and most demanding clientele. 

This might seem a questionable time to go after such a high end market, just when global economic problems are reaching all levels of society, but that apparently hasn’t affected Asprey. Even with the termination of many peripheral product categories, Asprey’s sales have remained consistent for the last three years under Rigas’ tutorage and jewelry sales have actually jumped up 20 percent in the same time period.  Rigas, it seems, is doing something very right, indeed.

                                           Refocusing

Rigas talks enthusiastically about refocusing the brand.  “Luxury today has to be something refined, exclusive, and innovative,” he contends, underwriting the belief that for retail really to succeed in today’s market, it has to know who it is and where it is going. 

Rigas bought Asprey from Lawrence Stroll, Silas Chou, and Edgar Bronfman, Jr,, who had expanded the brand, and opened store after store in what one industry publication calls “one of luxury’s most dramatic tales of a revival gone wrong.”  Now, all of that is changing.

The enlivened Asprey’s products have been cut back to jewelry, small leather goods, and bridal wear. As Rigas sees it, the bridal business is “very brisk.”  Of course, Asprey’s engagement and wedding rings are anything but modestly priced, starting as they do at about $3,000 and soaring up from there.  The average range for jewelry in general is $5,000 to $25,000. 

   —How this relates to the costume/fashion accessories field isn’t too hard to grasp, however.  Trends start at the top. If it is hot at Cartier (or Asprey) today, it will almost certainly bubble up to prominence at more affordable product levels tomorrow.

                                    Maharajah Necklaces

Asprey also sells magnificent colored diamonds and other precious stones.  After all, Rigas says, this is where royal families world wide purchase handmade crowns, coronets, and scepters. The company also sells such one-of-a-kind pieces as a 90-carat sapphire necklace and 18^th century emerald-and-pearl necklaces once worn by maharajas. 

   –Oh, yes, as you can see, this is really exclusivity at its highest!

YOU CAN ENJOY A WIDE SELECTION OF GORGEOUS TIARAS AND CROWNS WITHOUT THE HIGH ASPREY PRICE TAG.  CHECK THESE OUT:

• Exquisite rhinestone tiara with abundant sparkle.

• Sweet Sixteen rhinestone tiara – for birthday or prom!

Riga has also rehired many of the top leather and metal craftsmen who worked for Asprey before the takeover by Stroll and Chou.  Among other things, the firm is rolling out a redesigned collection of handbags in slim crocodile as well as a rich grouping of silver-embellished satin clutches and sleek leather day bags, all with a new 1781 logo.

Rigas says he plans to increase the firm’s business by 50 percent in the next two years.  He has already reduced corporate costs by 60 percent.  The new frugality is apparently key to high-moneyed success! 

Many of the shop-in-shop and travel related retail operations around the world have even been closed, at a time when other emporiums are just beginning to branch out into these venues.  But Rigas calls those operations “business models of the past.” 

Asprey presently operates a new Bond Street store in London and a classy 6,000 square foot store on Madison Avenue.  It also has stores in Saint Moritz, Beverly Hills, and Miami.  Shop-in-shops continue in Japan as well as franchises in Dubai.

JUST IN CASE YOU CAN’T QUITE MAKE IT TO DUBAI THIS YEAR, DON’T WORRY!  WE HAVE PLENTY OF APPEALING JEWELRY RIGHT HERE:

• Howlite earrings in dyed coral.  Eye-catching!

• 3-layered necklace of freshwater pearls.  Unmistakable quality.

Take Rebecca Minkoff’s Studded Rocker bag.  It was worn by “The Hills” star Lauren Conrad in May.  The next day, 300 of the bags were picked up by Minkoff’s top accounts. This isn’t the first time Minkoff has tracked a TV show/product sales connection. Apparently Lauren wearing anything generates major sales. 

   –“It’s weird how much consumers are tied to that show,” Minkoff says. 

But, it’s not the only hot program heating up accessories sales action.  Minkoff’s Morning After clutch enjoyed a significant sales spike after being featured in a “Gossip Girl” episode.  Then, there is the story about Minkoff’s market bag style.  She was on the verge of discontinuing it when Samantha Jones popped up wearing it on an episode of “Sex and the City.”  Sales rocketed up, and Minkoff’s discontinuation plans went out the window. 

And then, there is the wildly successful tale of Avelle (formerly known as Bagborroworsteal.com.).  It seems that new membership in the internet club tripled in the year following the release of Sex and the City movie.  In the film, Louise (played by Jennifer Hudson) borrows a Louis Vuitton bag from the site.

   —Its effect on the trendy bag was dramatic, as the site’s membership zoomed skyward from 250,000 to over a million.

FEW HANDBAG STYLES ARE AS HOT OR AS TRENDY AS TOTES, AND CELEBRITIES CAN BE SEEN CARRYING THEM EVERYWHERE!  HERE ARE SOME YOU MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER:

• Small embroidered bunny with basket tote.

• Large embroidered cheerleader tote bag.

                                             Tally Up Your Benefit

HOW CAN YOU BENEFIT FROM ALL THIS?  Pay attention to what is being shown on the big TV programs and in major film releases.  What are the characters wearing?  It will impact styles.  What jewelry and handbags are the lead actresses wearing?  That, too, will show up on sales receipts.  The more an accessory is featured, the hotter it gets, and the bigger the sales impact.

You might also check out celebrity publications where many super stars can be seen wearing statement pieces of jewelry that are on a fast upward trend. 

   –A recent issue of Star, for example, showed Medium star Patricia Arquette wearing a gorgeous, chunky, medium length turquoise necklace. Very hot!

   –Tiny blue pearl beads in a multi-strand choker gave Spanish actress Elsa Pataky a classy, finished look. 

   –And celebrity Anna Faris showed off a stunning Michael Kors red and black striped dress with multiple and diverse gold and silver bracelets plus rings on several fingers, too.  Don’t miss the fashion implications here!

                                   Blogger Benefit!

The benefit of being seen on shows and movies involves more than immediate sales, marketers agree.  Also important is the longer term exposure which keeps the product moving beyond the initial media attention.  For example, there is the residual sales benefit from getting a product talked about by bloggers after it has been seen in a film.  Or seeing the product show up on Facebook after exposure on TV. .  When you get this combination of media exposure, you can be sure you’ve got a winner on your hands! 

Of course, if a character or star lacks a “certain fashion cache,” you don’t benefit from her wearing your goods.  Jewelry designer Alex Bitar remembers when one of the stars of the wacky movie “White Chicks” wore a piece of his jewelry.  Oh, no! 

“I remember thinking, ‘I hope my buyers aren’t watching this,’” he says. 

The problem is that there is just no control over who will wear what when.  You can only hope.  If the accessory is worn in a high fashion environment by a celebrity people want to emulate, you’re not just safe.  You’ve made it!  If not, well, hope for the best….

Nancy Gonzalez of Santiago Gonzalez contends that it is all about context. “Seen in the right way, however, celebrity exposure is a dramatic sales stimulator.  Celebrity is especially important to the international customer,” Gonzalez adds, “to buyers in Korea, Japan, and Russia.” 

   –Hey, the sales rub-off isn’t so bad in the good old USA, either!

BIG HOOP EARRINGS GOT A MAJOR SALES PUSH UPWARD WHEN CELEBRITIES BEGAN SHOWING UP EVERYWHERE WEARING THEM.  HERE ARE SOME YOU WILL SURELY FALL IN LOVE WITH:

• Large tubular hoop earrings in hand polished silver or gold plate.

• Large hammered hoop earrings in silver plate.

ANIMAL PRINTS are marking their territory all over the accessories field.  Colette Malouf”s goose and pheasant feather hair comb is a real knockout, especially for gals with longer hair.  Leopard prints are also hot on shoes, handbags, and anywhere else designers can think to put them.  Pairing up with leopard for a real jungle melee are zebra and tiger skin patterns, used on bracelets, handbags, and you name it.  These are all very assertive prints, just as the animals they take after.  Add them to an accessory and the product really takes off!

MOVING THROUGH THE JUNGLE and even into swampy territories, we come across the really hot sizzlers of the fashion accessories industry now:  Snakeskin.  Is there anything that hasn’t been enlivened by the incredible iridescent colors of these often-silent but deadly predators?  Snakeskin is phenomenally popular.  Lelya’s water snake bag is just one example of the shimmering beauty of products made with this material. Also think about snakeskin-tooled smooth leathers.  Equal beauty!

   —And, don’t miss Adriana Castro’s python and horn clutch which is a real winner.  But this kind of snake isn’t always a good thing to play around with.  Just a couple of years ago, there were no pythons in the Florida Everglades.  Today, in what is like a snap of the fingers in global change time, there are an estimated 100,000 of them, living right up against residential areas.  Eeeeeks.

YOU CAN ADD THE FLAVOR OF THE UNCIVILIZED WORLD TO YOUR WARDROBE, TOO.  TRY THESE:

• Beautiful earth-toned choker with large bronze plated disc.  Straight out of a rain forest!

• Large leopard-print pendant hangs from stunning handmade bead and wood chip necklace.

                                      Clustered Stones

Combining metals and gemstones in a rich, heavy cluster often makes for wildly beautiful bracelets, necklaces or earrings.  This goes a long way beyond simple mixed metals!  Think about Emily & Ashley’s semiprecious stone, glass, crystal, silk and organza necklace.  Done in the colors of autumn, this necklace features big bunches of floral-like gems wrapped in and around each other for a really dynamic, rich look.
 

SHIMMER AND SHINE make their way through the new accessories field as well.  Think about light reflecting gold and silver mesh handbags – especially clutch bags –fabulous satiny scarves with India-Indian-like gold threads shot through them, gemstone-brilliant crystals adhered to materials to make parts stand out with glitz and appeal.  Look for workmanship on top of workmanship.  Shine with more shine.  Nothing is simple, it seems.  With the exception of a fringe minimalist movement, a major part of the fashion world is right now very ornate and expensive looking!

Belts are IN and getting more popular on a daily basis!  Most of these trendy gorgeous cinchers are done in leather and have hot embellishments on them, such as studs and metal design features.  Buckles are often not quite as large as they have been in the past, but they are prominent:  jewel-like buckles and closures that stand out like pieces of jewelry, themselves. 

     Woven leather and metal are both big in belts right now.  Gold metal belts are very popular!  Antiqued appearances are a growing directional.  Fendi offers a great looking leather belt with turquoise and silver buckle.  Rey Augousti has a stunning green-grey python belt with gold and snakeskin buckle on the market.  Most of the belts are thin, skinny pieces, yet lavish in their own right.

                                                Flea Market Fashion

Leave it to New York City, home of the status-minded, to come up with a Second Avenoo-like lifestyle that would thrill Diva Streisand to the core!  As part of the trendy look:  very worn-in boots (can you imagine?) big, beat-up leather totes, and denim that looks like it won’t make it to the corner. A Vintage America Collection from Nine West leads this new “homeless” fashion expression, splattering pieces of it all over the neighborhood. 

IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE OLD; IF IT JUST LOOKS OLD, YOU’VE GOT THE LOOK!  TRY THESE PRODUCTS FOR FUN:

• Old World design red crystal earrings with antique gold plate setting.

• Jet black beads drop from center filigree pendant in rich, vintage-inspired necklace.

SKINNY LITTLE CORDS in soft material or super-flexible metal, mostly in black, are going great guns in many different parts of the fashion field.  See them especially in Goth outfits, but keep an open mind!  They are showing up even in classic design expressions.           

The idea is to wrap a black cord around the wrist several times (or at least, make it look like that) and then hang one or two tiny stones off it for finish. Another idea involves tying dark cord onto the wrist.  Or dropping thin slivers of cording from around the neck, adding on a few gemstones for pizzazz.

To some, Thanksgiving Day is a spiritual celebration, to others a secular one.  In any case, it has the singular advantage of being the only “prayerful” holiday celebrated in this country by all Americans at the same time.  There is no split-up based on which religion you are or were or sometimes purport to be.  There is just America experiencing gratitude. 

   –It reminds of something Meister Eckhart, the 14^th century mystic, once said to a man who wasn’t very religious, but who was asking his advice. “If all you ever say is ‘thank you,’” he said, “it would suffice.”

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE CHRISTIAN, WHAT BETTER PIECE OF JEWELRY TO WEAR (OR TO GIVE) THAN A CROSS?  HERE ARE SOME LOVELY ONES:

• Inlaid cross pendant in handsome multicolor.

• Rugged cross pendant in silver and gold plate.

                                                  A Little History

AND SO, WE SAY “THANK YOU,” just as we have done for a very long time.  But, when did it all really start?  Well, there is some controversy over that.  The “pilgrim” dinner of 1621 is perhaps the most famous beginning, but most historians say that feast had little in common with our present Thanksgiving Day. Surprised?  We were, too.

Many contend that the first real Thanksgiving Day was celebrated in St. Augustine, Florida in 1565. It seems that French Calvinists landed in Florida the year before, in1564, having left Europe hoping to escape the bloody sectarian fighting between Catholics and Protestants.  Their feast was a true thanksgiving for a new home and country.

On an official level, however, Thanksgiving in the United States began with President Lincoln’s proclamation in 1863.  And despite changes and evolutions and ball games and parades and big turkey dinners, it has stayed pretty much the same all through the years.  

WHEREVER YOU ARE ON THANKSGIVING DAY, IT IS ALMOST CERTAIN YOU’LL BE DINING ON TURKEY AND ENJOYING GOOD COMPANY.  IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING YOU’LL BE DRESSED IN YOUR FINEST.  HOW ABOUT ACCESSORIZING THOSE OUTFITS WITH THIS JEWELRY?

• Quality glass earrings with shimmering crystals.

• Contemporary freshwater pearl necklace and earrings in iridescent grey.  Stunning!

                          Here Comes the Big Parade

ONE OF THE MOST DELIGHTFUL national events on this day-of-days is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.  This year marks its 83^rd proud march through midtown Manhattan, as it carves out a slightly new route along 7^th Avenue to 34^th Street, site of Macy’s famed flagship store. 

The extraordinary parade is filled with balloons, floats, bands, and singing and dancing stars from a bevy of Broadway shows.  It is a fantastic exhibition, and people flood into New York from all over the world to personally view it.  More than 44 million people watch the 3-hour event on television each year. 

Here comes Ronald McDonald.  Mr. Potato Head.  Sponge Bob Square Pants.  And dozens and dozens more. Felix the Cat was the first balloon to enter the big parade, back in 1927.  In 1934, Mickey Mouse came on the scene.

                                 Visitor from the North Pole!

There is one over-riding parade event that thrills the body and soul and brings us all back to childhood again.  That is the arrival, at the very end of the parade, of SANTA CLAUS!  Oh…has there ever been a more magnificent Santa?  Has he ever had a more glamorous red outfit, a more fabulous big white beard, a merrier, jellier belly? 

Santa is back again and with all of this, the Christmas Season, 2009, begins.  How wonderful that, with all our present day problems, we still choose to start it with gratitude.  With Thanksgiving!   

   –Happy Day, everybody!

   –Britney Spears is out and about in a cute little red and white striped sundress, a little gold necklace with small gold ball pendant, and a dynamite pair of very dark sunglasses with red rims.  Wow!  Does she look good!

   –Are those little clutch handbags holding their own on popularity charts?  You better believe it.  How about pretty Kayla Ewell who plays the naughty bad girl in the new hit, The Vampire Diaries.  She may pop pills and act slutty on-stage, but showing off on California streets this delightful vixen dresses adorably in a yellow print mini-skirted dress and hangs on to a really adorable gold metallic clutch bag with silver hardware.  Ewell also shows off a stunning diamond ring worn on the index finger of her right hand.  Hey, we’re seeing more and more of that…

A SLIGHTLY LARGER THAN USUAL COCKTAIL RING LOOKS TERRIFIC ON THE INDEX FINGER.  HERE ARE SOME RINGS TO TRY:

• Large enameled CZ ring in choice of colors.

• Murano style glass rings with brilliant color and design.

SCHOOL BELLS RING: Few things pull in customers like a red hot promotion, and what better promotion than featuring a couple of big name personalities to host a shopping event to benefit your own local school system?  That’s something the Dior boutique on 57^th Street in Manhattan knows a lot about!  During a recent 2-hour charity event headlining Caroline Kennedy and Wendi Murdock, the store racked up sales of almost $70,000, 15% of which went directly to the Fund for Public Schools. The biggest sale of the day was a $25,000 fur coat. 

RUSSIAN REPLAY: It’s not that long ago that the western world ran a non-stop ridicule of all things supposedly Russian:  fat-women, fashion-less wardrobes, drab personalities.  So what has happened?  Suddenly the ladies from Mother Russia are gorgeous beyond measure, their clothing is often design-spectacular and their jewelry, well … this is the land of the Romanoff’s, after all.  Proving out the new world view of Russian taste, is Podium Jewelry, an exclusive Moscow retail concept that is now moving into Paris with all its glitter and glam. 

The company (which already operates a classy outlet in France’s Courchevel ski resort area) is opening a new store not far from the former home of Colette, where it will soon show off its edgy, handcrafted jewelry pieces, made by a number of top firms (such as Loree Rodkin, and Garrard) as well its own Podium Fine Choice Line. The medieval-looking store interior has been designed along the lines of an ancient jewelry workshop.

 JEWELRY AS ART:  Leave it to Van Cleef and Arpels to put a world spotlight on their

own firm while showing off some of the most extraordinary jewelry pieces in recent

history. The firm is hosting a major retrospective exhibit in Tokyo now through January

17^th consisting of 250 pieces taken from its own and other major jewelry collections.

Among the outstanding pieces on view are a tiara worn by Princess Grace, a

 ruby and diamond bracelet commissioned by Marlene Dietrich, and Etruscan-

inspired gold bracelets owned by Jacqueline Kennedy. 

   –After closing in Tokyo, the exhibition will go on to Beijing, New York, and Paris.  

OLD CLASSY: Vintage costume jewelry is hot, hot, hot!  The Florida House of Lavande  

certainly knows that!  The Palm Beach posh costume jewelry firm has put its couture

collection on exhibit at Henri Bendel in New York and will put the pieces on sale to the

public in early November.  A glass bib with crystals and stones originally made for

Pauline Trigere will sell for almost $6,000, while a Givenchi purple and blue resin

heart necklace from the late Seventies will carry a price tag of $948.    

VINTAGE COSTUME JEWELRY COULDN’T BE MORE IN DEMAND! HERE ARE SOME PIECES FOR STARTING YOUR OWN COLLECTION:

• Exquisite jet black beaded vintage style necklace looks like an estate find!

• Wholesale bridal jewelry with vintage flavor.  Gorgeous crystals and pearls go with anything!

“We started working on this several months ago,” Kevin Harter, vice president of fashion direction at Bloomies says.  “So we went to our designers and partners and asked them to come up with merchandise.” 

The exposition has already started in most Bloomingdales’ stores, and the windows of the New York 59^th Street’s flagship will highlight the collection beginning early November.  The products, centered mainly on men’s and children’s items, include Ts and hoodies, bags, ties, scarves, and a bevy of other fun, Superman-oriented things. 

So far, the promotion has gone so well that “We’re already reordering,” Harter says. Among the DC Comics most widely known Superman characters are Superman himself, Wonder Woman, and Batman.  No one superhero is outselling the other. 

Pick out a number of fun accessories; show them off with a handful of Superman comics, and Voila!  You’re in on the anniversary special, too!

HERE ARE A FEW GREAT ITEMS TO START THE SUPERMAN PROMO ROLLING:

• Solid silver grey ties for a sharp crimestopper’s outfit!

• Wide fashion bracelet in hammered design – Wonder Woman would love it!

MILAN MAKES COMEBACK STATEMENT:  Exports to major countries such as Russia, United Arab Emirates, and Japan continued to drag down Italian leather and accessory goods sales in the first half of the year, and industry observers say they don’t expect any major improvement before the end of 2010.  Still, there was an air of undaunted optimism at the big Mipel exposition in Milan last week, as exhibitors put forth collections filled with innovation and creativity.  Styles tended to be practical, rather than dramatic, with one manufacturer explaining that customers are turned off by too much craziness these days.

Major trends included roomy, deconstructed designs and embellishments such as studs, sequins, embroideries, and fringe.  Natural materials, such as hemp and raffia, were important. Faux snakeskin, often washed, and perforated open work calfskin received a good deal of attention.  Alexandra Gucci put forth an interesting handbag collection, including a silky python bag with napa leather in powdery sky blue.

Color received a lot of attention at the Show.  Pop colors were hot, especially metallic blue, fuchsia, and pink.  Feminine styles were also apparent at the show, along with stonewashed denim items and heart symbols.

PINPOINTING PARIS:  Here’s some more fashion breaking news from the City of Light.  Pleats are IN.  Very IN.  We’re talking about all sorts of pleats, tight and Scottish to flouncy and Gallic, all expressed in short to very short skirts, with updated, if not wild, wardrobe accoutrements.

From Chanel comes a little ladylike black dress, naturally short skirted, with a faux-pleat material pattern, worn with black enameled bangle bracelets running half way up the arm.  Also part of the story is a little black wrist bag.  Very demure. 

Hermes centers his attention on a tennis-like outfit in pale grey, with short pleated skirt and blousy shirt top.  With it:  A wide head band, a small white pearl necklace wrapped around the neck,  a smallish handle bag, and big silver bracelets, one with those very IN spikes.  

YOU CAN LATCH ONTO TOP DESIGNER-LIKE STYLES FOR A FRACTION OF THE BIG PARIS-PRICE.  LOOK HERE:

• Multiple bangles to update any look.

• Dramatic fashion jewelry in modern design.

GOD’S COUNTRY:  If you’re going to promote cold weather gear, what better place to focus on than Mount Everest, high in the Himalayas, and known for its monastic caves, frigid weather, and off-beat mountaineers?  The company involved is Hanesbrands, and it is making its top-of-the-world bid to put special spotlight on its athletic Champion and Duofold brands. 

The company will finance and outfit a special expedition to scale Mount Everest in an attempt to leverage its history and expertise. The ascent will begin in the Spring and will involve a team equipped with special gear incorporating new fabric and design technology meant to withstand high altitudes and frigid temperatures.

To add to the excitement, consumers will be able to monitor the team’s progress by way of video and audio updates on the Website, ClimbEverestWithUs.com.  Jamie Clark, who has already made three attempts at Everest, will lead the team. 

   —Retailers interested in getting in on the action – and hopefully selling some mountain climbing accessories themselves –might consider bringing in TV monitors so consumers can watch the team from inside the store.

THERE WAS A TIME, some decades ago, when men would routinely wear hats once the winter cold settled in.  Men would choose their style and fabric carefully, but the use of hats was mostly practical: to provide warmth and comfort.  Workmen would wear

knit caps, sportsmen would wear sportscaps, many with ear flaps, and office executives would wear more traditional, say, fedora, stylings.  

I remember when much of that changed—in a single TV glimpse of the glamorous new American president, John Kennedy, who was photographed bareheaded in mid-winter, 1960 and who looked so dashing that he single-handedly banished the hat from many men’s wardrobes. 

                                       Michael Jackson Impact

It’s taken a half century for the hat to make a men’s sartorial comeback, but come back it has, Big Time!  Fall fashion dictates a hat as finishing element in many sports-to-more formal ensembles. And, again, the hat’s renewed popularity has been sparked by celebrities—the late Michael Jackson, of course, for the many versions of the Fedora. 

The Fedora continues the favorite of many men’s clothiers, such as Dunhill and Kenzo or Prada.  It’s been mated with everything from a mod T-shirt to a relaxed city suit.  Also, the classic small-brimmed cap is often paired with sportsjacket, contrast shirt and patterned matching small scarf and breast-pocket handkerchief for a casual, yet finished look.  

A bit of faux formality is being shown, with double-breasted suit jackets with contrast buttons accenting the style which nonetheless is unstructured and unlined.

New and comfortable!  And Michael Kors introduced a tan suit that looked quite conventional– except that that jacket is completely sleeveless, baring the arms from the shoulder.  It presents a visual contradiction:  a nicely refined, tailored suit, with startling, even erotic nakedness of the arms.  Wow…

WORN WITH MANY OF THE NEWEST CLOTHING DESIGNS FOR SPRING ARE GOOD-LOOKING, TRADITIONAL FEDORAS AND BOWLERS. LOOK HERE:

• Men’s felt fedora – a classic! – with felt body and grosgrain band.

• Men’s wool felt bowler hat.  Check out the sophisticated styling and quality construction!

                               Sexy Shades – Dark and Mysterious

Even though use of hats shades the eyes naturally, dark sunglasses add to the mystique and look oh, so! trendy and smart.  Aviators are the choice of Dolce & Gabbana—they led a phalanx of hip looking models down the runway, all outfitted with the same aviators.  Michael Bastian paired large-lens dark glasses with a white-banded black fedora.  Lacoste matched happy, yellow-rimmed big sunglasses with a smart yellow T-shirt.

REMEMBER, AVIATORS ARE TIMELESS, ALWAYS IN.  THEY CONTINUE AS NO.1 BEST SELLER SUNGLASS DESIGN FOR MEN.  CONSIDER THESE:

• Oversized unisex aviators – a cool look in sunglasses seen on more and more celebrities.

• Sports sunglasses with colored mirrors.  Suave and affordable!

Another retrouve design element is the bow tie, repeated on a moving row of models by Dolce & Gabbana; setting off a denim shirt atop short-shorts by Trussardi 1911; and a black and white mini-patterned bow tie/matching suit pocket handkerchief combined with a sharply tilted light fedora, all by Dunhill.  Individual style, very NOW.

                                                 Hey, Red…

Lighter weight fabric is the ultimate design element, and accessory as well:  Neckerchiefs abound, some patterned, some monochrome.  Fire-engine red, long Scarves match red suit jackets, red (yes!) coats, red trenches, red leather jackets.  Etro draped a wide, fringed silken scarf over a patterned jacket. And Hermes knotted a midnight blue silk neckerchief at the open collar of a subtly striped blue shirt.

Men’s jewelry took the form of multiple necklaces at open necklines, with manly pendants, often hanging from cords or leather strips. Versace decorated a handsome young model with sleeveless grey patterned T, sleeveless grey vest overshirt, grey rimmed outsize sunglasses, staggered corded pendant necklaces.  Impeccable, gorgeous guy glam.

Little handbags swinging from chain; shoes that often reach up to the calf, with straps and embellishment gone crazy; handbags of almost every type; bracelets galore; and statement necklaces that are often shocking and elaborate: these were just some of the accessory fantasia visited again and again on Paris runways. 

Shine is also a major design feature in many of the accessory pieces this year. From VBH, for example, a classy medium sized grey blue handbag gave an updated Grace Kelly look to everything it was shown with. 

Big silver bracelets were likewise brash and demanded attention. Several cuffs together on one arm was not unusual.  Stripes and geometrics in strong colors graced many shoes, like bright blue and vivid pink on black. Or brown, blue, yellow and tan stripes on a super-high heeled shoe and matching clutch handbag.  

                                               Vibrant Season

PARIS IS HOT ON ENERGY THIS SEASON, expressing it most obviously in the color orange, which was splashed all over accessories.  In some instances, orange was pure and stood alone, as in a pair of modernistic swirly circle earrings in bright coral orange.  In other cases, orange was tempered by incorporation into prints used on handbags and shoes. 

Orange is also important in bracelets and necklaces, very often as coral beads or enameling.  Longchamp is offering a paint-splashed print handbag with spicy patches of orange which is a good example of the direction.  Eddie Borgo has designed a very Egyptian-looking wide choker with orange gemstones.

HIGH ENERGY IMAGES UNDERWRITE A MORE POSITIVE ATTITUDE COMING IN FOR SPRING.  ADD SOME TO YOUR COLLECTIONS!

• Howlite earrings in dyed coral.

• Contemporary glass crystal fashion pendant.  Exquisite!

Crystals embellish almost everything in design collections this season, but in a delicate way. Look at all the charming little gossamer fashions with crystals sprinkled here and there across the bodice.  Or pay attention to a particularly feminine necklace of delicate beading and crystals by Swarovski. The gentle designs we’re talking about are in direct contrast to the often huge, chunky statement necklaces also making waves in the City of Light.

                                         Who You Calling A Sissy?

Tough is a look, a design, and attitude, and it is all the rage in Paris now.  Incorporating bits and pieces of Biker, Gothic, even Bondage, Tough nevertheless stands alone in its final presentation.  Think Dark colors. Studs.  Rough-rider lines. Chunky statements.  Imagine very big silver chain necklaces that look like heavy pieces of hardware. Or, leather cuffs that appear unfinished, with strips and slithers of leather hanging off. 

Heavy construction images run rampant this year. Keys are also a hot theme, often in strong abundance dangling down from a jeans fob, like lesbians in Greenwich Village might wear. Tiffany has a great collection of key pendants you can choose from, if your budget is super-generous.

And don’t forget the spiky stuff!  Necklaces with spikes hanging off make all of this jewelry good for Halloween!  Bracelets caught up with spikes. Spiky earrings, very hard,    gruesome and dangerous. Looking for a murder weapon, anyone?

                                     Cascading Look

LONG DROP EARRINGS made a forceful fashion statement in several top fashion cities this season, especially when made up of dark in-line two-dimensional graduated discs touching down below the shoulder.  Very swingy, attention-getting.  Crystals were big here, too, as elsewhere in the fashion and accessory wardrobe.  Vintage rhinestones also made their way onto the runways, adding additional sparkle and shine, even to denim outfits. 

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Long skinny scarves are the rage, everywhere, with everything!  For winter, they tend to be wool, solid color, dark.  For spring, they pick up on designer Karl Lagerfeld’s Country Girl look, with pretty posie prints splashed all over long, very thin scarves that wrap around the neck several times before cascading down to the waist, hips, or even knees.  Colors are bright.  Happy. 

For cooler climes, the look is cozier, with scarves wrapped high around the neck, numerous times. Little square scarves are also getting a lot of attention.  These are both solid and printed, and are not unlike the American West cowboy neckerchiefs that come in and out of fashion periodically.  In both scarf scenarios, pay attention to graphic prints that are very artsy and sophisticated.

SCARVES ARE MAKING POTENT FASHION STATEMENTS NOW…AND THROUGH SPRING.  HERE ARE SOME TO CONSIDER:

• Pashmina scarves in vibrant colors.  Spectacular!

• Fashion scarves with floral pattern.  Trendy and stunning!

                                           ENTER PARIS

…where fashion is as insane as it is brilliant.  News is rampant.  Styles you may never have imagined much less seen are here in super-size. Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton has outfitted his models with huge Afro-style wigs, so big they extend beyond the shoulder width.  The clothing is equally off-the-wall:  Little girl outfits.  Stripes going every which way.  Hair bows.  Rabbit tails the size of fox tails hanging down from waist bands.  Shiny little handbags worn on straps around the neck.  Big bracelets.  Across the chest big bags with more of those fuzzy fox-like tails hanging down to the floor. 

Pinks and greens and baby blues were important colors, along with neutrals of all sorts. White-washed yellows and blues and tans.  Layered looks: blouses over slacks with jackets tied around the waist.  Wide leg shorty-shorts.  Flouncy hemmed mini-minis.               

        –But nothing quite compared with the shoes. Big green fabric boots with white hairy base.   Shoes that looked like funny-looking children’s bedroom slippers.  If you ever saw anyone in any of this actually walking on the street, well…!

                                           LITTLE GIRLS

At Mui Mui, more children’s dresses for adults…and a certain Cinderella look in smocking, sheer nude panels, spangles and glitz.  There was a lot of emphasis on the bust line, plenty of mini skirts, plenty of long skirts.  Several models wore long pinned-on braids, German-style. 

But fear not.  A more grown-up look came from designers like Elie Saab and Kenzo, who put out long dresses in silky fabrics and colors that ran from neutral tans to soft hues and deep purples.  Draping was very important.  Embellishment, in the form of heavy, clustered sequins and crystals were set into small spaces (like a corner of the shoulder) for a very big impact.  Jewelry was wild.  Bracelets that looked like fuzzy circles of hair, some heavy, some thin.  Big bib necklaces in amber, very asymmetrical. 

   –Kenzo worked with deep-crotch trousers, very Arabic, wrapped headdresses, Moorish-style prints, white lace suits, and no small amount of Sahara-inspired images.

WHAT COULD BE BETTER FOR SPRING THAN A BOUQUET OF GAULIC-INSPIRED JEWELRY?  LOOK HERE:

• Fabulous crystal and black bead necklace set featuring artistically arranged faceted beads with crystals.

• High fashion black bracelet with glass overlay and Continental French sophistication.

                                       LAGERFELD’S PROVINCE

My oh My!  Karl Lagerfeld’s collection for Chanel was strictly based on country living albeit a wild and wooly kind of country.  Skirt lengths were eeeeks! Short! And, to make matters worse, full! Or, they were terribly, properly long.with an Asian sensibility.  Pattern was everywhere, especially florals, in the form of country-girl orange-red poppies, very 1950s retro.  That orange-red color kept poking its head up throughout the show, on shoes, on belts, on hair accessories. 

Some of the Chanel outfits were very airy, gossamer.  Others were heavier, sturdier, country-practical.  Hair accessories were smaller than usual, more wearable. Gone was the wildness of this accessory category. What we did see were silk hair flowers.  Little tiaras.  A feather or two.  Little head wraps.  Woven fabrics (especially for handbags) were hot.  So were crystals and lace. Handbags were of the clutch variety.  Or, handle envelope bags.  Or, summery bags with floral appendages that looked like someone carrying a basket full of posies in from the garden. 

For Chanel right now: Think rustic.   Think pretty.  Think down home farm life. 

                                               SPLISH-SPLASH

Running from Chanel to Alexander McQueen this season is like going from cute little girl to alien invasions.  The presentation made you wonder just what the McQueen Paris shows were trying to accomplish, anyway.  One outfit featured a model with hair tightly braided into satanic horns, and worn with a black and green surreal printed short skirted dress with one short sleeve and one long.  Another dress, again with horned model, featured a skirt in crass Halloween orange and black that swooped out just below the waist to create a wide, very short bottomless bubble.  Move a tiny bit in that dress and it would become decadent.

And then there was the shimmery fabric outfit, shoes, leggings, little dress, all of a single sculpture, flashing and shining, looking like miniature bubble wrap.  The shoes, which just flowed out of the skin-tight leggings, were “scary armadillo shoes,” as one publication said.

   –This from the one-time boy wonder of the Parisian fashion world?  Please…

                                                 FABRIC FRENZY

Paris wasn’t without fabric interest.  Some was fluffy and flowing. A lot featured see through pieces of transparent fabric.  A big, pale yellow-green dress from Valentino looked like strips of big lightweight fabric wrapped around the model’s body several times, ending in a short hemline.  Another Valentino special was done in very pale brown-tan encrusted with lacy embellishment down the front and over the short sleeves.  See-through was scary. 

Perhaps paying up for the see-through whimsy, Valentino also paraded a model in diaphanous grey tan long dress with a perimeter (that’s what we said!) of ruffles all around, pushing up to the chin, around the sides, and down across the bottom. Covered up, top-to-bottom!

You could probably come up with several trend stories at Valentino, if you tried hard enough.  Ruffles.  No-waist.  Neutrals. Lace. Whatever.  You really can’t go wrong with Valentino, no matter what the season.

NEUTRALS HIT A HIGH NOTE IN PARIS THIS YEAR, ALONG WITH PLENTY OF EARTH-GREEN SHADES FOR ECO-FAB COLOR ZING.  GET WITH IT WITH THESE WELL-PRICED FRENCH DELIGHTS:

• Fashion jewelry in country tones.  Bold necklace and earrings set in shades of green and amber with large-bronze plated disc pendant.

• Beautiful multicolored beading brings the essence of flower power to any outfit!

                                     THINGS TO NOTE OVERALL: 

Strips of leather and cording hanging down from shorts and skirts, like the fabric and/or paper strips worn by Orthdox Jewish Hasidim.  Handbags with shoulder straps like luggage straps.  Totally insane shoes, both high and low, all very big, very peculiar-looking.  Hair bows. Little handbags on wrist-strap chains.  Dark bracelets. Shiny silver jewelry.  Wide head bands, great for tennis.  Straps everywhere.  On shoes.  On bags.  Running up the leg and over boots. Leather strap bracelets.  Sort of Gothic!  Sort of tiresome, too!

Where to start?  Well, how about a Ghost Butler?  Let somebody man the door, all he needs is a white sheet over his head and cut outs for eyes.  Easy!  Add a recording of horrible sounds to give character to the entrance and you’re ready to go. 

All the people in your house or store should have on a costume.  And, of course, a mask!  See to it that the kids are dressed up, too.  You can make up a great party game by having each person explain his or her costume and why it should win first prize.  Just be sure you have follow-up prizes in large enough supply so each youngster can win for something.  “Ghoulish Best.”  “First in the Cemetery.”  “Vampire’s Choice.” 

You might also want to theme your Halloween costume party to something like “Vampires and their Damsels.”  Or, “Little Devils.” Or, “Witches and Warlocks.”

Food?  Well, it just has to be pizza.  Find out about Halloween specials at your local store.  Treats can be homemade, or bought.  My mom used to make devil’s food cupcakes and frost them with orange icing on one side, black on the other.  Quick and easy!  Or stop at your local candy store and get some Halloween goodies like spider webs, skulls, and other delicious fare.  Sprinkle them on cakes and ice cream.  Be generous with some green or blood red soda. And then, decorate the table with some fun plastic spiders from the party supply store.

Horror films from Blockbusters will make your party a hottie.  Just jazz it all up a bit by having the lights go out from time to time, or some screams and groans echo across the party room.  Keep it all light, and fun.  Who has the most horrible scream?  Who can cast the best spell?  Ohhhhh, this can get wild!

Before ending for the day or evening, give each party-goer a bag of Halloween treats to bring home.  And with that in hand, who cares about Trick or Treat-ing anyway? 

Happy Halloween!

BE SURE TO GET THE BEST MASKS YOU CAN THIS YEAR.  THEY MAKE THE CELEBRATION A REAL TREAT!  HERE ARE SOME TERRIFIC CHOICES:

• Vibrant red marabou feathered mask with hints of gold for added sparkle!

• Black cat masquerade mask with sparkly crystals above the eyes.

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RING-RING:  Georgio Armani has just unveiled his third phone for the giant electronics firm, Samsung, with Microsoft Windows 6.5 software, and is it ever Smart.  Wow!  Ringing in at a modest $1,029 or 700 euros, the Armani Samsung Smart phone features a 3.5-inch Ultra Brilliant AMOLED touch screen and Qwerty keyboard as well as always-on connectivity tools, GPS, a 5-megapixel camera, radio, music, and video player, 8 gigabyte internal memory and an extendable microSD slot up to 32 GB. “Elegant dressing is part of daily business life,” Armani says. Elegant accessories are also becoming more and more a part of the daily fashion world, as well.

VUITTON FOR CHARITY: “People say we don’t do anything, but we do a lot,” declared Naomi Campbell, in launching a new handbag from Louis Vuitton for her latest charity, the White Ribbon Alliance.  The organization is dedicated to reducing the amount of maternal mortality in the world. The bag has yet to be given a proper name, but its current price tag is 1,900 euros or $2,789American.

   –Campbell has been modeling for Marc Jacobs since she was 16.   She is presently a global ambassador for the Alliance, which lobbies world leaders to provide safe motherhood practices.  The new Vuitton bag is quiet and versatile, with a soft square style and a coveted Marc Jacobs label. 

SNL AT BARNEYS NY: The theme of the 2009 Christmas holiday windows at Barney’s New York is Have a Witty Holiday. The fabulous collection of windows depicts memorable Saturday Night Live moments covering more than 3 decades of laughs and talented, hilarious people.  “We are deemphasizing flagrant luxury and reemphasizing fun,” declared creative director Simon Doonan.  The same holds true for the firm’s holiday catalog, where prices start at “highly approachable” and go up to “typical Barneys.”  For example, a Timex watch sells for $85, while gemstone recycled earrings carry a price tag of $29,000.

YOU CAN GET PLENTY OF GORGEOUS BARNEY’S STYLE JEWELRY, BUT NONE OF IT HAS TO CARRY A BARNEYS PRICE TAG:

• Ball ceramic necklace set in rose with glazed textured finish speckled in black.

• Emerald cut drop CZ earrings.  Handsome!

PRICED TO SELL: Can you believe it?  Even Neiman Marcus has caught the economic flu this year, with a catalog featuring 40 percent of over 400 items priced at less than $250.  Even the firm’s annual fantasy special (this year it is a two-seater plane) goes for a mere $250,000, considerably below the fantasy gift price tags of yesterday. 

   –Also in the famous Christmas book: an electric motorcycle, a fabulous dinner for two at Manhattan’s famed Algonquin Hotel, and a Cupcake Car, a 4-foot wide electric automobile that looks like a cupcake with thick frosting and sells for just $25,000.