–But, in fairness, let’s remember:  The Oscars are always focused on dresses – long, glamorous, body revealing, color-inspiring dresses.  Oscars 82 was no different. 

Glittery golds, bold colors, intense hues and plenty of pastels excited the Big Screen runways.  There was no small amount of intense color (especially red, a la that back ruffled phenomenon worn by Up in the Air star and best-supporting actress nominee Vera Farmiga).  One early morning paper referred to her Marchesa gown as bright fuchsia.  “It reminded me of a peony in bloom,” Farmiga said.  “I am just so sick of winter.” 

   –The problem is:  where were her jewels?  All she wore were tiny little diamond earrings, but they, at least, did stand out against her pulled back coif and smooth, bare shoulders. 

Pinks and pale grays and light purples and blues were riveting.  Many had a watercolor appeal, like Rachel McAdams’ Elie Saab dress filled with splashes of muted pastels and looking like an impressionistic French canvas.  The crisscross bodice followed the diagonal line popularity evident in fashion this year.  McAdams wore lovely, long drop earrings.

                                                    Demi Moore

Perhaps my favorite dress of the evening was worn by Demi Moore – an Atelier Versace peachy design with tight bodice and fabulously ruffled skirt.  With it, she wore a stunning diamond bracelet and carried a glittery silver evening clutch bag.  Just right!

Gabourney Sidibe proved once again that you don’t have to be tall and skinny to look terrific.  The loveable new star (the teen in Precious) and best female lead winner wore a vibrant blue off-the-shoulder dress with stunning detail and soft, flattering fit.  With it, she wore a big cocktail ring, a pretty diamond bracelet, and sparkling pave diamond drop pendant earrings.  Very classy!

LOOKING HOT WITH AN OSCARS’ RICHNESS ISN’T DIFFICULT IF YOU KNOW HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT ACCESSORIES FOR YOUR OUTFIT.  TRY THESE: 

• Delicate heart toggle bracelet.  Beautiful!

• Elegant satin evening purse.

                         Tiny Charms and Diamond Earrings

Carey Mulligan was an exercise in handsome trendy jewelry ideas, with her pretty Prada dress embellished with silvery spoons, scissors, and other tiny tools. The best-actress nominee wore it with a delicate chain and gemstone choker and shoulder-dusting diamond cluster drop earrings. 

Mo’Nique, who took the Oscar for Best Supporting actress in Precious, wore a dusty blue dress with a white floral hair accessory and classic diamond button earrings with a small circle-cut diamond drop.  She “humbled” the audience, as one critic put it, by reminding them that the awards can be about “performance and not the politics.”

Cameron Diaz, together with Steve Carell, presented the Oscar for best animated feature (Up in the Air).  Ashe wore a heavily embellished dress with gemstones and other glitter-wear and capped it all off with large diamond hoop earrings.

Jennifer Lopez wore an iridescent pink organza dress by Georgio Armani and accessorized it with a dazzling tennis bracelet from Cartier, a knockout diamond ring, and small button diamond earrings.  The Last Station’s Helen Mirren was also here looking surprisingly young in a tight shimmery skimmer of a dress, worn with a jeweler’s choker-delight, a little tennis bracelet, and carrying a gemstone-covered evening bag. 

The big necklace standout at the Oscars was worn by Kate Winslet, a fabulous diamond statement necklace with center pendant drop from Tiffany.  She wore it with a pale silvery dress from Yves Saint Laurent.  As one reviewer put it, “She is so stunning, she could wear a paper bag and make it look good.” 

WANT TO LOOK AS GOOD AS THE ACTRESSES ON OSCAR NIGHT?  TRY WORKING WITH THESE VALUE ACCESSORIES:

• Fancy round cubic zirconium set with earrings.

• Rhinestone bib necklace set.  Very Rodeo Drive!

Black and gray lace characterize all sorts of shapes, forms and materials, from jackets to camisoles, wool to silk.  Many of the designs take strong inspiration from the late and great Marlene Dietrich with her inimitably sultry masculine/feminine 1940s mystique.  

THE LEOPARD DESIGNS FEATURED by the D & G team offer something for almost everybody.  Want your fur head to toe, jungle-esque?  It’s here, complete with great looking furry-printed scarf over a full wooly leopard suit.  Prefer it mixed, new millennium-style?  Put a leopard sleeveless top over a purple sequined mini skirt.  Pop!  Wow!

    — And how about the accessories?  The fabulous designers with Sicilian roots haven’t left them out!  Look here for a fabulous leopard fedora worn straight on the head and looking very svelte and sassy.  Or, a leopard handle bag with over-lap design.  Very new form, new medium-size trendy.

1940 IS BACK WITH THE EXQUISITE MARLENE DIETRICH AND SOME FAB NEW ACCESSORIES, STRONG AND SVELT.  HERE ARE A FEW TO GIVE YOU THE RIGHT IDEA:

• Classic cloche dress hat – international charm!

• Art Nouveau – inspired crystal gecko brooch.

                                Wild Mix with a Call from the Wild     

Just look at these rich-girl leopard-print long gloves shown over a tailored gray suit.  D & G even put a silk floral hat — looking like a bouquet-out-of-place — on the head of one jungle-wrapped runway cutie – strange, but attention-getting!  Non-fur gloves are here a-plenty, too.  Black is the color. Leather predominates.

And then, there was lace, proving that D & G are as much in love with it as myriad other designers this season.  Lacy stockings.  Lace gloves.  Lace insets.  Lace blouses.  Very sexy, very black, every here and there a bow to gray. Very Ohhhh, Marlene, she is everywhere, bigger than Sicily, larger than life.  The lines are strong, magnificently tailored.  Assertive.  No wilting Southern Belles in this collection, at all. 

                 BLOOMIE’S OPENS HUGE EMPORIUM  IN DUBAI

“The idea was to bring the best of America here to Dubai,” declared Shireen Al Khatib,

as he opened the doors to Bloomingdale’s fabulous new Dubai emporium, in the shadow of the world’s tallest building.  Celebrating the opening of Bloomingdale’s first venture onto foreign soil were scores of Arab royalties and dignitaries, fashion and designer hot shots, and just plain ordinary Dubai socialites, who are anything but ordinary, ordinarily.  

CEO of Al Tayer Insignia, the firm operating the new store under licensing agreement with Bloomingdales, beamed as he ushered in His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the son of Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed, and gave each one a tile to place on the floor of the entryway to commemorate the occasion.  Oh…it was snazzy!

“We’ve been waiting for the arrival of Bloomie’s in Dubai for a long time, and I think most of us are in awe of the magnitude of the store,” exuded a thrilled Michael Gould, Bloomingdale’s chairman and CEO.  Bloomies is now the newest anchor in the massive Dubai Mall.  

The new store covers three levels and centers on high fashion as its exclusive domain.  “Let’s face it,” Gould said, “there are other places to buy cosmetics just minutes from here, but what we offer is a sense of intimacy.  Bloomingdale’s is about an energy and approachability.  The experience you have in Manhattan is the experience you will have in Dubai.”

YOU CAN ENJOY THE HOT TRENDY EXPERIENCE OF BLOOMINGDALE’S AND THE EXCLUSIVE ELAN OF DUBAI ALL AT ONCE WITH JUST THE RIGHT ACCESSORIES AT VALUE PRICES.  HERE ARE SOME:

• Inlay earrings in striking black and silver.  Global chic!

• Cuff bracelets with multiple bangle look.

   –But don’t think of the Big Shows as Fall-limited.  Believe me, manufacturers are already onto the designs and trends found in these collections, hoping to get them to the public with alacrity. 

So…let’s go street-walking in the Big Apple and see what’s really happening now.  It’s well worth the trip!  Here’s what a handful of top designers showed and said:

RALPH LAUREN offered marvelous Bohemian and Edwardian styles with no small amount of romanticism and fantasy attached.  Dresses were flowered, beaded jewelry was exquisite, even Russian-inspired.  But what revved up so many of his great designs this season were fingerless, long lacey black gloves.  What a great look!

Lauren used Byzantine prints like the master he is, and added plenty of casual, unexpected flair in the form of chunky sweaters, fur toppers and pinstriped suits.  Black embroideries and black prints added depth, drama and — surprise! — no small amount of grunge. 

LACE GLOVES AND FEMININE JEWELRY ADD UP TO A WONDERFULLY ROMANTIC FALL.  HERE ARE SOME TERRIFIC DESIGNS TO CHOOSE FOR YOUR OWN COLLECTION:

• Floral patterned lace bridal gloves – just right for any dress-up.

• Spectacular butterfly cuff bracelets with large acrylic stones.

                                           Movement and Swing

PERHAPS THE MOST INTERESTING ASPECT of Lauren’s collection was its movement.  Everything seemed to flow and swing and move with easy speed.  Earrings were often long, skinny strips of dark beads.  Sexy, thin thread-fringe was apparent in clothing and jewelry.  Belts were plentiful, often dropped, and worn somewhat loosely. 

  –Chandelier earrings with no small amount of red colored beads were delightful, matched to black and red Eastern European styled chokers

FRANCISCO COSTA FOR CALVIN KLEIN:  Well, there was little for Fashion Accessories retailers to delight in here, yet the Collection is more than worth mentioning simply because of its exquisite lines and beauty.  And, because Costa is unquestionably a first-class design guru.

This season, the designer put forth a strictly minimalist collection, much of it with a 1970s élan, unfettered and unembellished.  White and black was the color signal, all very stark and straight-lined.  Even the models’ hairdos were in tune with the tight, almost rigid simplicity, with blond tresses pulled back tight into cut-off boy-dos.  What earrings could do for this! 

   –Costa added an interesting amount of leather to his collection, often in the form of tight pants — an edgy, sophisticated touch.

                                     Icelandic Inspiration

ANNA SUI:  You have to adore this look to deal with it, great, but often over-the-top.  Sui went for what she called a stain-glass rendering of a Woodstock landscape, filled with nature colors, nature prints and forms, log-cabin-inspired designs, and fru-fru ruffles and embroideries.  Orange was the predominant color, along with multiple shades of green, all somewhat Icelandic in feeling. 

Warm caps led Sui’s accessories, along with furry boots, and long, heavy, wild-looking primitive beaded necklaces.  Belts were strong here, too.  Metallics and shiny materials were spaced out, comfortably, through the collection.  If you go for frontier fashion, this was all just made for you!

CAPS AND HATS ARE ALL OVER THE FASHION STAGE THIS YEAR.  HERE ARE SOME GREAT VALUES FOR YOU TO CONSIDER:

• Knit aviator hat with fleece lining.

• Knit visor beanie in newest design.  Choose your colors.

                                                    Rock and Steel

ISAAC MIZRAHI:  “Manhattan is made of rock,” declared the super-designer of his newest Collection, described by one fashion publication as “Mizrahi’s Manhattan mania.”

This was a fabulously embellished design collection, featuring plenty of sparkly embellishments, sequins and gemstones, plenty of down-town glam-vibes, and even dizzying design references to the City’s incredible skyline.    

  –Mizrahi’s collection took strong inspiration from the recent “Art of the Samurai” exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and was expressed in dramatic crystal work and even bejeweled toggle closures.  Classic exotica!

Of course, we’ve been talking about bracelets for some time now.  And, we’ve been talking about wearing bracelets in multiples.  But we haven’t seen anything like this, believe me!  Right now, bracelets frequently take prominence over all other fashion being worn.  These are bracelets that demand attention. 

Bracelets run from the most primitive to the sleekest, most modern and sophisticated.  They also come from all over the globe and have all kinds of stories attached to them.  For example, there are plenty of breast cancer awareness bracelets.  But now there is so much more.

Take Diane von Furstenberg’s telephone wire bracelets from South Africa’s Senzokuhle Wire Co. The designer purchased the colorful, ethnic bracelets through Vital Voices, an organization that enables impoverished women around the world to earn money while preserving their artisan traditions.

  — And that’s not all.  There are numerous charities and organizations selling bracelets for various causes, many of them just string or cord pieces, but meaningful.  You’ll find both men and women wearing them. Bracelets for Haiti are among the newest.

Fascinating stories are frequently attached to the bracelets, too. For example, Barbara Bui offers a collection of sterling silver and crystal bracelets inspired by serpents with carefully placed emeralds, snake heads and scales.

Hammered metal makes for interesting looking bracelets, especially those with an archeological appearance and references to ancient Rome, perhaps, or Pharaoh-era Egypt.

Heavily glitzy bracelets with large gemstones often have Russian Romanoff design inspiration and seem to have all the intrigue of yesterday’s Eastern Europe somehow imbedded in them.  Fascinating!  

                                           Tough and Sassy

Metal-based bead encrusted bracelets are especially popular.  These tend to be big, cuff-like pieces, done in silver or car-repair shop metal, with circles of beading around them.  A new ad by Guess features three or four (it could be twelve, it’s hard to tell!) bracelets on one arm, with twice that number on the other. The look is absolutely dynamite with a western-denim fashion story.  Wow!

YOU CAN FIND STUNNING BIG CUFF BRACELETS AT VALUE PRICES!  LOOK HERE:

• Wide cuff bracelet, silver plated with gold plated edge.  Trendy!

• Cuff bracelet with open weave design.

Guess isn’t always so edgy.  In another ad, the firm features a bracelets galore look with African-inspired tribal bracelets, featuring some beaded pieces, along with blue and white etched bracelets plus a couple of plain silver and gold bracelets.  A real mixture.

Beads of many different materials make for exciting bracelet collections.  Giorgio Armani offers a beautiful glass crystal bracelet in multi-colors, with beads of many different shapes and sizes.  Resin is an important material in modern-design bracelets, most often used in clear interpretations.  Sterling silver is a particularly popular metal right now, either real or faux. 

 Here and there you will find a bracelet that can be worn by itself. These are usually real or faux diamond bracelets, not really tennis bracelets (while this is now a classic, it is not really as “hip” as it used to be) but rather medium-wide pieces with interesting, usually floral or geometric designs, mostly in silver or silver-plate.  These are strictly for formal wear;  they don’t work for daytime!

                                        Arabian Nights

Oh, oh…let us not forget the Saudi look! We’re talking about rich, gold or gold-plate cuff bracelets, worn two or three or four at a time, along with several (if not many) skinny gold bangles, all on one arm.  Add a luxurious handbag and a pair of dark sunglasses and you’ll look like a Princess even in clothes from the flea market!

And is there anything more popular than a charm bracelet?  It seems demand for these classic pieces grows non-stop!  There are so many of these, it is hard to even begin to list them.  But, here are a couple of pieces: 

   –My friend’s daughter recently received a charm bracelet from her boyfriend with hand-picked charms commemorating points in their relationship. A little puppy stands for the pet shop they met in.  A piece of pizza commemorates their first “eat-out” date.  A bicycle represents their athletic activity. Put on a pretty chain link bracelet, and it makes for a delightful bracelet. 

   –On a more expensive scale are Tiffany’s charm bracelets, representing cities, such as Paris, and New York.  Needless to say, Paris includes a plane (for getting there), a French poodle, and the Eiffel Tower, among other things.  Great to own!

CHARMS AND CHARM BRACELETS OFFER ENDLESS HOURS OF DELIGHT.  HERE ARE SOME TO GET YOU STARTED:

• Silver plated puffy heart charm with dangling faceted bead.

• Hope ankle bracelet with silver plated dangling charms.

That’s pretty good for a fairly novice retailer, but the big thing, of course, is her celebrity status, second generation, and no less powerful.

Let’s just look at her plans!  To start with, Ivanka has, until now, had only one! fine jewelry retail outlet, in Manhattan, on Madison Avenue.  Now she has devised her blueprint to expand in size in a truly grand, if not grandiose, manner.  First, her line will soon be connected to thirty top-tier guild jewelers in the United States from coast to coast.   Next, she says, will be exposure in Europe, then the Middle and Far East.

We’re told that Ivanka herself will handle multiplication of the stores’ locations and customer reach, and that she will also be in charge of jewelry design, target groups, and merchandising.

   — It’s amazing how, once someone assumes a celebrity role, they can easily handle everything from marriage to jumping on board a rocket ship to the moon, while we poor earthlings seem tied to one job at time, multitasking notwithstanding. 

THINKING IN “TRUMP” TERMS CAN BRING YOU CLOSER TO SELLING MORE AND TARGETING TRENDS QUICKER.  THE TRUMP MAGIC IS SOMETHING TO KEY INTO.  HERE ARE SOME PRODUCTS THAT HAVE THAT MYSTIQUE, MINUS THE BIG PRICE TAG:  

• CZ Circle Necklace – The look of diamonds at a fashion jewelry price

• Concentric Circles Fashion Pendant: Polished 2-tone plating.  Very smart!

                                                             Computer Savvy

IVANKA HASN’T IGNORED THE POWER OF THE INTERNET, EITHER. She has a beautifully crafted web site for the jewelry line.  Her image glamorizes the jewelry presentation.  Text speaks effectively to her customer.  She explains her philosophy and inspiration and provides irresistible suggestions for every occasion for gift giving.  It’s a total package. 

The Trump jewelry operation reportedly has some 700,000 followers on Twitter.  Recently, Ivanka tweeted about her favorite earrings, which sell for $750, and the store has had trouble keeping them in stock ever since. 
The Trump jewelry collection is not that extraordinary on the surface; it is classical and interesting.  It features mainly the finest diamonds, as might be expected.  As Ivanka said, “With so many talented jewelers out there, the biggest challenge we had was reinventing important jewelry and making it our own.

Among her stand-out pieces are mixed-cut diamond hoop earrings, a silver silk cord with two gold circular pendants, and a cuff bracelet in gold with large (oh, huge!) center clear faceted gemstone.  And, for plenty of glitz in the super-trendy mode, there is her triple strand crystal necklace, all clear fire and ice!

                                                        Partner Daddy

This jewelry venture was begun with a partnership with the Trump organization (Daddy) and now, while they begin the selection of fine jewelers, retail partners and franchisees, she is busily drafting a master plan to establish a prime network for wholesale distribution as well!

LET OTHERS SPEND THOUSANDS FOR ELEGANT JEWELRY ACCESSORIES.  GET A VERY SIMILAR LOOK AND IMPACT FROM THESE LOVELY DESIGNS:

• Stunner:  Large Oval CZ Necklace Set.  Sparkles like the best of diamonds!

• Art Deco Crystal Bracelet.  Antique silver plating.  So elegant!

So why should we care about Ivanka’s activities, since we deal with normal people, and she admittedly says that one thing that marks all of her world is luxury? 

Well, despite the fact that she is “to the manor born,” she is a workaholic and has already set a high marker for success in business.   Here are some of her ideas for business success:

1. Brand awareness is essential.  For example, everything she does or participates in must advance the Trump brand.
2. Business Education:  Knowledge is where it’s at!  Be sure you understand all the basics… and then arm yourself with the special knowledge you’ll need for your particular area of activity.
3. Planning.  This can’t be emphasized too much.  Know in advance what your goals are, and how you plan on reaching them.
4. Product and People.  Only deal with quality here.  Spending a little more for better employees and consultants will pay off in the long run!
5. Work at developing confidence and passion.  Ivanka claims they are the two assets behind her motivation and drive.  

For one Manhattan boutique, IT’S THE IDENTITY THAT WILL CHANGE, at set intervals (currently, every two months), to excite existing patrons, and attract new buyers.  One part of the signage that will be static is the name of the company:  Scoop.  The second half of the signage will change every other month, AS WILL THE CHARACTER OF THE STORE’S MERCHANDISE!   Right now, the sign reads Scoop After Dark —so you know the store is focused on night-on-the-town wear and accessories, BUT ONLY UNTIL THE END OF JANUARY!  In February, it will take on a totally new personality in a new themed merchandise mix, with a new and provocative name on that second half of the sign, all as yet to be decided.

                                    Chameleon Concept

The boutique was formerly Scoop’s discount outlet, and smallish, under 800 square feet.  It’s acting as a TESTING GROUND for management for this unique chameleon concept.  Later, with store stats in hand, management will assay how much work is really involved, how customers react to the quick-change program, and whether the level of profit makes it all worthwhile.

EXCITEMENT ALWAYS SELLS.  HERE ARE SOME HOT IDEAS TO FRESHEN YOUR OWN STOCK, PRESTO!   TRY THESE:

• Black and Gold Murano Style Glass Necklace.   Modern look, classic beauty!

• Below Elbow Satin Gloves.   These add an aura of elegance to any formal or evening occasion. 

IS THIS VISIONARY MERCHANDISING??

The Scoop chain currently has fourteen units, with three others ON THE SAME BLOCK as Scoop
After Dark, and each of the stores has distinct character.  The discount operation has been relocated to the lower level of SCOOP ACTIVE (the name defines the active sportswear and accessories featured there).  The other two stores are for each of the sexes:  SCOOP NYC (ladies contemporary specialties) and SCOOP MEN’S.

The chain is definitely upscale, and the perks of higher pricing should provide leeway for management to transform the test store in a provocative and effective manner every eight weeks.  But sources do need lead time, sales staff must be knowledgeable, and exchanges could be tricky if a purchase is made at Scoop After Dark, and returned the next week at, say, Scoop Casual.   You know that, by now, management has figured out how all this is going to work, and they’ve decided they have the systems to deal with it.

One thing is certain, “new idea” is a fitting label for Scoop After Dark, and lots of added excitement will stem from SIMPLE CHATS WITH PATRONS BY SALES STAFF  about the short life of each store theme (only 8 weeks, remember), and the oncoming thrill of a new store persona,  again and again.  Who wouldn’t be intrigued to come back and see what fresh theme and what all-new merchandise choices would be coming next?

BUT EVERYONE NEEDS QUALITY PRODUCTS THAT KEEP PACE WITH CURRENT TRENDS– AT DOWN-TO-EARTH PRICING.  SO LOOK HERE:

• Leatherette Evening Bag:   silver or washed gold.  Measures 6” x 8”, gathered at the top with crystal studded fold-over closure.  Tuck in the chain handle and use as clutch.  Stunning!

• Stylized Flower Brooch.  Layered crystal forms a stylized flower.  Gold plate, amber crystals sit over champagne Murano style glass stones.  Magnificent accent jewelry gives new dimension to apparel.

There have been high-level executive changes since Scoop was acquired by Yucaipa in 2007.  Retailing in general has been difficult for several years, but imaginative top brass like Scoop’s are determined to flourish.  And we not only wish them the best, but we’re certain the outlook is great!

                                              Intermezzo

“Intermezzo was busier than expected,” said ENK chairman Elyse Kroll, discussing the NY trade show that features high-end contemporary designs mainly for handbags and jewelry.  “Retailers were less cautious than in seasons past.” ENK has also seen larger booths by exhibitors this year, signals that suggested “designers and manufacturers are starting to feel better about business.”

While business was certainly more upbeat, it has still not come back to where it was prior to the recession.  Still, many exhibitors reported good business activity.  Orders for Milly, for example, which focused on jewel tones and bold patterns, were up a little from last year.  Milly’s prices have remained about the same as 2009, but some firms have dropped prices in order to stimulate sales.  At Sunner, for example, wholesale prices were down about 25 percent from pre-recession levels. 

PRICING IS ALWAYS THE UNDERLYING BASIC BEHIND GOOD VALUE.  HERE ARE SOME TERRIFIC OFFERINGS:

• Inexpensive glass bead bracelets in 5 color choices.  Affordable and chic!

• Copper and gold plated high fashion necklace and earrings with handcrafted look of primitive design.

                                             Moda Manhattan

Last month’s Moda Manhattan saw much healthier retail this year than last.  Britton Jones, CEO of Business Journals, Inc. noted that “Retailers came in with a hunger, more cash, and bought more aggressively.”

   —Lines were apparently scrutinized for quality and value more than ever. Pastels were particularly popular, such as lime green.  Bright Floridian patterns were also big movers. 

“November to spring is a tough time,” said Cheryl Glense of Ritsi in Montreal.  “Our customers are looking for fun things.  If it is different, they’ll pay.”

                                          Designers & Agents

Exhibitors at Designers & Agents in New York saw a lot of trends from spring continuing into summer, such as bold prints, geometric prints, florals and neutral colors.  Cross-body handbags in multiple shapes and sizes were popular. 

While many reported a higher level of optimism this year, there still was an air of nervousness apparent in buyers. “Buying is closer to the season, and that is forcing designers to rework their whole structure,” said Meredith Sherman, sales manager of Seamless Showroom. 

Mary Ayscew of Aubrey Co. added, “Buyers are looking for classic silhouettes, color, and simplicity.”

                                               Fame

At Fame, exhibitors were up 20 percent.  Britton Jones of Business Journals, Inc., pointed out that Fame serves a market segment that is particularly hot right now. “It’s more fast fashion.  It is fun.  It is affordable.  And it’s very profitable.” 

Monica Domantay, director of sales for The Addison Story, attributed the good show traffic to accessible price points.  “The prices are fabulous,” declared Anh Nguyen of the Jack and Jill Boutique in Philadelphia. She said she was looking for light weight neutrals, softer baby colors and easy to wear dresses. 

   –Another retailer from Pennsylvania said “People aren’t buying expensive things any more.  They’re looking for J. Crew and preppy with an edge.”

GETTING INTO REAL FASHION FOR A VALUE-ORIENTED PRICE IS THE 2010

MANTRA FOR SUCCESS.  LOOK HERE FOR PRODUCTS THAT OFFER JUST THAT:

• Tropical montage earrings: tomorrow’s prized tropical vintage jewelry.

• Carved eagle head hematite necklace captures the spirit of the American wilderness.

                                  Nouveau Collective

At the Nouveau Collective trade show, exhibitors reported sales running several percentage points ahead of 2009.  Sharp-eyed merchandising, timely offerings and abundant staffs to take care of prospective buyers appeared to be coaxing buyers into a good purchasing mood. 

Kiki Hughes who owns a specialty store in Philadelphia said business has been hard but she is putting into practice a number of marketing tactics to help build sales.  She regularly calls customers to encourage them to visit.  She also has trunk shows and private shopping parties in her boutique. 

With many retailers spending less, exhibitors said they were emphasizing items and accessories.

A return to classic styling was the main theme of the show, as manufacturers pushed company heritage as a major selling point.  Many were even moving away from sports watches, for example, and back to their roots with finely crafted timepieces.

—There was no small amount of social snobbery here, a kind of landed aristocracy emphasis that seemed to say, “If you buy from us you will share our privileged position.”

Watch firms are even taking customers on factory tours so that they will understand what goes into making a watch.  This is, on one hand, a long way from the luxury-designed showrooms in which watches are usually sold, but it is also a deeper and more personal experience for the buyer, aimed at creating a stronger form of  brand loyalty.

WATCHES ARE A PERENNIAL FAVORITE AS A PERSONAL PURCHASE OR AS A GIFT.  HERE ARE SOME RICH CHOICES AT NOT-SO-RICH PRICES:

• Round watch face in silver tone with popular metallic green background.

• Fashion watch face in a variety of rich colors.

Skinny Pieces

THINNESS WAS ANOTHER MAJOR THEME at the Salon.   Retailers were obviously excited by Piaget’s offerings in this field, specifically the company’s Altiplano Automatic which has set world records for both the thinnest automatic movement and the thinnest case.  Looking at it from the side, the watch looks like a very thin quarter, sleek and complete.

Other firms clocked in with various record-thin offerings, such as the Vacheron Constantin Historique 1955, which the company claims is the thinnest manual-winding watch in the world.

Leading off American offerings and further emphasizing the importance of thinnest at the Show — was Ralph Lauren who introduced six new pieces in his Slim Classique collection.

A considerable number of concept watches could be seen at the Show, along with many interesting novelties (despite some observers’ contention that demand for novelties has slipped somewhat).  Missing, however, was an overload of flash and glitz, which until recently has been a lightning rod for most watch firms.  Lauren’s Slim Classique 38mm White gold watch did feature a row of brilliant cut diamonds around the face, but only one thin line, very classy-looking, very quiet.

WATCHES AND WATCH ACCESSORIES WITH LESS – INSTEAD OF MORE – EMBELLISHMENT IS THE NEWEST LOOK. PAY ATTENTION TO THESE GREAT PRODUCTS:

• Colored stones watch band.  Elegant!

• Colored crystals and beads watch band.

A New Decade

“EVERYONE IS REINVESTING,” declared one watchmaker. “Retailers want to start afresh this new decade.”  A certain amount of minimalism was found at the Salon this year, with watches looking like watches, instead of gemstone bracelets. A high level of craftsmanship was also prized, with details highly refined and exquisitely sculpted.

“There is a real flight to quality,” one retailer commented.

How Young is this iGENERATION?

What Rosen says, essentially, is the iGeneration includes today’s teens and middle-schoolers whose life experience is so dominated by tech that it molds their behavior and the WAY THEY THINK. (But even preschoolers can show iGeneration traits.  Just check your local toy school, and you’ll see that there are interactive games for children ages 2 and 3!)  And many professionals feel there is some sort of mental re-wiring happening here.

While earlier generations studied to cram facts into their minds, iGeneration members know they can access facts and figures –whatever!—easily on line, and are more inclined to study HOW TO FIND INFORMATION, when they need it.  Researchers claim these students take in huge amounts of data, screen out unimportant details and focus on relevant facts.

CUSTOMIZE ACCESSORIES FOR THE NEW iGENERATION MINDSET:

• Freshwater Pearl ID / Cellphone holder – Elegant lanyard keeps girls’ nametag,  iPod Shuffle or cellphone always “at the ready.”

• Unisex oversize Aviator Glasses – Cool look for today’s cool youth!
  #1 selling Sunglasses.

You may think the “i” in the term iGeneration was lifted from the iPhone, but Rosen means “individualized.”  He says this new batch of upstart technophiles expects everything customized or individualized for them:  music choices, TV programming, games, web applications.  Sites such as Facebook, My Space and Twitter all provide a personal platform for them, for what they think, how they feel, what they do, what they say, right now.

So here are some key characteristics of the iGEN:

• Very early and continuous exposure to technology
• Always virtually ‘available,’ as are their peers, 24/7
• Immediate gratification from personal devices
• So submerged in multitasking they take it as completely natural
• Quick to adopt and master new technologies

“What’s New?” Takes On Real Personal Meaning

Since new or improved digital devices have been constantly introduced over their lifetimes, the iGeneration expects innovation.   If somebody thinks of a new technotool or application, they take it for granted that someone will come up with the real thing.  (Probably Apple’s Steve Jobs comes immediately to mind, but there are thousands of resourceful innovators out there.)  Everything they might want or need can be precisely tailored for them – this is something they believe.  They can see the truth of this all around them.

NEW ATTITUDES AND MINDSETS are molded with this  proliferation of technology in everyday life and non-stop interaction with both virtual and real  friends.  Even iGeneration’s older and tech-savvy siblings feel free-er, less compulsively connected than their younger brothers and sisters.

Show All, Tell All

iGeneration’s digital “lifelines” are portable, on their person constantly, and readily usable.   Oddly enough, these students can perform comparatively well.  They’re not as distracted as you might expect, with all that’s going on, and can split their attention between workload and social communiqués with ease.  Books are still important, but this group is much more attuned to video; many use webcams themselves and post their videos on line, often for the internet world to see.  This behavior reflects their need for self expression and their self confidence.

HERE ARE SOME FOCUSED  IDEAS FOR THE iGENERATION:

• Her own Initial Necklace, Pink Leatherette cord – silver-plated filigree frame.  Up front and Personalized as an accessory can get!

• Visor – Silver Sequins on a black background.   “I Count!” feminine Glamour

• Visor – For Him:  Checkered Flag broadcasts Life is a Race!

VIDEO GAMES HAVE LONG BEEN the purview of the male world, but look out, electronics!  Michael Kors, and  Heidi Krum are about to enter the video mecca with a new and exciting game based on fashion and aimed directly at 18-to-25 year old women.  The designers figure they can successfully tap into the $20 billion U.S. video game industry and simultaneously awaken the power of the female consumer to a whole new market experience. Games based on Lifetime’s “Project Runway,” featuring Kors, Krum, and Tim Gunn are scheduled for release this year.

A number of Fashion Week videos are in the conceptual stage and are expected to come on stream in the near future.  505 Games Company has already experienced a high level of success with its new video aimed at 8-to-12 year old girls.  Called “Fashion Week: Junior Stylist” the interactive game enables girls to play the role of fashion designer and make clothing and accessories.

Brooks Brothers Eyes the Girls

THE CLASSY NEW YORK-HEADQUARTERED retailer, Brooks Brothers, says it will launch a new line of clothing and accessories aimed at girls. Yes, girls!  This is the first time the company has gone any place near that market in its 192 year history.  “This is probably the most requested product category we have,” declared Claudio Del Vecchio, Brooks’ CEO.  The new collection will cover the entire lifestyle needs of a young girl, from playwear to school wear and special occasion clothing and accessories.  Most will sell for $200 or less.

The store says girls aren’t altogether new customers at Brooks. They’ve been coming in for some time to buy boyswear products, like T’s and button-down shirts.  But now, the new line will focus directly on girls and what they need and want for themselves.  As one store executive said, “It helps Brooks Brothers become a true lifestyle brand.”

YOU CAN FIND RITZY CHILDREN’S ACCESSORIES AT A REASONABLE PRICE.  LOOK HERE:

• Angel Children’s necklace and bracelet set with pink beading.

• Flower girl jewelry in soft colors. Delightful!

Cadmium Alarm

A PRIVATE INVESTIGATION by the Associated Press into the use of Cadmium in consumer products is expected to spark a new debate, not unlike one last year that resulted in more restrictive use of lead in consumer products.  It seems cadmium is being used extensively in a number of products, including children’s jewelry, and that is a major problem, since heavy metals such as cadmium and lead can cause brain damage in children.

In a speech to the Toy Conference in Hong Kong last week, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission chairwoman Inez Tenenbaum warned manufacturers in China not to substitute cadmium for lead in children’s products. China has said that it is looking into the allegations.

— In response to the new product alarm, Claire’s Stores says it is halting sales of charm bracelets identified as possibly containing dangerous levels of cadmium.  And Wal-Mart Stores says it will pull from its shelves all products suspected of containing harmful levels of the heavy metal.

New Fashion Role

SARAH JESSICA PARKER JUST NEVER stays still.  Now the former superstar of TV’s “Sex and the City” is about to take an active design role in Halston Heritage, a newly launched secondary collection that features updated Halston archival pieces at modest price points.  It is understood that she may even take on the title of creative director.

As the fictional Carrie Bradshaw in her TV series, Parker wore just about every major designer’s clothing and accessories. As a result, the TV show and subsequent movie have turned Parker into a fashion icon.  That Parker has long flirted with the fashion world is part of her personal mystique.

Parker has tried entering the fashion world directly in the past, but with little success. Among other things, she created the Bitten line for Steve & Barry’s mass retail chain, but

it stirred up little attention.  The chain itself liquidated in 2008.  Still, Parker has remained upbeat about the opportunities available to her in fashion.

“I’ve always loved beautiful clothes,” she says. “And I love the idea that fashion doesn’t have to be a luxury.”

FASHION IS ESPECIALLY ATTRACTIVE WHEN IT COMBINES HIGH QUALITY WITH REASONABLE PRICES.  HERE ARE SOME GREAT EXAMPLES:

• Faux croc evening bag in fashion colors.

• Multi-colored Keffiyeh scarves.  Fashionable!