February 12, 2010
Some thing Floral
Spring and floral prints go hand in hand. This year is no exception and we saw many soft, flowery designs strut down designer’s runways.
J Crew Floral Skirt – $110
Something Shiny
Metallic fabrics and sequins are part of the newest fashion trends. For spring 2010 designers have used a lot of shiny metal in everything from shoes to hats. Metalic fabrics aren’t just for evening wear this season. Coats, shoes, handbags, scarves and sheer summer dresses all have splashes of shimmer.
Tory Burch top – $495
Something Strappy
Platform shoes and ultra high heels are all the rage for 2010, so why not platform high heeled sandals? Strappy platform sandals are available from just about every major shoe line. Seems platform shoes aren’t just fro strippers anymore!
BCB Girls leather platform sandal – $110
Something Gold
Gold never goes out of style and for spring 2010 golden bangles are the buzz. Gold bangles can be found at your local mall for as little as $1 a piece and will add some stylish bling to your spring wardrobe.
Gold Bangles – prices vary
Something Military
Spring 2010 has seen many designers making use of military inspiration, especially for jackets. If a military jacket seems to stern, why not try a pair of military inspired pants. The solid color can be paired with just about any top and a simple change of shoes and accessories can take these pants from daytime casual to nigh time chic.
JBrand Jeans – $216
Something Black
Every woman has a pair of basic black pumps. Even though the color never changes over time, the styles always do. Make sure you update your basics so they never look “so last year”.
Yves Saint Laurent Black Pump
Something Mauve
We have seen this color all over the Paris runways. Chanel’s new spring color is a mauve they call “particuliere” and if its anything like what happened with their satin black color a few years back, we are bound to see it on the fingers of every celeb and cover girl for the next 12 months.
Chanel Nail Polish in
After having to budget slash for the last three seasons, optimism is beginning to return in the fashion world. With wealthy shoppers showing an increased willingness to spend again, retailers are turning their focus on the “aspirational shoppers,” who are still window-shopping and keeping track of trends.
Designers are beginning to split their business into two parts by limiting high-end products to create scarcity and create a broader range of entry-level products to appeal to the masses. For example, French fashion label Chloé, who is known for easily pricing their leather handbags at $1,200 and up, has created a line of canvas handbags that cost 50% less than the leather products and have produced less of their higher-priced handbags such as their new “Marcie” bag retailing for $1,600, which is already practically sold out for the spring.
Chloé Chief Executive Ralph Toledano says, “On the one hand, you are mad because you are missing sales” on high-priced items. On the other, people are finding again that special things always sell.”
Having the disastrous 2008 Holiday season still fresh in their minds, retailers cut back 20% of orders in the first half of 2009, which caused about a dozen designers to file for bankruptcy protection. This year, retailers are remaining conservative for the first half and have plans to boost orders for the second half of the year.
Macy’s Inc. Chief Executive Terry Lundgren says, “The designers that were able to get through 2009 should be in a good position in 2010 to grow from this base.”
Among the retailers who are attempting to target those “aspirational shoppers” is luxury footwear brand Jimmy Choo. They have expanded to create a variety of lower-priced styles including rubber-soled flats retailing for about $365. Jimmy Choo founder Tamara Mellon said, “We were thinking about what the customer needs, and what is her psychology right now.”
According to luxury retailer Bloomingdale’s executive vice president and general merchandising manager Frank Doroff, this lower-price strategy was proven successful this past holiday season by offering lower prices on best sellers
