If I had to choose just one trend that dominates the 2014 lingerie market, hands down it would be the floral explosion and in particular the blooming daisy. It is everywhere that design matters, laces, embroideries, prints and Hanky Panky’s showroom. I know because walking into their virtual garden a few weeks ago, I found myself in a riot of color and patterns begging to be sowed. Poetic, provocative, pretty … Read More
By Elisabeth Dale
It’s hard to imagine that a medical insurance plan could change the way nursing bras are designed. But the Affordable Care Act, in an effort to increase overall breastfeeding rates, may lead the way. Why? Because new mothers will have greater access to expensive ($250 and up) but more efficient electric breast pumps. And nursing bras that make it simple to latch on to baby or a … Read More
In the mid 1980’s when I was VP of Private Label Development at Macy’s charged with building quality brands that would define the corporations Intimate Apparel business, I took a trip up to Bloomingdales where a Japanese based brand had just launched into the market. The company, Wacoal, had been carefully curated for the North American consumer. I was curious because in those years, all our textile research and … Read More
by Ellen Lewis
There’s nothing like the past to preview the future. And personally I have always had a passion for the finery of yesteryear. Add to the equation my favorite color, green. My only revelation, all these retro styles come from a time when I was young. Nice to see the inspiration preserved.
Irving Penn photo and Crinoline at Syneys’s Vintage Clothing 1950’s
Nylon Panties by Lucie Ann and
Someone told me the other day, that the market can seem so redundant; same old, same old. It’s not easy buying for margin and profit. You have to focus on inventory that sells quickly and often. In the USA, in particular, that often means basics, no nonsense, practical merchandise that speaks to a broad customer base. How, then, to balance the reality of the bottom line with the beauty of … Read More
By Ali Cudby
In preparation for the New Year and the upcoming shows, it’s a good time to take a look at your buying strategy. Is it working for you? Could it use a tune-up? Is your buying strategy hurting your business?
Some stores function without a buying strategy. Those stores are certainly putting themselves at risk every time they go to Market. Even stores that have a strategy for … Read More
Our Cristina whose column this is, has been absent for awhile due to a big move to Washington DC from Brooklyn, NY and now- Big Congratulations!- a brand new baby boy, Theodore Anthony King. Ex-Legwear buyer that I am, this is a venue to which I am always drawn so I thought I might provide a bit of insight while she is gone.
I love this sheer anklet trend. It’s … Read More