Some years ago, after my first child was born, my husband gave me an exquisite piece of jewelry for Christmas: a cabochon ruby choker embraced by diamonds. This created a conundrum for me. Precious jewelry was not really my thing. I did not even want an engagement ring. But my grandmother had once told me that I must never return a gift from my husband, that each offering was a … Read More
By ALISON CONNOLLY
We are no stranger to the concept of luxury lingerie when it comes to our Gallery posts, and today’s feature on the U.K.-based brand MENG is no exception. MENG is a contemporary luxury lifestyle brand with a heavy emphasis on Asian-inspired prints and styles that are tailored to suit the sophisticated woman’s taste. If you are familiar with the label, which is sold at Selfridges, Neiman Marcus … Read More
This week has been an intense market drill down: three full days at Curve NY, The Lingerie Select, followed by showroom appointments. Spring 18 previews, current business reviews and fall strategy meetings: these generate a great deal of input requiring thoughtful analysis. Look for a defined perspective shortly. But today, I want to highlight an English label that I love for its lingerie purity, Gilda & Pearl. I visited … Read More
Years ago, before social media, when my job was inextricably linked to Victoria Secret (a client), the VS catalog was a mail order lingerie bible. Born and raised in a department store brick and mortar world where hanger appeal dictated product decisions, learning an entire new set of merchandising rules for catalog sales was enlightening. The picture was everything. VS would develop and place orders with us. Then they would … Read More
By TINA WILSON
I believe by the turn of this century there will no longer be categories of clothing, no sportswear, no intimates, no outerwear, we will have 7 articles of clothing, period …I will be dust by then and it’s probably just as well but in the meantime I will happily prepare for the inevitable and so should any forward thinking designer or retailer of apparel.
hy•brid (ˈhaɪ brɪd) … Read More
No one who is breathing today can doubt that we are sailing on winds of change. The shifts in decades of established norms, political and cultural have been seismic in the past few years. This is a good thing, even if adjustment to the impact requires some serious analysis, growing pains and, initially, reluctant acceptance. In fashion, the influence is huge. Just last month at the semi-annual Interfiliere show, Concepts … Read More
The very first lesson I ever learned as a merchant was the pursuit of the key item and how to maximize its potential. The term “key item intensification” became a maxim for good retail practice. Identifying a product and expanding its exposure while eliminating styles trickling along in sales is the mark of a savvy buyer. This practice carries through to the wholesale venue. It takes only one great item … Read More