Last night driving through a wicked snowstorm in New Hampshire I was struck first, by the unbelievable beauty of the whiteout that surrounded my car and second, how dangerous it was. My wipers were freezing over and no one had plowed. Thank goodness for the rear lights on the car I was following. The dichotomy of the moment was not lost on my creative conscience. How often in life does … Read More
Today in her Swimwear Briefs column, Jennifer expounds on the assets of the Diva Swimwear brand. A connoisseur herself as owner of the fabulous Nani Nalu Beachwear Boutique, Jennifer has an inside view of a woman’s struggle to feel wonderful in her swimsuit. READ MORE… Read More
By Jennifer Cermak
In 1948 Diva started manufacturing swimwear using the know-how of brassieres and lingerie. In the 70’s Diva became a brand known for its elegance, impeccable fit, flattering silhouette, exclusive designs and innovative fabrics in the swimwear industry. The vision is that every lady who wares a Diva swimsuit, should feel like a diva.
The campaign for the 2014 collection is sophisticated and glamorous. You desire that lifestyle … Read More
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
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
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
December Rose
What is December’s rose?
She survives to the last minute
Succumbing only to the first snow
I know those winter blossoms
Dark as the early night
Might be a promise; Just a bud
Basking in the fading autumn light
Still she endures
Only one single rose
And when I cut her loose
And introduce her to the bedroom fare
Warm and moist
She blossoms there.
There is something … Read More