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 procurement was anchored in Japan. … Read More
There has been a lot of history in the media about the American Declaration of Independence this week and I am always in awe when I hear how this evolutionary and ultimately revolutionary event occurred. Even though I knew the basics, when I read the autobiography of John Adams by David McCullough several years ago, I was moved to another level of perception. A consortium of individuals, led by a small group of men, with … Read More
You must know by now that I am deep in the 
process of packing in preparing to move. Searching through my intimate drawers the other day in hope of paring down a bit, I uncovered my Retro Chic bra from Wacoal, which I first wrote about when it launched in the marketplace. As you might imagine, I have a lot of bras and sometimes they get buried away. I forgot how beautiful this style is, … Read More
This has been an enervating week: round trip travel to Paris for 4 full days of product analysis combined with a bit too much indulgence in French cuisine and wine. Add to the recipe the on-going learning curve from having just launched our new website and the attention it demands, and I must admit my inspirational meter has peaked. Sometimes one just needs comfort food. Retreating to the familiar has a way of providing succor … Read More
In preparation for college in the late 60’s, my mother felt compelled to buy me a trunk full of “outfits”. She took me shopping to Saks and Best & Company (now I am really dating myself) and insisted on a bevy of tweed skirts with cable knit sweaters; matching knee-his included. It was like buying a trousseau, and I obliged, because frankly, who knew? Suffice it to be said that I never opened that foot … Read More