fashion

Clarification: Steve and Barry's

A frequent reader pointed out how he thinks I made a mistake by saying Steve and Barry's revenues were increased by not spending money on marketing. He thought I meant earnings so I want to clarify. Dear reader:

This was not me speculating on how Steve and Barry's made their cash, this was a quote from the chief executive when I spoke with him. You say,"You can't increase revenue by not advertising- revenue is sales. You can only increase profit by cutting expenses." I agree with you, but I'm directly quoting from the source that prob. knows his business best... or at least it seemed like he knew his business best when I spoke to him last year. Hope that helps.

XO, Hitha

Would you wear this??

 

Gorgeous pictures, right? This is from a Vogue Italia shoot in 2007. Notice what the model is wearing on her head though- it's an Amish bonnet. Yeah- a real one! The other day I was on Fox Business talking about polygamist style. Turns out those enterprising women out in Colorado City created a web site so people can purchase FLDS (Fundamentalist Church of Later Day Saints) approved children's clothes. They are shipping all over the country to places like California, New York and Arizona. There are about 10 women putting together the clothes now, but if demand increases they will add more peeps to the work force. How much do you wanna bet we see those long dresses and gibson girl hair on the runway next Feb??

The best thing about SATC is Patricia Field.

Ok ok ok. My patience is definitely wearing thin on all the Sex and the City craziness, but there is one thing that still makes me happy about franchise and that is Patricia Field. Some may argue that her genius is what makes the movie and I would have to agree with them. Not only is Patricia Field the costume designer and stylist that put together all of those looks for Carrie Bradshaw and Co., she is also a fierce business woman. She came out with her own line of shoes for Payless all priced between $25-$35. AND she has plans for more brand extension abroad!! Just brilliant.

I think we were talking about her role as a stylist, retailer, business woman and entrepreneur. Oh yeah, and her role as "den papa" to all the kids at her store.

 

I don't know what we were laughing so hard at.

I saw these the night before at Payless and thought "why the hell am I thinking about buying Miu Miu heels when I can get these and look just as fab.???" Seriously ladies- the gold pair are to die for!

As I was walking into the party (which was right next door at Patricia Field's store) a crew wanted to interview me. The bag I was carrying is a clutch from the Patricia Field for Payless collection. Cute, right?

 * All images taken by the talented NAVDEEP SINGH DHILLON of nsd photography (www.nsdphotography.com)

Over it: Sex and the City

 

Is anyone else experiencing Sex and the City fatigue? I used to think the show was mildly entertaining and once the frenzy started taking over New York City a couple weeks ago I slowly started not to care as much. Now, the premiere is tomorrow, I have two major pieces due on the movie and a segment to do this week and I can't seem to get motivated to talk about Carrie's fashion statements. I also know what happens in the movie (e-mail me if you want to know too) so I am even more "whatevs." about it.  Everyone is having shoe buying parties or girl hour cocktail "get togethers" and all I want to do is watch ESPN's coverage of the French Open. is that normal for a fashion and retail expert?

Despite Kalinsky, Norstrom STILL falters.

Man, you know the economy is REAL bad when someone like Jeffrey Kalinsky can't save a retailer like Nordstrom! The other day the retailer reported a fall in same store sales by 9.1% far worse than what analysts expected. Total sales dipped to $750 million from $803 million in 2007.  Jeffrey, who started the extremely well edited and influential Jeffrey boutiques in New York and Atlanta sold a majority interest of his stores to Norstrom and took on a full time gig. Problem is even his keen eye for knowing what's hot way before it sizzles (I bought my Balenciaga motorcycle bag because I saw it first at Jeffrey six years ago), isn't really working for Nordstrom right now.  The tourists aren't buying into it either!

Time management.

Ever get that deer in headlights feeling? Ever feel totally overwhelmed with all the stuff you have to do? Well that's me right now. I LITERALLY HAVE 20 THINGS TO DO and I refuse to stay up all night and do them. If anyone has any time management suggestions, please let me know. Dying over here. It's not funny anymore.

"Inspired" or just straight up copying?

Working, breathing and living in the fashion industry you often (well, way more than often- try every ten minutes) hear the word "inspired." Desigers are inspired by nature, the street, other designers, movies... the list goes on. But where does the line between inspiration and just straight up copying get blurred? Indian designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee explained to Suzy Menkes from the International Herald Tribune he was "inspired" by the "Frida Khalo movie" to put braids in the hair of all his models during his runway show. Why can't he just say he fully adopted the look?? In fact, why can't all designers just tell it like it is- "Oh yes," says designer X. "I totally copied Valentino circa 1975 for my new collection."  I don't think I would respect a designer any more or less if they were just honest... just sayin'.

 

Further proof middle markets are the last to get on the trend wagon.

I just saw an article in the the Myrtle Beach newspaper about how skulls are a new fashion trend. A "new" fashion trend?? Most of us were wearing skulls three years ago AND have totally moved on from it. But I did think this piece was interesting purely from a social perspective. If Myrtle Beach is just now recognizing skull icons are cool, I wonder when the skull trend is going to hit a place like Albuquerque, New Mexico??

Bear Stearns for sale!!

So we all know about the Bear Stearns debacle that almost brought down our entire economy but did you all know I used to work at Bear Stearns? What's more, I hears a lot of ex employees have been putting their stuff up on eBay, which got me thinking- how much could I get for my old Bear Stearns swag?? For those of you who have had the pleasure of traveling with me, you know I pack VERY lightly and put everything in a Bear Stearns tote bag. I would never give this up, but in a pinch I bet I could get at least $100 for it.

My Bear Stearns tote bag

 

I am an obsessive list maker and usually put these lists on my refrigerator door as reminders. Traders would always execute their buys and sells via the computer, but the Bear Stearns supply room had these old school "Buy" and "Sell" tickets that were perfect for scratch paper or reminder lists. Notice these are from the block desk!! I bet I could get at least $25 for a package of eight...

 

How to dress in a recession.

Last week got a little bananas, but I PROMISED to upload my points about how to dress in a recession from my segment on Fox Business and here they are (finally). FBN wanted me to do this segment as a reaction to piece written in USA Today. The author made the point how in a recession, people should buy more EXPENSIVE clothes instead of staying in their means and purchasing cheaper pieces because they last longer. Um, newsflash- that's just not true. Why would ANYONE spend money they don't have on discretionary items especially luxe goods like a $2,000 Gucci suit?? I think expensive doesn't necessarily mean better quality, and if you: 1) Stick to the basics, like combining your old black or grey interview suit with a new cool accessory.

2) Adhere to the 80%,20% rule meaning 80% of your outfit is inexpensive and 20% is on the pricey side (for example, take that dress from H&M and wear it with a pair of Louboutins).

3) Tap into the past- it’s ok to wear clothes from last season, or even from decades ago!!!

The next fashion trend: private equity

roberto-cavalli.jpgRoberto Cavalli SpA is the latest fashion house to embrace private equity, reports CNN Money. The group is latest in a string of designers who are on the P.E. band wagon including Peter Som, Valentino and Hugo Boss. Designer and owner Roberto Cavalli says the company is looking to sell a stake in order to finance its development abroad. Buyers include US and UK funds Permira, Cinven, Carlyle and possibly Blackstone AND according to Cavalli, he's not accepting any offers that value the company below 1.4 billion euros. 1.4 billion euros??? OBVIOUSLY that Cavalli Vodka must be selling REALLY well!!

New blog: Little Red Book

Yeah I hear ya. It seems that every single yo-yo out there is blogging about fashion. But I have to tell you my friend Myra Joloya's blog Little Red Book is one to keep in your favorites. Yes it does have a plethora of runway shots, yes it does feature socialistas giving their take on fashion, but what I love about it is that the pieces Myra chooses to feature are well edited AND she interviews interesting tastemakers for her site (and I'm not just saying that because she interviewed me last night for today's posting!!). Anyway, definitely check it out.

Museum worthy fashion.

vivian-westwood-heels.jpg  (Vivienne Westwood platforms circa 1990, at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.)

For all you in Boston or New York, you should definitely check out these two exhibits. The first is The Metropolitan Museum of Art attempt at going high tech with blog.mode: addressing fashion. I have a slight obsession with the Costume Institute so I think this exhibit is definitely worth while- at least to see the fabulous  L' Air du Temps dress designed by Olivier Theyskens for Nina Ricci or the Vivienne Westwood platform pumps circa 1990 up close and personal. The Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston has their National Design Triennial complete with designs from Nike, Thom Browne and Kid Robot. I haven't been to the ICA, but this exhibit sounds COOL. This isn't the first time clothing has been on display as works of art, but for some reason these exhibitions seem totally worth while.