Luxury Recession Proof?

New research has indicated that in a time when people are most tight with their income and looking for more ways to save than spend, luxury appeal and profit has soared.
2011 is said to be a record year for the luxury market, and is predicted to increase by 10% beyond its current which is estimated at 173 billion (ultimateluxurycommunity.com). In light of this new research it is evident that the consumer is indeed not dead but well alive and kicking freely, giving way to the fact that people are gaining confidence in their spending.

"Retail sales increased 1.1% in September, the biggest gain in seven months, and double what economists projected. Retail sales are a key barometer of consumer spending which helps drive economic growth (TheNewYorkTimes.com)
It's important to note that the government looks a retail sales for consumer spending each month, household spending accounts for 70% of the US Economy and that ranges from detergent to clothing. And if spending falls sharply than a recession is more likely.
"Stocks in both Canada an US just had their second up week in a row, with this week's performance showing the most powerful gains since the early stages of recovery two years ago" (TheGazette).
This surge gives hope that Europe will not face a financial meltdown and hopefully allow the US and Canada to gain steady economic growth.

With the way stocks have been averaging out these past few weeks it is clear there has been a significant boost in the savvy shopper's step.. In truth, retail has served as a indicator of the consumer's confidence, the consumer's attitude towards the potential for growth and an ever ending confirmation of the future.

Rachel Antonoff: A Style 'Trick or Treat' Worthy

Rachel Antonoff is one of the designers from this past September’s New York Fashion week, whose been on the lips of fashion goers and stylists a like. Rachel goes beyond the cookie-cutter image that I believe tends to cast a shadow over designers alike. Instead, Rachel presents her new collection as a throw back to vintage inspired style and uses contrasting imagery to help bring her pieces fully into the front line.

What Rachel has presented to the public, in a very tongue in cheek manor, is the backdrop of a “haunted” theme to her new fashion line. In showcasing her work, she used her models as gothic like entities, focusing on the distraught, confused, and twisted nature of this dreary backdrop.  What is so inspirational about Rachel’s collection and the imagery she used to create around it, is the face that her clothing represents a soft and feminine collection.  A juxtaposition to the setting she creates around her pieces. There’s definitely a sugar and spice element to her imagery and it’s clear that Rachel had fun in exploring what she could do with her line.

A part from the show, her collection maintains a sense of innocence and youthful fun; her line also takes on colorful accessories as well as one of a kind shoes.

In addition, the backdrop that Rachel presents, in her own words, is a take off from “Wednesday Adams” and allows the viewer to pull together two opposing worlds. What I enjoy most about Rachel’s work is that she is able to give character and life to her pieces; she creates a world for them in which they are able to tell their own story.  A story that is surprisingly different than what the viewer might anticipate and because of that’s she gives a new depth to her some what simple designs. If you haven''t heard of Rachel by now, be sure to check out her online collection as well as images from the past NY Fashion Week.

The Magic Pill Ain't So Magical

In a world and society that firmly believes we can buy our way to slimmer results. Forget the conventional methods to trimming down, you know exercising and cutting back on unhealthy foods. Nope, In America we are addicted to instant results and are irritated when we have to wait for what we want in the present.  It should come as no surprise that when Reebok announced it's "easy tone" series, a collection of footwear designed to tone and sculpt the hips, waist and buttock that Americans went into a state of frenzy. This was their answer to all those late night ice cream binges, cookie dough munchies, and pattern of choosing the elevator over the stairs.  This product not only feeds into the obsession of losing weight quickly and pain free, it also taps into the psyche of the consumer mind.  How we as individuals are willing to shell out money on one item in the hopes that is the answer to all our weight battle issues.  There is no logic to it, only greed and desire to get the results we want and not have to put too much effort into it.  After all, weight loss is suppose to be a clear cut answer, correct?? How simple of an idea. There's no wonder why this product was so widely accepted, any excuse to still "feel in shape" that keeps consumers out of the gym and still eating their favorite snacks is sure to be a bonafide hit. And yet, like all great ideas and inventions comes the inevitable realities of the matter and the truth that lies behind them. (Oh, puns).

This past week Reebok announced their pay of $25 million for a settlement filed by the Federal Trade Commission that claimed Reebok's shape ups did not in fact tone and sculpt the human body as they claimed in their initial release.

It's the latest controversy surrounding so-called toning shoes, which are designed with a rounded or otherwise unstable sole. Shoemakers say the shoes force wearers to use more muscle to maintain balance and consumers clamored for them, turning toning shoes into a $1.1 billion market in just a few years. Companies such as Reebok, New Balance and Skechers have faced lawsuits over their advertising claims. But the FTC settlement, announced Wednesday, is the first time the government has stepped in."

                                             (The Global Post)

The Rise of BHLDN

If you have not heard already, Urban Outfitters has expanded it's already growing fashion portfolio by starting their own wedding line: BHLDN. This line offers a romantic edge and artistic beauty to the wedding gown industry, implementing vintage throw-backs, simply A-lines, and of course the picture perfect princess bride look.  
What BHLDN does is bring together the most basic elements of the wedding process and in turn, presents us with one of a kind pieces that go further than just a traditional wedding dress. They even offer an extensive accessories section which can be argued that accessories have become more of a commodity than perhaps the dress itself.  New research has indicated that brides to be are willing to shell out more for their accessories (i.e; hair garments, jewelry, shoes, etc) than the dress itself.  Arguably, the accessories will go farther than the dress once the wedding day has past. "A gown is worn once, but an accessory is forever, said Julie Sabatino, a bridal fashion stylist who owns TheStyleBride.com "My client wants to invest in an accessory that can be worn again, It's a good way to maximize the investment" (TheNewYorkTimes.com)
BHLDN's website offers a fleeting pictorial of elegant designs, rustic innovations, and apparel that romantic enough to make any future bride swoon.  The company is set on trademarking an image that appeals to all aspects of the wedding process; not just the gown.  Touring their website you will notice intricate stories to backdrop each image, a way for the viewer to create their own idea of what kind of wedding the way want to create for themselves. It's a relief that today women are not pressured to wear the puffy sleeved, marshmallow endowed creation that their mother donned back in the 80s.  Rather women are now finding they can add snippets from their past and incorporate them into their look.  In BHLDN's accessory section they incorporate vintage touches to complete a bride's ensemble: a fitted 
glove, an elegant sash, or even a parasol. (image below)
It's no wonder the wedding industry has exploded this past decade with all the small touches, personal add ons and options that a woman is left to decide over.  But what BHLDN is able to offer is a purely feminine and soft touch to this process; a portfolio of images that allows any bride to create the "one of a kind look" she is so wanting to fulfill. BHLDN sets itself a part from any other wedding line because of the fine detail it puts into each piece they construct.  Each image on their website is handled with such care and poise, you would think they were a character themselves.  And when it comes to that special day, they might as well are.
BHLDN opened their first store in August of 2011 in Houston, Texas.  They are poised to open their second in Chicago, IL sometime later this year: BHLDN

(Copywrited: BHLDN, "High Noon Parasol")

 

Using What You Got

How to transfer your summer duds into fall musts: No need to re-stock your wardrobe, with a few helpful tips you can recycle what you already got and still be fiercely fashionable! Update your printed or bright patterned dresses: Add a pair of tights or leggings, an ankle boot and a scarf or light jacket to complete it.
This Fall Color-Blocking is all the rage, from the runways to the streets, being bold has never looked so good. So try experimenting with complimentary colors and mixing brighter hues.

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Oh, Pippa: The Re-Invention of The Bridesmaid

http://nymag.com/fashion/11/fall/pippa-middleton/
How one dress can change everything: