Local retailers and a handful of designers gathered this evening for a boutique round table discussion put on by Gaviidae Common and moderated by yours truly. The conversation focused on service, service, service. Pricing and sales were barely discussed. The consensus seemed to be that stores stand a better chance of surviving the downtown when they stick with what they do best - even if that means selling luxury goods at a time when people are scaling back. Store owners are losing sleep trying to come up with ways to provide shoppers with a memorable experience and foster lasting relationships (do you want them to send you mail and track everything you buy? Discuss!). Even reps from Saks Off Fifth told me they are stressing service. Standing behind the counter waiting for customers just doesn't work in this economic climate.
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« January 2009 | Main | March 2009 »
February 25, 2009
Here come the knock-offs
Just days after the Academy Awards, copies of some of the stars' dresses are already in production and scheduled to hit stores before the prom rush. You can actually order now at eDressme.com. The choices might surprise you: eDressme is doing a version of the dresses worn by Kate Winslet and Amy Adams. eDressme CEO Joanne Stoner tells me she zeroed in on Kate Winslet's dark fitted gown because it was formal, unusual and modern with the one shoulder neckline. The Amy Adams dress, which was overshadowed on the red carpet by her mammoth necklace, "has universal appeal," Stoner says. The fitted bodice and fuller skirt is a flattering shape for most women, the chiffon draped in front gave the dress a feminine touch and red is a great choice for for formal affairs (just ask Heidi Klum). The dresses will sell for $375 and $325 respectively. Meanwhile, copies of the dresses worn by Angelina Jolie, Natalie Portman, Sarah Jessica Parker and Viola Davis are available for pre-order at Unique-Vintage.com.
February 22, 2009
February 19, 2009
On the scene at our spring fashion shoot
Woke up to a windchill...a perfect day to model spring fashions! Working on the March 8 spring fashion section for the St. Paul Pioneer Press with photographer Chris Polydoroff today. At this very moment, hair is being teased, lips are being glossed, poses are being struck and belts and shoes are being mismatched - purposely! Here's our beauty team from Root salon in St. Paul getting the models prepped (that's me off to the right thinking deep thoughts about a trench coat). Insider beauty tip: hot rollers work wonders - and fast.
Expect to see easy, breezy dresses, slouchy jeans and cropped pants, and lots of neutrals, which are so much fun to accessorize. But we're all drooling over a colorful, long Johnny Was slip dress from Karma. Helps to be 5-foot-11, add a 5-inch heel and not an ounce of fat. And the models are eating pizza! Hate them.
February 16, 2009
February 13, 2009
February 11, 2009
Hottie alert: male figure skaters
I love a man who is comfortable in his figure skates. U.S. champion Evan Lysacek and pairs champ John Zimmerman were in town today to hype their Feb. 22 Xcel Energy Center performance with Stars on Ice. Between TV appearances, we engaged in some retail therapy at Len Druskin Man. No sequins involved, but we did talk a lot about stretchy fabrics and hair product.
Divine. Read all about it in the St. Paul Pioneer Press on Feb. 22, a day that might well find me at the show, drooling over Zimmerman, who is married. To an Italian skater, no less.
February 10, 2009
Stamp of approval
Ah, the instant gratification. Shop for Valentine's Day cards and stationery online at Redstamp.com, and then run over to their Minneapolis showroom and pick up your stuff in person. The girls just announced a cool offer: buy online, have your orders boxed, pick them up in person (4850 W. 35th St., St. Louis Park) and shop exclusive off-line sale selections while you're there. Now that's showing some love to the hometown customers!
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