Text by Vivian G. Kelly
Photographs by J. Ecochard
What: Neiman Marcus’ Spring 2007 accessories press preview
Where: The penthouse at the Chambers’ Hotel, West 56th Street, NYC
Why: Because we always want to know what the best accessories are! And, Sandra, Ken, and Mark always get it right.
Neiman’s Accessories Director, Sandra Wilson, and Fashion Director, Ken Downing, led us through an Ali Baba’s cave of the best accessories they culled from their travels. Thanks to them, their customers have a highly edited choice of the latest trend pieces to choose from, season after season. As usual, Mark Lundeen, who is responsible for helping choose those wonderful bags in the Contemporary Department we all crave season after season, was in attendance as well.
Said Mr. Downing, ““It’s the season of the dress, what’s new is wearing the flat with it. As it is a season of shine, we suggest bags in patent, and clear PVC and metallic being led by silver, first and foremost. You get a lot of trend points with the Brian Atwood aqua patent peep toe ankle strap sandal with a Lucite heel. Pair that with a dress, and you have a ‘10’.”
Below, their trend predictions and some images of just a few of the many items Neiman’s believes their discerning customers will clamor once the weather finally turns warm.
COLOR
- Pops of Accent colors, especially the new blues and tangerine orange
Like Mr. Downing, we love Brian Atwood’s aqua patent and Lucite peep toe pump
Pink and red are some of the season’s vibrant accent colors, with red continuing from fall 2006. Color even extends to fragrance these days. Valentino’s latest scent, Rock n Rose, evokes shocking pink and red, echoing the season’s accent color trend.
- Metallics, are a must, especially the new “platino” [mixed silver and gold tone]
Black and silver are a winning combination
One of the best was the black soft as butter elongated leather bag by Chanel.
Blush tones continue in a minor way and cognac, always a classic, is in evidence, look to Kooba for great cognac colored bags.
Clear is a color, this season
Clear PVC bags abounded, we loved the clear fifties style satchel with gold stud detailing and black patent handles by BE&D.
SHAPES AND HEIGHTS
-The flat keeps on going strong.
For the max in newness, pick-up a pair in “platino” color or a pair by Dolce in rose gold.
Ballerina flats inevitably evoke a sixties feeling. Pedro Garcia’s round toed slippers in black suede with 2-carat crystals as trim make a great addition to your collection.
If you’re more partial to the Seventies’, Pedro Garcia has gold-soled “Birkenstock” style camel suede flats with rhinestone studs that could go day to evening.
When it came to height, we noticed that it’s now about wearing a straighter thicker heel, which works towards creating the overall flatter silhouette that’s called for this spring.
Wedges continue , one of our favorites, the silver crisscross sandal with a thick foot bed. It’s been dubbed “the Hollywood” sandal as it looks like the 1930’s sandals silver screen star, Lana Turner, used to wear. What really makes this sandal though, is the gold side zip closure.
Ankle strap sandals Derek Lam will be starting with Neiman’s for his first season [but not exclusively]. His gorgeous forest green patent ankle strap sandals are available at Neiman’s for spring.
Clutch bags are a must-have
LA Stylist to the stars, Rachel Zoe, collaborated with Judith Leiber to create a white patent clutch with gold hardware and a gold serpent and baguette doorknob detail, that’s a total knockout.
SIZE MATTERS
W hen you’re out shopping for your spring/summer accessories, be on the lookout for
24-7 statement jewelry . Big statement cocktail rings by Jose Barrera are just right for day and evening.
Shorter necklaces are here, “The short neck is looking new to us”, says Ms. Wilson. So, pack away those large swinging pendants, for now.
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David Yurman is also doing necklaces in shorter lengths using beautiful beads in celadon and aqua.
-Wide belts continue and it’s a global love affair. The Neiman’s team had a beauty from Fendi and we saw them continuing for Fall as well, prominently on display at Kevan Hall’s Fall 2007 show at Mercedes Benz –IMG LA Fashion Week last month.
Longer elongated handles on handbags, a relief for those of us who pack heavy and like to wear their bag on their shoulder.
Last but not least, Ms. Wilson gave us a whiff of what she and her team are sensing for fall 2007
Emerging Fall 2007 trends
“ Looking further ahead, we feel that going into fall 07 we’re going to start seeing pieces copper. There are little bits on a bag at Balenciaga, which we think may indicate that we will see copper in bags and shoes. We’ll probably also see some gunmetal as well.”
Soon to come [mid-May] on www.lyramag.blogspot.com, Neiman’s fall 2007 accessories trend selections.
To view and shop for the best in spring/summer 2007 accessories, visit www.neimanmarcus.com