Text, Vivian G. Kelly
Images, all by Judith Ecochard except for image of Ganesha, by Richard Spiegel
WHAT: Neiman’s 411 on what accessories you’ll crave for spring 2008
WHERE: The Penthouse of the Chambers Hotel, 15 West 56 Street, NYC
As always, the executive fashion team at Neiman’s led by Sandra Wilson, Neiman’s Accessories Fashion Director for the Neiman-Marcus stores skillfully narrow down the key accessory trends [for spring 2008] to the most basic of equations.
The Aladdin’s cave of delights in the penthouse was styled by the incomparable Sandra and Neiman’s Fashion Director, Ken Downing. Sandra and Barbara Merlino, Neiman’s Communications Manager, took us through the two levels of well-edited goodies at the penthouse suite in the Chambers Hotel.
For spring 2008, it all boils down to 4 basic equations
1. Color + color = spring
2. Color + artistry = spring
3. Color + feminine = spring
4. Color + global = spring
While Prada, Fendi, Chanel, Gucci, Vivier are consistently among our favorite resources, we’ve also high lighted a few other spectacular finds, below.
1. COLOR + COLOR
THIS is the biggest story by far:
THINK: an explosion of color, with hot pink front and center!
Color’s not just bright, it’s shiny too, and the strongest pieces were in
-Patent leather.
Says Ms. Wilson, “We feel very strongly about patent [white, pink] from Nancy Gonzales.”
We also loved Prada’s take in Lilly Pulitzer green with a gold frog clasp.
Other important colors: blues and greens, especially AQUA
-Color blocking looks new again, as it pertains to shoes, in black and white.
WHAT CONTINUES:
-AN ONGOING INFATUATION WITH METALLICS
Okay, it’s been around for a few seasons, but looks fresh in colored variations as at
Diane Von Furstenberg in bright green.
News bite: This is the first time DVF is doing shoes, which will retail between $ 300-500.
DEGRADE/OMBRE AND CROC both continue to perform.
OVERSIZED SUNGLASSES- Stick with the big, plastic models we’ve embraced for 2+ seasons, but why not try a pink or amber hued pair instead of basic blacks.
NEW: COLORFUL JEWELRY: Exclusive to Neiman : some irresistible pieces by Gurhan, Konstantino, known for his gorgeous engraved pieces, and David Yurman with special enhancers [exclusive to NM.]
2.COLOR + ARTISTRY was well represented on the suite’s stair case and landing.
Barbara Merlino took over the upstairs portion of the tour, which included the staircase, landing, bedroom and bathroom, fleshing out the rest of spring’s must-know equations.
Impossible NOT to mention: the “Ganesha” [the Hindu Elephant Deity]. It got 3 orders on the preview day when Neiman’s 100 best customers were treated to the same preview we got later that week. At LYRA MAG, we think Neiman’s strategy of inviting top customers preview is just great!
MORE MAGIC FROM BADGLEY MISCHKA
As we’ve stated in numerous prior posts, the boys at Badgley Mischka have been very busy in the studio, and that includes the new, updated jewelry designs Neiman’s plucked from their latest collection.
TOP PIECES: the chunky shorter necklace [new for them], and a large bronze slouchy bag with a gorgeous turquoise and bronze medallion.
3. COLOR + FEMININE
Few will be able to resist what we’re calling “Expensive Confections”.
Best in category:
-The $4200 Judith Leiber cupcake evening purse.
*JEWELRY TREND 411: OVERSIZED is where it’s at.
Sandra suggests:
*Wear them BIG, and either together or one on each arm.”
We love: the spectacular turquoise and 18carat oversize cuff by Ippolita and Matthew Laurenza’s precious enameled jewelry designs as seen in Bergdorf’s vitrine.
ONE TIME ONLY:
Always the innovator, PRADA has come out with a very special piece only available this spring – fantastical pumps with resin rose petal heels.
More COLOR + FEMININE In the bathroom
GOLD RUSH: Gold bags, gold shoes, gold jewelry, gold zippers, even bronze has a lot of gold in it, look for rose gold too.
Top piece: Jocelyn’s little cut out leather rose gold bolero with dusty pink lining for $425.
A fitting top note: the new ELLE fragrance by YSL to go with the new metallic color block structured bag.
4. COLOR + GLOBAL: was laid out on the huge bed upstairs.
Ethnic influences [African, Indian, and tribal] are very strong.
Editorial darling, Phillip Lim has a new accessory line called Phillip Lim 3.1. Sandra and Barbara love “the large affordably luxurious tote with all the right details, sturdy handles, side pockets with stripes.”
AFFORDABLE CARRY-ALLS:
Of note AND very affordable: Tory Burch’s new oversize patent leather totes retailing for $200-300. By early December, they were already doing “extremely well at Bergdorfs and available in a large assortment of colors.
ECO FRIENDLY: the all-nylon Stella McCartney taupe bag with navy blue trim.
It was encouraging to see a leading designer make the cut; hopefully more will follow, on the heels of the eco fashion movement kicked off by Mercedes Benz LA at the spring 2008 shows back in October.
Endnote:
DO: Make COLOR your first priority for spring. It’s about color over everything!
DON’T: wear black. Instead, make space for a lot of white and beige.
www.neimanmarcus.com
www.chambershotel.com