Text, Vivian G. Kelly
Images of Neiman's Preview, Richard Spiegel
Poster Image from www.allposters.com
Time : 1:00PM, Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Place: The Chambers Hotel – W 56th St. the penthouse, NYC
THE WHO: Accessories Fashion Director, Neiman Marcus, Sandra Wilson.
THE WHAT/THE THEMES:
• “Funny Face”
• Pink and nude
• A Heavy YSL Influence
IS “think pink” the antidote to the recession?
Back in the fifties, Kay Graham, whose character is said to have been based on both Vogue editor Diana Vreeland and Harper's Bazaar editor Carmel Snow, urged her fashion editors to “think pink” as an antidote to a lack of inspiration.
Neiman’s message for the spring 2009 was “think pink”. As if the big pink display on the suite’s first floor wasn’t enough, they had the film “Funny Face” running on mute upstairs. Pink is a good idea in a time where most people are thinking gray, as we witnessed on the fall 2008 runways – and that was before the recession went full throttle ahead.
WHAT’S NEW
- Rangina Khan [Naeem’s wife] is now doing jewelry. She’s previously worked with Alber Albez among others for whom she used to do jewelry.
- PINK – from ballet pink to bright pink
- YSL style PINK & ORANGE
There was an homage to the bohemian world traveler, again with influences of YSL. He did – if you go back to the archives, do drawstring bags.
-AQUA & KELLY GREEN, as at Marc Jacobs
DAVID YURMAN's new sunglass collection.
There’s a gold cable pattern and white and aqua beads with some gold cable accents.
Prices range from $395 to $695 for silver to 14 karat gold in.
NUDE PYTHON
“Neutral python goes with everything”.
Yes, there’s a gladiator continuation m=but in a new simpler inspiration.
Some differences would be the gold metal hardware on a pair by Tory Burch.
GLITTER
There’s a definite Masai influence for the world traveler, from a huge gold bag from Jimmy Choo to a bronzy Azzedine Alaia shoe. “The bronze coloration is very reminiscent of Morocco.”
WHAT’S CONTINUING
BIG BOLD JEWELRY – but it’s more agate’s like what YSL did.
As always, there’s selections by Lee Angel & Jose Barrera.
There was also an EXCLUSIVE from Appolita. We loved the green peridot cocktail ring and pendant.
ABOUT THE SPECIAL FACTOR
We’ve been hearing and reading about “the special factor” that retailers have been hoping would be their salvation.
Neiman’s is still holding with that train of thought, said Ms. Wilson,
“Everything here is unique, something we haven’t seen before. We strive for that especially in our exclusives.”
SOME SPECIAL PIECES
ROBERTO COIN’s 50th Anniversary of the peace symbol, in diamonds retailing from $1300 to 2100.
BAGS & SHOES: THE ESSENTIAL FACTS
BAG SHAPES
The tote
The shoulder hobo
The clutch
THE SHOES TO GET FOR SPRING
Gladiators [still]
The boot-sandal
Star Shoe: Some fabulous sandals by ALEXANDRE BIRMAN from Brazil.
END NOTE: The pink Judith Leiber cupcake sold very well, it appeared in the Sex & the City movie.