The Finishing Touch

Jewelry and fashion accessories make stylish gifts

The right earrings, a stylish scarf, a smart bag—these are the pieces that can bring a fashion look from good to great. They are what completes or can even update an outfit. They are the pieces that can let someone try on a trend or color, without a heavy investment. They can brighten a spirit, be a little treat. And that’s why jewelry and fashion accessories make such great gifts. In addition, jewelry and fashion accessories are good “impulse” items—pieces someone buys as a “me gift” or to give as a little “I thought of you” gift. All these are reasons you should have a selection of both in your store.

Trendy Treats
“We want to offer affordable fashion that is very trendy,” says Stephanie Hart, assistant to the president at Kristine Accessories.
“We want people to be able to make a fashion statement without spending a lot of money. We at Kristine Accessories are very excited about two trends in particular. Spectacular linings and coordination of accessories.
“For example, this season we will have handbags, wallets, and flip flops that all coordinate in color and design.  We will introduce for Spring ’09 gorgeous bracelets, rings and watches that are perfect companions to our small goods and handbags We even have color coordinated vases for jewelry display at retail, or as spectacular home décor.”
“Additionally, much of our product will have bold linings which will also be shown in a full array of products including flip flops. Our linings coordinate with other pieces. Customers can coordinate in a boutique atmosphere. Our jewelry coordinates with our leather goods.”

In The Jewel box
Jewelry is one category that doesn’t take up much space, but can bring a world of sales to you.
“We are selling a lot of necklaces and earrings,” says Alison Hull, graphic design and marketing coordinator at Annaleece by DeVries.
“We are seeing bangles, cuffs, magnetic closures. Pendants—not full necklaces—are still popular. We introduced a necklace called “Night Blossom” in an antique bronze finish that is a big seller. We have just come out with new neckwire which features Montana (dark blue) Swarovski crystal.”
“People are asking for more pink in crystal. As far as finishes, we have introduced Ruthenium. It is darker than Rhodium, but like it, also will never tarnish. It gives us a lot more possibilities, more backing behind crystal.”
“We have been experimenting with different metals, such as oxidized bronze, 22K gold, an antique finish. We want to broaden our selections. We have also introduced white gold pieces that are selling well. I think people are looking for a  little more variety, something different.”
“New for the Winter Markets, is our inspirational line. It includes Christian symbols, such as the fish and the Claddah symbol.”

New Directions
Sometimes a fun product can bring some fresh air to your accessories mix. The Yellowstone Co., maker of outdoor lifestyle products, has introduced KickBacks—a collection of fun women’s flip flops that have uniquely printed footbed and charms.
Made of high density two-tone EVA that is both durable and comfortable, each pair showcases a custom collage of nostalgic artwork relating to summer vacations, boating and the outdoors. With an initial launch of six styles, sized S-XL, each footbed is protected with a wear-resistant coating to ensure the graphics hold up to everyday use. All sandals have been tested for heavy metals to ensure lead-free specifications.
In conjunction with this launch, The Yellowstone Co./Big Sky Carvers has teamed up with Moonlight Basin Lodge & Resort in Big Sky, Montana to give away a Kick Back and Relax vacation in Montana. The winner will receive a three-night Stay & Spa package for two (valued at $5,000). Airfare is included—some restrictions apply.
Interested retailers may visit www.kickbacksrelax.com/promo to sign up for more information about the new product line or call 800/735-7982.

European Styling
“American shoppers have always been enthusiastically appreciative of our stylish and sophisticated European scarves and accessories,” says Ken Krieger, vice president of sales of V. Fraas, manufacturer and marketer of woven and knit scarves, stoles, ruanas, wraps, ponchos, and capes.
“Now with the introduction of the Spring 2009 collection of all-season scarves and wraps from our new-to-America JL brand, they can join our European customers in adding the ultimate in contemporary finishing touches to their wardrobes all year round.”
For Spring 2009, the company is offering a collection of approximately 25 brightly colored paisley, dotted or florally patterned, all-weather/lightweight scarves and wraps—mostly in 100% silk, but with some jerseys, linens and blends mixed in, and a handful featuring pleating and crinkling. Suggested retail ranges typically $25 to $60 with the core at $30 to $40.
“This collection presents multi-purpose options for the wearer which is an important benefit in today’s marketplace. The larger styles can be worn as a shawl, halter, sarong, fanny wrap, sash, to name a few. Consumers use them as an alternative to a sweater because of the versatility.”
JL by V. Fraas was founded as Jammers & Leufgen (J&L) in the German town of Willich-Anrath in 1866, and was acquired by V. Fraas in 1998. The brand has long been a hit in Europe where its premium scarves, wraps and accessories are offered by major retailers and more than 2,500 specialty stores.

Topping it Off
Dorfman Pacific’s (800/367-3626) cool and casual collection of Organic Headware for men and women will let environmentally conscious consumers look good as they feel good about their principles. Made either from luxurious organically grown cotton or from naturally organic Madagascan raffia, these collections include a range of warm-weather fedoras, sun hats, caps and other popular silhouettes that are ideal fro virtually any mood and occasion, many in natural or a selection of gentle colors created using chemical-free mineral or vegetable dyes.
“Our handmade raffia hats come from one of the world’s truly renewable resources,” observes Dorfman Pacific’s Senior Vice President of Marketing and Merchandising Todd Garner.
“Raffia palms require no organic fertilization or protection, and they shed the leaves that yield the raffia fiber in the natural course of their growth. Meanwhile, our superb quality organic cotton is the product of rigorous organic farming and an environmentally sound manufacturing process. This means that consumers who care about the planet can enjoy a beautifully made hat manufactured from renewable resources—without sacrificing their principles in any way.”
Organic Headgear for men (mainly under the Scala label) includes raffia hats in a variety of crown shapes, adorned with woven, leather or printed fabric bands. Women’s raffia styles (also mainly Scala) include Western, gamblers and roll-brim styles, many of them rollable, foldable and crushable in a choice of Natural, Turquoise, Tea or Olive.
Women's organic and naturally dyed cotton products include bags in natural cotton with black, brown or olive trim, hats and a wide array of colors, and a range of caps and buckets in both mineral and traditionally dyed organic cotton. Mineral dye colors include—a beautiful earthy palette—Stone, Oasis, Cornsilk and Clay. More vibrant colors using  standard dyes are also available. Suggested retails are $20-70.

Accent on Style
People look for accessories as gifts that will delight gift recipients. They also, especially now, are looking for  pieces that will give their own current wardrobe a twist, give it a little more updated look. A maker of belts and accessories, Toneka (877/8-TONEKA) has introduced matching unisex belts, wallets, and wristbands in leather and fabric.
Designs and treatments include tattoo printing (some reversible to solid on the belt-twice the belt), perforation and cut-outs, laser-printing, weaving, tooling, grommets, top-stitching (self and contrast), self-covered pyramids for a raised textured look, and brightly colored metallic pyramids. Specifically for teens and hip young women, there are more feminine plaids and animal prints in fabric and leather, chic belts in many widths from skinny to three-row updated pyramids to contemporary wide, and a range of special wallets and cuffs.
“This new collection,” says Judy Friedheim Davis, Toneka’s vice president, “gives retailers the perfect antidote to the recessionary blues. Our belts and accessories will decorate and update any outfit and this is very important in less than perfect economic times! We offer affordability as a self or gift purchase.”
And sometimes old is new. Alexa’s Angels (877/264-3576) has introduced The Words To Live By necklace which features an on-trend design with a ’60s hip flair. Powerful one-word sentiments: Love, Peace, Joy, Hope, Luck and Faith are artistically spelled out within a sparkling rhodium circle. It comes gift-packaged with an inspirational message. The suggested retail is $20.

Accessorizing Your Shop
Wondering if jewelry and accessories will work in your shop? Doug Stein of Mad By Design is also a former retailer. He offers these thoughts.
“Don’t hide your head in the sand—don’t try to survive by selling old stale inventory—create excitement in your stores and in your visual merchandising. Don’t run so tight on stock and so scarce on help that you have nothing exciting to offer and no one to offer it.
“Some manufacturers, like us,  answered the call to action and invested heavily in new, exciting, trend-on offerings for the upcoming Spring-Summer ’09. History proves that women’s accessories remain strong during economically challenging times. Moderately priced accessories will always lead the pack when belt tightening (no pun intended) takes center stage.
“As our Mad mantra for 2009 confirms: When the dollars get tight—the tight get accessories!”
Jewelry and fashion accessories can add excitement to your shop and make it a destination for what’s new.  As gifts they are ways people treat themselves and their near and dear. They can be a way to treat your shop to loyal and new customers and increased profits. 

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