Thursday, July 29, 2010

Fashion All About Women

06/01/09

Gifts and accessories made especially for the ladies

Diamonds are said to be a girl’s best friend, but shoes, bags, jewelry, and accessories are certainly timeless favorites, too. In this feature, we’ll explore some of the latest trends in personal fashion and in giftware made specifically for women. We’ve rounded up some colorful and unique new items that cover a variety of categories and price points, which makes it easy for women to stay chic even when they are on a budget.

Also, don’t miss our exclusive interview with designer Leslie Pozen, owner of Ellu, a Chicago company that creates lovely handbags for a great cause. Leslie’s story and her designs are both uplifting and motivational, and we are impressed with her contributions to the global community of women. We at Giftware News hope this story encourages retailers to highlight women-made products and items that support causes such as breast cancer awareness, Fair Trade, and the employment of women in impoverished countries.

Trends With Staying Power
With the economy on every shopper’s mind, it’s no wonder that many women are cutting spending on fashion pieces, decorative items, spa products, and similar “extras.” That being said, your store’s accessories should meet three criteria in order to appeal to today’s frugal shopper.

First, accessories should possess special details that give them a one-of-a-kind feel. Now more than ever, women are searching for bold designs, bright colors, and embellishments. Women are drawn to pieces that tell a story, so it’s wise to stock your store with fashion accessories that double as conversation starters.

Second, items should be able to transition from outfit to outfit, and, if possible, season to season. Women seek accessories that can be mixed and matched and that will complement various pieces in their wardrobes. Accessories should be trendy while still possessing a bit of classic style that won’t make them outdated in a few months.

Finally, fashion and home accessories should be affordable. Inexpensive impulse items appeal to women on a budget as well as younger shoppers, including tweens and teens, who still possess buying power in a down economy. However, quality, well-made items that are a bit more costly will still appeal to shoppers if you communicate their true value and market them as investment pieces.  

Vintage details
Items with a vintage look continue to be popular, whether they are made of antique parts or just happen to appear to be made in the style of decades past.

John Wind, designer for Maximal Art (800/573-3308 or www.maximalart.com), recently introduced a signature collection that fits right in with the hippie-chic trend of the summer. With bold oranges, deep blues, lemony yellows, and bright whites, his jewelry line features details that are in tune with vintage inspiration.

“My Vintage Preppy Collection was inspired by a twilight beach party in Cape Cod, circa 1970,” says John. “Long dresses and long earrings, barefoot and glamorous!”

For accessories that are even more antique-inspired, look no further than Grandmother’s Buttons (800/580-6941 or www.grandmothersbuttons.com). The company has a collection of rings that feature striking vintage buttons, such as authentic Victorian metal buttons from between 1880 and 1900 and glass button or cabochon gemstones made between 1920 and 1950.

“For the body of the ring, we rivet together American-made brass stampings that are created with antique or vintage dies,” says Susan Davis, owner of Grandmother’s Buttons. “We currently have 24 designs in this series.” Handmade in the company’s Louisiana studio, the rings are adjustable to accommodate a variety of sizes.

Susan says her jewelry collections add a special touch to any outfit, and each of her pieces tells a story, whether they are rings, necklaces, or bracelets. “As the consumer spends less, she wants each purchase to count for more, to be more meaningful,” says Susan. “Our handmade pieces that combine old-time craftsmanship with actual bits of the past, in this case the buttons, resonate with sentiment and meaning while making no sacrifices as to color, style, and verve. They are recycled artifacts of fashion and as such can become stylish touchstones for the modern woman.”

Nancy Dunitz, founder and owner of Dunitz & Company (323/769-8600 or www.dunitz.com), also has created a line of jewelry that features vintage buttons and beads. The company’s hand-beaded bracelets incorporate Czech glass buttons from the ’40s and ’50s that are gathered from remaining stock. The bracelets are also made with Czech glass seed beads and fire-polished crystals.

Nancy says the pieces have details that appeal to women of all ages. “Not only is the bracelet fun and funky; it feeds the souls of button collectors, those into vintage designs, and people focusing on enjoying things that are pretty and comprised of things that sustain our environment,” says Nancy. “No two bracelets are identical. The basic color schemes and colors of seed beads will remain the same, but the buttons will vary from piece to piece. Each one is a unique art piece.”

The bracelets will also appeal to women who support social causes; Dunitz & Company is a member of the Fair Trade Federation and promotes good working conditions and wages for the Guatemalan artisans that bead the bracelets.

For a cause
We found a number of other companies that have also created women-themed products that support a cause. One popular theme that can earn a special spot in your store is breast cancer awareness. The widely recognized pink ribbon decorates an array of giftware, including jewelry, clothing, purses, stationery, and more.

Cathedral Art Metal’s (800/493-4438 or www.cathedralart.com) Charmed Life collection includes eight styles of breast cancer awareness jewelry made in the USA. One great item in the line is the Courage pendant, which comes with an 18” chain. The pendant comes in a gift box, which makes it an ideal gift for friends supporting one another during or after a battle with breast cancer.

Another company that has created jewelry with the goal of empowering women is Dogeared (888/846–0444 or www.dogeared.com). The Los Angeles, California-based company recently designed a new necklace that will benefit the Women’s Self-Worth Foundation (www.whatisyourselfworth.com), which was established by Dr. Cheryl Saban, a psychologist, author, philanthropist, and women/children’s advocate. The author proceeds of Cheryl’s book, What is Your Self-Worth? A Woman’s Guide to Validation, as well as 25 percent of the sale price of Dogeared’s necklace will be donated to the non-profit foundation.

Dogeared’s necklace features an earth charm and heart charm along with a pearl. The necklace is available in sterling silver or gold-dipped. It comes on a card that reminds women and girls to celebrate their feminine spirit.

Cheryl’s book examines how society perceives women and how they see themselves; it also inspires women to celebrate themselves and disregard stereotypes and oppression while advancing their personal goals. The book is available in both English and Spanish.

“Our mission at Dogeared is to use our words, themes, and aesthetic to put good energy out into the world and maybe change it a little bit,” says Marcia Maizel-Clarke, founder of Dogeared. “It’s a natural progression for us to create partnerships with other organizations that share our ideals. We feel that our message parallels the message of Cheryl Saban’s project, and we are excited to use our words and jewels to help support the empowerment of women internationally.”

Sassy gifts
There are a number of other gifts that empower women through their use of sassy phrases, colors, and themes. The “girl power” giftware category targeted to tweens has a grown-up counterpart that allows women to maintain playfulness and confidence.

Kurt S. Adler (800/243-9627 or www.kurtadler.com) recently came out with a collection of ornaments inspired by the film and television series Sex and the City. In fun shapes such as stilettos, a martini glass, and the famous ballerina dress, the ornaments feature the Sex and the City logo and will be a favorite among women who are fans of the series.

Kurt S. Adler also recently released Margaret Le Van’s new Diva Zoo collection. The line includes a “Girlfriend Time” sign as well as a “Diva Tantrum” sign.
Lady Jayne Ltd. (800/274-7685 or www.ladyjayneltd.com) keeps with the sassy theme in its new Tower of Notes stationery gift set. The tower is made of three notepads that feature the words “smart,” “sexy,” and “fabulous.” The notepads come with a coordinating pen.

Also new from Lady Jayne is the girlfriends notebook that comes with a matching pen. There are seven styles, including “I’m Not Gossiping, I’m Networking,” “Princess,” and “It’s All About Me, Get Used To It.”

For a subtler gift, Arte D’Italia Imports (877/496-5599 or www.arteditalia.com) has created a handmade Italian proverb plaque that reads “Mia moglie ha sempre ragione,” which translates to “My wife is always right.” The plaque is handmade and hand-painted, and it has a variety of uses in the kitchen, as it is food- and dishwasher-safe.

Global feel
One major trend that is taking over the fashion world, as well as virtually every other design-related industry, is globalization. Hints of international influence in terms of pattern, color scheme, shape, and texture can be seen on an array of giftware, including jewelry, shoes, scarves, belts, and more.

One company that carries a great amount of jewelry and fashion and home accessories with international flair is African Express (800/942-3295 or www.ae-imports.com). The company’s Lalo Treasures line recently introduced the Ocean Tales collection, which includes stunning pieces such as the Atlantis necklace. Made of resin, the necklace is designed by Orna Lalo and is handmade in Bulgaria. “The design is inspired by old stories about the Sirens who used to collect seashells and inscribe them with their songs,” says Michael Walt of African Express.

Another jewelry collection with an international feel comes from Alice Sturzinger LLC (973/746-9000 or www.alicesturzinger.com). The company’s Murano Di Susanne line includes the Coco necklace, inspired by Coco Chanel’s pearls. The necklace comes in black, pink, copper, brown, and green, and each is unique. Matching bracelets and earrings are also available. “The necklace is handmade in Venice, Italy, using all Murano glass beads and crystals,” says Susan Worth of Alice Sturzinger LLC. “The pendant on the necklace is typical of Venetian glass using a 24-karat gold foil along with swirls of colored glass and aventurine, a sparkly mineral, to give a lovely iridescent shimmer.”  

Mixing it up
When creating fashion displays in your store this season, showcase the versatility of your accessories by pairing them with different items and creating multiple looks. For instance, you can create a display with themes such as “one scarf, three ways,” or “one necklace, five ideas.” Creating unexpected combinations with not only inspire your customers, but it will also encourage them to use their creativity. Keep the items in our feature in mind when choosing unique pieces for your store.

 

 

Spotlight: Leslie Pozen of Ellu
A designer’s journey inspires her to create for a cause

It is often said that traveling helps us gain greater understanding of the world; it changes us personally and expands our horizons. A journey to Peru—Machu Picchu, specifically—changed Leslie Pozen in more ways than one.  

Leslie found herself inspired by the natural beauty and peacefulness she discovered in Peru; she was also moved when she saw the extreme poverty that many native Peruvians experience daily. Leslie’s travels motivated her to follow her creative intuition and begin designing beautiful objects for a living. The handbags she creates through her Chicago-based company hold special meaning, and some of them directly help the people of Peru.

Leslie founded Ellu (773/307-5519 or www.ellubags.com) out of the desire to make something uniquely for women; she had always admired the beauty and utility of handbags, and she saw them as a means of empowerment.

During her trip, Leslie came across the word “ellu” in a book. “It is an ancient Babylonian word meaning ‘the shining one,’” says Leslie. “I was at a point in my life where I needed to allow myself and my talents to shine. The word really stuck with me, and eventually, when I started designing, I knew it was a perfect fit for the company’s concept.”

Ellu bags come in a variety of sizes, including Macro, Micro, Boho, Clutch, and Wristlet. Leslie creates them out of reused material such as clothing from vintage shops. “Right now, I’m getting shipments from an upholstery company in Michigan that does furniture for healthcare centers,” says Leslie. “A lot of them are green-certified and environmentally friendly, which gives them an added bonus.”

Leslie experiments with different colors and textures to create individualistic pieces that respect the unique nature of the fabrics. Each aspect of an Ellu bag has significance. Leslie frequently uses circles because of the shape’s natural energy and historical importance. The bags’ silver hardware reflects female energy and self-esteem.

One of Leslie’s newest developments is the Ellu.5 collection, which got its start in March. She designs one bag a month for the collection and creates just five bags total. Fifty percent of the proceeds from the limited-edition bags go to Spirits Of The Earth, an organization that helps Peruvian families in need. Vera Lopez, who owns the organization and who was also Leslie’s tour guide, uses the money to purchase food, medicine, and essentials for poor Peruvians.

“Vera always brings her tour groups to beautiful areas of Peru that are also sometimes very impoverished,” says Leslie. “When I was researching the number five, I found that it was often associated with compassion and making a difference in the world.”

In the years to come, Leslie hopes to expand her collection and also create a handbag recycling program for local needy women. Overall, she aims to maintain her company’s eco-friendly efforts while helping others. “The whole green movement isn’t just about taking care of the planet, but about taking care of the people in the planet, too.”

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