Must Love Boutiques A Featured Blog on WordPress

Check out Must Love Boutiques on WordPress.  We are a featured blog this week.  Thank you WordPress!

Charlotte Tarantola – Scene Stealer Prints

Tim Burton, the visionary director of “Alice and Wonderland” knew Charlotte Tarantola’s line of tees and sweaters were “scene stealers” when he gave her access to his show’s art.  She didn’t disappoint.   Flowery friends, tea time treats and pocket watches tumble abundantly throughout her beautiful prints for this collection.  She captures the allure and mystery of Alice’s surrealistic journey through Wonderland in print as vividly as Burton did on film.

I was a fan of Tarantola’s long before the Wonderland remake.   Her whimsical, feminine looks and stunningly beautiful prints always got my customer’s compliments. Compliments on clothes they bought at my boutique translated into store buzz.  Store buzz and compliments added up to speedy sell-through and lots of word of mouth advertising….a retailers dream.

This spring Taratola extended her customer base to tweens, girls 9-14 who spend 1.6 billion dollars a year and will follow any fashion trend set for them.  Her cheerful happy prints in refreshing colors offered in cardigans, camis and tees for the tween segment shows her business savy.  Now the same great designs are available for mother-daughter shopping. Reach two chicks for the price of one!

This fall Tarantola is extending her business savy into the fast growing “puppy love” market.  Her rhinestone sparkles and girly details won’t just be for big and little girls anymore.  Cat and dogs can now share her signature looks with their fashion conscious companions.

Tarantola says “she is inspired by designing things that make me smile”.   She had to be smiling throughout the creation of her Fall 2010 collection because it is sensational.  It’s a big line with lots of prints so you’ll have to edit with precision.  And remember a little Tarantola can go a long way so buy some show stopper pieces for your windows and strong fashion prints for the floor then watch your happy customers shop, smile and spend,

Fit: Slim but if you have a petite/small customer the XS’s are fine.  Otherwise start with the small.

Sizes: XS-XL

Pricepoint: $80 – $140 at retail

Minimums: Low – 3-4 per style

Delivery: Consistently on time

Quality: Consistent, with few defects or fit issues

Where to find it:

Wesite: www.charlottetarantola.com
http://shop.charlottetarantola.com Online Shopping

NEW YORK
231 W. 39th Street. # 601
New York, NY 10018
Tel: 212.382.0680
Fax: 212.382.0681
Email: tinal@charlottetarantola.com

LOS ANGELES
127 E. 9th St., Suite 403
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Tel: 213.488.0288
Fax: 213.488.0928
Email: danap@charlottetarantola.com

DALLAS
1807 Ross Ave., Gallery #117
Dallas, TX 75201
Tel: 213.488.0288
Fax: 213.488.0928
Email: johnj@charlottetarantola.com

CHICAGO
Stylemax Shows
Merchandise Mart-Chicago
Chicago, IL 60654
Tel: 212.382.0680
Fax: 212.382.0681
Email: jenniferr@charlottetarantola.com

ATLANTA
Stephanie Lister
Southeast Sales Representative
250 Spring Street NW #9N300B
Atlanta, GA 30303
Tel: 770.656.5213
Fax: 770.836.7562
Email: stephaniel@charlottetarantola.com

Boost Your Boutique Revenue With Apps

Apps are growing exponentially and there’s some great ones that can help you grow your boutique revenue and improve customer satisfaction.  I’ve selected two that are easy,  fun and have a big payoff.  Here’s just a few ways  you can put them to work for you.

1.  Provide styling service and wardrobe management for top customers using Closet Couture.


Closet Couture is a fashion social networking site where you can upload photos of your clients closets to a virtual closet, mix them with clothes from your boutique on a virtual mannequin and plan a wardrobe.  With this app you can help your clients manage their wardrobes and maximize the use of items they buy in your boutique.

One way to get started is host an event and invite top customers to bring in key items from their closet.   Build looks around these items with a few new pieces from your boutique (the ones they will be purchasing).  Snap a photo of all the pieces and upload into your Closet Couture account along with client information (names, sizes, favorite brands).  Email the looks to the clients or you can print them out at the event.  Each time a key customer returns and purchases, add to her virtual closet.  As new merchandise arrives you’ve got all the information you need to generate add-on sales and maximize your customers current wardrobe.   Freshen-up her looks from season to season intelligently and cost effectively or introduce her to new looks that integrate with her wardrobe.  Each season send-off  suggestions and invite her to visit your boutique for a quick “wardrobe refresher”.

Overtime you will house the closets of all your key clients.  This puts you in a position to ramp up your customer service experience to the stratosphere level.

2. Promote sales and give your store a touch of  “social glitter” from the web with Foursquare.

If you’re not familiar with Foursquare, it combines Facebook, Twitter and Text Messaging into a mostly mobile “game,” where users check in to various locations, get points and unlock fancy badges.  You are able to see other users checked in at the same location as you, and the person who checks into a location most often becomes the mayor.  Some local boutiques incent their mayors with a discount or special offers (think of it as a loyalty program).  You can use it to promote an event, announce new merchandise or send out a secret code word when whispered to a sales associate results in an immediate discount.

If it does not make sense to you just sign up and start using it.  You’ll unlock the potential of some pretty awesome promotions and separate yourself from “the malaise of retail sameness”.  So app-up and enjoy the revenue boost!

Are you using Closet Couture or Foursquare in promoting your boutique?  I’d love to hear your story.

Left on Houston – Sweater Love!

Does your boyfriend have a sweater that’s so cozy when you slip it on you never want to take it off?  Left on Houston has one too, only better. No boyfriend required.

Soft and cozy, warm and neutral, modern and sleek, feminine even when masculine – that’s Left on Houston.  Since 2008 owners – Danny & Carla Hogg have been knitting up luxurious sweaters from yarns of cashmere, bamboo, wool, cotton and silk.  They turn these yarns into modern silhouettes with a comfortable aesthetic and tons of interesting construction details.  A great value for today’s luxury shopper with a price that’s irresistible.

I love to know how brands choose their names.  I think it’s a great way to romance the line on the sales floor with the customer.  Left on Houston’s namesake is the famed Manhattan street (pronounced how-sten) which runs crosstown from the Hudson to the East river. Many New Yorkers see it as the dividing point in the city for fashion, art, and cultural.  A point where old meets new and modern thinking allows for an unconventional left of center approach. By turning left on Houston you feel free to go anywhere.  When you experience Left on Houston, you feel that same free-spirited sensibility in their designs.

Left on Houston is smart about their brand placement.  They choose their retailers selectively based on their fit with the brand image.  It makes total sense to me but is in short supply these days of  “show me the money now” brands.

Wearing a sweater is like getting a hug all day.  Hug your customers and buy Left on Houston. Your customers will love you.

Photos: Left on Houston

Pricepoints: $100 – $290’s

Fit: Silhouettes are both comfy and structure wearable for women of all ages

Where to find it:

Carla Hogg
Brand Manager – Left on Houston
carla@familybusinessdistribution.com
tel: 1-866-992-9226 (ext 222)
fax: 1-604-879-9246

Left on Houston Head Office
Telephone: (866) 992-9226 – ext 222
Email: info@leftonhouston.com

West Coast

Nine O Seven Showroom
127 east 9th Street
Suite #907, New Mart Building
Los Angeles, CA 90015
T: 213.627.8039
F: 213.627.8032
907@cohenshowroom.com

East Coast

Work/Shop Showroom
250 w 39th street #303
New York NY 10018
T: 212.382.1969
F: 212.382.1960
Workshop@cohenshowroom.com

South

Style Lounge
2050 STEMMONS
DALLAS, TX 75342
T: 214.688.1802
F: 972.599.9063
stylelounge@verizon.net

CANADA

BC

Camille Kelly Agency
230 – 1355 Parker St
Vancouver, BC V5L 2J9
T: 778.881.4915
F: 604.648.8522
camillekelly@gmail.com

PRAIRIES

Wolton Agencies Inc.
113 9A St.
Calgary AB T2E 9C5
T: 403.201.1156
F: 403.201.1176
sarah@woltonagencies.ca

ONTARIO

Jade Sales Agency
2770 Dufferin St. (at wingold)
Suite 208
Toronto, ON, M6B 3R7
T: 416. 782.5682
F: 416.782.6405
jadesalesagency@bellnet.ca

Website: http://www.leftonhouston.com
Facebook: Left on HoustonLef

Nightcap Clothing – From The Bedroom To The Street

Designer Carisa Brambles, is no dreamer even though the whimsical nightcap fairy on every garment in her line symbolizes the freedom to dream.  While working in various designer showrooms she began dreaming of a line that combined loungewear with sportswear.  A line that was so totally effortless you could go from the bedroom to the street.  And in 2006 she made her dream a reality.    It didn’t hurt that she had fashion in her genes or jeans literally. Her uncle is a denim maven who launched Denim of Virtue and her aunt is the designer of Cynthia Dugan jewelry.  They both influenced her fashion sensibility along with her grandmother.

Vintage lingerie from her grandmothers closet are the inspiration for some of the pieces in her line.  Details that harken back to the craftsmanship of days gone by.  Parisian floral lace, crochet, raw edges, impeccable fit, luxury fabrics, they all translate into a line with an effortless, beachy, free-loving, California girl feel.

From the first time I saw the line at the Designers & Agents show, I loved it. I know you will too.  Check it out.

Price Point: $100’s – $375 at retail.

Where to Find It:

Corporate Showroom:
860 Cooper Design Space
Suite 630
Los Angeles, CA 90014
213-673-4700 Ph
213-673-4744 Fx
info@nightcapclothing.com
Contact: Ava Grace

Tradeshows:
Designers & Agents

Sine – Pretty, Wonderful Clothing

Beautiful things must come in threes.  Sine, Parameter and LAILA are three beautiful lines designed by one talented Australian Micaela Ezra, a former designer for Cynthia Steffe.

Sine the newest of the three lines began in the spring of 08 – sparked by one little question, what would I like to wear on a daily basis that is not readily available in the market?  The answer, a line that is a bit edgy yet refined and modern, and sophisticated with bohemian undertones.

Each piece is finished with the detail of a much more expensive line – full silk linings, French seams, luxe and high tech fabrics and contemporary details.  Signature pieces are silk tops with pleating, ruffles and draping paired with hi-waisted and structured waist line skirts and pants for an easy downtown look. Dresses are plentiful and pretty but always with a modern twist.

Ezra’s uses prints that are reminiscent of painters like Klimt, Monet, and Degas. She told Lindsey Calla of Saucy Glossy Blog “I’m inspired by the look of the brushstroke and that sort of rawness.  When you see those masterpieces, there’s an instinctual response to color.”

Ezra believes, “women want to feel something specific when they put on a piece of clothing, every woman has those moments of fantasy or escape — like music or art. Fashion allows you to play a certain role.  Slip it on, zip it up, and you just feel like a goddess”.

She makes a belted high-waisted A-line skirt look sexy with just the right amount of prim when paired with a perfectly proper blouse.

Mom always told me “pretty is as pretty does” and Sine is doing pretty, wonderful fashion.

Make sure you check it out (Fall 1 & 2, 2010) at the upcoming Intermezzo Show – May 3-5 at Pier 92, Booth 1363.

It’s a must see and a must buy!

Photos: Sine Website

Price Points: $120-$300 at Retail

Where to Find It:

Corporate Showroom
519 8th Avenue
19th Floor
New York, New York 10018
212-947-5182 Phone
212-947-6480

Atlanta Showroom
Tricia Boch
3040 Peachtree St.
Unit 1112
Atlanta, Ga 30305
tricia@sineny.com

Dallas Showroom
Kaitlin & Co.
1807 Ross Ave.
Gallery 110
Dallas, Tx 75201
405-215-2193 Phone
214-694-5814 Fax
kaitlin@valerieco.com

http://sineny.com
http://www.shopsineny.com

Leigh & Luca – Swoon-Worthy

Serendipity brought Gillian Leigh and Susann Luca together a little more than a year ago.  A chance meeting over a scarf on a downtown Manhattan subway station, set them on the ambitious course of reinventing  “the scarf”.  Luca envisioned a new fashion category: an over-sized rectangular or square piece that could be worn as a shawl or sarong and also as a travel blanket.  They succeeded wildly and you can find their designs in a limited number of fine boutiques throughout the world.

Luca, the creative Director travels the world for inspiration.  Her spirit is seen in exotic influences from Africa and Asia.  Cashmere, silk, and cotton are hand-woven on century-old wooden looms in India and then limited edition hand printed art and hand embroidered designs are added. The designs are modern and edgy, dominated by a color palette of neutrals (blacks, greens, and creams).  They merchandise the scarfs using a tone-on-tone look, and spice things up by pairing them with slightly darker or brighter tones.  The result, irresistible.
For Fall 2010, they’ve added handbags with the same beautiful artwork and craftsmanship you find in the scarfs.  The hand-printed crushed cotton canvas totes are swoon-worthy and even though the buttery leather totes are not imprinted they are definitely “no plain jane”.  Every detail from the lining to the hardware is exquisite.  Best of all your customers won’t be mortgaging their houses to buy one.  The prices at retail start in the $240’s for the canvas and the $560’s for the leathers.  Worth every penny!

Price Points: Scarfs: $98 – $250 at retail, Handbags:  Cotton Canvas: $245 – $275 at retail, Leather: $565 and up.

Where to Find Them:

Showroom

addison+crescent

Cooper Bldg

860 S. Los Angeles Street
Suite 611

213 612 0050

213 612 0015(f)

www.addisoncrescent.com

addison+crescent

525 Broadway
Suite 202

New York, NY 10012
212 925 5601(p)
jessica@addisoncrescent.com

Website: http://www.leighluca.com

Your Brand Is What Your Customers Say It Is!

Is this true?  Is your brand really whatever your customers say it is? You’re darn right it is.

Designer Eileen Fisher learned this lesson last year.  The hard way.  Eileen created a media storm last year when she behaved as if her fashion brand belonged to her, and not her customers.  First she offended Rosie O’Donnell, a loyal customer from a core demographic.  Mistake #1, was offending Rosie O’Donnell.  Rosie is vocal,  has a huge bull horn (Sirius XM radio to speak from) and has publicly shared her unabashed love for Eileen Fisher’s clothes for years.  Mistake # 2, Biting the hand that feeds you.  Ouch!

Mistake #1 Offending Rosie O’Donnell

On her Rosie Radio show, O’Donnell shared a conversation she had with Eileen about the designers line. Rosie said she told Eileen, “On behalf of every plus size woman in the world, I just want to thank you.” Eileen’s final response after they traded a few barbs.  “Well, it’s just not the image we are going for.”

OMG!  Missing a sensitivity chip Eileen?  Forgetting who the customer is?  Rosie is not the image you are going for!!!  OOOh, that one hurt. Rosie said later “it was like someone stabbed me in the heart.”  “I was like, ‘OK, Eileen, we’re broken up. I am wearing Donna Karan from now on.’”

Ok Eileen,  listen up. I bought your line for many years for my boutiques and the “Rosie demographic” – as in “fit challenged”, middle-aged women with money who talk is exactly the image your brand is known for. Not size 2, younger, hipper women with a defined waistline and a thirst for fashion.

Don’t get me wrong. Your line is a great line. It’s generously cut, washable designs with a huge passionate following among  real women.  Real women with real “fit challenges”.  Real women who purchased  $273 million dollars of your stuff in 2009.  Real women who drove your growth when other retailers were  just gasping for breath. Your passionate following currently is not the size 2 younger, cooler woman with a defined waistline and a thirst for style.

Mistake # 2 Biting the Hand That Feeds You

C’mon Eileen.  Don’t fool yourself.  I know you want to change the perception that only bigger, older women buy your clothes.  You have to.  But right now they’re the ones feeding you.  You have to be relevant among a younger generation of shoppers, I get it.  Saying you are doesn’t make it so.  And saying it won’t get you there. And alienating the women who got you where you are today won’t make it happen.  You need to be open and honest and share your plans with your existing customers.  And a touch of diplomacy in the future won’t hurt either.

Transitioning your store or brand  to a younger demographic is a straddling act.  At some point (if you’re around long enough) your boutique or brand will have to do this.  Here’s how I did it.  I wanted to attract more of my customers daughters.  First, I shared my plans with my customers and asked them to help me identify brands their daughters would love and they would love.  They were more than eager to help.  The next trip to market I was armed with dozens of new possibilities.  I selected the top six to test.

When the merchandise  began arriving in-store the moms were my biggest promoters.   They made sure they told everyone it was a great place for mother-daughter shopping!  Exactly what I wanted to hear.  Exactly what I wanted them to say.  Painlessly, seamlessly, a new brand image was formed.

Tour Isabel Marant’s New Store in Soho

The Isabel Marant boutique in Soho opened on April 9.   The store is modern with lots of open space yet has old bones and a quietness of design.  The perfect backdrop for gorgeous things like her little woven jackets, fringed boots, studded messenger bags, chunky jewelry, beautiful soft tees and more.

Image via WWD

The French designer and Harriet Mays Powell, New York fashion editor took a video tour of the store and picked out their favorite items.  I love the allure of her brand.  Part of the allure is it has been hard to get it in the US.  In an earlier post I talked about this and how more boutiques need to consider a “rarity” mentality in  A Rare Brand Indeed.

Where’s She Located:

55 Greene Street
212-219-2284
475 Broom Street
Pop in and visit her husband Jerome Dreyfuss for a look at his beautiful leather handbags.
http://www.isabelmarant.tm.fr

Of Two Minds – 40 Perfect Pieces

One stop shopping just got easier for fashion buyers.  Of  Two Minds launched by Tony Graham  in spring 2010 is a line where you can find the perfect top, the perfect pant, the perfect everything.  No need to cherry pick multiple brands to make up a tightly edited collection.  Just walk into a Findings Showroom, sit down and start writing.  Bring lots of OTB dollars because you’re not going to want to stop.

Graham saw a gap in the market for a line that was well-edited and covered all a woman’s essential wardrobe needs.  He organized a meeting of two fashion minds designers Desanka Fasiska and Stephanie Tran – and a collection was born.  Fasiska’s design esthetic leans toward sexy, feminine chic with a dash of vintage and a hint of bad girl.  Tran, the designer of A Common Thread mixes things up with texture, color, vibrant prints and embellishments creating a whimsical, craftsman like  feel.  The two of them together blend seamlessly into California cool meets globetrotting bohemian.

Fasiska told Apparel News, “.. almost everything has both of our fingerprints all over it. We pass things back and forth between us all day long. And the tag-team approach, gives the entire line a cohesive feeling.”

They work in soft fabrics like whiskered chambray, acid wash, and sand-washed twill and stretch black lace. They mix vintage and new.  Vintage Army jackets and pants were reworked into contemporary statement pieces for the well-edited 40 piece spring line.

The line while distinctive has all the makings for staying in a woman’s closet for a long time.  Just make sure it’s in all your customers closets.  Run, don’t walk to buy this one.

Price Points: Tops at retail $90 to $275, Jeans and pants $275+, Jackets $300-400, Dresses $300-400.

Where to Find It:

Findings Showroom
860 South Los Angeles St.
Suite 609
Los Angeles, Ca 90014
213-622-0717
213-624-9536
Ashley@findingsinc.com

250 West 39th
Suite 1001
New York, NY 10019
216-944-7900
216-944-2544
jamie@findingsinc.com

Website:  www.of-two-minds.com