Fashion Networking Mixer!

Hello Ladies,

I am excited to announce the first Professional Girls Night Out of 2011, which will be held onApril 6^th at the Hill on 30^th and 3^rd !

PGNO  provides the opportunity for ladies to enjoy a night out in NYC while inspiring and encouraging each other’s creativity and growth. On the first Wednesday of every month women in the fashion and related industries come together  to network and build relationships in an uplifting, positive environment featuring a female designer, artist or corporate executive and non-profit organization with the goal of bringing attention to stellar individuals and a worthwhile cause…..but mostly an opportunity to mingle with friends and have a great time! J

This month will be accepting donations for Kids in Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.) to raise funds for the disaster in Japan. We will have my Japanese friend who recently arrived in NY from Tokyo in attendance  to share her story with you. Additionally I will be showcasing a collection of Japanese inspired art including a Japanese kimono made out of recycled materials. We will love it if you can make it!!

The event starts at 7pm!

We will have  $3 draft Budweiser and Yuengling and $5 Appletini’s and well drinks as a special for all our guests.

Let me know if you have any questions and please invite your colleges and friends!!  

Please RSVP to: rsvp@pearlandcompany.com

If you are not able to attend the event, you can still visit their website at www.kidsdonations.orgto make a personal or corporate donation.

Please take a minute to check out the story from Lisa Estevez who attended the event back in November and now is working at Michael Kors! Networking is an amazing thing! -http://www.shoebizness.com/2011/03/from-the-retail-floor-to-the-corporate-office-by-lisa-esteves/

See you soon!

Label Launch: Anagram by Gary Graham

Anagram is the capsule collection inspired by pieces from Gray Graham's namesake line. Much like the name suggest, these pieces are re-arrangements of previous main line pieces using natural-washed silks and cottons. Check out a few pictures below: 

It's 2:30pm! Start Shopping NOW!

In my opinion, the best afternoon pick me up after a busy morning at work is a visit to a few of my favorite online sample sale sites. Gilt Groupe, Haute Look, Fashionism and Rue La La just to name a few, have undeniably altered the e-commerce apparel market. Sites such as these invite shoppers into an exclusive online enclave that thrives on the thrill and impulse of catching a limited time deal. With deep discounts, free membership and expansions into beauty, home, lifestyle and travel, flash e-tailers have concocted a formula that keeps consumers religiously coming back.

In the past month, HauteLook was acquired by Nordstrom for $180 million further establishing the company as a major e-tailer.  The future is here, bringing with it innovative expansions in e-commerce.  Major retailers are trading in bricks-and-mortar for bricks-and-clicks capturing billions of dollars in additional sales as people spend increased amounts of time online.

In the short term, flash e-tailing provides a great way for wholesalers to get rid of excess merchandise and increase online brand presence.  As a regular flash sale shopper I enjoy having convenient, discounted access to brands, products and services that I normally wouldn't be able to afford.  However, as a fashion business professional, I wonder how these companies ultimately affect the bottom line.

Some designers feel pressured to participate in these flash sales to keep up with competitors citing these "fire" sales as harmful to brand integrity and long term positioning.  One designer writes "To participate in this model is to condition existing and future customers to demand deep discounts. If you don't give it to them, they will go somewhere else."

What do you think? Does flash retailing hurt designers?  Are the discounts worth it?

By the way, check out this uber-cute LBD I bought today on Gilt Groupe by frock! by Tracey Reese. Tres chic, no?

Club Monaco - Spring 2011 Look Book

After a seemingly endless winter, spring has finally sprung, bringing with it some fabulous looks from Club Monaco!  Banking on it's tradition sophisticated casual wear, this collection expertly blends neutrals with crisp shades of navy and smoky grays onto flowy silhouettes. Check out a few of my favorite looks or the entire first delivery here.