Buyer’s Report: Helene M. Goes to Spring Coterie
By: Liana Zaborowski , Guest Blogger and Buyer & Manager of Helene M., Portland
Last week, buyers from all over the map and spectrum of store size (small boutiques to Neiman Marcus) attended Coterie, a fashion tradeshow in NYC, where vendors (i.e. designers) show their ready-to-wear and accessories collections. We (the Helene M. team) were there to choose our spring assortment.
4 Looks from DVF Spring 2012
Spring 2012 is bursting with color! Shades of coral, from hot habanero to soft peach, took center stage and were flanked by aqua, cobalt, kelly green and a host of sherbets like mint and lilac. It was so invigorating and cheerful to see that fashion is trading the economic blues of the country for the vibrant blues of nature and giving us reason to smile!
Sherbet Shades at Alice + Olivia
I felt like I was floating from one booth to the next, taking in the best spring collections of our specific mix of designers that I’ve seen in awhile. Everyone seemed to have stepped up their game. Even the basics of each designer (usually offered in neutrals) were shown in bold hues, making it obvious that the pop of color we are seeing this fall and winter is only the beginning.
Gorgeous Nicole Miller Dress
Prints (especially print-on-print variations) and color-blocking were especially prevalent. I saw more silk patterned scarves than usual and shoe silhouettes from refined lady-like to high platform sandals. Denim in various washes with a lot of saturated color to choose from as well.
DVF Patterned Silk Scarves
Color & Prints at Trina Turk
To sum it up: Spring will be pure fun – with a twist of sophistication – and worn with a smirk!
