Hong Kong Shopping, Global Fashion and What Pieces are Essential to Your Wardrobe

Posted on November 7, 2011 by corinnem

I am sitting in my room in Hong Kong (after a day working on the development of my Fall 2012 collection!) and finally have time to fill you in on what is happening. I left for Hong Kong the day after the craziest snowstorm to hit NY in October. On the morning of my early a.m. flight, the roads were still icy, and it was so bazaar to see three multi-vehicle accidents within a few hundred feet of each other! Luckily, no one seemed hurt, but lots of vehicles were damaged, and traffic was stopped for what felt like an eternity.

Fortunately, I had left extra time so I made the flight, but my luggage did not! I will never travel again without my wardrobe essentials in my carry on bags!  When I arrived in Hong Kong after 24 hours of traveling, the last thing I wanted to do was deal with lost baggage. Since I didn’t have anything with me except my computer and tons of fashion magazines (these are essential, right?), I headed to a mall.

Hong Kong has the most beautiful malls and all very conveniently located. My first stop was Zara at the new International Finance Center (IFC) mall. It is so great having stores that are the same in NY, Europe and Hong Kong! I ran in and bought pants, two camisoles (leopard) and a wonderful new cardigan. The mustard color in Zara looks so great and works with both cool palettes and warmer colors. The other key trend is animal, and I bought both the brown leopard and the black/grey cheetah print camisoles.  Both prints “pop” and act as a fabulous accent for simple, basics.  I originally saw these at Zara in London and Paris and actually bought them in Hong Kong. How is that for shopping around the world?  But how cool is it that the same fashion is all over the world? Fashion is global!

My next stop was Marks and Spencer, a department store that is synonymous with the UK like Macy’s is to the US. I remember that Princess Diana once made a comment that she bought her knickers (underpants) at M&S! As I mentioned, I had nothing in my carry on bag, so of course I had to head to M&S to pick up the rest of my essentials. They have the most wonderful lingerie department with everything I needed for my first day without luggage. How great they have stores in Hong Kong, and lucky for me, they were open until 9:30 p.m

Fortunately my bags arrived the next day! Otherwise, I was already planning what I would need to have for my trip without spending too much time and money. Being without luggage makes you realize what is important in your wardrobe. Think about what you would need for a one-week trip?  For me, the most essential item was a basic black pant. A black skirt was next on my list with one or two black shirts. I would have needed at least two more cardigans and a simple (black?) dress. Accessories would be key for my wardrobe, added for color and to change up the outfits. Of course, I travel with four pairs of readers (Rosanne Black/Ivory just in stores now; Roxy Pale Leopard; Pamela Gold/Leopard and Sydney Golden Tortoise), and I am happy to have those back with me!  One cannot be too thin, too rich or have too many readers!

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On the Road Again…

Posted on October 17, 2011 by corinnem

What a whirlwind month-full of traveling coast to coast (and across the Atlantic), shopping, designing great eyewear and more! In the last 4 weeks, I have been in lots of cities.  Starting on September 14th, I was in Nashville to launch our new collection with Nordstrom’s at the retailer’s Gala and Grand Opening events.  What a blast that was.  People were so excited to see Nordstrom come to their city and boy can those folks shop!  We loved seeing so many women trying on our new glasses and looking absolutely fabulous!  Check out my facebook page to see photos from this event.

Then I was off to Las Vegas and Paris for Optical Shows.  These events are when buyers from all over the world meet to look at new collections.  At Vegas we saw so many of our customers, really it was like seeing old friends again.  In Paris, I was designing the new collections for Fall 2012!  Yes, I actually work that far in advance.

In Paris, I also hit some stores and then flew to London to shop more stores.  What I can tell you is that people all over the world are taking their eyewear seriously.  More people understand that eyewear is an important accessory, dare I say, the most important accessory!  It is what everyone sees when they look at you.  People are really stepping out, I am seeing lots more color and more “look at me” shapes.

Vintage shapes continue to be strong.  The Chic Geek look continues to be really important as well as Cat Eye’s.  The Cat Eye shape is everywhere and continues to flatter faces.  The Round shapes are also on trend, but I find that it is very hard to find a person who looks great in round glasses.  Color is getting more subdued; but the newness is finding soft, pretty colors to accent your complexion or ready to wear.  Color is still very important.

As I have said before, try on some glasses and have fun!

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Alexander McQueen Exhibit sets records in New York

Posted on September 6, 2011 by corinnem

 

 

 

 

I live near the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and was surprised to see the number of people lining up for the Alexander McQueen exhibit, Savage Beauty.  Finally, I decided the lines were not getting shorter, so I needed to see the exhibit.  The week before the closing the lines were over 2 hours long, but fortunately as a member of the museum (a great way to support this amazing institution),  I was able to get on a shorter line. The exhibit was still so crowded.

Savage Beauty as an exhibit was amazing and inspiring. Often people think fashion is frivolous, but here was fashion as art with thousands of people lining up to see the exhibit.  Fashion does impact all of us and it was so brilliant to see selections from Alexander  McQueen’s collections. Each piece was exquisitely crafted and beautiful. There were leather bustiers, feathered garments, amazing jewelry and those armadillo shoes. Lady Gaga  wore them and made them famous. They are tough to walk in, but a creative, unique shoe design.

Walking thru the exhibit, I realized that McQueen used fashion as a way to express himself into life. There was a feeling of beauty and sadness at the same time. It was all the more compelling that he committed suicide at the age of 40.  When I saw his talent on display, you could also feel his sense of dread about life.  Each collection told a story about life and death.  The clothes were beautiful, but McQueen’s stories were about rape and pillage and renewal and death.  Thru fashion you could sense his struggle.  He lived on the edge and left this earth too early.

This exhibit paid homage to his beauty, talent and the gift he left for us all.

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