January ’15
Red & Blue at Retail Red and blue is gaining strong acceptance from the consumer. The distinct departure from black-and-white during this selling period is indicative of a fresh approach from designers and merchants alike. The story is beyond nautical, as it is the engineering of two lively colors in texture, pattern, and contrast. Denim departments get a shot of vivre; dark, inky navy is stimulated by bold red. Window statements from Chanel to Stella McCartney to DVF and Fenwick’s are also vivid displays of graphic window signage in red and blue. Very Pop Art and eyecatching. Red and Blue is almost always associated with nautical, but this time there is a strong feminine bent to the story. Skirts are an integral part to the mix in full, soft shapes. Skirts are merchandised with shirts, another up-trending classification for spring. Denim, a major message right now, is mixed with soft sportswear pieces. Case in point: Simone Rocha for J. Brand pairs ruffled separates in red with mainstay denim pieces. Contemporary brands from Maje to Sandro; COS, Etré Cecile and Alexander Mc Queen embrace this heritage color combo as well. There is a certain association between economic upswings and color interpretation. A black mood has dominated for years; perhaps the pendulum is on the upswing. The color stories are inviting. We vote yes.
Stella McCartney
Fenwick’s
The Doneger Group • 463 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10018 • Call 212.564.1266 • Fax 212.560.3699 • www.doneger.com
Fenwick’s
January ’15
Top Notes London never fails to inspire in the unique shopping experience, the quirky elements in display or graphic and the courteous gentlemen who never use their mobiles during business luncheons. A very British experience, indeed. The best shopping experience is visiting the Columbia Street Flower Market on a Sunday afternoon. Throngs of young couples inhabit the neighborhood of Shoreditch, buying fresh flowers and plants and scoping out the numerous quirky shops as well as the fanciful vintage shops in the vicinity. This neighborhood is host to the Ace Hotel, and a number of notable shops from The House of Hackney to Labour & Wait. BoxPark, the permanent pop-up shops made of shipping containers, is yet another dimension of intimate shops for the Millennials. Two must-see stores in the Mayfair neighborhood include: Victoria Beckham on Dover Street and Maison Martin Margiela on Bruton Street. Victoria Beckham’s store is sharp and edgy (just like Victoria) yet the feminine aesthetic of the clothing softens the blow. Maison Martin Margiela is playful and witty with over-scaled numbers serving as signposts in the shop. Of course, Liberty and Selfridge’s never disappoint. High on the must-see list is a restaurant and hotel. Chiltern’s Firehouse is exactly what it states: a renovated firehouse that serves as a restaurant, whose proprietor is Andre Balazs. The Edition Hotel, recently renovated, is home to Berner’s Tavern, a cavernous space complete with original molded ceilings from the 18th century. This project is the handiwork of Ian Schraeger, and well worth the eight years it took to complete.
Loft
Labour and Wait
The Doneger Group • 463 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10018 • Call 212.564.1266 • Fax 212.560.3699 • www.doneger.com
Nelly Duff