DALLAS — Accessories, feminine tops and denim led the action at Fashion Industry Gallery’s recent market, as retailers rounded out their spring buys.
Popular jewelry trends included charms, filigree work and layered necklaces, while mixed textures and touches of embroidery were popular in tops. Denim jeans were slimmer and in dark hues.
“All of our stores are coming to us for ‘date tops’ — festive tops to throw over their jeans that are embellished but not overdone,” said Meredith Clark, regional sales manager for Poleci. “We’re selling tons of eyelet, crochet and lace.”
Traffic was a bit slow at the four-day event that ended Jan. 29, which some attributed to the conflicting show in Atlanta and others blamed on the impact of last season’s hurricanes. Yet the boutique wholesale venue in the downtown Arts District continues “to draw new faces and new stores,” said Gavin Smith, FIG director.
Merchants were upbeat about business prospects for spring, but some bemoaned the fact that warm weather had stalled clearance sales of fall and holiday merchandise.
“People are waiting for spring merchandise, they don’t even want fall for half off,” said Mallie Malouf, who owns the Mallie boutique in Dallas. Shopping for spring baubles, Malouf liked Be-Je’s faux “diamonds-for-day” jewelry, long gold-plated chains dotted with cubic zirconia stones, and tiny discs. She also favored Kalan’s layered necklaces and was hunting for charms.
Jane Webb, owner of C&K Co. in Oklahoma City, sought accessories to complete her April and May deliveries, plus knitwear by Velvet. As she ordered a chocolate python clutch by Lorelei and Viv & Ingrid’s beaded hoop earrings and delicate gold chain and pearl necklaces, Webb said business had been good.
Martha Iarquharson made certain to write an order for XCVI Wearable’s cotton gauchos and drawstring pedal pushers for her store, Urban Allye, which opened in November in McKinney, Tex.
“I’ve had a lot of customers ask for XCVI because it’s comfortable and the rise fits well, and it goes from teen to missy,” she said.
Iarquharson also favored embroidered sheer floral blouses by Yellowfield 8, eyelet dresses by Trina Turk and linen empire-waist dresses by Fray.
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Megan Lawrence-Cook, owner of Ambience in Kansas City, Kan., said, “Our customer really likes the vintage look and prints. They mostly want tops to go with jeans.”
She planned to order Gypsy 05’s tanks embroidered with peace signs, along with Charlotte Tarantola’s T-shirts and sweaters.