Let's get set to dazzle!!!!!

As a little girl who loved the dressing up box, and who still loves her box of sequins and beads :-) this article i received through Drapers e-newsletter most excited me



By Stephen Spear

Womenswear indies are backing an overload of sequins to put the sparkle into sales this Christmas.

Taking a lead from Balmain’s influential autumn 09 catwalk collection, indies told Drapers they would use the party season to usher in sequin embellishments and dramatic shoulder pads.

Michelle Pirkis, owner of Shoook in Chiswick, west London, said: “Sequins are the big thing for next season, mostly all over on the front, or on the hems of dresses for something more subtle. Lipsy is doing great sequins for Christmas. We’re also backing shoulder pads going into the end of this year, and lots of puffball skirts and dresses too. Animal motifs are also big for autumn.”

Amanda Smith, womenswear buyer at Attic in Aberdeen, said: “There is always more embellishment in the run-up to Christmas but this season the sequins and studs have gone up a gear. They come in different styles – there are sequins set with prints and also plainer versions that usually come on more structured pieces. On dresses, Motel always does very well for us – its Christmas capsule range has loads of big-shouldered pieces.”

Smith added that the look worked across the 18 to 35-year-old age range that her store caters for.

Kate Walton, owner of Havetolove in Newcastle upon Tyne, said: “It’s all about the sequins. We’ve also made sure we’re putting out a lot of party shoes and getting gift sets of nightwear on the shopfloor too.” In terms of sequined items, Walton has bought into London brand Miss Milne in order to fulfil demand for the look.

Walton said she would merchandise her store for Christmas at the end of this month. One indie told Drapers that the Christmas trend dovetailed perfectly with current trends. “What you think of as the ‘Christmas look’ is the fashion right now. It was a big look on the catwalks and for us the party season is an ideal time to get it on the shopfloor. We will use the Christmas season to kick-start the look and carry it through the winter after that.”

Drapers online, 2009. Sequins and shoulder to dazzle for Christmas (online) Available: http://www.drapersonline.com/5007398.article (Accessed 26th October 2009)

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