Hi Shoppers! It’s Ava and I want you to know about my exciting trip for Loehmann’s to Paris! 

As I sat in the outdoor cafe drinking my espresso and indulging in a fresh chocolate croissant, I was able to take in the style and sounds of the wonderful city of Paris!!   A city rich in history, culture and style; it is for sure, one of my most favorite cities to visit.  There are a ton of great department and specialty stores to shop, fantastic restaurants and many places to visit at all hours of the day! 

I shopped the stores and the market and there were a few trends that I kept seeing. The three major ones were: the return of nature theme, the whole boho/Indian inspired look and then, vintage looks. 

Nature inspired prints were everywhere: lots of great black and brown animal, Ikat and tribal prints, Navajo, and batik, as well, on both woven and knitted fabrics.  Ombre prints were also everywhere: in knits tops, chiffon dresses and voile blouses. I loved the way Ombre was used in both Astuces and Sinequanone, two lines that I thought did this best. I’ll be keeping my eye out for purchases from them. 

Boho and Indian looks were so popular!  Lots of paisley prints in tops, skirts and in maxi dresses, which I thought looked amazing.    I know here in the States, this trend has translated easily to Peasant tops which look so fabulous and feminine with jeans!  I saw lots of skirts, though which are coming back and I feel will be an important category come spring 2009 so I am planning my buying now. Stella Forest was one of the best that I saw with this look. 

One of my favorite looks was the whole “vintage” look; the pretty feminine look with crochet, lace and ruffles, soft floral prints, ladylike blouses with tie necks and more. They are just so girly and pretty!!  Purples and grays were the colors of choice.  Manoush did this look best.   

I had such a lovely time just feasting on the fashion of this marvelous city.  I enjoy what I do and keeping you updated with my fashion finds.   I can’t wait to get our “Paris looks” into your local Loehmann’s. Then all you have to do is get all pretty in your discounted Loehmann’s finds, have a croissant, and imagine Paris.   

That’s the Loehdown,

Ava 

The 1940’s and 1950’s are the foundation of inspiration for one of the more fun trends in summer dresses. Retro or “Rockabilly” inspired dresses are a great way to add a bit of glamour into your fashion wardrobe this year.

With cinched waists that define the female hourglass shape, full or pencil tight skirts and the natural tendency to match with a sexy high heel or fun slingback shoe, these styles helped define femininity for over 60 years.

One of the easiest ways to incorporate this look is with a fabulous summer sun dress. A full circle skirt, either with the traditional above the knee length or a more modern take above, lends itself to a night of dancing under the stars. With sleeveless, backless, and strapless styles, they can easily go from the beach to a cocktail party and anything in between.  Whether in solid colors, a vintage ditsy print, or the amazingly fun polka dot, colors go from white to bright and graphic.

The bonus is that this is the kind of dress that everyone looks great in. The full skirts can hide a multitude of winter binging sins. The additional waist definition can either show off what you do have, or help define what is not quite there. The bodice details, whether in a sweetheart neckline, or trim, or buttons, or even a chris cross of straps tied up in a bow, bring the eye up to the neckline and face. Plus pairing with a heel of some kind, with the full skirt, demands a sashay kind of walk which is full of both movement and grace. It’s hard not to feel wonderful when you look that good.

If full on vintage swing skirt looks make you feel too much like Halloween, you can still stay on top of the look without a total committement to decades ago. The 1940’s inspired pencil skirt can add an interesting sihouette to a stale office look. In more “office-y” fabrics; natural cottons, summer weights, and solids and plaids, a fitted, higher waisted skirt still demands the cinched waist, giving a great opportunity to show off a very “now” wide belt. Pairing with a cap sleeved blouse or a fitted and belted jacket; you can go from work to dinner with just a retouch of lipstick to freshen your look.

One of the things that is just so creative and fun with Rockabilly inspired dresses; you can take it as mild or as wild as you feel comfortable with.

Dress Up game Series: Intro

The Romantic Dress; dress up game series part 1

Under the heading of “romance” some of this season’s hottest trends are combined into must have dresses.

Ruffles, that made headway back in the fall ‘07 collections, continue to find places to adorn. On a flounced hem, layered in tiers, on a sweetheart neckline, or capping cuffs, nothing can soften a look and add that perfect touch better than a perfectly placed ruffle.  Bows, which are tied to the upcoming fall collections as well, help cinch a waist, top a collar with a ribbon, or add interest to a view. Both ruffles and bows add dimension and interest along with another romantic favorite: the 3d floral appliqué.

Gathers and shirring, in this year’s favorite sheers find their way underneath to flounce a skirt, peek out from a hem, or give the illusion of coverage where there is not.  In fabrics such as voile, chiffon, tulle and Swiss dot lace, they create a great contrast to the silky feels of satin, charmeuse and silks.

Imagine a satin corset type bodice covering a sheer chiffon ruffled sleeve blouse, and you have one of the most perfect juxtapositions of smooth and texture, all in one. These are the kind of dresses where detail is queen, and less is just less. A full flounced shirt tied with a silky bow over a lacy top and a sheer illusion of a ruffled shrug can only be considered romantic perfection, rather than fussy or overdone.

All the soft fabrics in even softer colors, gently whisper of romantic escapes, luncheons on the grass, and long walks in fields of wildflowers. In fabrics printed with antique florals, and vintage roses, these summer looks inspire the little girls in all of us, wanting to be a princess in our very own dress up game.

Dress Up game Series: Intro

Rockabilly Dresses; dress up game series part 2

Now that June is officially here, and summer is finally just around the corner; it’s time to really celebrate. There is no better way to break out of the hum drums, kick back and relax in the sun,  then by having  some summer fun, and nothing this season says fun better than the plethora of amazing summer dresses.

It has been called “the Year of the Dress”. There are so many dresses out this season, in so many styles, that they can’t just have their own post. They need their own series.

From long dresses to short dress, empire to a-line, simple sheaths to detailed pleats, there is a dress for every mood and every occasion: dresses for work, for cocktail parties, for summer fun on the beach.  From retro inspired Rockabilly looks to contemporary and organic eco-friendly cottons and linens, from sporty tennis sets to romantic Merchant ivory seaside frocks, tribal inspired Ikat prints to soft and gentle roses, polka dots to ombre, soft to bright, solid to pattern, Hippie to Hollywood, no matter what your style, there is a dress for you this year.

There are just too many to detail in one post, so as the summer progresses so will our coverage of the dresses. Nothing says summer like the perfect summer dress, so let the fun dress up games begin!

The Romantic Dress; dress up game series part 1

Rockabilly Dresses; dress up game series part 2

WABC Reporter, Kemberly Richardson of  Eyewitness News, visited the Loehmann’s Chelsea store in New York for the best in discount clothing.

Looking for the hottest fashion trends of the summer as identified by Lucky Magazine, Kemberly was on the hunt to find the best of the best; all for under $100. Of course, Loehmann’s is the place to find the best in designer must have’s at discounted prices.

Floral patterned dresses and tunics plus colorful and trendy beads and bangles were had. Kemberly found summer shorts of all lengths including fun nautical styles. Also on the list was groovy “bohemian chic” maxi dresses in colorful patterns. 

Unable to pass up on super savings and fabulous finds, Kemberly even bought a wondeful white spring coat and sundress for herself!

 The segment will be aired on Monday, June 9th during the 5 o’clock news at approximately 5:40pm.

If you are wondering what summer trends might be waiting for you at your local Loehmann’s, then this will give you a nice tempting peek and inspiration. Don’t miss it!!

Father’s Day is coming up fast and just in time, Loehmann’s is filling up with designer men’s apparel and gift ideas to show that special guy in your life just how much he means to you.  Whether you need gifts for a Dad to be, gifts for a first time Dad, gifts for a long established Dad, or need to help find gifts for Dad from his son or daughter; Loehmann’s has got you covered. And as always, with prices much less than you find elsewhere.

The Top Ten Gift ideas for Father’s Day:

(1) The traditional tie heads off our list with new patterns and colors. Designer names to choose from such as Michael Kors, DKNY, Bruno Piatelli and more are at huge discounts and can give Dada that silky flash he desires for only 19.99.

(2) To go with his new tie how about a matching dress shirt? French cuff details and fine designer features are available from 39.99 to 49.99. With names such as Lorenzo Uomo, Joseph Abboud, Alara, Calvin Klein plus many more, the savings are apparent.

(3) Help get Dad ready for the warmer weather with designer casual wear.  The men’s collection of sport shirts, polos, shorts and pants in fine wovens and summer weight linens are the same great labels you’ll find in high-end department stores at up to 60% less.

(4) For a younger Daddy or even a Dad young at heart; premium denims, woven shirts, graphic polos, screened tees and shorts in solids, plaids and more are here just in time as well.

(5) For the sporty guy in your life, Loehmann’s has an activewear closeout that will send you running.  Shorts, tops, jackets and pants from Adidas and others are priced at a fit 12.99 to 39.99.  That allows for both Dad and your wallet to be healthy.

(6) Looking for more sentimental gifts for Dad? You can appeal to his inner child and make him feel like a kid again. Men’s screen tees in Star Wars, Superhero, and vintage sports styles are completely affordable at prices from 14.99 to 19.99.

 If Dad’s closet if stuffed, then don’t despair. Loehmann’s has more than just great designer clothes at discounted prices. Accessories for men are stocked as well and priced to sell.

(7) Novelty cuff links, perfect to match his new French cuffed shirts are priced as low as 19.99 and can be found in a wide range of styles form funky to classic.

(8) A fine collection of leather wallets from designers such as Polo, Kenneth Cole, Ben Sherman, and Joseph Abboud are going from 19.99 to 39.99.  Dad will think that you emptied your wallet for his, but the savings can be our little secret.

(9) If you need to look for gifts for Dad from kids, then look no further. Designer fragrance gift sets for Dads are an extra 25% off.  Priced from 14.99, these low discount prices will be available until Father’s Day.

(10) For the Dad that has everything, gift sets can match his interests and promote some well deserved down time.  Golf inspired gifts are perfect for tee time, shoe shine kits for the dapper Dad to buff and polish, and wine accessory sets for his fine palette are all boxed up and ready for wrappings and bows. All you need to do is sign the card.

Don’t forget to think about Grandpas, Uncles, and other father fiqures, too.  Or maybe, you’re not a dad and just need to treat yourself to some new threads, this will be a prime time for new men’s merchandise to hit the Loehmann’s selling floor.   

June 15th is just around the corner and will be here before you know it.

The Father’s Day Event at Loehmann’s begins June 10th, so hurry in for the top ten gifts for Dads!

Coming in June to the Loehmann’s Blog:  Buyers LoehDown!

We are so pleased to announce  new authors to our blog here at Loehmann’s. Beginning in June, we shall have postings from our head men’s and women’s clothing buyers.

Jack and Ava shall be authoring blog posts that will give Loehmann’s shoppers greater insight on new and upcoming collections coming into Loehmann’s locations.  With information coming directly from them as they wander through the inner sanctums of the designers’ fashion world, these reports are sure to become tantalizing peeks into upcoming Loehmann’s merchandise. 

Ladies Clothing Buyers, Men’s Clothing Buyers:

At Loehmann’s, our buyers work hard finding the best quality fashion merchandise at the best prices for you.  Jack is head of the men’s division and will be bringing you the latest news on men’s fashions and sportswear coming into Loehmann’s.  Ava handles the women’s designer clothing and will be reporting on the hot new trends and fashion must haves to look out for.

As Loehmann’s buyers, Jack and Ava go directly to the source, negotiating discounts, so you don’t have to. Before the email flyers get printed, before information gets on our “what’s new page”, they will be able to let you know what coming up as the deals are made. While they cannot tell you the names of all the designers directly, both Jack and Ava will be dropping tempting hints and arrival periods so you can plan your shopping accordingly.  It will be like having your own personal shopper, but budget minded to boot!

How does this discount magic happen?

Jack, Ava and their crew of Loehmann’s buyers are extremely conscience of three very important factors that need to all be in place; the label, the price and the actual product. They are looking for a synergy of the elements that make the purchase more than just a great deal; it has to be a Loehmann’s quality deal.

If we are looking at a designer wrap dress, for instance, and the designer label is in high demand, it won’t work if the price is not in line.  In the same vein, if the price is fine, but the label is not in demand at all, then that dress won’t make it to the Loehmann’s selling floor either.  Or it could be a preferred label, at a good price, but either a low quality or just undesirable product and that won’t make it pass Ava’s muster either.

Jack and Ava read the same fashion magazines that you do!

Religious is the word used to describe how Ava subscribes to fashion culture though Jack has a pretty impressive collection of magazines as well. The fashion magazines and celebrity fashion favorites are key elements in making sure that the products that make it to the Loehmann’s floor will be fashion finds and what our customers want to buy.

Local demographics also play a part in the initial purchases; so the Beverly Connection Loehmann’s in trendy LA might have different products than Troy, Michigan just based on the customer’s needs, their attention to image and trends, and the seasonal weather differences.  A Chicago winter is very different than a Phoenix winter and stock is decided on accordingly as well.

The purchases on key items and what has been moving on the floor are also factored in. If, say, a certain name brand of designer jeans are sold out within a few days, then Ava makes sure that stock is replaced if at all possible. We know what Loehmann’s customers want and the buyers do their best to get it.

The same designer labels as department stores at the same time:

Jack and Ava’s goals are to get the same exact designer fashion clothing as your local department stores and speciality stores.  Yes, that is really the same labels with no restrictions. It is not unusual for an item to be in a well known department store at the suggested retail price at the same time the item is at Loehmann’s at a minimum of 40% off the ticketed price.

Direct contact with the various manufacturers also provides “exclusive” access to many labels and products. Loehmann’s cleans them out of overstocks and then has control of the entire off price distribution of that label.

How does fashion apparel become an “Overstock”?

An overstock is not a bad thing at all, though it might sound as like “unwanted” merchandise.

After a designer shows a collection, the buyers form the various department stores and boutiques place their orders.  Then the line goes into production.  Frequently the fabric must be ordered from one manufacturer at a certain standard bulk quantity for pricing and the actual construction of the garment is also ordered by quantity as well. 

So, for instance, if a certain blouse has garnished 800 orders after the initial showing, and it takes one yard of fabric to make each blouse, the design house might still find it in their best interest to order 1200 yards of fabric. Then, when the blouse goes into production, the designer gets better pricing on the manufacturing of 1000 blouses, rather than the needed 800.  The 200 blouses that were not slated for a particular store’s distribution become the overstocks.

Both the original ordered blouses and the overstocks are made in the same place out of the same material at the same time. Instead of the designers trying to find a store to purchase the extra 200 blouses, they sell them to Loehmann’s and then the Loehmann’s buyers deliver them to the selling floor as quickly as possible.

 And you benefit!

Jack, Ava and their legion of buyers comb the designers’ haunts to find you the best deals on current designer fashion.  With the introduction of their voices on this blog, you will have an even greater chance to benefit from their labors, so stay tuned for their insight and fashion tips.

Welcome Jack and Ava!  Let the Buyer’s LoehDown begin!

Some people adore shopping and some people absolutely hate it. Whether it’s a joy or a chore, everyone must shop eventually.  It’s fair to say that most women feel greatly frustrated when designer clothing cannot be found in the correct size.

We have all been there. Either you need a specific item or just browsing around to see what you can find, but finding the perfect article of apparel, especially at Loehmann’s where you know the price is significantly less, can be a real amazing feeling. Whether it is thrill of the hunt or just relief that your job is completed, nothing can bring you down faster than noticing that that perfect skirt in the perfect color that will go with those perfect shoes at the perfect price is two sizes too small or big enough for two of you.

Perfection becomes frustration with one glance at a size tag.

Some clothing lines run small and you need to find a larger than regular size with, say, those skinny jeans. Sometimes, the most common size is grabbed off the racks by all the other women who share that “regular” size with you. Sometimes it is clothing for ladies in petite sizes that proves to be a challenge. In any case, being faced with a rack full of size 2’s and a smattering of 11s does no good if you require the perfect 8.

Loehmann’s knows this and has heard your cries of frustration. No longer will amazing “can’t miss” bargains be purchased in a size too small just because they cannot be found in the correct size and the items are too good to put down. No longer must one add diet restrictions to their lifestyle a week or so before debuting a too tight skirt. Loehmann’s new Size Search brings increased satisfaction to designer shopping. Now, not only can you find the most incredible savings on designer clothing, but there shall be no more excuses not to wear them!

The new in store Size Search service will find your size in another Loehmann’s location if we have it available. You can complete your purchase just as if the size 0 pants fit, and then the correct sized clothing will be shipped directly to your home or office. Please ask a Sales Associate for details.  While shipping fees will be applied, it is a small price to pay for pure shopping satisfaction and the perfect skinny jeans.

Just think of the possibilities:

Beautiful designer shoes in your size can show up at your door.

A fabulous sports coat for him in the perfect size and at huge savings with zero frustration.

A party dress for your daughter with enough room to grow rather than knowing that she will grow out of it before it gets stained.

And you don’t have to drive all over wasting precious gas. That’s pure shopping satisfaction and eco friendly to boot!

Esteemed New York City Blog, the Gothamist, wanted to find out what were the best places to shop for bargains in New York. They went and used Just Ask The Locals™ and also asked their own professional sources, the Gothamist readers.

It is no surpirse to anyone that knows Loehmann’s, but a prime spot on the Top Ten List went to the big L.

So many New Yorkers have grown up with Loehmann’s as part of their shopping training as Loehmann’s has been a New York icon for decades.  Granted, there are other discount stores in the running now as well, but the original discount designer department store still holds it’s own and manages to inspire, impress and satisfiy new customers every day.  It’s a great feeling to see new shopper’s discover  Loehmann’s bargains.

 On the very same day, May 16th, TeamSugar published a great post called “Nifty, Thrifty Fashion Tips”.

That post listed Loehammn’s as well as the best place for both accessories and handbags.

With Loehmann’s on your side, it’s very true, as Sarah Jessica Parker says:

 ”Fashion is not a Luxury”.

The word eclectic is defined as: “Selecting or employing individual elements from a variety of sources, systems, or styles”.  To define the word “eclectic fashion” one has to go no further than Iris of this style and the master of the genre. The proof of her perfection resides in the well deserved and on-going attention that the contents of her closet demand. 

If you missed the MET’s exhibit of her collection in 2005, then you definitely want to add Nassau County  Museum of Art to this summer must see and do list. Beginning next week, May20th, the museum will be exhibiting the amazing collection of her wardrobe and even more amazing finds have been pried from Iris Apfel’s closet. Iris Apfel:  Rare Bird of Fashion is not to be missed. 

Now in her 80’s, Iris continues to be a role model and inspiration to legions of women both past and present. She doesn’t really follow fashion despite being an intimate of many designers, nor did she really go forth into fashion design despite a “fling with dressmakers, bag makers and shoemakers”. She admits to being “a closet designer who could never sew or cut”. She even claims that she didn’t collect for the ideal of having a collection, what amazes and inspires us is simply her wardrobe. 

Born an only child in Astoria, Queens in 1922, the appreciation for beautiful things and art began when she read art history at NYU and attended the University of Wisconsin art school. By 1950, with husband, Carl, she began Old World Weavers, a textile and design company, which specialized in ancient techniques and exact reproductions of antique fabrics.  She was a famous interior designer, with clients such as Greta Garbo, Estee Lauder and White House, and hob knobbed with high society of the time, but it is not her fame or notoriety that makes her worthy of her legendary status.  It’s simply the contents of her closet, collected over a range of 60 years from around the world, and then, her art of combining those items with their polar opposites  that begets her reign as a true original. For Iris Apfel, true style was not dictated to her or even by her, but was fun and serious and whimsical and amusing, all at once.

It is beyond fitting that Loehmann’s is sponsoring the exhibit as for Iris, like a Loehmann’s shopper, the “thrill was in the hunt”.  And hunt she did just like the rest of us. In an interview with Marilyn Kirschner, Iris speaks of her finding a “true gem”:

“Oh there’s something I just found in Loehmann’s….. For my birthday I go to Loehmann’s because I get a 15% discount, it’s very exciting…and I found this wonderful, wonderful completely beaded coat from Ralph Lauren and it is so gorgeous …all the way down to the floor and I won’t tell you its price because it’s ridiculous…it’s divine and very Marlene Dietrich with crystalline beads on white chiffon…and it was way too long although I am fairly tall…and I went to three dressmakers and they all said they were afraid to tackle it and I didn’t know what to do…Ralph Rucci said he’d fix it but I didn’t want to trouble him…then I met Mr. Ralph Lauren and when I told him he said “Oh we’ll fix it”. So it’s now being fixed.’”

The pieces in the exhibit are from flea markets, houses of haute couture, East Indian Bazaars, thrift stores, discount department stores, Old European artifacts, and handmade boutiques from all over the globe. With over 60 years worth of collecting, Iris was able to pair brand new finds and old:  “mix something I bought last week with something I’ve hoarded for 30 years.” 

From a fashion stand point alone, the exhibit is worth seeing as it features exciting couture clothing from every major European and American designer including Chanel, Dior, Armani, Galanos, Ungaro, Ralph Rucci, Geoffrey Beene, Lanvin, Norell, and Bill Blass among others. Separately, the results of her collection bespeak of a journey though time and fashion that could set the pace for a who’s who in the history of couture. In addition, her accessories and jewelry collections are incredible and also historic. What makes this all so much more is that her outfits are displayed “exactly’ as she put them together herself including her signature oversized black glasses on the mannequins. It’s not so much as the “what” she wore, but the “how” she wore it. 

The originality of her style is revealed in her mixing of Dior haute couture with flea-market finds, Dolce & Gabbana lizard trousers with nineteenth-century ecclesiastical vestments, pink Lanvin worn with ropes of Navajo turquoise. A selection of audacious accessories also comes under the spotlight: a giant necklace made of bear claws, a turn-of-the-century Indian horse ornament worn as a necklace, a parrot’s-head brooch in colored glass and rhinestones.

The final results are unforgettable. When fashion defies limits, creativity soars and taste is redefined.  What Iris Apfel does is remind us that we must be true to ourselves and what we love. Our “look” is then defined by ourselves and what we adore, what we resonate with, what is the outside epitomey of our own souls. It is an opportunity for our self defined inner beauty to be seen on the outside and therefore is nothing that can be prescribed by the trends of the seasons or other outside influences. 

When we view the now “art” that is Iris’ closet and see that this non-conformity is beyond our wildest dreams, it can indeed re-inspire us to find our own inner Iris.

**** 

This exhibition was first seen at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute as Rara Avis: Selections from the Iris Barrel Apfel Collection. It has been adapted for its showing at NCMA and now includes even more stunning items of clothing, accessories and jewelry from Apfel’s collection. Later shown at the Norton Museum in Palm Beach as “Iris Apfel: a Rare Bird of Fashion”, the exhibit at the NCMA is sponsored by Loehmann’s with support from Astoria Federal Savings. 

“Iris Apfel: a Rare Bird of Fashion” opens to the public on May 20^th at Nassau County Museum of Art and runs through September 7^th. Located off Northern Boulevard in Roselyn Harbor, admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $4 for children with an additional $2 parking charge on weekends. Museum members are free. For more information go to the museum website at: www.nassaumuseum.com or call (516) 484-9338. 

In addition, cultural historian Dr. Charles A. Riley II presents “Extreme Iris” a multimedia presentation and “interdisciplinary exploration of genius at work” on Sunday June 22 at 4pm. 

For a rare treat, the museum also offers a Private Tea & Tour of the Exhibition on June 11^th at 2:30 pm. This behind-the-scenes glimpse at the museum’s current exhibition is introduced by the museum’s director, Constance Schwartz, and features a private guided tour followed by a menu of tea, sandwiches, scones and sweets in the beautifully refurbished Café Musée. Space is limited so reserve early.

Admission for Dr. Riley’s lecture is $10 for museum members and $20 for guests.Admission for each Tea & Tour is $35 (museum members, $25) and includes admission to the museum. To reserve, call (516) 484-9338, ext. 12 or write to reginaforlenza@nassaumuseum.com. 

 If you just can’t make it there at all, then check out the book from the original collection shown in 2005 at the Met show in NY: “Rare Bird of Fashion; the Irreverent Iris Apfel” is available at Amazon. With an essay by the fashion maven herself, an introduction by Harold Koda, director of the Costume Institute, and  169 photos by fashion photographer, Eric Bowman, it’s the next best thing to being there.