JCKstyle Editors Outline Fall Fashion Trends
Retailers who attended the Wednesday afternoon “Make Your Store Fashionable for Fall 2007” session learned about upcoming fashion trends and got tips from JCKstyle magazine editors Carrie Soucy, Jennifer Heebner, and Laura Finkelstein.
Soucy led the presentation with a summary of 2007 clothing trends and complementary jewelry. For example, pieces with clean bold looks best complement fall’s A-line silhouettes and full sleeves, and geometric shapes and statement pieces pop when paired with cropped jackets and miniskirts. Knowledge of clothing trends and how they relate to fine jewelry is particularly important in order to woo an underserved demographic: female self-purchasers.
“Self purchasers are the biggest growth opportunity for jewelers, yet they’re the most neglected customer in the traditional retail jewelry environment,” said Soucy.
Finkelstein’s review of celebrity jewelry trends included images of popular stars, such as Helen Mirren, at recent red carpet venues. Celebrated star styles include lots of bangle bracelets, lacy bib necklaces, and button-shape earrings. Red carpet trends are important for jewelers to understand because of stars’ vast public appeal and the high-profile buzz generated by their ensembles. Keeping current with who wore what helps stores maintain reputations for being in the know and the best place to source the newest looks.
“It’s essential for members of this industry to pay attention to celebrity trends,” said Finkelstein. “While customers may not be able to afford the same pieces as celebrities, they look to them for current and fashionable shapes, styles, and colors.”