I got quoted in women's wear daily!

Here is an excerpt from the article with my quote!

While much of the buying action at the various trade shows this week focused on immediate and holiday deliveries, the main topic of conversation was whether the customer would enthusiastically return to stores this fall and resume her buying habits. Retailers believe fall will be a pivotal season to determine the shape they’ll be in for Christmas and spring. Many retailers said they were combing the trade show aisles in search of fill-ins, new names, good prices and special pieces to reenergize consumers.

THE RETAIL VIEW Intermezzo

Elizabeth LeBlanc, buyer, Shop, Shorewood, Wis. “It’s a small show, but there’s a lot to see, and I feel like we have to be here since a lot of these brands never come to Wisconsin. We are really looking for some handbags for holiday and also investment pieces that people can have for a long time. Nothing too trendy.”

Randi Siegel, owner, Rapunzel’s Closet, Palm Beach, Fla. “We came looking for cute pieces that are not expensive from the popular labels we usually carry or lesser-known labels that can merchandise well with the popular brands so the customer thinks it’s more of a label than it is. We found that a lot of brands are using softer materials, more for comfort, but they are so wide and slouchy and have zero hanger appeal.”

Crystal Kleine, owner, Ella & Henry, Chapel Hill, N.C. “This is the smallest Intermezzo I’ve seen, and I knew there wouldn’t be as many buyers walking around. I would think people need to come find some new things to keep people shopping, but maybe they know something I don’t.”

Fame

Carol Winter, buyer, Lester’s, New York “We’re looking for immediates, but we’re finding more for September deliveries. There’s not as much new merchandise for immediates as we had hoped. I think it’s well stocked with people that we’ve bought from before and we know will deliver. Some of the trends we’re looking for are party dresses, motorcycle, sequins, embellished seams and leggings.”

Rebecca Parliman, owner, My Sister’s Favorite Things, Lavallette, N.J. “Right now, we’re looking for fall. We want the prices to be low but [the clothes] to be trendy. The more sparkle, the better.”

Lee Gaston, owner, Bessie Blue, Belmont, Mass. “We’re looking for holiday. Our customer is midrange, in her 30s, 40s and 50s. They want something comfortable — they’re not getting dressed up this season. They’re price conscious. They want accessories, something that can snazz up a basic, but they’re not willing to invest a lot of money in a garment. They want to get a great piece for $65. Here, there’s no challenge. You can walk into a booth and spend $25 on a garment. [Fame] seems like it’s gotten a little smaller, but the vendors you want to see are still here.”