NEW YORK EXTREME!
Girlpower shows the way
published 17th June 2008
Despite economic worries, New York is far from depressing. For lingerie lovers it’s a paradise of inspiration. The searing heat of last week showed just how far American women can take the casual fashion attitude. They love lingerie tops, showing cleavage and straps. Hats, multicoloured bags & flip-flops, even gorgeous parasols decorated the sidewalks. These women live on a different planet than the merchandisers responsible for the ever growing masses of flesh coloured ‘solution merchandise’ in lingerie departments at Saks, Macy’s and Lord & Taylor. The army of women flocking to the Sex and the City film underline how women thrive on a mixture of exuberance, freedom and dreams. Abercrombie & Fitch’s Gilly Hicks stores have gone a bit far in storytelling concepts but beauty, fun, pleasure and individuality is a winning concept. Even though it needs some fine tuning, Gilly Hicks is closer to what women like than the ‘reality’ of the over-merchandised lingerie departments of the mass channel. And Anthropologie’s figures prove that being eccentric is a Good Thing. I also loved the reborn Bloomingdales - everything they were known for is back - even on the lingerie floor which was more colourful and fun than ever!