Vintage Revamped
Some labels borrow from the past--literally--but use modern fabrics, hardware and inspiration to update a piece. Such is the case with Newport Beach-based Petticoat Lane Trading Co. A one-of-a-kind dress--$59 at Soho in the Irvine Marketplace--uses part of a vintage men’s blazer for the bodice but gets an edge with a chunky zipper and, in the back, a corset lace-up detail. Black elastic straps and an attached black chiffon skirt soften the look, says store owner John Toma. “It fits in this era of recycling,” he says, “and it appeals to a good crossover of customers who are looking for something different.”
Metal Mania
Cost-conscious consumers are dazzled by the rich luster given off by the combination of silver and gold. But there’s more. “Combining the two metals reduces production costs and makes it much more affordable,” says Mike Roman, chairman of the Jewelers of America. Bicolor jewelry appeals to the senses--both aesthetically and financially--and that’s marking its popularity in this sluggish economy, he adds.
Shoe Light Up My Life
Velcro straps, pockets, a pump. You wonder what gimmick the athletic shoe companies could come up with next. Well, LA Gear hopes to enlighten sportos young and old with shoes that light up. CrossRunner ($80-$90), the adult version of the flashy footwear, features a removable 3-volt lithium battery that can be turned off. The heel-triggered battery in the kid’s models are not replaceable, but a spokeswoman says they last six to eight months. Girls can get into Twilights; boys can slip on the Galactica model, and infants can toddle in Nightcrawlers ($28 to $50).
About Face
Hold off hawking Grandma’s cameos at the yard sale or you could hate yourself come this fall. As fashion continues to look back, designers decorated models at the recent shows from Milan to New York in cameo-motif jewelry. “With retro-inspired clothes becoming looser, we’re seeing jewelry becoming smaller, delicate and more refined,” notes Wanda Lockwood, spokeswoman for Carolee. The costume-jewelry maker presents black and white cameo faces on earrings, bracelets, pins and chokers and hooks several to an opera-length necklace ($30 to $90).
