Seattle Embraces a Well- Dressed President
A new weekend post from our new fashion correspondent, Cameron Levin. But before we get to the fashion talk, she's also got the lowdown on some time-sensitive designer retailer events for you:
- Polite Society Trunk Show with acclaimed Russian talent, Madina Vadache, featuring her spring/summer couture collection on Thursday, January 29th, 6-8pm. Vadache will be there for personal consultations and custom fittings. RSVP by January 27th to info@shoppolitesociety.com or by calling 206-441-4796.
- Karan Dannenberg 70% off storewide sale, January 25-31
- Butch Blum Winter Sale, 50% storewide sale
- Endless Knot Inaugural Sale, 20-50% off, January 23-25
Despite the slumping economy, the 2008 Presidential election ignited a flurry of national sale surges in both women's and men's fashion. Amazon reported a 50 percent sales increase during the months of September and October when both Sarah Palin and her Double Dare red peep-toe pumps debuted, and her staple Kawasaki rimless glasses are being manufactured 24 hours a day to keep up with the demand. Seattle seems to have dodged the politically-inspired fashion fury, or at least kept the Palin gear within the confines of Halloween parties… but have we?Local textile industries and designer retailers are impacted and inspired by the current Inaugural craze. After President Barack Obama (ahh, feels good to say that!) graced the cover of GQ Magazine under the cover line, "How to Dress Like a Winner," Mario's experienced increased sales in designer menswear, particularly suits. "President Obama is an inspiration in the sense that not only is he a good dresser, he dresses in proportion to his body shape. It will inspire people to dress more according to what flatters their body type," says Men's Buyer for Mario's, Simon Chan.
Regality is making a much welcomed return, with lines like Georgio Armani's winter menswear collection reintroducing the standard of the modern male wardrobe--the Bogart and Trilby hat with (get this) a reconfigured heightened crown. Seattle retail patriarch Butch Blum also reported increased sales in tuxedos, cocktail wear and "truckloads" of velvet elbow length gloves for the past two months leading up to the Inauguration (see photo of Butch Blum's Election party). And believe it or not, some Seattle women are asking for Sarah too. "Some have asked for suits like the ones Sarah Palin wore during her campaign--the good ones, mother of the bride style--before she went back to her own horrible vintage clothing," says Butch Blum CEO, Kay Smith-Blum.
Karan Dannenberg, Belltown's elite shopping nexus for "ladies who lunch," commends Jill Biden for her "fabulously classic but bold and exciting color choices" and anticipates that we'll begin to see national sportswear franchises like JCrew and Banana Republic reproducing the styles and silhouettes of Michelle Obama. And that may very well be the case since our new First Lady sports younger, cutting edge, American designers like Cuban-born New York designer Isabel Toledo. According to Mario's Women's Fashion Director, Lynwood Holmberg, Seattle women are talking about Michelle Obama's signature use of prints and color. Lines that Michelle "O" wears, such as Thakoon and Narciso Rodriquez (featured in Mario's) are getting some attention here in our community.
It may take some time for Seattle to develop its sophistication in style, but like fashion, communities change. Kay Smith-Blum reminds us that it simply starts with the right attitude. "People are starting to dress up, even in Seattle's tech culture. The election has affected this business, but more in terms of hope. They're happier. There's been a morose cloud and an undercurrent of anxiety for a long time, but now consumers are responding to fashion with a more positive attitude and with a sense of fun."
