From the Archives: Back from a Whirlwind Buying Trip in Vegas

Hello!  I just returned from a fantastic 4-day buying trip in Vegas, and I am so re-energized, inspired and excited about the year ahead!  My purchases included everything from summer dresses to new denim lines to winter boots and lots of goods in between.  I was astounded at the gorgeous clothing, lovely accessories and to-die-for leather goods I saw and look forward to bringing key items into the store for your shopping delight. 

On the flight back home, I wrote a little blog with pictures and videos to share with you and hopefully whet your appetite for some new Spring clothes.  Oh, and please: start saving for your next pair of boots now.  This Fall, we are bringing in the best collection ever, with some exciting brands in a slightly higher priced category,  boots you will find nowhere else but at Kick It. (Fall boot season starts this September).

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Wednesday, Feb. 16 9:47 p.m.: At last, I'm buckled in my Seattle-bound airplane seat, tired, fulfilled and full of reflection on an amazing four days at market. The crowd buzz of a hopeful retail year ahead was palpable. It was reported that this year a record 90,000 buyers came to Vegas to shop over 3,000 booths for retail stores around the globe.

Loud rock music pumped overhead and the whooshing sound of order sheets happily ripped from tablets whipped the air. Busy buyers gave green lights to styles they loved and thumbs down to those not-so-much.  From the look of the insanely busy booths, it was mostly thumbs up to a favorable fashion season ahead.

Here's a quick video of just one part of this 10-City block show to give you an insider's view of the world renowned 50+ year old international footwear & apparel trade show in Las Vegas known as "Magic".

My mission with this video is for you--our customers--to get a glimpse of the huge world behind every pair of boots, or that special dress, or the basic apparel you love to buy at Kick It. When supporting your favorite local boutique you are also contributing to a centuries old industry that employs over one-half billion people all over the world! Wow, who knew half a billion people helped make your favorite pair of Kick It boots!

So what's trending? There are two types of trends at Magic: those the fashion analysts project, and those you see with your own eyes. Here's a snapshot of both:

 Current trends in most contemporary lines: 

• 2011 will feature lots of romantic 1930's-40's vintage-influenced dresses in chiffon and lace, paired with dramatic patterned tights, chunky engineer boots, sheer tissue-weight knit cardi's and layers upon layers of delicate extra-long necklace strands for an all out urban girl manifesto. 
• We were delighted to see longer skirt hemlines hitting just above the knee (finally!) with lots of ditsy florals (small tiny flowery prints) in vintage-inspired (circa 1940's) cotton fabric.
• There is a sweeping color trend across all brands featuring dusty rose, muted pink, light mocha, cream, soft light taupe and silvery-grey. This color palette is absolutely glorious, near angelic in feel, like floating on clouds. Here's a few pictures of collections we picked up for Spring to give you the flavor of this exciting color trend:

Soft, romantic muted color hues for Spring.

This is Julie, the designer of a new line we picked up called aNia.  We ordered this GORGEOUS & SWEET silk-chiffon dress in both colors.  (estimated retail is $78). We will accept pre-orders on this dress, just call or stop by.

Look at this luscious lace.  We ordered both colors, estimated retail is about $48. (I'm just now noticing Julie's cute gladiator sandals & white toes...super on trend Julie!!!)

 
 Next year's projected key trends:

• 2012 (yes, they are already designing for next year) will continue this uber feminine lace-upon-layers look, but will also trend in the "picnic in the park" look with bright plaids, ginghams and polka dots sewn into 1950's inspired woven dresses. Kick It is way ahead of this curve with a new upscale line we just picked up called "W & C". Here's a sneak peek of what's coming in-store this Spring:

W & C ultra-lux "June Cleaver" dress in all cotton, coming is two floral fabric choices.  This dress will be a little pricey but such a classic investment dress (estimated price $138).

Look at those gorgeous hemlines (not to mention the beee-U-tiful colors & fabrics.  I love the simple cocktail dress in "cream", which is the new black ;-) with wide lace hem.   And, wait until you try on the two floral dresses (expected in May, estimated retail price $79). They are made from the softest, bounciest rayon jersey you've ever felt on your skin! Yes, we will accept pre-orders on these dresses. Call or email us.

  

Here's a perfect example of the darling "ditsy florals" that will be prevalent in most lines this season.  This rayon skirt has a swirling rounded bottom and easy elastic waist band...so cute with sandals and a tank top this summer. (Estimated price $38)

 Other trends we saw while walking around:

• One cool accessory trend we saw over and over again on show goers, was the single shoulder-dusting earring. Most were about 6-7 inches long, with long slender chains, strings of beads, and even long skinny feathers mixed in to create this absolutely cool and edgy focal point on one side of your head! It reminds me of the 1970's "roach clip" in the hair but without the pot smell.  It looked amazing.
• And the scarf craze continues.  I found thee most amazing, affordable silk, jersey and 100% organic cotton scarves from Japan that will delight your senses and caress your neck. 

 Thank you!

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