To me, the ultimate proof that “the crisis” is somewhat passé is in my mailbox. Today I’ve received six glossy, beautifully printed and produced fashion catalogues! In one heap, the heavy pseudo-catalogues-not-quite-coffee-table-books were jammed in my little 10’X5’ metal mailbox.
Brunello Cucinelli’s catalogue in colorful stock paper and railroad board cover must have cost more to print then any book I’ve read in the past year, that includes the hard covers. Well, who am I to say right? Maybe they are cost conscious and that’s why they photographed the clothes on still headless mannequins instead of models posing in a remote mountainous grassland… The clothes nonetheless are amazing. No prices noted though. (Saving ink? More like a reader’s sticker shock.)
The oversized magazine style Bergdorf Goodman catalogue on the other hand has 27 contributors, several articles on art, a designer interview, photo shoots in a tropical forest, LA streets, The Surrey Hotel in New York, and even a studio set up for hand bags with a fluffy bunny, yellow canary, bees and even a very real looking green frog.
The Chanel platform clog goes for $1,795 at Bergdorf
Barney’s went for the add look. Each model is dressed by the same designer from head to tow, with the brand’s name in large fonts next to them. So, no need for a stylist really, just pick the same designer’s shoes, glasses, bags, some clothes and strike it on the model. I can’t help but think that those designers paid for that sheer straight forward advertisement. But as a client, should I notice this and come to that conclusion? Shouldn’t I believe that someone actually went through the work of actually composing the best looks, mix and matching patters and cuts, independently of who designed it?
Anthropology and Juicy Couture have the lightest paper stock, which goes with the less expensive cloths of all of the ones mentioned here… Which doesn’t mean cheap editorials at all! Anthropology definitely sent their crew to a faraway land, I would guess South East Asia, Thailand maybe; and Juicy delivers quality with super creative jewelry.
DramaBeaded Torsade Necklace $ 198
Talk about accessible in a crisis-denial era, Bloomindale’s catalogue is the most understated. Small, no frills, models or locations. A must have? None (I just saved!!) A good find I would consider buying? Everyday golden leather ballet flats by Michael Kors for $165.
A crisis might be still be lingering around us in our real lives, but oh, it’s so out of fashion.
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