30% to 50% OFF

This year's spring/summer sale has begun! The sun is beaming, and finally summer feels like it has arrived. You would think that designers would just now be putting out the best of the best for summer fashion. On the contrary, summer sales are on so that space can be made for fall merchandise.

Who are we to fight the trend. iniam is excited to announce that we have marked all spring and summer merchandise down 30% to 50% OFF original prices. We are making way for coats, sweaters, leggings, cocktail dresses and so much more!

Whether you are looking for a deal on the pieces you have coveted all season or you are anxiously anticipating the arrival of fall, poke your head in to see what's happening at iniam. We're sure not to disappoint!

Fall 2

Designers use the term Fall 2 to refer to the second half of fall collections also referred to as holiday. I was in LA last week to see what's new for Fall 2 and I'm pleased to say it looks great! I have a little more buying to do and then I'll be back to share a full recap of what to look for this fall. It's promising though.

Summer has really just begun and I'm already freakishly awaiting my Heike Jarick cocoon coat. That's the probably the only down side to my job. I'm always excited about the next season -- by the time it gets here...I'm on to yearning for something else!

Let's Get Twiggy With It

It's about time that the maker of leggings and the maker of denim sat down at a conference table and figured out how to join forces. Well, I'm pleased to announce the birth of "leggim", at least that's what I like to call them.

What a concept -- all the comfort of leggings plus the stylish look and feel of denim. We are excited to have the twiggy leggims by James Jeans. They're not here yet, but I did get a sample pair for myself and oooooooh, I love them. The best part is they have a functional zipper and pockets -- they look just like jeans. Whether you sport your twiggy's with a tshirt or a tunic, you can't go wrong. Add flats, heels or boots and presto, you're a style maven!

Feelin' good = lookin' good!

Little Fashion

I'm guessing that many of my fashion diva readers are sans kids. No, this is NOT an attempt to convince you to come over to the other side. You may or may not have kids of your own, but I'm sure at this point in your life you're either related to or are good friends with someone that does. This of course brings me back to shopping -- surprise, surprise. Whether it's Christmas, a birthday or kindergarten graduation...I'm sure you have several reasons to do some kiddie shopping.

I've come across a handful of designers that do a kids line. As a mother of 2 boys, I find that the designer selection for boys is not very exciting. On the other hand, the clothing for little girls is just ADOREABLE. 3.1 Phillip Lim, Calypso, and get this...Chloe -- all have a kids line. These lines aren't inexpensive, but these days with sites like Gilt Groupe, you can find great deals.
Recently, I found that Oscar de la Renta has also launched a kids line. The designer has created charming frocks from leftover bolts of fabric from his collections. Though the prices range from $200 to $350 the label has partnered with Children's Defense Fund and is donating a portion of the proceeds to the charity.

My sister-in-law is about to have a baby girl. Are you thinking what I am thinking? I wonder if my SIL will think it's weird if her daughter and I are wearing matching Phillip Lim dresses? Naaaaah!

Affordable ROY

We've carried a lot of lines over the years, 4 years to be exact as of May 15th. Many of them have been with us from the get go and yet there are many to whom we've said good-bye. In a perfect world perhaps we wouldn't let any lines go, instead we would just keep adding more and more. But the reality is that designers evolve. Sometimes so much so that are no longer a good fit for iniam. Plus, lets face it...I want to new lines to admire and drool over.

One of my favorite designers which is no longer part of our vendor roster is my beloved Rachel Roy. I had the pleasure of meeting Rachel when we carried the collection. It's a rare time when you get to meet someone who is equally warm and humble as they are beautiful and talented! We brought Rachel's fabulous clothing to iniam in 2005 when she first launched the line. Talk about a collection that has evolved. We carried the line for several seasons and as the became more sophisticated it also moved to a price point that didn't sit well with our contemporary designers.

Though the collection is now in a young designer category it's still a line I love and admire. You can imagine my shock when I learned that Rachel Roy is now doing a line for Macy's available this August. "The cool, colorful collection, geared toward a young, hip shopper, will offer great style at great prices." Rachel will offer footwear, accessories, and sportswear ranging in price from $59 to $299.

This economy may be a downer but perhaps it's inspiring designers to put out lines that are affordable to the masses. Whatever the reason, I'm counting down the days till August. It's about time Rachel and I are reunited!

Are Skinny Jeans Bad For Your Health

I know I've said it a million times -- I LOVE skinny jeans! What's not to love? It's my sure fire way to look thinner. I do, however, find that many of my customers think that you have to be a size 2 before daring to put on a pair of skinnies, muchless show them off to the public. I beg to differ.

All my jeans are skinny. With all the voluminous tops and sweaters available this fall, my skinny jeans will come in handy. I'm curvy on bottom so a top with volume paired with a thin narrow leg on bottom gives a slimming illusion. But, whether you wear a body conscious tshirt, an aline tunic or a belted tunic...all options are a winner with skinny jeans. Best of all you can wear flats, heels or boots to complete the look.

You can imagine my shock when I stumbled on the following article claiming that skinnies are hazardous to your health.

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/beauty/why-not-to-wear-skinny-jeans-nerve-damage-465715/

" Doctors say increasing numbers of women are coming to them with meralgia paresthetica. Do you ever feel a numb, pins-and-needles tingling feeling along your thigh? Do you get a weird burning or itching sensation down your upper leg? This condition is caused by constant pressure cutting off the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve."

Call it crazy, call it vain....my skinnies are here to stay!

abcd...BCBG

It's time I come out of the fashion closet. I carry a line...one that I don't "advertise". The line has been around for ages but is not exactly recognized as a designer contemporary line. For that reason, I haven't been so vocal about it. BUT, the line has sister collections under its brand that I am IN LOVE with. As of today, I'm officially out of the closet. BCBG is a line that we have carried for some time now. I'd like to go on the record and say it's a GREAT line!

Designers and husband/wife team Max and Lubov Azria, have done an excellent job interpreting trends in a way that the masses can understand. Bits and pieces of the collection are easily available in stores all across the US. But nothing beats shopping the collection at the San Francisco Union Square 2 story "boutique". They carry a plethora of styles worthy of any fashion savvy shopper. The quality/durability of the line is impeccable. I have trousers in my wardrobe that I've had since college. Let's just say it's been at least a decade since I have been in college...so you know the quality stands the test of time and wear.

But wait, it gets better. BCBG, has a what I consider a contemporary collection know as Runway. It's edgy, beautiful, relevant and affordable. Spring/summer '09 wasn't as strong as it has been in the past, but it's still a winner in my book! I've collected several pieces from the Runway collection over the years. Score!!

Then, as if things couldn't get any better...drum roll please -- Max Azria, the collection. I visit the union square location all the time. The first thing I do is run down to see the latest must haves in this collection. This season the designer duo went for a minimalist jersey collection in an almost exclusive pale and neutral color palette. "For the label, it was a welcome breath of fresh air, particularly when you consider its somewhat complicated and corseted Fall. The look this time around was mostly very fluid, with lots of draping, twisting, and casually exposed shoulders and backs."

And then there is the mothership. Max Azria, put another feather in his cap when he relaunched the Herve Leger line in 2007. Herve Leger has been synonymous with glamour and sensuality since it's inception in 1985. Max has been able to maintain the the couturier's heritage while bringing his distinctive style to the brand. It's a match made in heaven.

I'll say it loud and proud...BCBG rocks!

Got Tummie?

If you've been reading this blog, you know that I am dealing with the post delivery, baby belly. Truth be told, I had a little belly before the babies were born. But whatever...there is more of me to love. At least that's what I tell myself as I'm munching on my British Kit Kat (yes, it's completely different than the Kit Kat you get here. The chocolate is aaaahhhhhmazing!) Unless I stop eating chocolates, carbs and cheese or I start exercising daily I'm thinking that tops and dresses requiring a waist belt are not my friends. Or are they?

Yummie Tummie to the rescue! "Yummie Tummie is a modern body contouring shaper that slims your mid-section and camouflages visible lumps and bumps! Unlike most shapewear that compress your bust and roll up, the Yummie Tummies’ cotton bust and hip panels appear to the outsider as a normal tank top; meanwhile the secret midsection panel is smoothing and shaping your middle, eliminating approximately five pounds off your appearance." YT looks like a basic tank that is intended to be worn every day as a foundation or layering piece. It's extra long in the body so it provides coverage as you bend and move.

I know it sounds too good to be true. But it is true and it works! It's on it's way to iniam and I can't wait. Now the only muffin top you should see is in the bakery department.

Budget cuts

We're ALL aware that our economy is in a bit of a slump. And yes, like others, I am more observant and conservative about how I spend my money. BUT...I still shop. I think spending is how we are going to jump start our economy. However, for now, I feel that how I spend my money really matters. I am going to shop, but I want to shop in a way that is going to give me more "bang for my buck"!

Here are a few tips on how to get the most return on your fashion investments.

1. Buy key pieces: If your budget allows you to have designer goods from head to toe, that's great. But if it doesn't, I recommend putting your money into 3 categories:
a. Handbag: The initial investment on a handbag can be pricey -- but think about it. It's something you use EVERYDAY! A handbag makes a statement about you and your personal style. Best of all it's not a seasonal purchase -- it won't go out of style. If you get tired of it, sell it on ebay or craigslist. You can recoup some of the initial money you invested and reinvest it into to a new one!
b. Shoes: This is another category that you can wear daily. Well made, well designed shoes
should be worn and re-worn as much as possible. You may not be able to wear the same dress 4 times a week, but that rule does not apply to shoes. And when they start to wear out, you can polish and resole your shoes and BAM, they look brand new!
c. Coat: Here is another piece that will stand the test of time. It's a finishing piece to your outfit. Again, it's not really a trend piece so it can live in your closet for years. Whether you pick a trench, a coat in a basic black or even one in a fashion color, your coat is also a statement piece that can be worn over and over.

These are investments pieces. Money well spent. The best thing is that when you spend extra in these categories you can fudge everything in between.

2. Buy things that can be worn in multiple ways: Look for garments that can offer you 2 looks for the price of one. When buying a top/blouse, make sure it can be worn with trousers for a more sophisticated evening look or worn with denim for a more casual look. Shop for dresses that are versatile enough to be worn with flats during the day and with heels in the evening.

3. Accessorize: In this economy, it might be a good time to spend money on accessories such as jewelry, belts, scarves etc. Focus on basic clothing that can be reinvented by mixing interesting jewelry and accessories. This is a sure fire way to bring life to your basics. You can continue to reinvent an outfit by mixing up your accessories.

4. If a garment does not serve an immediate need in your closet, don't buy it. Buy things that you can wear today. Gone are the days of buying and saving clothes for an occasion that MIGHT pop up on your social calendar. Shop for clothes that either fill an immediate void in your wardrobe or that you love so much you will wear it the next day. If you don't have a pending cocktail event, then you may want to pass on buying a sequin dress, even if it is on sale.

Brazilian Blowout

One of my favorite customers, JC, was in the other day. It started with a show and tell. She brought in a GORGEOUS Narciso Rodriguez dress she purchased for an event -- it was timeless and current all at the same time. Ahhhhhh, Narciso! After the show and tell we got to chatting, as we often do. JC told me about the Brazilian Blowout. Immediately my mind went to some rather interesting places. My first thought was a new and improved bikini hair removal process? Nope.

The Brazilian Blowouts is a treatment for hair (on your head, just to clarify) similar to the Japanese straightening technique except that the BB does not completely straighten your hair. "The hair still has plenty of volume and body and can still be worn curly or wavy. The Brazilian just softens whatever curl or wave you have. If the hair is air dried without a blow dryer, it will still have wave or curl but no frizz." BB is recommended for curly, wavy, damaged or color treated hair. The 60 to 90 minute treatment focuses on adding moisture to your hair instead of stripping it away.

I blow dry my hair every time I wash it. Then I smooth the fly-a-ways with a curling iron. Needless to say, it's a cumbersome process! There have been many crazed moments when I was half way to the salon to have the Japanese Straightening treatment done, but the thought of stick straight hair didn't appeal to me. I need some volume in my hair. After reading up on this process, I think I'll be the next in line to try it out!