Fashion Trends from the Tony's

Old habits die hard and, after a decade covering fashion and jewelry (and noticing that none of the jewelry industry mags reported on the Tony Awards today), I couldn't resist lending a hand, donning my old "fashion editor" hat, and offering my expert trend report (aka: spouting off my opinion).

First, my personal favorite. Seriously, had my invitation to the awards not been lost in the mail, I totally would have worn  the same ensemble as Anne Hathaway (right). Love how she went subdued in black and diamonds (appropriate for the times), but then added her own personal touch (and, perhaps, a statement on optimism) with those killer red shoes. Perfect!

Okay, now for the trends... Honestly, not much new to report in the jewelry category. Dangly drop earrings were the fav (no shock there), though I was a little surprised to see a bit more "chandelier" than we have during the past year. Something to note, in jewelry, we're seemingly moving away from the linear drop earrings and the bolder shaped drops, and back toward the more feminine, chandelier-ish look.

The big trend in fashion? Jewel tones. Vibrant-hued gowns (greens and purples seem to be the most popular, see below), especially with coordinating gemstone cocktail rings. And, for a rare something-new-under-the-sun take: those jewel tones paired with black (love it!) Both dresses with black accents... either in the design, like Lauren Graham, (left) or matched separates like Hathaway's ensemble. Also: vibrant jewels set in blackened metals. No doubt this trend: saturated hues are something to keep in mind for fall and holiday.

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Twitter, How Does a Small Biz Love You? Let me Count the Ways

I'll admit, six months ago I was one of those who rolled their eyes at the mention of Twitter. One of my former colleagues started tweeting last fall and my response was something to the effect of: Do you not already have ENOUGH to do? Okay, Jen, you were right because, fast-forward and here I am, a tweeting faithful.

Catching up on my reading today, I found Time's cover story on Twitter, which led me to this report on how Twitter will change the face of business. Right on the money, I think. And I say this not just theoretically, but as someone with concrete examples of its benefits. I launched miamore communications just a couple months ago. And, through Twitter, found and

connected with several potential clients I would have NEVER met otherwise. As a small "boutique" business, serving others in that same category, Twitter is a priceless networking tool for me. It helps level the playing field for small businesses like us. Ten years ago, if a boutique firm with a limited budget wanted to reach (or find) customers and resources, it was nearly impossible to compete against corporate firms with their immense marketing and advertising budgets (thus, of course, the sad decline of mom-and-pops). Social media like Twitter, however, allows us to communicate with customers and peers in an environment where personal interaction has far more value than glitzy ad campaigns. 

I'm asked (a LOT): what is the POINT of all this social media? Well, I've formulated my response: Twitter alone is growing at an incredible rate (32 million users this year, vs 2 million in 2008) and old-school print media is sputtering, leaving enormous brands and chains scrambling to "do" social media. But, there are blogs and reports all over the web where those "traditional" public relations gurus admit to being lost in this new world. It makes me think of a small race car up against a tandem trailer. Sure, in the "old" PR and marketing world those tandem trailers ruled the roads, leaving little room and a frightening experience for those of us driving our own little vehicles. But, on this new highway, with it's quickly changing nature, we are suddenly much better equipped to navigate and control the road. 

So, yes, I have become one of the converted for many reasons. I'm loving how social media allows us all to "spread the word"... which, after all, is miamore communications' tagline and mission. 

Are your connecting with or, unwittingly, alienating clients?

It is a rainy, chilly night on the Rhode Island coast. After a crazy week that included whirlwind travel to the jewelry industry's biggest trade shows in Las Vegas, and a lot of work on a fab new promo kit for Tomgirl Tours, I'm reaaaaaally happy for an excuse to be tucked into my cozy Victorian house in Westerly for the night. Seeing as I find cooking a great way to relax, I went to the grocery a few hours ago to get all the ingredients for my favorite Greek feast (for those New Yorkers out there: yes, you can take the girl out of Astoria, but you can't take the Astoria out of the girl... even if she has to make due with sub-par Feta. Sigh...)

Anyway, after hitting my favorite market, I realized the only missing element for a proper rainy-night feast at home was a good bottle of wine. Now, if you don't know Westerly, RI, here's the scoop: there are two really good wine shops in town. One is right on the commercial strip and very convenient to the food markets. The other closer to downtown and a bit out of the way from the groceries. Tonight, as every night when I want a good bottle... despite rain, being tired, and having a stir-crazy restless puppy in the backseat, I drove right past that "convenient" store and drove a few miles out of the way to Dick's World of Wines. Why? Well, while the other store has a great (perhaps superior) selection of domestic and international wines, I haven't set foot in there since last October. See, in October, 2008, I was preparing a special birthday dinner for a friend and needed the perfect bottle of wine. So, on that afternoon, after a looong walk on the beach with Mia, I stopped at said wine shop to find a great red to match my (if I do say: AMAZING) seafood risotto. And my experience is what has lead me to Dick's, even if out of the way, ever since.

On that October afternoon, I wandered the wine shop, (props to them for this:) an employee

 approached me and asked if he could help me find the perfect wine. As a luxury publicist (at the time, editor), I was impressed by the service and told him exactly what I was preparing for dinner, and that I was specifically looking for a red that would match. It was at this point that I felt/saw the "once over". You know: the judgement that too many purveyors of higher-end goods and services make. So, he led me to a (actually) great and very affordable French red. However, as he recommended it, he said: "This is the only one in this price range (under $15) I'd recommend." Um. Okay. At NO point did I say that something OVER $15 would break my budget. In fact, we never discussed my budget whatsoever. He made a foolish snap judgement based on my appearance. It is the biggest mistake any upscale business can make

So, that was it for me. Actually, it was a very special dinner for a very special person in my life. Granted, the wine ended up being fantastic but I would have spent much, much more than $14.99 for a bottle. But I would have felt a whole lot better had some liquor store employee not insulted me in the process. Not that I'm a gazillionaire who wants to spend hundreds of dollars on a bottle of wine, but the statement by this person was clearly a condescending judgement based on my appearance.

After 3 miles on the beach, I didn't look the part; but THAT is the point. Luxury customers--especially in this day and age, don't necessarily "look" the part. We shouldn't NEED to. Perhaps he would have kicked himself had he seen me leave the store and climb into my late-model Saab. Yes, the wine was great but, really, I don't need for a wine shop worker to pass judgement on me. And I have NO intention of dressing up in order to be treated properly in a LIQUOR store. Hello? Welcome to the 21st Century, folks.

Bottom line: since October, I've probably bought a lot of wine. But, since that date, I haven't been back to that shop. As such, they've lost a whole lot of sales. If I went back and mentioned this experience to that particular employee, he'd probably be shocked... as this is a shop that clearly focuses on customer service.

My point? Even if you are approaching and believe you are connecting with clients... are you really? Or are you, even then, making judgements that leads to a loss of sales? Indies can NOT afford to make this mistake. So, as a sip a glass of nice red (purchased at Dick's) and finish preparing my Greek feast, I wonder how many other customers for wine, and who knows how many other products and services, have had similar experiences...

Fendi Hits the (Publicity) Jackpot

Okay, I'm about a week behind the times (it's hard to keep up with the general absurdities of the world while immersed in the greatest absurdity of them all: Vegas), but I need to chime in with the other gazillion bloggers out there chirping about Fendi's new bicycle. I'm probably not the first to say this but: really?? $10,000 for a BIKE??? Let's see, in the list of things I'd spend $10,000 on, after a vacation, jewelry, clothes, artwork, extravagant dining experiences... I'd say a bike comes in... mmmm... d-e-a-d l-a-s-t. What would I do with a $10,000 bike? I'd certainly be afraid to hitch it to the back of my car; I'd never take it to the streets of New York and chance having it mangled or stolen; I don't know that I'd even ride it around Westerly for fear of dings from gravel. But, what do I know? Because Fendi reportedly sold four of the bikes at the launch party alone.

The Fendi Abici Amante Donna comes tripped out with all sorts of luxury touches (like a detachable Fendi carrying case and a leather GPS holder), but clearly this is about status. While I clearly am not a fan over-priced status symbols, I am slightly encouraged that this may be a sign of better times ahead for luxury goods and services. I also have to give Fendi props for doing what I'm constantly nagging about: thinking creatively. Had they launched yet another bag, it would have barely registered a blip in the traditional and social media. Google this bicycle, on the other hand, and find pages of blogs and news reports. The Fendi Abici Amante Donna may not be the most effective mode of transportation, but it certainly is an effective PR vehicle. 

Damiani: Buy a Ring; Get a Vacation!

Who doesn't love a good cross promotion? We learn the joys of the buy-this-and-get-that mentality early in life (Think: Buy a Happy Meal; Get a Free Action Figure), and we never stop falling for it. 

Italian jewelry power-house Damiani (the brand you may know from its celeb associations... from Brad Pitt to Sharon Stone), has hit upon my personal all time favorite with 

its latest cross promo: buy a fabulous, limited edition precious ring inspired by one of 12 cities in Italy, and get a free Italian vacation. Seriously? Sign me up! (okay, as soon as I come up with a few thousand for the ring. Minor detail). 

In celebration of the brand's 85th anniversary, its new Gomitolo collection of 12 gorgeous rings (each design limited to a numbered production of 85) comes with this vacation offer for anyone who buys one of the rings (my fav is Torino, below, with ice and black diamonds)... kudos to Damiani for the creative thinking in this special offer and, as always, in its creative designs.

My Quest for Quality in a Quantity-Focused World

Until this week, I had never actually eaten at a Panera Bread. But on Wednesday I had a little downtime between meetings so, hungry and lured by the free wi-fi, had lunch at the Panera in Warwick, R.I. A panini and a bottle of water later, I was out $9.50. About 10 minutes later, I was out of sorts and back on my soapbox rally against all mass-market anything. In Panera's defense, they do offer a welcoming atmosphere and good coffee. So, I'll spare my rant about the sandwich (Ok, not entirely: I swear, the mozz and tomato panini had stewed tomatoes. I'll admit I can be a food snob but... really?)

Okay, back to where I was going with this. As I scrunched my face and swallowed said tomatoes, I looked at the line stretching toward the door. Well-dressed customers whose Saabs, BMWs and Volvos packed the parking lot placed order after order. I didn't have to look too closely, I was pretty confident many of these women were wearing David Yurman. Why do so many of us have these dining and fashion tastes? Why are the great little indy cafes and talented craftsmen overlooked? My answer: general ignorance. And I place the blame not on those customers, and not, entirely, on the mega-brands. I place it mostly on the independent businesses who offer superior products and services, but don't let the public know. 

Case in point: I recently met a friend for coffee in Mansfield, Mass. He mentioned a couple chain-type places nearby, but I had a little time to search online and found the Icy Bean. Great service, terrific coffee, and some fantastic gelato. My friend works for a huge corporation nearby, but had never heard of it. (He now goes back regularly for the gelato) But, he--and most other people wanting coffee in Mansfield, Mass.--are far too busy to spend time searching around online, so they hit the chains, whose appeal is their sheer quantity (of locations and marketing). Meanwhile those quality small businesses fall off the radar by not letting their target customers know they even exist. 

The whole cycle makes me crazy. Yes, publicity for upscale indie companies is now my line of work but, as my friends know, this has long been my favorite rant. So, if any readers OWN a small business, please think about how you can let your customer know you exist. It doesn't have to cost a fortune; it just takes a little creativity. (And, PS: if anyone knows a great cafe in Warwick, please, let them know there are a whole lot of hungry people feeling forced into the crime of eating stewed tomatoes on their paninis). 

Business and Pleasure

As I wrote in an earlier post, Westerly hosted the Virtu Arts Festival this weekend. The town has been abuzz for two days with a general upbeat mood. This afternoon I soaked it in during a walk downtown. So, what a disappointment to see some of my favorite shops (and my fav little coffeehouse) closed! True, many are mom and pop operations that generally do not open on Sundays (or Sunday afternoons). But on the start of the season? AND one of the town's biggest tourist attractions? Really? It made me think of how many small businesses--not only in my town, but everywhere--are hurting in this economy, yet missing opportunities. The we've-never-done-it-before-why-should-we-do-it-now attitude is a recipe for disaster. I see it when meeting with clients who are toying with the idea of public relations for the first time, yet are afraid to step out of their comfort zones. As Thomas Edison said: "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." Business growth--especially small business and even more, upscale business--takes work and creative thinking. Those Westerly shops that remained shuttered practiced neither, and missed not only business today, but also the chance to make an impression on many who are in town for the next three months.

Meanwhile, on a MUCH more fun note, many of the stores that were open wisely took advantage of the foot-traffic and held sidewalk sales. You never know when someone will make an impulse purchase. As proof, I offer myself. Out for a walk, with no intention to buy anything, walked past Spangles, across from the train station. I can't say I've particularly noticed the shop before. Today, however, they had a selection of jewelry and handbags on a small table outside. As soon as I stopped to have a look, a friendly salesperson came out to greet me. I couldn't tear my eyes off of one handbag. Noticing I had my hands full with Mia (who was tugging on her leash in her unending quest to make new friends), the salesperson (I regret I didn't get her name; she was lovely) told me the price and handed me the bag. I had to have it, so she invited me (and Mia) into the store. 

So, here's my new bag (awful photo). 

I'm usually not a fan of pink, but balanced with the beige satin and the Asian fabric, I'm loving it. Add the bamboo handles and it is perfect for the summer season's feminine fashions. My only problem is the bow... it's a bit much. I'm thinking I'll remove it and fasten a fun brooch in that spot. Because, style and fashion--like business--requires creative thinking.