The Luxe Mix

Didn’t mean to leave you all hanging! Well I’m sure many of you were away for the holidays and spending quality time with your significant others and families so perhaps we’ve all been preoccupied during the holiday season. I was away in Korea/Guam yet again.. the 3rd time for 2007 to be exact. That’s more three more times than I’ve been  to Vegas this year. Holy mole. 3 more times than I’ve done a lot of things in 2007. Anyway you get the point. So I’ve been away for the past couple weeks and my trip was extended even longer bc I finally gave into the Attack-of-the-Cold-Epidemic that’s been gripping every country I was in this holiday season — from the Bay Area to Korean and even Guam. It’s this bizarre cold that don’t quit! It takes about 2 weeks on average to kick it. I’m approaching week 2. I can’t wait to be healthy again!!

Over the past week I’ve had some time to reflect on a lot of things. I suppose that all you really can do when you are comatose in bed, isolated from society, without even the energy to hold up a book to read. Reflecting can bring about a lot of good though I realized, at least I hope. I’m determined to shape these reflections into my resolutions for the New Year.

Reflection 1: Christmas should be about the spiritual and quality time spent with loved ones, not the luxe gifts!
I was trying to think about how Christmas felt different this year or how I felt different about Christmas this year. It felt rushed and empty for some reason. Was it because I spent this Christmas away from home? Perhaps that could be a part of it. But something tells me my heart was in the wrong place this year. Not my romantic heart! I’m still as happily ever married to my husband.. it’s more the "giving" Christmas spirit I’d filled my heart with. I think I placed too much emphasis and focus on the material side of giving this Christmas.

What’s funny is that last year I lectured myself on how I wasn’t prepared materially for Christmas in 2006 (buying the right nice gifts, etc) and that I wanted to be prepared early and on time in 2007. I certainly was prepared! I had all my Christmas shopping done 3 weeks before the 25th. I was quite satisfied with all my material selections this year.. fragrance diffusers.. luxe skin care.. leather accessories… all were very fine things that were carefully selected and I felt were very nice gifts for my friends and family. The funny thing is none of these gifts seemed to really touch the hearts of any of the recipients. How do I know that? I just know. The ONE and only gift I felt like had a real impact and was received with a very loving response was the Cirque du Soleil tickets we bought my family. My Mother couldn’t stop raving about the tickets. I know she felt like my heart had been in the right place when I bought them. And it’s true, I had thought about this as a good gift for my family since it’s something we could all do together. Nothing could make my mom happier than a straight 4-6 hours of good family fun.. no escape routes.

So how do you give a gift that’s truly meaningful? One that sends those good vibes to the recipient? Well that’s my focus for 2008. I can tell you that it will take a lot more effort than spending more money on a luxe and materially desirable gift, but at the end of the day will send a much stronger message to the recipient.

Alright, I’m now seriously spent (haha! spent!) from writing this post so my 2008 New Year Reflections and Resolutions will have to be continued..

I’m curious about where the in-bound traffic to my blog is coming from so I like to check what Google Search terms are sending people to my blog. Recently, I saw someone had searched "Is Forever21 helping or hurting the fashion industry".

Forever21 Rocks!

In my humble view Forever21 and similar discount (luxe for less, also referred to as "chic n’ cheap") fashion retailers are most definitely HELPING the fashion industry. In the short term higher end fashion designers and retailers are taking a big hit. I remember being in Forever21 one weekend and having to fight the crowds to no end and then walking over to Saks Fifth to find a completely deserted floor — on a Saturday! The reality is that people don’t want to have to pay premium prices to look good. As you know, I don’t believe they should either. Forever21 and discount retailers are turning the fashion industry upside down. What used to be a very elite and segmented market, is now opening up to the masses. Everyone and their Moms’ shop at Forever21. Ok so maybe the Moms need to stay away but they are there! That’s a sign that more stores ought to target mature women’s discount fashion.

Necessary Evil

I must admit that the shady things Forever21 does in terms of knocking off designs and such has to come to a stop… but I think that’s going to take a long time to figure out. In the meantime, it’s going to happen but I think it’s a necessary evil in order for the fashion industry to take a step forward.

What do I mean by a step forward?

Well, I’ve always thought that the fashion industry was one sided — to the point where it’s unhealthy. It bothers me that fashion designers live in their creative worlds and never think twice about who their loyal fans or just a normal consumer is. They design things on their own whim… and do they ever stop to think about what it is that WE want? Do they ever care that the beautiful things they make are friggin unwearable?? Perhaps there are some that do but the most talented designers I’m sure never needed to waste their time and effort on such trivial matters. With the rise of discount fashion, which in turn made fashion accessible to the masses, this placed some of the power back into the consumer’s hands - US! There’s more of us and we have choices. The more consumers of fashion, the larger the industry can grow. The larger the industry, the more competitive the market. I feel all of this will bring about a much healthier and improved fashion industry.

I welcome all thoughts on the topic!