That being said we move on to introduce another brand in our Six Weeks til Spring Series. This men’s collection’s history is rich in fabric, cut and style. Since the 1920’s the Farah brand has developed a cult following for it’s hopsack canvas, slim cut, sharply tailored, stain resistant trouser that was seen on anyone from the savvy hipsters to the rocker-billys. Growing much of its popularity in the UK in the 1980’s, Farah still holds the heritage and vigor it stood for back then, but what surprises most people is that this brand’s roots are American. Recently featured in Sportswear International to document the brand’s 90-year history, Farah explains how revisiting its past not only will re-establish the brand in its country of origin, but also keeps the brand at the forefront of the sportswear scene.

With the color scheme set for Spring 2010, Farah was the perfect choice to introduce to our customers with their bold shirting, bright track tops and the ever-popular trouser. This season the collection focuses on the decade in which its popularity took off – the 80’s. With more relaxed fits being introduced and the use of vintage fabrics, this casual sportswear collection pays an obsessive amount of attention to detail to make their silhouettes strong and stylish in Spring ‘10.

Spring is arriving at Flaire! With new arrivals this week from Isabel Lu, Torn by Ronny Kobo, Tolani Scarves and Dex – to name a few, it’s definitely getting brighter in my world. I am loving how unusual the details are from the ever popular zipper trims to the soft floral prints to the dusting of sequins in just the right places – Spring is standing out!

Speaking of standing out, one celebrity designer that has always stood out with her collection for the quirky details and edgy silhouettes is Gwen Stefani’s L.A.M.B. – which will arrive at Flaire before the month is over.

The L.A.M.B. collection has grown to include clothing, accessories, footwear and fragrance. Gwen’s line is truly a reflection of her personality and what I like is that she actually wears her designs – and not just sometimes. Most of the time when you see photographs of her in the magazines and even on television she is always true to her brand and while her style may be a little on the wild side for some, her collection really can work for anyone.

As a presenter at New York Fashion Week since 2006, Gwen’s L.A.M.B. (which stands for Love Angel Music Baby) is a true contemporary collection with eclectic, edgy and feminine details all in one brand. Her Spring 2010 collection is full of vibrant colors, asymmetrical lines, exposed zippers and flattering ruching that work for any one’s style.

Check out some of the styles from L.A.M.B.’s Spring 2010 Runway Show. Coming soon to Flaire.

This week we are offering a preview into the inaugural season of Voodoo Guru – I know, the name threw me at first, but once explained it makes sense.

Voodoo – means to place under the influence.  Guru - means to turn darkness into light.

Therefore, the creators view Voodoo Guru as the collection that sheds light on the men’s contemporary fashion scene because it’s not only an innovative collection, but one that’s easy to understand. Some of these “trends” are so extreme that it’s refreshing to have a collection that focuses on clothing you can wear. The pieces are not intimidating, but still edgy.

Men’s fashion can become repetitive and while some designers go to the extreme to stand out, Voodoo Guru does so with bright fabrics and modern fits. Inspired by music icons, vintage military and the creator’s American roots, Voodoo Guru fabrics are soft and comfortable and their styles are easy and wearable.

Mentioned as one of the Top 10 for this year’s shows, Voodoo Guru is getting some attention!

Now I realize we are in Wisconsin and a more realistic image would be this…..

However, I am going to remain optimistic that Spring is indeed only a short wait away. (Please insert your laughs here).

Any ways, whether or not the weather is planning on cooperating, Spring is indeed on its way to Flaire! I am really looking forward to this season because there is so much to be excited about. The trends are realistic, the silhouettes are flattering, the colors are bold and the prices are working too. All in all this season is uplifting and after the past few – I think we could use it!

Over the next 6 weeks as we await the “arrival” of Spring, I am going to be previewing six of the collections I am most excited about. Some of the lines are new collections, some of the lines are new to Milwaukee, some of the lines are extensions of what they are already known for and some we have so much faith in that we have expanded our buying to include all of the elements their collections have to offer.

Before I get ahead of myself I should probably tell you a little about what our designers have put together for Spring. So here we go…

• Ladies – Listen up! As the weather gets warmer, your hemlines are getting shorter. Minis are in and they are here to stay. Skirts, Dresses, Shorts – start toning those legs now! I know I am!
• In line with showing more skin, Cutouts can be found everywhere. Pants, Tops, Dresses, Skirts – I am talking the tasteful cutouts, sexy yet sophisticated – Don’t give it all away!
• On another uplifting note, color is bold – no more dark and dreary, brighten up. Bold, abstract prints, soft, feminine florals – all are working for Spring.

Okay guys – we aren’t forgetting about you – but you are going to have to take some risks!

• Color: Pastels and bold hues are ruling the men’s collections. Orange is huge. Not ready for it all? Try to look for some pieces that incorporate these colors as accents. It won’t be hard this season.
• Denim: Get some white jeans – you can pull them off! Pair them with one of the season’s hottest, the Chambray Shirt. Easy, laid-back, cool.
• Button-phobia? No worries. The snap front shirt will cure you. Not only easier to get in and out of, but the snap accents are a really cool touch to step your look up.
• The track jacket – or some are calling it the baseball jacket. Dress it up and take it out – this requires you to remove your jeans, (unless they are white). Try it out, they all seem to come with accents of this season’s best color. Two birds, one stone.

Now with a little preview of what Spring is all about – I would like to introduce you to the Winter Kate Collection by Nicole Richie. Hot off the heels of her successful jewelry collection (which you can also find at Flaire) is the arrival of one of the most anticipated collections of the Spring Fashion scene; Nicole Richie’s first contemporary clothing collection, Winter Kate. Named after her daughter Harlow’s middle names the line embodies Nicole’s hippie-luxe style.

The collection, which includes kimono tops, dresses (both mini and maxi), tunics and leather jackets as well as bed jackets and vests, all reflect Nicole’s love of vintage and classic. Her silhouettes are timeless with vintage touches and soft, flowy fabrics. Her beautiful paisley and floral prints are all vintage washed for a classic feel and she enhances her pieces with vintage silk chiffon, handcrafted embroidery, cotton macrame and fringe details that make you look twice.
Richie says, “Fashion should be accessible,” and she succeeds in making Winter Kate easy to wear and simple – yet feminine and romantic all at the same time. “The pieces can be dressed up, made casual, but most importantly, they provide the wearer a means of self-expression and fun,” Nicole tells WWD.

Winter Kate will be hitting stores in February and Flaire will have a selection of her pieces right here in Milwaukee.

Milwaukee’s Favorite Boutiques come together to offer you some of the best deals around.

Come early! You don’t want to miss this one.

Stop in to save 30-60% off winter merchandise from some of your favorites brands from Kooba, Tt Collection, Modern Amusement, Fifteen-Twenty, Life After Denim and Alkemy!

Your item have a snowflake stamp on the tag? You get an extra 10% off the sale price!

Stop in and score some great deals!

We at Flaire are excited to bring you some great new collections in 2010.
Expect a great mix of color, styles and prices!
And stay tuned for the launch of our online shop.

Here’s to 2010! Have a safe and Happy New Year!

Get over to the Urban Garage Sale tomorrow, Saturday Dec. 12th @ Turner Hall. 10:30am – 5:30pm.

Shop over 30 local businesses and get some of the best deals in town. All businesses are bringing their best discounted items for you, and we are all coming to one place.

One Stop Sale Shopping – Happy Holidays to you from all of us!

**If you visit one of the participating businesses you can pick up a discount flyer for $1.00 off admission, or visit www.urbangaragesale.comand download the discount flyer.**

See you there!