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.

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.