There are those who know what’s coming around the bend. They don a trend before it hits magazines or is being turned out by celebrities. And there are those who need a bit of help with the ways of what’s hot. Maybe a few who need a lot of help. Whether you’re living the glory days in parachute pants or setting the trends yourself, these Hudson Valley top designers, boutique owners, and fashionistas have the latest trends for 2010.
Cow Jones Industrials
Where what’s hot is the way people buy.
Cow Jones Industrials in Chatham is a charming vegan boutique that carries a hip offering of handbags, shoes, and clothing dedicated to sustainability. Celebrities, such as Natalie Portman, Stella McCartney and Emily Deschanel have helped to bring this movement to the mainstream, but it’s people like Cow Jones owner, Donna Oakes, who continue to merge fashion and ethics by making these goods more accessible to the public. Oakes says, “As far as major trends, it’s the way people buy. Who makes this? Where is it made? And, of course, it should look fabulous.” It’s not to say that she’s not at the forefront of fashion; it’s just in a different context. Oakes’s store carried the first vegan produced winter coats. “These coats had a very beautiful story behind them,” remarks Oakes, “you can’t say that about the fur industry.” Now your vegetarian friends who still rock leather boots have no excuse. www.cowjonesindustrials.com
Studio One Hair Design
Want long, thick locks? Growing it out is so very last decade.
Studio One Hair Design is a full service salon that specializes in color, cuts and has a soft spot for wedding parties, according to owner, Laura Flood. Studio One goes beyond your basic updo. A full day of pampering and makeup (airbrush is a big trend); along with both hair and eyelash extensions are often de rigueur for bridal prep. Flood says, “Extensions are one of the biggest trends right now because they’re great for clipping in—not only for the wedding—but for a night out. They’re good for short hair or long hair that needs fullness. We even color them for clients.” And on the subject of color—pattern color and peek-a-boo are trending. Flood adds, “Blonds are adding chunks of yellow into bangs or you can do a fashion red to peek from under the hair.” www.studioonehairdesign.com
Pegasus Comfort Footwear
They may not be Manolos, but they’re hotter than orthopedic shoes.
Pegasus Shoes specialize in innovative and comfortable footwear with a focus on quality. In addition to the main store in Woodstock and an outlet in New Paltz, Pegasus has built an impressive website (think Zappos for the outdoorsy type) that is dedicated to selling “brands that matter.” Make no mistake; comfort should not be an eyesore. The company carries everything from trail runners to stylish ballet flats, each designed for comfort in mind. Apparently trends are taking their cue from the runway this season. Bob Russell, the manager of the Woodstock location says that clogs are very in right now. “The more traditional, closed back variety sells well here.” And a new item to hit the floor and selling like crazy are the Vibram FiveFingers Running Shoes that act like a second skin and offers a gecko-like grip that reduces impact on the knees. Russell says, “They’re like gloves for your feet.” www.pegasusshoes.com
White Rice
Even when Tie-dye is not on the cover of In Style magazine, this place carries the hottest styles.
White Rice may have an advantage when it comes to 2010 trends. Their niche batik fabrics and natural luxury blends lend itself to the emerging trends of this summers relaxed groove and feminine flow. Tie Die is hot on the radar for summer and it would only be natural for White Rice to stock such a fun print. Owner and designer, Mary Vaughn Williams says in regards to Tie-dye, “White Rice has access to factories to artisans who do handmade treatments.” This factory is the one in Bali where the husband and wife owners once lived and now use to create Mary’s signature line, White Rice, that’s sold in the store, along with other lines of both clothing and accessories. Crystal Nabozny, a five-year White Rice employee, seemed as excited about the arrival of spring as she was with the new addition of Havaiana flip flops that will be carried in the store this. And Williams claims that while Maxi dresses are still being sold, “the hemlines have shot up this season. The same piece can be worn as a dress for young people while the 40-year-olds wear them as tunics.” www.white-rice.com
Bodhi Holistic Spa
The entire package from the inside, out.
Bodhi Holistic Spa works to nourish the body on the inside and out with an extensive menu of treatments that range from the sumptuous warm stone massage and anti-aging facials to what sound cringe-worthy to some—colon hydrotherapy and facial acupuncture. Packages allow you to try them all, if you’re so inclined. Melinda Pizzano, Bodhi’s owner, says, “more people are opting for packages than ever before. They want more of an experience and you get that with a massage, body scrub and a hand treatment.” You might think the opposite because of the recession, but it’s really a chicken and egg kind of thing. It’s like a de-stression during the recession. Bodhi also offers Chinese Medicine and Holistic Health Counseling as well as a salon (with names like the Yin, Yang, and Little Buddha haircuts), in addition to permanent hair color that is herbal based without ammonia. www.bodhistudio.com
Woodstock Design
Growing up means dressing like it.
There comes a time when a lady is clearly too old for the Junior’s section at a department store and the “Womens” section mimics sportswear suited more for your Grandmother’s Bridge Club. Enter Woodstock Design. Whether you’ve scored your first “real job” or you’re a mom unwilling to wear Mom Jeans; Woodstock Design carries exactly the wardrobe-building clothing that makes a stylish fashionista. Owned by Robin and Mike Kramer since 1981, Woodstock Design takes pride in the fact that they’ve gown up with their customers and the clothing goes along for the ride. Robin points out, “our customers now head up agencies and travel often,” she says, “and because of this, our new favorite color is black with a touch of gray.” She also says that because of the frequent flyers, they make clothing that’s stylish, but easy to pack. Brands like, Karina, who is a local dress designer, 7 for All Mankind and flowy Nally & Millie tops. She says, “Moms and their daughters come in to shop together. Moms try to tell their daughter what to buy, but it’s the daughter who ends up telling the mom what to wear.” (845) 679-8776
Changes for Men
Helping the full-gown man dress himself.
Changes, in Woodstock and a second location in Rhinebeck, is always abreast of the current trends for men. The owner, Louis. K. Deering personally selects each piece for the stores from over 75 different companies worldwide. Though the merchandise tends to have an urban edge for the young and fashionable, there are plenty of classic pieces. Right now accessories happen to be hot. David Freeman, the Woodstock manager, says that hats are huge (not literally, of course). “Fedoras, caps—every era is being mined for style.” Freeman also mentions a hot seller called the, “Happy Sock.” He says, “They come in fun patterns and bright colors.” This less-than-hip sounding item is the perfect way to punch up a conservative suit. Colorful socks or not, Changes has wardrobe essentials to dress a man from head to toe and a staff that’s willing to do everything but manscape you to look your best. www.changesformen.com
