kathyw
07-20-2005, 08:09 AM
A new way to shop...but only for the wealthy... :rolleyes: anyway, an interesting article none the less...
New way to shop: In-home shows
Sally Bauer and Shannon Fox in Doncaster.
Carolyn Pope/Vail Daily
Carolyn Pope
July 19, 2005
EAGLE COUNTY - It's in the service and the style.
The valley is growing with more amenities, services and merchandise catering to the full-time resident. Stores trendy, fashion-forward clothing with are popping up "downvalley," particularly in the Edwards area.
An alternative, however, exists for those who shudder at the prospect of mall-hopping for the new season's wardrobe, wishing instead the clothes will magically appear in their closet and already tailor-fitted.
Perhaps they spend more time thumbing through their closet trying to put an outfit together. Direct sales are filling a niche that many women appreciate when it comes to outfitting themselves for the upcoming seasons.
Several local women have taken on national women's clothing accounts, selling everything from easy, lower-priced casual wear to high-end evening gowns. There's something for almost every woman out there - you just have to know whom to call.
Today, I'll cover two companies, Doncaster and Juliana Collezione, and more will come be featured over the next few weeks.
Classic conservative
Doncaster, a division of Tanner Companies, is a family-owned business that has been selling clothing since 1931. The emphasis is on service and they say they will take back anything that has problems and repair it.
Also, the color dyes match from year to year, so that beautiful navy blazer you bought two years ago will match the slacks you buy this year.
"We're providing a service," said Doncaster rep Sally Bauer. Bauer is new in the business, joining Shannon Fox and Laura Parker.
"I used to make all my own clothes," Bauer said. "When I saw the Doncaster line, I took the clothes apart and examined how they were put together and the quality of the fabrics. They're extremely well made."
The majority of the customers are between 40 and 60 years old and lean toward a more conservative, classic look. The fabrics and clothes are timeless, with a bend toward around 50 percent traditional, 15 percent novelty and 35 percent "in vogue."
Doncaster uses the same fabric mills at St. John and other high-end clothing lines, and the leather is the same as Prada.
"Luxury fabrics are in for the season," Fox said. "Cashmere, camel hair suede. There's something for everyone. Usually, a client only likes around 10 percent of the line, so we appeal to a wide range of clients - mothers, grandmothers and daughters."
Locally, the Doncaster ladies present three shows per year. Until the end of this week, they are presenting the fall collection. Later this year they will show the fall and holiday line, and, in the spring, the spring and summer line. Doncaster also has elana, a fashion line for larger women, size 12 to 24.
My favorite for the season? The "Colorado" wool/cashmere jacket in Wedgwood, priced at $475. The double-breasted jacket looks great with anything - from long wool skirt to jeans.
Pants in the collection run in the mid $200s, with jackets around $300 and up.
Stunning accents
The Juliana Collezione could be considered "fiscally conservative and socially liberal" - the philosophy of many women these days.
Founded by Irving Spitalnick, Juliana Collezione also is a family owned business. One selling point of Juliana is that it is 95 percent manufactured here in the United States.
The majority of fabrics come from Europe, as does Doncaster, with their own exclusive patterns. The silks are manufactured in Hong Kong and Italy.
According to Peggy Thompson, regional director for Juliana, the customers range from their early 30s to woman in their 80s.
Thompson and her partner, Janyce Wald, were recognized as one of the top 100 women-owned business in Colorado this past year. They work with Donna Meyer, a longtime valley local who has been with the company for about two years.
"I love the company and the clothes," Meyer says. "The company cares about us and their customer service is fabulous."
"I love working with my clients," Thompson adds. "It's a great time. Besides making a fabulous wardrobe, I love the relationships."
She compares Juliana's prices with well-known Ellen Tracy and Anne Klein II.
She says the fall colors are gray and black, with stunning chartreuse and burgundy accents. It's a big accessory season, she says, with fun purses, shawls and belts.
Juliana has two shows per year. The fall show last until the end of the week, and the spring show is in April.
The outfit I wouldn't live without this season? A stunning black pantsuit with long slits up the leg, clasped together with an edgy hook and eye.
Vail, Colorado
New way to shop: In-home shows
Sally Bauer and Shannon Fox in Doncaster.
Carolyn Pope/Vail Daily
Carolyn Pope
July 19, 2005
EAGLE COUNTY - It's in the service and the style.
The valley is growing with more amenities, services and merchandise catering to the full-time resident. Stores trendy, fashion-forward clothing with are popping up "downvalley," particularly in the Edwards area.
An alternative, however, exists for those who shudder at the prospect of mall-hopping for the new season's wardrobe, wishing instead the clothes will magically appear in their closet and already tailor-fitted.
Perhaps they spend more time thumbing through their closet trying to put an outfit together. Direct sales are filling a niche that many women appreciate when it comes to outfitting themselves for the upcoming seasons.
Several local women have taken on national women's clothing accounts, selling everything from easy, lower-priced casual wear to high-end evening gowns. There's something for almost every woman out there - you just have to know whom to call.
Today, I'll cover two companies, Doncaster and Juliana Collezione, and more will come be featured over the next few weeks.
Classic conservative
Doncaster, a division of Tanner Companies, is a family-owned business that has been selling clothing since 1931. The emphasis is on service and they say they will take back anything that has problems and repair it.
Also, the color dyes match from year to year, so that beautiful navy blazer you bought two years ago will match the slacks you buy this year.
"We're providing a service," said Doncaster rep Sally Bauer. Bauer is new in the business, joining Shannon Fox and Laura Parker.
"I used to make all my own clothes," Bauer said. "When I saw the Doncaster line, I took the clothes apart and examined how they were put together and the quality of the fabrics. They're extremely well made."
The majority of the customers are between 40 and 60 years old and lean toward a more conservative, classic look. The fabrics and clothes are timeless, with a bend toward around 50 percent traditional, 15 percent novelty and 35 percent "in vogue."
Doncaster uses the same fabric mills at St. John and other high-end clothing lines, and the leather is the same as Prada.
"Luxury fabrics are in for the season," Fox said. "Cashmere, camel hair suede. There's something for everyone. Usually, a client only likes around 10 percent of the line, so we appeal to a wide range of clients - mothers, grandmothers and daughters."
Locally, the Doncaster ladies present three shows per year. Until the end of this week, they are presenting the fall collection. Later this year they will show the fall and holiday line, and, in the spring, the spring and summer line. Doncaster also has elana, a fashion line for larger women, size 12 to 24.
My favorite for the season? The "Colorado" wool/cashmere jacket in Wedgwood, priced at $475. The double-breasted jacket looks great with anything - from long wool skirt to jeans.
Pants in the collection run in the mid $200s, with jackets around $300 and up.
Stunning accents
The Juliana Collezione could be considered "fiscally conservative and socially liberal" - the philosophy of many women these days.
Founded by Irving Spitalnick, Juliana Collezione also is a family owned business. One selling point of Juliana is that it is 95 percent manufactured here in the United States.
The majority of fabrics come from Europe, as does Doncaster, with their own exclusive patterns. The silks are manufactured in Hong Kong and Italy.
According to Peggy Thompson, regional director for Juliana, the customers range from their early 30s to woman in their 80s.
Thompson and her partner, Janyce Wald, were recognized as one of the top 100 women-owned business in Colorado this past year. They work with Donna Meyer, a longtime valley local who has been with the company for about two years.
"I love the company and the clothes," Meyer says. "The company cares about us and their customer service is fabulous."
"I love working with my clients," Thompson adds. "It's a great time. Besides making a fabulous wardrobe, I love the relationships."
She compares Juliana's prices with well-known Ellen Tracy and Anne Klein II.
She says the fall colors are gray and black, with stunning chartreuse and burgundy accents. It's a big accessory season, she says, with fun purses, shawls and belts.
Juliana has two shows per year. The fall show last until the end of the week, and the spring show is in April.
The outfit I wouldn't live without this season? A stunning black pantsuit with long slits up the leg, clasped together with an edgy hook and eye.
Vail, Colorado