After a whirlwind few days that incorporated far too many cocktails and far too little sleep, I’ve finally put together a few take-aways from the shows.

Bottom line: most retailers seem optimistic about some great product, more realistic pricepoints and a new predilection to focus on items rather than entire collections. Although luxury might be...

It was a great Dallas Market just prior to Vegas, including a provocative Retail Roundtable at the Market Center (see the upcoming April 2010 issue of MR Magazine for a recap), a superbowl party (see Schmoozing), and lots of positive energy in the showrooms.

Two of the new designers at the Mart are Dallas natives. Shemara showed her fabulous namesake...

Upbeat merchants and beautiful product made for an exciting MRket show portending a strong fall 2010 season.

Among the exciting fall fashion at MRket and Vanguard:

Breuer neckwear features a preppy old school vibe with a decidedly French feeling. They also offer a fashionable take on fine wovens, stonewashed knits, and luxurious cotton/cashmere...

What a perfect way to start market week, with music, wine bars and lounges to make you forget about the wind, cold and freezing rain outside. But rather than accept the accolades, Elyse Kroll credits her good friend Fabrizio Capigatti as “the man responsible for me being in this business in the first place…”

Elyse Kroll and Fabrizio...

Three things happened this week that reinforced in my mind the critical importance of reaching out to customers and offering exceptional service.

1) On Wednesday, I attended a sales training seminar at Saks in Stamford, Conn. Clothing expert Frank Schipani, ever the inspirational showman, inspired a group of very motivated associates to go beyond the norm,...