Retail Diary: Sunday Scoop - Attersee, Marin Shopping, "Ugly" Shoes and more
Shopping event in Marin to meet Isabel Wilkinson Schor, how do we feel about "ugly" shoes, Earl Earl teaches me to shop my closet and more.
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Friday I visited Marin Country Mart:
Main event - to see the Attersee Trunk Show at Hero Shop. Meeting Founder Isabel Wilkinson Schor and seeing her collection Attersee up close and learning all about it was such a treat. First of all, the materials are exquisite and incredibly unique. If this makes sense, the pieces feel elevated and at the same time appropriate enough for every day. My favorites were the cropped pants (think the kick flare we all love, but a bit less flare and with the coolest textured fabric), the cocktail pants (the type of versatile pant you can wear anywhere and are dream-y comfortable) and the simple knit polo as a forever go-to. The Brea Bag is incredibly simple, versatile and elegant. (If we are doing the three word method for Attersee I think that is how I would describe the whole line: simple, versatile and elegant.) What I love is how Wilkinson Schor is doing everything a little different, but not so far fetched that it doesn’t resonate. She knows women want to see and touch the clothes, so a Studio (vs a store) in NYC feels more modern and personal. And “pop-up trunk show hybrids” where you can buy the clothes to take home immediately (vs traditional trunk show where you pre-order and receive many months later) in key locations (like this week’s L.A. and Marin, CA) is a moment where she is able to meet and talk with customers and explain each piece but also see how people wear clothes and shop. She started her career in journalism and you can see the curiosity in how she is building her business. It was also so much fun to meet Isabel in person. We’ve connected online (you can see one fun “connection” here in
’s Spring Moodboard so thank you for the intro Jalil!) but this was the first time IRL and we immediately got to chatting all the things - family, work, NYC, retail, magazines/writing, etc.I also popped in to Harwell Godfrey’s new shop (which open’s officially Monday April 22nd) and happen to meet designer/founder Lauren Harwell Godfrey as she was setting up the store. It is the tiniest of stores BUT it is like being in a jewel box. The pieces are spectacular and the colors pop. If you aren’t familiar with her jewelry, she has so many gorgeous styles, but the piece I always think of her with is this style beaded necklace. I have a thing for personalized jewelry pieces and this is a great example as you can add different pendants to it.
Couldn’t leave without visiting La Ligne (tried on the fantastic Meredith denim and the Andie dress - love both) and visited The RealReal as well. I love shopping TRR because whenever you visit they have different pieces. And the Marin location always has great handbags.
“Ugly” Shoes - first, I don’t love calling these Ugly shoes because I don’t want to yuck someone’s yum. But I do think the idea is to design in a certain manner to illicit a response. The other interesting consideration here, that my merchant mind wants to know, how many units are produced? Is this something with 100 units where it can sell out quickly, driving PR and marketing but not really driving the bottom line?
Check out “The Ugly State of Shoe Collaborations” (gift link to read behind paywall) in the NYTimes has the Style Desk chatting about the “ugly shoes” of the moment.
Pringles x Crocs gets us talking, is a fun social moment, collectors and Pringles fans maybe want. But otherwise its not like we see this in many stores or will see at the pool this summer. Also worth noting, that former CMO of Crocs is returning as President of Croc’s Heydude shoe brand. Terence Reilly was most recently the President at Stanley (as in the viral water bottles.)
New Balance Loafers 1906L are the latest “what is this??” shoe.
On the more commercially viable end of the spectrum, Bode x Nike just dropped. The Astrograbber sold out quickly but you can find marked up on eBay. And on GOAT. More styles coming May 1st. I love the idea of adding shoe charms to sneakers like the bag charm trend. I’m always up for personalization. (I’ve ordered beads from here before.)
Fall 2023 was the first time Staud + Wrangler collabed. This week they released their second collab bringing back bestsellers and new silhouettes. Great timing as we are in our Western Era/Cowboy Carter/Rodeo Runway. The initial collection was inspired by designer Sarah Staudinger’s favorite Wranglers and vintage Wrangler advertisements. More from Sourcing Journal. A few key pieces worth checking out: white denim overall dress (remember this trend from a few weeks ago), low rise bikini denim, longer length Bermuda shorts, the pencil skirt
I’m listening to The Tortured Poets Department nonstop.
After seeing the Eras Tour and watching the movie (a few times) my main questions were what is Taylor’s workout routine, what is she eating and what is her skincare routine. At least now we have the workout answer. Margaux Anbouba for Vogue spoke to her trainer. I’ve also heard of the workout where you run + jog/walk the Eras Tour Set List. Whew, I’m exhausted from all this.
And for whatever workout (or not) you choose, the cute purple Popflex Active skirt that briefly appeared in the Fortnight Challenge video is available for presale and the site quickly got the image below on the Homepage - very smart and speedy. Well played. (see hero image1 from e-commerce site on 4.20.24 below)
Loewe + Paula’s Ibiza
Paula’s Ibiza is a boutique that opened in 1972 and captures the island’s bohemian spirit. Jonathan Anderson approached Armin Heinemann, the co-founder, about a collab and Loewe + Paula’s Ibiza first launched in 2017. Paula’s Ibiza boutique is now closed, but it continues to partner with Loewe. I think it is a strong summer collection (very fun and cheeky for Loewe) and I love that it comes back year after year.
Net-a-Porter has the new pieces: loving this puzzle fold tote (it folds flat), puzzle edge bag is gorgeous (as of 4.20.24 it says sold out and coming soon - so maybe more inventory soon…) The XL tote is a work of art. See net’s full assortment here.
And if you are in for an experience, pop-ups in Paris and Nice.
Substacks to Scroll
Welcome to Substack
(you know Somsack as the Creative Director at Alex Mill.) Check out the SomHACKS “SomHACK: when u love the Row but still have to take the subway”From
“How To Get Through Wedding Season With Just One Dress” I felt inspired - such a great send. First, I was feeling the pressure to buy a new dress for an event next month. But this weekend as I was casually wearing my favorite J.Crew dress (favorite due to it’s fit and versatility - and currently on sale) I decided to challenge myself to switch it up to a cocktail dress. We’ll see how it goes next month but I think I can do it. Especially with an evening bag I already own and block heels for dancing, also already in my closet and a dressed up light blazer. Second, this was a sponsored post (Pantin worked with Sézane) and it felt so unique and original. It didn’t make me feel like I had to buy something, but I was inspired by some of the pieces in it (like this.)
Last bits - news to wrap up the week 🧵
Jessica Testa wrote a fantastic piece on Highsnobiety and Willa Bennet for the NYtimes (gift link to read behind paywall.) The latest on Nike + Caitlin Clark’s 8 year deal and a signature shoe, Sephora has a body care pilot in 60 stores and they are monitoring for opportunities to grow and expand the program, love the news stand moments from Air Mail, Laura Ashley is returning in partnership with the retailer Next (I’m hoping the photos of me as a kid wearing Laura Ashley never surface and thankfully the new Laura Ashley is a more modern take.) Gregg Renfrew, the founder and CEO of Beautycounter is buying it back from Caryle Group from forclosure. They are pausing operations for two weeks but then the business will resume. (I plan to dig into this more and will share any interesting findings.)
What have you been reading this week? Add to the comments so we can all check it out.
Enjoy your Sunday Scoop.
Sarah Shapiro
Catch up on Sarah’s Retail Diary:
Tuesday’s Reads on Shopping Trends & Shopping the Trends
Thursday’s Deep Dive - Week of April 15th 2024 - WNBA, Tick Tock (watch) & so much retail news
Last Sunday’s - Sunday Scoop - Larroudé, Beauty, Trends & Substacks to Scroll
Fashion Spiral 🌀 Trench Coats, Fashion 🌀 Re-Spiral: Seeing Stripes, Fashion Spiral 🌀 Kick Flare Pants and American Sportswear is Having a Moment
Retail 101: Math & Financials and Retail 101: Math & Financials Part Deux (Markdowns)
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Hero image is the main image - a large, prominently placed image or visual statement at the top of a website or magazine/newsletter. It often serves as the main focal point. In the context of e-commerce, it's typically a striking image showcasing a product or brand in a visually appealing way.
I find Attersee very beautifully executed and definitely speaks to the moment and what women want to wear (especially the minimalist, off-white sculpted vest).
The founder probably hates being compared to Toteme, The Row, but her own take on minimalism is fresh and stands on its own, one that is casual-luxury, wearable, far-flung, and Italian countryside inspired.
I know the founder Isabel comes from money and connected to the whole NYC socialite crowd (think Nell Diamond, Derek Blasberg), so I am super curious who is funding the brand because it certainly LOOKS like they are well-funded. To fire off on all cylinders (branding, pop up, press, marketing) as a young brand is not cheap.
Too far, Adidas. Too far.