Why Resort Collections Matter

Posted: November 5th, 2009 | Author: Lauren Sherman | Filed under: Retail, fashion, shopping | Tags: , | 1 Comment »

This morning, I attended a preview of the Marc Jacobs handbag collection for resort 2010, set to hit stores any day now.  What does “resort 2010″ mean? It’s a collection separate from fall and spring (it can also be called holiday or pre-Spring) that features pieces ideal for vacation or everyday wear. There are also pre-fall collections, and some designers even do six collections each year, depending on demand. In ready-to-wear, the resort collection is typically more commercial than the runway collections, chockful of bathing suits, easy dresses and simple tops and bottoms.

In accessories, resort serves a similar purpose. For this Marc Jacobs collection, the designer features his classics–including the Lisa hobo and the Blake handbag–in warm colors like brick red and pumpkin. He also introduces a new collection of goat leather bags trimmed in tiny studs. But my favorites are the Fluo Passamentry bags: Goat leather purses lined in silk and adorned with stones, lace and nylon cords. The word “passamentry” describes the design work–all the curls and twists–featured on the bag.

These bags are important–as is every label’s resort collection, from shoes to dresses–because store buyers like them. Today, the runway serves as a place for designers to express their wildest ideas; resort collections allow them to make money. Enjoy the gallery of these fun pieces!