KAREN’S TOP PICKS FROM MRKET AND PROJECT

Baldessarini

[metaslider id=116045] Among my favorite collections at the show, this terrific line out of Germany (once the top end of Hugo Boss and now repped by John McCoy) is targeted to better specialty stores looking to attract younger customers. It features stylish pants, shirts, suits and sportcoats at amazing prices, stocked in New Jersey for fast turnaround. Gorgeous sportcoats wholesale from $295-$350 for suggested retails of $595-$895; suits are $295-$400 for suggested retails of $795-$995; beautiful woven shirts are $45-$70 cost. Other key items include lightweight 7.5 ounce denim pants (stocked in two fits) and cotton twill five-pocket pants with stretch (in six great colors, $68 cost). Their in-stock program goes well beyond basics, including 30 SKUs in denim and 10 swatches of clothing in two fits. For more info: john@componentsbyjm.com.

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Maledetti Toscani

[metaslider id=116032] Two nice ladies, Ann Marie Lloyd Shiff and Stephanie Gore, have a store in Vero Beach Florida (two hours north of Miami). Inspired by the book Under the Tuscan Sun to explore Tuscany, they came back with an amazing collection of woven leather bags, backpacks, and fabulous footwear. This is Italian artisanship at its finest. Check out their website for more info.

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Marchesi di Como

[metaslider id=116038] A division of Abbey Neckwear in Montreal, these are the perfect accessories to enliven any selling floor! Wonderful printed leather belts out of Florence are $69 cost; printed leather wallets are $79. For more info: Jin Frati, jin@abbeyties.com.

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Peru Unlimited

In business for 25 years selling to great stores like Paul Stuart, Garmany, Larrimors and Oak Hall, this private label vendor features gorgeous luxury knits in fabulous colors. In addition to their iconic cashmeres ($225-$300 retail), check out their royal alpaca (using only 3 percent of the top yarns) done up in an exclusive link stitch that breathes, ($225-$295 retail) and their Peruvian pima interlock, $149-$160 in 12 colors. Perfect for spring selling, stocked in Orlando, no minimums. In photo with Enrique and Patricia Rodriguez-Pastor: our favorite retailers Lou and Jeffrey Brown of Browns in Toronto.

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Alex Julian

[metaslider id=116023] Some very creative ideas and exclusive fabrics from one of America’s most talented designers. Digitally printed designs as well as woven menswear classics. Sweet spot: $225 for a full canvas jacket, $100 for the pants, suggested retail $895 for the suit. A recent write-up in Garden and Gun magazine resulted in sell-outs on a featured digitally printed herringbone sportcoat. Another hot sportcoat is made from a fabulous blend of cotton, cashmere, silk, worsted wool and linen! Only Alex can come up with these innovative ideas; check it out!

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Lenor Romano

[metaslider id=116026] Her spring ‘17 collection is a homerun. I especially loved her printed denim shirts ($42 cost in long sleeves, $39 in short) and the whimsical details throughout the collection: palm trees, sunglasses, bugs, surfers, seashells. Among my favorite pieces: the linen shirts with signature buttons (antique bronze or patina copper) and an amazing group of white-on-white jacquard florals at $82 (even the buttons are a floral design.) Great stuff!

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Ibiza

Always the best value in the market, the Spring 17 collection of sportcoats from Ibiza looks better than ever, modeled here by Al Lienan from Halls In Kansas City.

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Vluxe

[metaslider id=116065] Industry veteran Lucky Nahum has put together a super saleable collection of woven shirts in stripes, plaids and prints. I especially loved the mini florals; prices from $60-$77. Check out too their fabulous collection of footwear, especially the hand-painted raw leather sneakers ($60-$90 cost) and woven footwear ($115 cost). Both available for private label with an eight pair minimum.

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Borean Men’s Couture

[metaslider id=116041] When special is not quite enough, you probably need a few ultra-special items (Italian, of course!) from Borean Men’s Couture. In photo, sales manager Luca Butti models one of their fabulous sportcoats. For more info: info@boreanmenscouture.it.

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Megin Spivey

[metaslider id=116029] Beautiful wrist jewelry with rare beads and stones, sourced around the world and often with a spiritual component, these bracelets bring much positive energy to the wearer, not to mention health, wealth and inner peace (or something similar.) Your customers will thank you. Namaste.