GO SHORT
Short hair is one of the hottest trends to emerge from the runway this spring. A really short fringe is key, but dramatic color is just as important.
 Versace |
ALL EYES
Every 8 seconds someone turns 40. By the time they're 50, nearly all of them will have trouble reading the fine print in newspapers, magazines, books and more. Eyebobs, a collection of readers in quarter-strength increments, offer a solution for creative types who demand distinctive, high-quality glasses that smack of attitude. Each pair is designed by company founder Julie Allinson and her staff, using top-grade optical plastics from Italy. 866/eyebobs; eyebobs.com —M.D.
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Modern Marvel
Created by world-famous Japanese designer Toshiyuki Kita after years of research, the Peak chair from TAKARA BELMONT offers more than meets the eye. One of the most technologically advanced styling chairs on the market, its seat and width suit the tallest and smallest of clients, and the backrest provides support without interfering with your work. The seat is made of dual-density foam that spreads body weight evenly to enable customers to sit comfortably no matter how long it takes their color to process. Available in a range of colors. takarabelmont.com —C.W.
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WHAT'S IN A NAME?
Frenchman Patrick Alès developed the PHYTO brand in 1967 because he believed that plants contain more active and beneficial ingredients than a chemist could ever produce in a lab. He first called his plant-sourced product line Phytotheratrie, a combination of the Greek words for plants, care and hair, but he eventually shortened it to its present form. —C.W.
Charmed Life
We saw charms first dangling from cell phones. Now they're adorning handbags for spring.
 Luella Bartley |
Something to Talk About
Like the iPod, the Apple iPhone seems destined to achieve cult status. Part mobile phone, part wide-screen iPod and part Internet communications device with e-mail, Web browsing, maps and searching capabilities, the technological wonder is equipped with pioneering new software. It also features a multi-touch display that puts flipping through albums, sorting through photos and hopping onto Web pages right at your fingertips. —K.D.
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THE SHINING
Smooth and glossy hair went perfectly with Diane von Furstenberg's spring '07 collection. "I kept the hair natural looking, free-flowing, sleek and ultra-shiny," says Frédéric Fekkai, who worked backstage with his team to craft sophisticated hairstyles on more than 50 models. Fekkai spritized a little of his new Glossing Sheer Shine Mist onto his brush and ran it through the hair to impart brilliant, long-lasting shine. —K.D.
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Get Stoned
Marina K., a manicurist at Frédéric Fekkai in Manhattan, has been designing her own jewelry for the past several years. She uses freshwater pearls, labradorite and semi-precious stones like amethyst, turquoise, peridot and citrine. What distinguishes her designs is that she twists pieces of wire between each bead to form the chain. Prices range upwards of $300. 917/887-0390. —M.D.
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ISLAND AROMAS
Modern apothecary MALIN + GOETZ, known for its facial cleansers and moisturizers, recently expanded into the home fragrance market, adding Dark Rum- and Mojito-scented candles to its lineup. With 60 hours of burn time, they're meant to be burned on their own or together for an aroma that conjures up an image of white sand, palm trees, a swaying hammock and a fiery sunset on an exotic tropical island. malinandgoetz.com —C.W.
 New York-based apothecary Malin + Goetz is now offering tropical-scented candles. |
That's Italian!
Candy Shaw Codner grew up in the beauty industry—her father is Jamison Shaw, the first American to win the World Hairdressing Championships. In 1999, she bought the salon her father founded in Atlanta. As a little girl, she never gave much thought to the fact that her house was always full of hairdressers. "My parents regularly entertained people like Paul Mitchell, Horst Rechelbacher, John and Suzy Chadwick and Sam Brocato," she says. When she was a young hairdresser, her father sent her to Europe so she could study art and visit some of the world's great salons. When she had the opportunity to do a shoot in Milan not long ago, she jumped at the chance. Accompanied by Kym Moore, Cindy Watts and Thomas Luke of the Jamison Shaw Artistic Team, she created a new collection there. "My passion is to make women feel good about themselves," says Codner. "We're in the beauty business, aren't we?" —M.D.
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High Impact
Today's consumer looks to the runway for fashion and beauty inspiration, which is why PureOlogy has created High Impact, a collection of three new cuts that complement this season's hottest fashion trends. Naturally, PureOlogy's high-performance products create the ultimate finishes, from smooth to textured, while enhancing the vibrancy of color-treated hair. 800/331-1502. —M.D.
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Milk Maid
Aveda predicts a pale, milky complexion with a strong lip and brow to complement rich, deep red hair for spring.
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NEW YORK MINUTE
Tom Julian is senior vice president and director of trends for McCann Erickson. This month he talks about how branding is taking a bite out of the Big Apple.
 Tom Julian |
Brandspeak is spoken 24/7 throughout the city and is most visible in Times Square. No matter where you look, you'll see digital billboards, jumbotrons and interactive kiosks. Locals and tourists alike get caught up in the storytelling going on along the "crossroads of the world" not to mention on 42nd Street where state-of-art theaters, high-rise media headquarters and culinary stops (don't miss Cold Stone Creamery) vie for their attention. Major brands know how to keep extending their products and attracting new consumers. Take a peek into Louis Vuitton on Fifth Avenue or the Prada boutique in SoHo. ESPN Zone and The NBA Store created engaging and ultimate environments for those with a penchant for sports. The idea is to create theater or provide an interactive environment that's fun for everyone but also moves product out the door. Hershey has a flagship store in Times Square. So does Toys "R" Us—children can ride a Ferris wheel inside or watch an employee perform magic tricks. Beauty brands have gotten in on the act, too—check out the Wella Studio at Rockefeller Center. But what does it take to offer a bit of theater? It takes unsuspecting design from a visionary mind, interactivity for in-store to online engagement, customization for one-of-a-kind product ideas and historical icons that can be remade into modern day collectibles. A few attractions worth visiting:
M&M World at Times Square: First, you're bombarded by the M&M colors and logos. Multiple levels and 25,000 square feet of fun include an endless array of colors, initial candies and cute collectibles. M&M showcases its American heritage with a timeline on the first floor, while M&M characters are turned into Big Apple landmarks and ambassadors.
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The HBO Shop on Sixth Avenue at 42nd Street: The premium programmer of cable TV opened its first retail shop to showcase goodies from some of its biggest hits, including The Sopranos and Entourage. There are books, CDs and DVDs for every taste. And one can always pick up a few fashionista must-haves from Sex and the City, too.
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Coming this year: The National Hockey League and Reebok are joining forces to open the NHL Shop on Sixth Avenue. Uniforms, sportswear, logowear and accessories will be showcased in a multi-sensory experience set in more than 6,000 square feet of space.