Teen Vogue

Teen VogueTeen Vogue

JET-SET / Colombia / July 2009 / No. 169

Mercedes Salazar - jewelry designer

Desde niña el tema de la moda ha sido de su interés, pero siempre con versatilidad, nada común  y corriente. De hecho de los 17  a los 22 años se vistió con la ropa que su mamá tenia guardada en el clóset, típica de los años 50, 60  y 70. Más adelante, ya con ese antecedente  como parametro, la joyera definió su propia imagen como se le conoce hoy, fresca, divertida, auténtica, muy Mercedes Salazar.

Cuenta  con la sensibilidad y el talento de combinar adecuadamente colores y texturas, y con el caracter que le permite arriesgar sin miedo alguno. El único que puede opinar acerca de cómo se ve es Diego Martinez, su marido y mejor asesor de imagen.  Los demás aprendieron a admirarla con todo y sus botas de charol y suela blanca, sus chaquetas de estilo militar, su tacones de mas de “10 centimetros de autoestima”, sus tonos rosados, naranjas y fucsias, y todo lo que consigue en almacenes o en mercados de las pulgas del mundo, a donde suele ir a escarbar para soñar que nació en otra época  y pasarla bien.

Little Burgundy

With their headquarters in Bogotá, Colombia, the Mercedes Salazar Jewerly company has been keeping ancestral artisan techniques alive since 2001. Mercedes Salazar finds inspiration within herself and her culture, reflecting her dreams of a new columbia.

WWD MONDAY / USA / January 2009

SOME GOOD SIGNS AT FIRST 09 SHOWS

WWD MONDAY

“Pleasantly surprised” was the catchphrase repeated by exhibitors showing at Accessorie Circuit and AccessoriestheShow, which took place over three days last week at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York.

While the shows appeared sleepy –having been places directly after the New Year –vendors were pleased by the amount of business they were writing, and that while the number of buyers were few, those who came were placing orders. “Surprisingly it’s been a great show, we re seeing a lot of new people, and they’re buying,” said Roxanne Assoulin, creative director at Lee Angel. “We´re seeing our regular big costumers and meeting a lot of new ones. Stores aren’t buying from as many vendors, so you want to be one of those vendors.” While the mood was better than expected, the rawness left by 2008 was still in the air. Assoulin reworked her spring collection just weeks befores the show to keep prices in check so as to be “in sync” with her buyers. “It´s about responsibility,” she said. “It´s not just about us trying to make a living and not caring about our stores. We have to keep the wheels turning because the economy aggects all of us.” Renée River, a San Francisco-based hair accesories designer, said she was expecting a completely different attitude from the shows, but instead everyone seemed happy to be there. “No one is walking around lamenting, no one is bringing it all up, we´re moving forward,” Rivera said. “I think people are ready to move on, and I think that´s why buyers want fun, colorful accessories. My stores are leaning toward my brights rather than basics. Everyone is ready for color.”

The San Diego- based Gustto handbag brand showed clutches and totes in an array of hues for spring, including fuchsia, mustard yellow, orange and green. “Even though we are experiencing a difficult moment and traffic was definitely diminished, the reaction to our collection was quite positive and clients informed us that first spring deliveries of our Fabulous Classics collection are selling well,” said designer Agathe Planchon Gustto. Sheila Dardashti, co-owner and co-designer of Treesje handbags, had a similar experience. “Given the current state of the economy and the retail industry, and the fact that buyer attendance was significantly down, the show definitely went better than expected,” Dardashti said. “It was great to see all of our costumers returning and buying.” Jeanine Fromm, owner of Fromm´s in Lee, Mass., said she was focused on finding colorful bags at modest prices. “I am feeling good about 2009, but I am also playing it safe,” Fromm said. “I think the new government will have good plans on how to fix the economy, and we´re all going to start looking up in the coming months.” At Sondra Roberts, owner Robert Camache reported having a strong show, citing colorful clutches at $12 wholesale as a draw of buyers. “Ninety-nine percent of the pople coming here are placing orders,” Camache said. “I was very nervous coming to this show, but we are price point conscious and stores react well to that right now. They want fun pick me up in bright colors. It really changes the mood.” Ann Watson, vice president and fashion director at Henri Bendel, also pointed to color as a key trend for spring, as well as fringe and Native American inspired jewelry. “When you can translate this Navajo theme into jewelry, it makes the look fun and playful,” said Watson, who also noted fringe bags were going to be a hot pick for spring. Brands that opted for fringe included Linea Pelle and Susan Farber.

Mercedes Salazar, an accessories designer from Bogotá, Colombia, showed tribal-inspired cuffs and necklaces.

Marie Claire / USA

Pina Delpercio Accessories Editor, Mercedes Salazar beaded multistrand necklace “I´m really into pieces with an ethnic feel, I love the mix of colors and materials.”