FASHION AND FRIVOLITY MAKE THE MAGIC SHOW A SUCCESS

Bright Colored Tuxedos - Brett Kane Director of Sales

The stock market is up and twitter is abuzz with tidbits of life beyond our small sphere. But at the Las Vegas Convention Center last week fashion outweighed the nitty gritty of healthcare and global warming.

Perhaps that is why there was plenty of glitter and glitz, bright colors and novelty trims. The Magic Show always promises a plethora of goods that distinguish themselves from the previous year. And that’s what we got.

There were colorful top hats with matching tuxedos and shoes from a company called Bright Colored Tuxedos, novelty T-shirts that read: “I still live with my mother” (by Local Celebrity) and satin jacquard formal wear with matching hat, vest, shirt and tie from Angelino.

We found a wonderful design group called Accessorized (out of Germany) that has coordinated apparel and accessories. The brand name is GISS and their message is hip chic capsules of fashion goods. The visuals were mesmerizing and the colors were show stoppers. The owner, Frank Bechstein is looking for a US representative with retail contacts.

The GISS brand is 20 years old and makes shoes, hats, bathing suits, skirts, beaded bags and apparel. What is exciting are their prints, colors, fashion ideal and flavorful sophistication.

If you are interested in either buying the line (for your stores) or representing them in the US, contact Frank at 86-20-81035331 or frankbechstein@hotmail.de/

Paramount Apparel has a new hat collection from Robert Graham that is sensational. The silk foulard fedoras and caps were brilliant with crest embroidered patches and colorful mixing of prints and fabric. The line is better priced but worth it. Contact Jim Henke if you are a major store account (jimhenke@aol.com). Journalists – go at your own risk.

We were also impressed with a company called Red Monkey™. This maker of hats and accessories tries to keep a low profile to avoid becoming a household name. Their celebrity clientele (Brad Pitt and other high fliers) wears their wide banded leather watches. The logical question (that I asked) is that if they want to be so low key, why come to the Project Show in Las Vegas? There was a silence – and then a nod. Its fashion – and fashion often comes with the same enigma as politics - Don’t ask, don’t tell.

The Bechstein’s of Giss at Magic Show

SUN HATS BY Yen Duong

Juniper Lindquist Five And Diamond