Vera happy to go shopping at Kohl’s
Detroit Free Press, United States
I’m going to Kohl’s today and here’s why:
Designer Vera Wang’s new and modestly priced line — clothing, accessories, lingerie, jewelry, linens and towels and rugs for the bath — debuts there today, and it looks absolutely fabulous!
I know, it’s an odd pairing: Kohl’s and Vera Wang, the big-time designer behind Simply Vera.
Wang is probably best known for her delicious and often hugely expensive bridal gowns — Jennifer Lopez wore one when she married Marc Anthony. Wang does Oscar gowns, too, including the plum-colored mermaid number actress Keira Knightley wore last year. Kohl’s is a value-oriented mass retailer with price scanners, shopping carts and great deals on gym shoes and picture frames.
Adding Wang’s Simply Vera collection is a stunning example of the democratization of fashion — opening up perceived luxury to women of more modest means.
Or maybe it’s the beginning of the end for Wang’s prestigious name.
In a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal, Wang said she was nervous about the pairing: “Of course it is nerve-racking. I have never gone this path, so it is a big job for me. I don’t consider it a jump down, I consider it a jump across to a much bigger world.”
In theory, it’s a win-win: Wang gets a brand new customer base, and Kohl’s gives shoppers the opportunity to buy something most can’t easily afford elsewhere.
The Simply Vera clothing (sizes 4-16 and S-XL) is fashionable — lots of layering pieces including leggings, metallics, bubble skirts, swingy coats — and big city without being impractical or intimidating.
Among the offerings: a very current, sophisticated short-sleeved coat for $128; leather ankle boots for about $90; five-pocket jeans for $50; panties for $14.
Especially darling: patent frame handbags for $69.99.
Some of the bedding looks absolutely spa-like. Sheets sets — 300-thread-count Egyptian cotton — start at $119.
The most expensive piece in the Simply Vera line is an $850 bracelet that’s 18-karat gold over sterling silver. To be honest, Kohl’s isn’t the first place I’d look if I had hundreds of dollars to spend on jewelry.
Still, shopping is all about options, and Simply Vera at Kohl’s is one I’m happy to have.
Goodwill saving at Parisian
This is one of the best deals around, because if you participate, you’ll be helping a person in need — and getting coupons for 20% off most merchandise, including makeup and fragrances, which are often excluded from department store promotions.
It’s part of Parisian’s Goodwill Sale.
For every piece of clean, gently used clothing you bring to Parisian from Wednesday through Sept. 24, you’ll receive a coupon good for 20% off any apparel item, accessory, cosmetic or fragrance. Or you can get 15% off a home store or luggage item; or 10% off electric, health and wellness, furniture, mattress, area rug or furniture accessory item. Incredible Values and Yellow Dot and Fine Jewelry Special Event Merchandise are excluded.
Donations will support local Goodwill Industries job training and career services to help people find employment.
Tuesday’s, B&BW, Nordstrom
Mark your calendars, shoppers!
• Tuesday Morning will open its sixth metro Detroit store at 8 a.m. Tuesday. Tuesday Morning stocks higher-end closeouts at remarkable prices. New merchandise arrives all the time, but the best sales usually take place the first Tuesday of every month. The new store is at Shelby Corners shopping plaza, 13455 Hall Road, Utica. Info: www.tuesdaymorning.com/.
• To show off its new flagship store at Lakeside Mall, Bath & Body Works is hosting a breakfast and beauty event, Beauty Cravings, from 9-11 a.m. Saturday. You’ll get a free breakfast, product samples and a chance to be pampered. The newly expanded store has 4,500 square feet, up from 2,800. It’s near the Macy’s Men’s and Home store. To attend the beauty event, you must make a reservation: 586-566-8153.
• In honor of the opening of its new store at Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi, Nordstrom is having an opening day tailgate party! Show up outside the store’s first floor mall entrance at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 28 and you’ll get to meet with beauty experts who’ll tell you about trends, and provide free makeup consultations, demonstrations and samples, while supplies last. The store will open to the public for the first time at 10 a.m. Twelve Oaks is at I-96 and Novi Road. Info: 800-916-6110
Contact GEORGEA KOVANIS at 313-222-6842 or gkovanis@freepress.com.
