letter from the editor: october '04.

Flash in the Pan

When I packed my bags for the Milan and Paris fashion shows, I carefully folded tissue paper around a new cardigan with thick bands of jewel applique at the neck, added a jacket edged in rhinestones, and tucked two colorful new brooches in a side pocket. No more dreary minimalism for me. I was going to do the shows in full Swarovski-crystal splendor, a name so omnipresent that I can now spell it. I took my place in the front row of the Armani show next to another editor in a similar jeweled V-neck. Beside her was a woman wearing the same jewels on a belt. I counted 12 brooches before I decided mine would never see the light of day. Those of us in the business of fashion drink up trends as if they're vitamin-packed, vodka-spiked Red Bull. A good fashion show is energizing; it can bring tears to the eyes of the unsentimental and render the smile-challenged almost giddy. This is exactly what happened during the shows when they were presented last March. All those curvy tweed skirts and crystal- covered tops were hailed as wonderfully ladylike, delightfully embellished, fabulously rich and luxe (fashion-speak for luxurious). Stores couldn't keep the brooches in stock. It was madness. Through no fault of the clothes themselves, ubiquity nearly killed the trend -- at least ...