THE APPROACH OF FALL AND PARTY SEASON CALLS FOR NEW STYLES TO MEET A NEW NORMAL

BY KIMBERLY GAMBALE, HEAD OF SALES

We’re in the midst of a busy fall at Diane & Company, founded and run by my mother Diane along with my sister Christina and me. Formal special occasion finery is still in demand. Trends always evolve and people are eager to adapt to find new ways to mark milestone celebrations.

Obviously this is not a regular season for us; the beauty pageants we dress clients for are on hold. Weddings are being scheduled into October because people want to have their weddings outdoors. Older brides and grooms don’t want to wait another year, and the events are much smaller in terms of guest lists and scale.

Fall and winter are traditionally a time for galas and charity balls. Some are being hosted in imaginative venues like barns. Our buying has also adapted, and we are doing more with rustic chic looks. Mothers of the bride normally go for floor-length gowns but are now looking for dresses that stop at the ankle, are more lightweight, and not as heavily stoned.

Since Governor Murphy began allowing limited indoor dining Labor Day weekend, we’re hopeful that will lead to the opening of catering halls. As we look to an uncertain holiday season, many overseas manufacturers are offering a reduced inventory. Therefore, we are doing more business with American manufacturers producing dresses made here. Timelines are better, and that’s better for our customers.

Reporting for L’Officiel USA on Fall Fashion Week in New York, London, and Paris, Ryan Norville noted that designers showed “a seemingly unprecedented amount of evening wear in their ready to wear collections, but the real bravery seemed to be in the colors and silhouettes chosen.” Voluminous skirts filled the runways, along with formal gloves (some opera length), capes, and an overall trend toward maximalism.

We are particularly seeing feathers make a huge comeback on full skirts, sleeves, and accent pieces. Beyond the standard gray, white, or black, feathers are appearing more frequently in colorful tones of magenta and hunter green. Feathers can also be used as accents, and faux feather shawls are a great choice to complete an ensemble. It’s a nice way to spruce up a look at a less expensive price point. Ruffles and ball gowns are a strong and popular choice, especially for mothers of the bride.

DIANE & CO.
3440 U.S. 9 / Freehold / 732.625.8001
dianeandcoonline.com