TOUCH OF GLITTER
Eva Friede
Canada.com
Dec 23 2008
Canada
In tough times, some will party like it’s 1929 to ring in the new
year. Others will practise restraint
There are two ways to approach ringing in the new year amid a mood
of doom, gloom and economic uncertainty.
One school will exercise restraint and denial; the other plans to
bring on the bubbly and party like it’s 1929.
And then there’s the middle ground of small indulgences: a bold new
lipstick or string of pearls (faux or real), trading down from designer
to affordable little frocks, and going for that touch of sparkle.
"The situation is a little sombre, but people still want to sparkle,"
said Anne Marineau, marketing director of Tristan, the Montreal-based
retail chain. "If anything, in times like this, they want a little
oomph," she continued, noting that red dresses and sequins sold well
and quickly.
Of course, whether you opt for a quiet night in with friends and family
or hoopla and champagne at a festive ball is dependent not only on
the tenor of the times but on your personality, lifestyle and age,
as well. Fashion follows suit.
Snowboarding in the country, but she believes this will be a big
party year.
"Because of the recession, people are going to be partying," she said,
contending that’s a way to counterbalance the bad news.
Brodeur, 28, said she’s picturing silver dresses, silver sequins and
plenty of glam for New Year’s Eve.
Glamour is certainly on Arminee Oulikian’s agenda as she heads to a
major Armenian reception with friends and family.
A makeup artist at Murale, Oulikian, 30, is "absolutely" getting
dressed up, in a charcoal dress with pinpoints of purple sparkle and
very high purple heels.
"It’s very glamorous – like an Italian wedding," Oulikian said of
the party, adding the recession isn’t worrying her.
Still, there’s no denying we’ve entered an age of austerity. Retailers
admit to dismal sales in the normally ebullient pre-Christmas period –
thus there are early and fabulous markdowns – and even professionally
upbeat marketing executives acknowledge limits.
"Nobody wants to look outright ostentatious," said Anny Kazanjian,
a public relations VP at Birks & Mayors.
On the bright side, she said, that puts more of a focus on jewellery
and accessories. "People are still gravitating toward pearls,"
she noted.
Kazanjian, formerly at Chanel, will have a house party to celebrate
the new year. "I have a little black dress," she said. "An oldie
but goodie."
Women still want dresses, said Brigitte Chartrand, owner of Old
Montreal’s Boutique Reborn. And accessories, especially jewellery,
are big, she added.
"People do try to stand out a lot for New Year’s. That’s still
happening."
She prefers a quiet celebration, at a restaurant or at a house
party. And she will likely wear a black dress, not because it’s safe
but because that’s her colour of choice, personally and for the store.
Makeup is another small indulgence for festivities.
Rita Assouline, owner-operator of the new Murale beauty store in
Place Ville
Marie, has tips on the trends for holiday and the new year:
For the eyes: false eyelashes, bold eyeliner and light shadow.
Dark lipstick from purple to berry and brown. Nail lacquer to match.
Pale skin with a matte finish and perhaps a pop of colour on the
cheeks.
Messed-up hair.
There’s one event where what you wear hardly matters – as long as
you’re all bundled up. Montreal’s annual grand ball to ring in the
new year takes place at Place Jacques Cartier, starting at 9:30
p.m. It’s free, with entertainment by BardeFou and 4 play, and with
35,000 people expected, the feeling should be all warm and fuzzy.