National Post (Canada)
December 27, 2008 Saturday
National Edition

Trend – Will this New Year’s Eve be wilder than usual?

by Eva Freide, Canwest News Service

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. Saskia Brodeur, publishing VP at
Eye Candy magazine, is "running away" to go 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,
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.