In January I shared colors for the Spring Summer season and told you about some of the trends that you will be seeing.

I decided it is time to start checking out the retailers. I always enjoy a spin through Bloomingdale’s when a season is just getting underway.

I found two labels that were new to me. The first one I found in the handbag department. It is Cult Gaia. From what I’ve read, it is a New York based “free style brand”. The brand is known for unique, artistic clothing and accessories, particularly its iconic sculptured bags. Their Flagship store is at 60 Wooster St in NYC. There are also stores in the US in LA, Las Vegas, Miami, Dallas, West Hollywood, and East Hampton. And also, at select retailers. I look forward to seeing more of these bags!

The second new discovery for me was the label Essentiel Antwerp. In 1999 the company was founded by Esfan Eghtessadi and Inge Onsea. It is an Antwerp based brand. They took a chance in 1999 and launched a T-shirt collection- 4 styles, 20 colors. A year later they opened their first store in Antwerp. After that knitwear, jackets, dresses, shirts and trousers in trendy colors, and new materials were added. They also added a range of accessories. It is now a global brand and has a store on Wooster St in NYC and is in trendy upscale retailers. Since 1999 they have been “going off-piste” which is defined as unconventional, risky, of outside normal boundaries. The term “Off-Piste” is borrowed from the literal meaning of skiing on ungroomed, unmarked snow…in other words going off the grid!! Cinq A Sept has some great looks out for spring. Lots of embellishments, a fringed shirt, and a pretty floral dress with a lace under skirt. Lots of florals out as well as stripes, plaids, dots and feminine lacey styles. Denim, as always, is in the mix.

All in all, I thought Bloomingdale’s looked good and was a very inviting introduction to the spring season. Check out the stores and stress less about all the snow!!