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I used to never wear black. I loved crazy colors, stripes, patterns, zig-zags, polka dots, heck, I even wore a lime green Nehru jacket (oh yeah, I had the medallions on too).

But then I met the BUB and black became my new favorite color. It goes with everything. However when it comes to shirts, that’s another story; I still love color.

Fashion has always been about color; the perfect way to get women to buy more clothes, handbags, cosmetics and shoes.

In a recent article in WWD, spring colors are the topic of mind right now. You will see these colors in almost everything next spring. Perhaps they will inspire you to think of color in a new way.

Following is the article from the Tuesday, September 7 issue. Enjoy!

Escapism, a theme that first cropped up in Pantone’s most popular color schemes last year, is still going strong for spring. To try to help consumers forget their cares, designers tapped into hues often seen in Africa, India, Peru and Turkey. Honeysuckle topped the charts for the season’s leading color for women, followed by Regatta, Coral Rose and Beeswax. Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, said, “This time, everything is a little more exotic. It really has to do with everything that is happening in the world. There is still a lot of concern about the economy and life in general. It is very natural that designers would have those things in their thought process as they choose their colors.”

• 1 HONEYSUCKLE PANTONE 18-2120

  Percentage of designers who used this color: 15.56 percent

  “People are looking for something that gives them a lift. Everyone has been feeling a bit lethargic from the economy, the mood or whatever this is. Honeysuckle is a feel-good color,” Eiseman said. “It’s flirtatious and has more of a playful attitude.”

• 2 REGATTA PANTONE 18-4039

  Percentage of designers who used this color: 14.81 percent

  Blues have been gaining momentum with the fashion flock. As a cooling tone, regatta has a calming appeal. “And I mean, who doesn’t like blue?” Eiseman asked, as proven by its number-two ranking for women and number one for men.

• 3 CORAL ROSE PANTONE 16-1349

  Percentage of designers who used this color: 14.07 percent

  “This fits right into the whole idea of exotic colors because oranges have been around for several seasons. Coral rose is very springlike,” Eiseman said. “It is a bright and eye-opening orange.”

• 4 BEESWAX PANTONE 14-0941

  Percentage of designers who used this color: 13.33 percent

  Yellows have been gaining ground in recent seasons and the popularity of beeswax is an extension of that. Eiseman said, “Beeswax makes you think of honey — it is not acidic,” Eiseman said. It is also a reminder of far-off lands, she said.

• 5 PEAPOD PANTONE 14-6324

  Percentage of designers who used this color: 10.37 percent

  Many people have learned that green works well as a neutral and are more inclined to wear it on a more regular basis. “Green plays to two things — new beginnings and a sign of spring,” Eiseman said.

• 6 BLUE CURACAO PANTONE 15-4825

  Percentage of designers who used this color: 8.15 percent

  Carmen Marc Valvo and Nary Manivong are fans of this one. Blue Curacao’s strong showing taps into the interest in turquoise, which was Pantone’s 2010 color of the year. “It really is an interesting color. It is a next-door neighbor to turquoise,” Eiseman said. “Blue Curacao is a color people respond well to.”

• 7 RUSSET PANTONE 18-1235

  Percentage of designers who used this color: 7.41 percent

  Russet, like silver peony, has a slightly peachy tone. Both shades represent a wide range of nude tones. Eiseman said, “Designers have to bear in mind how there are a lot of different skin tones in this country. This is a wonderful opportunity to get two colors that really speak to that.”

• 8 SILVER PEONY PANTONE 12-1206

  Percentage of designers who used this color: 6.67 percent

  Ethereal and peachy, silver peony appeals to many women. “Silver peony really has a romantic attachment to it,” Eiseman said.

• 9 LAVENDER PANTONE 15-3817

  Percentage of designers who used this color: 5.19 percent

  The purple family has come on strong in the past few years. “Purple is the most creative color,” Eiseman said. “Lavender is very popular with people in fashion. It comes from a marriage of blue and red, which are absolute opposites. Artistic and creative people get that.”

• 10 SILVER CLOUD PANTONE 15-4502

  Percentage of designers who used this color: 4.44 percent

  Ports 1961 and Ella Moss are a few that looked skyward. “Silver cloud is a quintessential classic neutral that is practical, dependable and can always be used as a background color,” she said. “Designers understand if consumers are going to buy a bigger-ticket item, all of these things help sell it.”

Happy Tuesday!

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The results are in and the this years three finalists for the prestigious Tiffany Hairdresser of the Year are:

Nicole Jackson, Salon Lux, Shelby Township, MI

This is Salon Lux’s first finalist in the competition and Nicole’s first try entering. “I am stunned and excited at the same time,” Nicole gushed when told she was a finalist.

Anna LaTorre, Pigalle Salon & Med Spa, Beverly Hills, MI

Pigalle Salon & Med Spa is no stranger to this competition. Irina Miasnikova, owner, won last year. Anna was part of Irina’s entourage so she has find hand experience. “It would be so much fun to win this especially after Irina winning it last year,” Anna excitingly commented after being told the news.



Colleen Dwyer, 6 Salon, Birmingham, MI

Like Pigalle, 6 Salon is no stranger to Tiffany. They have not only won Hairdresser of the Year, but many other coveted awards. “I’m so excited for Colleen and the salon,” proudly stated George Nikollaj (owner along with brothers Tomy and Johnny). “This is amazing news and I look forward to sharing with our team,” added George.

The field will be perhaps the most competitive in its 8th year. The competition takes place October 3 at Andiamo’s original location  in Warren. Please visit thetiffanyawards.com for more information and tickets.

Good luck to the finalists!

Happy Monday!

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Every so often, there is a new product, a new technology, a new trend, a new artist that overnight changes everything the way we thought the world to be.

Witness the PC introduced by IBM in 1985. Or the Beatles a generation earlier. Starbucks changed the way we drink coffee. And Apple? They are the ultimate game changer.

In the salon industry, L’Oreal changed everything with the introduction of hair color way back in 1907. Before that women used henna and other natural “remedies.” Can you imagine a world without hair color?

Arnie Miller and Paul Mitchell among others were game changers; they took barber shop and beauty parlors and turned them into salons. ISO perms were game changers. And most recently, Moroccanoil is on everyone’s A list.

However, when you combine science, technology and artistry into one product and it actually works, that is a real game changer. Kemon’s NA.YO is the product that will change the way salons do hair color for the next generation. It’s that good.

Kemon introduced the first ammonia-free, PPD-free hair color, YO, a few years ago. It lifts two levels, yogurt based and smells yummy. It’s one of their top sellers. NA.YO is Kemon’s next generation product directly from their R&D labs: Ammonia-free, PPD-free, fragrance-free and lifts up to five levels. But what is truly remarkable about the product is not the tube but the developer.

The developer is actually a gel cream that is premeasured into packets. Use 1, 2 or 3 packets depending on the results you want to achieve. No measuring, no waste, no guessing. The gel cream mixes with the NA.YO colorant to product the most amazing creamy formula that glides on the hair.

Ultimately, the results are the most important. Shine, gray coverage, lasting coverage and hair that bounces as its color-free are just a few of the accolades NA.YO is already known for in Italy.

Carlo Bay (pronounced buy), perhaps Italy’s most famous hairdresser and salon owner will make his USA debut October 3-4 to not only be a guest artist and judge at Tiffany featuring DREAMS, but to launch NA.YO at our Academy. Bay owns/franchises over 80 salons in Italy and uses Kemon color and NA.YO exclusively.

Game changers like this come once in a blue moon. We are very fortunate to be part of this one.

Happy Wednesday!

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Unbelievable. Incredible. Are you kidding me? It can’t be.

Yes, Labor Day weekend is upon us and you know what that means. Oh, I know what you are thinking: All the food and drink you will be consuming over the next 3 days. Oh yes, I will be consuming my fair share. More about that in a second.

The end of Labor Day weekend not only signifies the onset of Fall, but the rapid decline of the rest of the year. I don’t think there is a faster time period period September to Christmas. Already I have seen the Halloween stores putting up their signs and stocking the stores. Trick or treat.

But I’m going to do my best to take advantage of these upcoming days. My oldest son Michael and daughter-in-law Jen are coming in from Chicago and my youngest son Mark will be celebrating his exodus from Dominica. What this really means for me is that I have to go booze shopping.

I remember my 20’s and I did my share of partying. But it seems this generation of 20’s consume far more alcohol and stays up later at night (or into the morning). I’m not sure why but what I do know is that when I go to sleep, the 20’s are just starting (yes, I’m old and proud of it).

Now back to the Personal Luxury Market. With all that being said, I can say I will be proof positive this weekend that this list is spot on.

Top Winners             % Chg 2009-2008

Rum                          226%

Cognac                     220%

Bourbon                    156%

Whiskey                    155%

Scotch                       125%

Champagne              98%

Vodka                       81%

Cosmetics                 63%

Slowest Growth

Handbags                  8%

Jewelry                      6%

Dresses                    -2%

Bath and Body Lotions –7%

I find it fascinating the alcohol led the way by such a wide margin. And my earlier blog that women would rather buy an iPhone than a handbag is true. Now about those bath and body lotions. . . .Please Unity Marketing, tell us it’s not true.

Happy Friday and Happy Labor Day Weekend!

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It’s official: TNG Worldwide is opening up its third distribution center in Coppell, TX, a Dallas suburb.

Gaye Wanner, VP of Logistics, has visited the site and is excited as punch. “It’s perfect for us. The space is already built out, they are adding a couple extra offices and it is located in a great area.”

Opening date is set for November 1. When Ted Eisenhut, VP of Purchasing, was asked if his team was ready for Texas he quipped. “This team is used to ordering for four DC’s so this shouldn’t be an issue. They are ready to provide the same stock levels in Dallas as LA and Detroit.”

Texas boasts four of the top 10 cities in the USA and is the only state to add population growth. The key markets are Houston, Dallas, Ft. Worth, Austin and San Antonio. Initially, the DC will ship inclusively throughout the state. “As we get inventory and movement under control, we will add a couple more states,” added Wanner.

The Texas DC will stock all thebeautybook products with the exception of Hospitality and furniture. This will help transition the opening.

Shawn Peralta, CFO, added “This will add tremendous growth to TNG and gives our growing customer base in Texas next day service. We are very excited for our customers.”

TNG  will operate the largest distribution center in Texas and offer beauty professionals the largest selection and quantity of products. Both its competitors operate franchise locations and ship from their store locations.

This is going to be fun.

Happy Thursday!

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The devil is having a field day and it appears he will continue to do for quite some time. Bad economy, unemployment, stress, fear and tension all play to the devil’s strengths.

What is amazing is how many people are sleeping with the devil. And reasons are broad based.

Celebrities and drugs

Fame and fortune, who would think the devil would be involved in their lives? But witness the likes of Lohan and drugs are the devil. Experiment with drugs once and they can be life addicting. Power, friends, reaching that “next level” and other factors all play a role. Typically the devil wins when drugs are involved.

Alcohol and such

It’s legal, it’s cheap, it does the trick. Advertisements feature fun, sex, sports and adventure. Who wouldn’t want to be in the Rocky Mountains or being pulled by a couple stallions? But go overboard and then mix with sleeping pills and other cocktails, the high ends quickly. I’m shocked that the makers of Smirnoff haven’t come out with Red Hot Devil Vodka.

The grass is always greener on the other side

Divorce rates are zooming after tapering off. No doubt the economy has plenty to do with it but a little excitement on the side has its allure. Tiger Woods proved that point. But once you get past the initial excitement, then what? The Devil smiles as he watches.

The heck with the odds

People have gambled since Adam and Eve (Adam always lost to Eve). It’s one thing to buy a couple Lotto tickets each week. It’s another thing to take your unemployment check to the casino or cash in your retirement fund to buy a couple “hot” stocks. There is a fine line and the devil knows this first hand. Blackjack anyone?

Shoes and handbags

Ouch! This is one category the Devil gets water spilled on him and he is still fuming. He won’t win this no matter how many new pairs of shoes a woman buys.

Slimy salespeople and companies

We know about Bernie Madoff. Daily we read about a scam involving an elderly person losing all their savings. But there are also plenty of slimy salespeople and companies that offer deals that are too good to be true and honest people fall for them. Once you’re stuck with the Devil, there is no way out.

U-M sports

Finally the devil is licking his chops and let’s hope he continues to do so. Rich Rod sort of looks like the devil now that I think about it.

Happy September!