Page-46-The Canadian Jewish News, Thursday, September 14, 1989
Fashion
Palmer's accessory line wins award
■ I
By
STEPHANIE CHAPMAN
Karen Palmer forjCha-meleon won first place for her designs in the Mode Accessories show that was held at Exhibition Place.
"The fall line tends to follow the earth tones, they are the fall foliage colors — nutty browns, russets, berry olive and moss. These are spiced with the regal purples and teal blue shades, the pumpkin and nutmeg colors,— Palmer said in an interview. ■
One grouping that works well is Palmer's turn-of-the-cehtury line. In this grouping one can find necklaces and bracelets designed with Byzantine
crosses. ; Another popular theme
concentrates on the English Lord appearence. Featuring items lil(e huge stickpins and dangly crest-shaped broaches, the pieces are decorated with pearls, colorful glass beads and rhinestones.
For detail, Palmer has a mosaic of finishes and textures. The jewelry features the matte gold finish that blends with the brown and rhustard hues of all.
Another detail that makes Chameleon designs so popular are such fea-lures as the surface texture in belts..Some of the best sellers employ basket weave and Woven and harlequin-diamond imprints. New treatments include nubuek with its flat sueded finish, big king croc with semi-matte finish, a frog leather and softer, stretchier belts can be
found in an innovative mohair stretch.
Shape is important, too. For buckles and hardware, soft, circular^ ~6rgahic shapes, with smooth turned edges emphasize the season's softer-yet-bolder approach to accessories.
3elte make ;ine softer
■ The belts themselves are shaped to fall lower on the body and offer a softer silhouette that com-
plements the relaxed dressed-down fashions of the season.
"Today, women want options. But, true accessories have to work well with the ready-to-wear market. Some designers look at a pin as a piece of art and that will look fine with a plain, black dress, however, if it doesn*t fit in with the ready-to-wear, it won't 5iell." „
Chameleon, owned by Palmer and her husband Marty Baechler has been operating as a successful business for the past five years;
"Accessories really are the chameleon of the fashion industry. It is the best vehicle with which to change or update the look of an outfit, ft c^n take on a new mood altogethei.^=::_ a new character."
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The response to the first few pieces was overwhelming' Today, the company has grown from a small accessory line to a full-fledged business that supplies 150 new jewelry designs each season.
The expansion is continuous. Not only does Chameleon sell Canadian designed and niariufac-tured jeweU7 and belts, but the first handbag is now in the works.
"I'd have to say that the jewelry is my first love, but I am anxious to do handbags. 1 don't know how I will design all three lihes on time!
"There is a lot of stress but it's like everything else — you make your choices. There are many sacrifices when you have your own company. You have to want it very badly and you .have to be able say what you are prepared to give up."
Palmer explained that the accessory business is much more sophisticated today than it was when she and her husband first entered the market.
"Back then, we started with beads and chains — mainly necklaces. The people who didn't keep up when the interest turned to metal and earrings were weeded out.
"The expectations of tcP day's marketplace are a credit to the consumer be-
Karen Palmer accessories offer a multitude of looks for altering ensembles. :
cause it was mainly due to their demands that made
the business what it is today," Palmer said.
"Everything is definitely tied with the economy. 1 know it's going to be a good season if the necklaces sell well, and right now, we are in an accessories boom.
"Peopiearen't willing to risk $400 oa a new outfit for one season, but they will risk $40 on a new belt. If you have in outfit from
last year, a new belt can supply the 89 stamp the garment needs."
Palmer explained that a woman will know if she is wearing too many accessories with an outfit based on her personal confort level.
"If you are-wearing too much, you won't be able to carry it offf Wear what you want and wear it with confidence."
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