No Junk in This Trunk

Missed Fall Fashion Week in the spring? Couldn’t make it to Paris to check out the prêt-à-porter because you were studying for the bar exam? Lose your runway-side seat in the big tent when you went to put money in your meter? No worries. Somewhere in Baltimore this season, there’s a hot collection showing… at your convenience.

Trunk shows, held either in a fashion consultant’s home or a hotel, provide private viewings of high-end collections over two-week periods, once a season. Personal reps keep updated files on each customer with information about preferences (“hates pink”) and special requests (“allergic to wool”). Before taking your order, your rep works with you to ensure you get the perfect size and color for you, not the masses.

The advantage of a trunk show is the opportunity to view the entire collection, not just what a buyer thinks you should be wearing. How big of an advantage? All the collections we chose have at least 300 pieces, including high-quality, uniquely-styled jackets, skirts, blouses, slacks, jeans and accessories.

Juliana wool felt jacket, pinstripe pants and silk sash - Lindy.

Here’s a short list of our picks with the Baltimore reps. For a preview of the collections and to make your own short list, check out each line’s website.

Carlisle
http://www.carlislecollection.com
Style: Classic, elegant style; professional, casual and evening lines; new Per Se line offers modern, edgier styles.
Pick: Embroidered velvet shawl with fur collar: $325
Who to call in Baltimore: Coleman Hooper, 410.363.3543

Doncaster
http://www.doncaster.com
Style: Traditional mix-n-match line with modern updates like jeans in many colors; petites and larger sizes.
Pick: Cocktail suit: $300-$500
Who to call in Baltimore: Stephanie Rich, 410.323.0761

Et Cetera
http://www.etcetera.com
Style: Clean, direct, younger, comfortable; “carpool-to-cocktails” with a quick change of accessories.
Pick: Italian cashmere floral topper with detachable Persian lamb collar, $525
Who to call in Baltimore: Nancy Spadaro-Weintraub, 410.583.0004

Worth
http://www.worthny.com
Style: All styles, shapes and coordinating accessories are designed to interplay with one another through fabric, color, texture and pattern; Worthwear line is a bit more modern with brilliant colors and bolder styles; regular and petites.
Pick: Grey wool and lycra blend skinny pants, $350
Who to call in Baltimore: Linda Eisenbrandt, 410.296.3230

Juliana Collezione
http://www.julianaonline.com
Style: Stylish European look with American cut (sizes 0-16).
Pick: Three-button jacket with stand-up collar (shown): $595
Who to call in Baltimore: Lindy Reef at Lindy, LLC, 410.415.0101