For Hop Sing Lover's Only!!!

Hi sweet Hop Singers!! I'm happy to announce that this weekend and this weekend only you are invited to a special birthday celebration! First up is Hop Sing's birthday. It's the third year it has been here in the wonderful Prescott, AZ. I'm so thankful that Hop Sing is here! 

More importantly, it is the most amazing "Hop Singer" ever's birthday. Miss Lauren! My favorite part about going into Hop Sing is seeing Lauren's beautiful face. She is so precious, so helpful and encouraging and so fun to talk to. She runs an amazing store, but more importantly she connects with women and helps them feel beautiful and more confident in who they are in their own skin! 

So come and celebrate with us! 

Saturday from 1-6:30 for cupcakes, bubbly, great music, and of course LOTS of amazing fashion! 

There may even be some prizes and giveaways...

Also, special guest, Isabella from DeLovely Cosmetics will be on-hand with amazing gifts with purchase and exciting goodies to get you Holiday ready and looking gorgeous. 

But what...there's more!

BONUS BONUS BONUS

When you buy 2 items* we'll give you the 3rd item F R E E!! Yep, you read that right. This offer is good ALL WEEKEND LONG! So it's pretty much a Hoppy Birthday to you too :)! 

*Buy 2 get one free offer excludes sale merchandise. 

xo

Emily

Hop Sing is....

Hello Lovelies!!!

I'm fresh off a buying trip...

Newly Inspired, and C R A Z Y excited about Spring/Summer 2012!!! (and the OMG Fall previews are spectacular too!!!)
The designers we know and love have worked feverishly to please...
and in my opinion... Mission Accomplished, once again!!!

So... here is a little inside scoop on what we need... in order to bring you, the most fabulous collections to date!!!

Room to move!!! .... um... No Really!

Over the next month we will be updating our interior ... construction zone alert ...
and ... That means the fabulous fashions on hand have got to move!...
Like...
Move to your house...

So... let me entice you with our best sale E V E R !!!

The more you buy... the better the prices will get!!!
Don't wait... get a jump start and add a few new favorite amazing fashion staples to your wardrobe!!! Don't be one of those girls who see's a fabulous piece on somebody else, only to find out it's sold out... This happens all the time!!!

Can't wait to see you... xoxo Hop Sing!!!
Over the Rainbow Sale Starts Today

New Arrivals 20% up to 30% off.....
Everything else.... 30% up to 70% off..
How long?... "...until we have enough room to work in"
Follow the Rainbow to Hop Sing....
We hope to Inspire your fashion dreams!!!!

Cuz we love you... and the guys need some help!!!

February 12th-14th...(or while supplies last)

There’s always something new in Las Vegas, and the apparel industry is doing its part to make sure that adage holds true for the upcoming apparel market. Next week this time I will be in Fashion-o-rama land! I love it! But just for fun I thought I'd share an insider's perspective... About 3 years ago my daughter wrote the article below for a publication... and it's an interesting read...

(yes... she is a fashion snob, and proud of it)

"So a friend of mine recently asked about my work, and specifically how she could get into it too. At first I thought, oh yeah... it's nice. As much as I complain- it certainly has its perks; Great clothes, cool people, a little travel... But when I really start thinking about it, it's much more than that. Good and bad, it's much more. Women love clothes, and young women especially tend to think of the fashion industry as glamourous, and beautiful and I don't know what... so when I tell people I'm a buyer for women's clothing, the immediate response is usually: "Wow!" "Awesome!" "Lucky..." or "Fun". Oftentimes I wonder what they're imagining my work to be... I try to think about it from an outside perspective and wonder, what would I imagine a "buyer" does all day? I can't. I've been up to my eyeballs in this business since I was 14 years old, working as a gopher and retail slave -girl for two years before wriggling my way into "Buyer's Assistant" at 16 (which, cool job title aside, was exactly the same job). It's impossible for me, therefore, to have any remotely unbiased views of this life or to relate at all to the countless girls that seek it out. Am I jaded? Not unless I started out that way. My opinions of, and interest in fashion are so deeply ingrained, they're hard-wired. My mother sourced and sold vintage couture. I grew up reading "W", "Vogue", and French "Elle" like they were nursery rhymes. I understood the nuances of "cuts" and "lines" while most girls my age were still dressing their Barbies in poly-blend. This may seem smug, but it's really the opposite of that. I didn't know any better. I had no idea that it was any big deal until I was helping squeeze Salma Hayek into a Norma Kamali boneless corset dress at 15 and said: "Well, it's all in the structure- her couture is influenced by architecture and swimwear of the 1940's, so it's really structured, without being restrictive. Flattering without being overt, you know? She sews you in and holds you there with these incredible dual-purpose fabrics, so you don't need the boning!" Salma looked at me like I was possessed, and then she bought the nearly $4,000 gown. My imminent promotion followed soon after. This was my "Oh, I'm not normal"-moment. The thing is, I knew so much about fashion by the time I went to college, that I couldn't have cared less if I ever went near the industry again. I lusted after the cuts and lines of industrial architectects rather than the cuts and lines of couturiers. Fashion was family, and home, and fall-back, and meh... it wasn't going anywhere. Inevitably I went back to it, simply because it came easily, it was what I knew and I knew it well. I went from gopher, to assistant, to buyer, to store owner and I can tell you- there's not a ton of differences between the four other than money; who's making it, who's spending it, and who's paying it out. Of all those little hats, the one that fit me best was buyer. I make my own hours, I work alone, and the better I buy- the more I earn. The best part is, as I get older, I buy better, I buy smarter and it just gets easier and easier. The worst part is, I'm not challenged, except by my own morals. You see, there is a new breed of consumer- someone who grew up on Claire's, Forever 21, and polyester prom dresses. They want more and more for less and less, and they don't care where it's made or how- so long as it's cheap and trendy. What's more disheartening is the fact that we (in the industry) are kow-towing to this woman. We're supporting disposable trends, and unethical manufacturing simply to meet the demands of debt-ridden consumers whom either don't know any better, or don't care. But it's cute? That dress you're purchasing at a bargain price was made of cheap, synthetic fabric, dyed with hazardous chemicals and some (illegal in this country) pesticides thrown in for good shipment. But it looks okay to you? It was probably sewn in a filthy sweatshop by a worker paid an unfair wage. There is nothing to be proud of in that prom photo, dear. Your dress is shit and it will fall apart on you. In fact, it's likely something will go wrong with it by the end of the night. Got a deal on your bridesmaid's dresses? Bad manufacturing doesn't bode well for the chicken dance, sister. You're better off having just one bridesmaid and buying her a decent ensemble. Better yet, buy vintage. The fabrics and tailoring are incomparable. Try the touch test. Vintage satin vs. today's cheap but oh-so-shiny and wrinkle-free impostor-satin... I mention the satin, in particular because I'm fresh off of buying for prom season and to my shock, I found the most incredible silk satin dresses by Joseph Walker. These feel like the vintage couture I know and love. These are the real deal- or as close to the real deal as you're likely to find for the price. Retailing for around $200 they blow the competition out of the water (*ahem* Jessica McClintock *cough,cough*). Even his palette is inspired and tasteful. There is nothing of the garish brights and neo-neons that pop up in nearly every showroom, nearly every Spring. Particularly, his pinks and greens... A subdued, and slightly greyed pink that just looks grown-up and beautiful and an absolutely sumptuous jade green; something universally flattering but oft overlooked. Furthermore, consumers, you're not actually saving on anything- here's a little fashion industry secret... YOU'RE BEING SWINDLED BY BARGAIN PRICED CRAP! Retailers know what prices you're used to, what prices you're immune to, and what you consider a "deal". The less they pay for the goods, the more they make off of you. Think they're passing savings onto you? Absolutely not. The "savings" are built into their profit margins, not passed on to the consumer. In other words, the less they pay, the more they profit. Is there a trendy little shop in your town that seems to ALWAYS have a sale going on? They actually don't... they're simply buying a dress for $10 pricing it at a 5.0 margin (WELL above industry standards). They then mark the dress at 50% off and you're thinking "Wow, I'm getting such a great deal", when in reality, they're profiting off of your trust and making more than they would on a higher priced, quality garment sold at full MSRP (a 2.3 margin). There is no bargain, my friends. The sale price was a farce and that damn dress will fall apart in a few months. Which just opens up a whole other can of worms... false economy, consumer culture, mass waste, etc. On this topic, the moral is this- hang on to your mother's and your grandmother's clothing; these are the items worth their salt, these are the items worth keeping and handing down to your daughters. Expect to pay more for items made ethically and appreciate quality craftsmanship. Have we forgotten what this is? With Levi's now made of varying materials in varying countries, two identical pairs of style 501 you've worn forever (and in the exact same size) will now vary by up to 3 inches in length and 2.5 inches in the waist. The washes and finishes will have no consistency and the cut and feel will most likely be unrecognizable. Inevitably, potential buyers think that this job is about style, trends, and getting clothing at cost. On style... Of course style is a key factor in maintaining relevance, moving merchandise and longevity in this job. I'm not sure if this factor is innate, it's a bit of an x-factor- but it's also about influence, and inspiration. On trends... This aspect of my job is really the science part of it, and again a bit of x-factor for good measure. Trends are about picking up on little clues and subtle cues in the collective consciousness. They are about understanding the motion and force of fashion from Asia, to Europe to America's East coast, to California, and back to Asia again. It's about the trickle-down effect of Haute couture to Prêt-à-Porter to up-market, to mass production. And once you understand all that, it's about timing. Computer-generated analysis of markets and retail analysts offer some help and take a bit of guesswork out of which departments and categories are moving well, but ultimately it comes down to your innate ability to time a given marketplace. Knowing months in advance what trends will hit at what moment and where. Will your consumers be ready? I can't tell you how many times my own timing has been off. Often as a buyer, having access to upcoming colors, collections, and designs- you're so far ahead of the collective curve that you overestimate your own clock. I've had to store away entire deliveries for months at a time, until such time as the trend hit and the consumer was ready for it. But more and more my job is really about protecting consumers and the marketplace from bad investments, it's about shielding stores from bad reputations, and finding a happy medium between style and substance, whilst maintaining a fair price-point for desirable apparel. And clothes at cost? Yes, it's a perk. If you're interested in being a buyer, you're likely something of a clothes-horse anyway, so you'll appreciate this aspect of it. I keep waiting for the stuffed-to-the-gills closet thing to get old (it hasn't yet)."

Pendleton, The Portland Collection

Because you asked...

The Portland Collection by Pendleton





We still have a few very hard to find items available
in various sizes...





Contact us if you'd like to discuss shipping these treasures to you!

You might be my Inspiration...

1. Who Inspires You?

2. What Inspires You?

3. Where Do You Find Inspiration?

Sometimes you wish you could just buy a can of Inspiration...

As Market season approaches, I look to you for some inspiration... Let me know if you have any thoughts on what you'd like to find in Hop Sing this summer...

Reply to this post under comments or on Hop Sing's Facebook page!

Luv Ya,
Lauren

CAUTION DANGER ZONE

Hop Sing is a Dangerous Place to be....
Our Winter Clearance Sale is On!!!

20%, 30%, 40% up to 50% your FAVORITE labels!!!

New Delivery's from Odd Molly Hit the Sales Floor Today!!!

Hot & Ready... Yoga Apparel by Hard Tail

Hot Yoga anyone?...

Hop Sing is expecting a
Hard Tail shipment on Monday, December 12th!

Just in time to ask your Santa Baby to put you on his "Naughty or Nice" List!


If you want to get a fresh pick from this limited supply of really special pieces... because...(fyi, it takes 6 to 8 weeks for these orders to be produced) then don't delay!


UPS will deliver this order by 12:00 noon on Monday.

Let's have a box opening party!

Acker Night is Tonight!

What is Acker Night?

Known simply as "Acker Night" in the Prescott, Arizona community, The J.S. Acker Musical Showcase has become a highlight of the holiday season and one of Prescott's favorite hometown events. This free, annual, holiday event showcases the many talented musicians in the Prescott, Arizona area in a most unique way. More than 100 downtown businesses open their doors to host musical groups of every genre, turning Prescott’s downtown into a veritable smorgasbord of entertainment for the thousands of patrons who come out to enjoy the event each year. This unique mixture of Musical entertainment combined with Downtown Businesses also offers a fresh glimpse of what's what downtown and hopefully inspires holiday shopping locally.

Of course we all know that now more than ever, it's so important to support our mom & pop local shops. But the constant bombardment of DEALS, SPECIAL OFFERS, and CAN'T-MISS CLEARANCE PRICES in my email inbox makes it really hard sometimes. It's tough to resist the convenience of shopping in my jammies and for some… after the kids are in bed, and have merchandise delivered right to my door. No crowds, no craziness, no fuss.

But guess what... eventually this convenience costs us something. No more mom & pop. It makes me sad to imagine that our sweet, quaint town is under threat of corporate siege- but it's very true. Unless we make an effort to *ahem* get out of our jammies, off our couches, and out the door, those adorable shops, boutiques, and specialty stores that make Downtown P-town so darn cool will be edged out by the giants. I'm doing my part by focusing on locally-owned businesses for my Holiday shopping, and for the outfits that inspire me to get dressed!

Hey, I'll tell you something else... as someone who lives and works downtown, you should know that there really aren't any crowds to contend with, and there are some truly amazing pre-Christmas deals going on right now. Even the parking spaces have been pretty plentiful lately! Excuses, excuses... Yeah, what else ya got? ;)

Why... Generation Y

"I represent Generation Y...

My name is "Christine C." I am a young consumer, I can tell you this: my attention is short and my demands are great. As Millennials as we are often called, we may seem fickle, limited and spoiled to most retail professionals as our lifestyle and shopping habits affect everyone from big-box retailers to mom-and-pop stores, and will for the next two decades at minimum. We will be responsible for the return of our nation's thriving economy."

Here is where my opinion takes over...

(or will they be responsible for... China's thriving economy...) To put it bluntly, if you're a Retailer, big or small, uncomfortable with marketing to Generation Y that means your probably mainly opposed and uncomfortable with selling mass quantity's of the cheapest "Made in China" merchandise, which this "unique demographic" as they like to refer to themselves, will most likely buy in obscene quantity. This groups battle cry is "Quantity over Quality".

I find this ironic since their generation, even more then their predecessors, has been bombarded with "Reuse & Recycle", " Climate Change", "Sustainability" and "Unemployment". Yet most, not all... of these young people seem to have no concerns for Sustainable Fashion: How or where a garments made, such as fabric content or ethical global trade practices, they'll purchase a trendy garment regardless of non-identifiable fabric content or it's compatibility with water, let alone a washer... probably made by a person who's been paid 1.00 a day, why else do you think your only paying 5.99 to 29.99. My question to this group is, do you really need 200 poorly made clothing items in your wardrobe? How many times can you wear it and wash it before it's falling apart? Answer is.... Who cares, throw it away or donate it to a thrift store... Y's standard method of operation, obviously parent approved as they're probably still paying for it on the credit card long after the demise of the garment.

My experience recently (yesterday, and every time our little town host special events geared towards increasing mass foot traffic in our historic retail district) and routinely includes masses of teens and twenty-somethings rudely rummaging threw my upscale merchandise, while loudly proclaiming so I can hear their dismay... (as they maul, damage and ridicule) an item that catches there (A.D.D.) attention span, " w.t.f.... are you kidding me... that price is ridiculous ... what-ever..." then they often become increasing hostile in their browsing-demeanor, until they thankfully leave my store.

This generation is what I prefer to call the "Disposable Generation", and it's really a heartbreaking scenario that this increasingly large number of consumers has no connection to the era of quality over quantity, handmade and lovingly cared for pieces to be handed down to future generations. The special things that I and my daughter lovingly refer to as vintage treasures from either our Grandmothers closet or our own that are to be cared for for the next in line, in our family to adore...

I say loudly!!! Shame on the countless Baby Boomers and GenXer's who've neglected to cultivate their offspring on far more then manners, common courtesy and simple appreciation for the finer things in life, even if it's not within their financial means.... in summation...

Education is the key to the future of our country's financial strength or weakness, and that education needs to begin at home! Regardless of fashion or other various consumer needs... we must teach our children values and the value of the dollar about earning it and how to spend it wisely in a sustainable way. I realize that many families are in tough financial situations today, and I'm not complaining that they should buy my merchandise. I'm suggesting that they should teach their children to appreciate peoples property, or to just leave a store if they do not care for the style of merchandise, not be obnoxious, destructive or to voice opinion and confirm ignorance by sharing their thoughts out loud. Too many parents are failing their children, our society and our country's economic future, and I don't even think they realize it started by watching how Mom & Dad react to the most basic situations in life... and their commentary.

Regardless of if you understand Generation Y, you should observe them in mass at any local shopping venue, and you will most often be as appalled as I am. I am a specialty retailer in a region that has either largely forgotten to instill minimal courtesy values in there youngsters or perhaps consists of a fairly large population in and of itself that hasn't been unexposed to anything other than Wal-Mart.

Either way it's really sad... Again this is just my opinion.

Spring Fling on the Catwalk -- THE PHOTOS.

WELL. Spring Fling turned out to be QUITE an event (I'm still working on the rest of the photos) and Hop Sing's looks definitely made an impression. But I'll let the photos speak for themselves -- there's a lot to say!

First of all, here's Lauren putting some pink streaks and feather strands in model Dawn's hair:



We had a bit of a photoshoot outside (BRR) with a photographer taking pictures for Prescott Women's magazine:





Check out the new spring shoes:





Lauren with the event coordinator, Sonya:



And then it was time for the show:



























Everyone had a great time -- all the models strutted their stuff like they were onstage at Paris Fashion Week, and the Green Monkey, Livy Lou's and Sam & London sent out some amazing spring looks as well. Even the weather cooperated and the rain and snow held off just for us!

And if you just didn't get enough in this post, be on the lookout for an album on Facebook -- I'll be sharing *all* the Hop Sing photos, and some of the rest of the event there! (Heck yes there are more photos!)

*fling* *fling*

The big day for Spring Fling on the Catwalk is TOMORROW! and Hop Sing is all ready to go. Models dressed, music picked, schmoozing faces practiced, and Natashas left behind to take care of the store (sorry, girls).

Today's post is just a little sneaky peek at the fresh, fierce, and fun mood we're bringing to the fashion show. Punky streaks of girly pink and a perennial fashionista favorite, leopard print -- me-oww!



















Can't wait until tomorrow night -- we're looking forward to meeting everyone, seeing the other boutiques' collections, and spending a winter evening celebrating the season to come!

Silpada!

Our Silpada event yesterday was fun! Jill set up a whole spread of necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, pendants, beads -- more bangles and baubles than you could shake a stick at. And we piled even more onto "the girls" so they could show off the pieces with Hop Sing outfits. How do they look?

























Lauren and Jill agreed that we'll have to do another of these little trunk shows sometime, so if you missed this one, never fear! Jill will be back with more Silpada pretties soon.

You might have noticed that Natasha and Co. are sporting some new outfits -- the spring items have begun to arrive! Lots of posts about it all next week, and trust me, you will want to see this stuff in person because it is flowing and lacy and fresh and gorgeous. Since these items are rolling in now, we're also changing over the sales that have been going on -- the 50%-off sale racks are still here, but all other sales are now officially ended! Don't panic, though, we've got some special things in the works!