Our buying team was in New York last week for Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week (and several of them remain in New York this week as well). While Fashion Week is always exciting and fun, it’s also pretty exhausting as the team races around the city from show to presentation to showroom appointments.

We talked Kelly, Patty and Jennifer into sending a few photos back to us from their trip. The first set we received was from the Sophie Theallet Fall 2012 runway show at Milk Studios. And we must say that we’re quite jealous of how great their seats were for this show!

You’ll have to wait until fall to see exactly which pieces may end up at Halls. But we think you’ll agree that the collection is striking – deep, rich colors, bold, mod patterns and sleek, contemporary lines. This line is exquisite and we can’t wait to see it here in Kansas City!

Some of our buyers have been in New York all week for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. And many of them had just been in New York making showroom visits a few weeks ago. More of the team has been in Las Vegas this week at market as well. It’s exhausting trying to keep up with them!

One of our more far-flung buyers is Jennifer Myers, buyer for designer ready-to-wear and handbags. Jennifer flies several times a year to Milan and Florence, visiting vendors such as Prada and Gucci. She’s a good sport and always sends back a short report for us to be jealous of enjoy.

I just got back from Milan buying Prada handbags for Fall 2012.

Unfortunately, I do not have any pictures that I can show you of Prada and the showroom because pictures are not allowed, but I can tell you that it looked amazing! The colors were definitely darker, but that is fall. I saw bordeaux, graphite, military green and ocra (somewhere between gold and yellow). These were the dominant colors throughout the collection, but the usual suspects were there as well…black, camel, and light grey.

Here I am getting all excited about the next fall season and we have so many amazing spring bags in right now!

So for the time being, I am going to enjoy the brightness of spring…orange, pink, turquoise, just to name a few, and wait for that spring warm weather to get here. Speaking of weather…Milan was absolutely freezing, so my picture taking of scenery was limited for two reasons…a lot was covered in snow and I simply did not want to walk around in 10 degree weather. So…two pictures around my hotel and one in the airport…I spend a lot of time there too, so I thought I would give you a glimpse. More next trip in July!

We’ve introduced you, here on the blog, to a few of the Halls buyers. And now, we’d like you to meet a few of our sales associates. What better way to get to know the faces of Halls than to ask them what they’re recommending to their customers these days?

First up, Jim Pennington and Karen Kitterman who work upstairs at Halls Plaza. Their pick for early spring? These gorgeous Rachel Zoe tie-front blouses.

The blouse comes in yellow, olive and a complementary print, as shown above with Jim Pennington. The leopard print version of this top flew off the rack this fall and the spring version is poised to follow suit.

We asked Jim and Karen why it was such a popular choice. They told us that women of all ages and sizes are buying the Rachel Zoe blouse. It’s perfect with a suit jacket, with a pencil skirt or trousers and it looks modern and sexy even with a pair of jeans. Karen pointed out that the top is cut a bit longer in the back which helps it remain tucked in and gives it a nice hang and fit on almost every size and shape.

Next time you’re at Halls Plaza, be sure to stop in to see the wide selection of Rachel Zoe pieces for spring. There are some terrific looks (many of which you may have seen on Rachel’s television show). And please say hello to Jim and Karen too!

Most of our buyers are out-of-town for the next few weeks, buying for fall/winter 2012. In fact, we just got these pics from Jennifer and Patty who are making selections for women’s designer ready-to-wear.

Here, Jennifer takes in the Akris Punto Fall 2012 presentation. LOVE this wine-colored dress.

And, here, Jennifer and Patty make selections for the Halls buy. Can’t wait for fall shipments to see what they chose!

Many more presentations and showrooms to go before they sleep and return back to Kansas City, just in time to start receiving and unpacking their selections for spring and summer!

New jewelry line at Halls Plaza! If you’re a fan of fun, casual, unique jewelry, don’t miss the Vanessa Mooney line just in on the second floor.

Inspired by all forms of art, music and fashion, Vanessa’s style is eclectic but maybe best described as “rock ‘n roll, boho chic edge.” It is a favorite of celebrities like Katie Holmes, Hilary Duff, Sienna Miller, Jennifer Lopez, Hayden Paniettiere, Lily Allen, Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale.

Prices range from $35-$50 for earrings and $50-$350 for necklaces.

Ashley Tisdale in Vanessa Mooney silver keepsake necklace

Hilary Duff in Vanessa Mooney Warrior earring

Vanessa Hudgens in Vanessa Mooney Snake Amulet Necklace

The new year has barely begun and the Halls buying team is already gearing up for fall and winter of 2012. The next two months will be filled with trips to markets and showrooms around the globe (as well as Fashion Week) for our buyers in almost every department to make their selections for the last two quarters of this year. (Buying for Christmas goods? Happening this month…believe it or not!)

There will be trips to several different countries in Europe including Italy and France as well as our annual domestic buying jaunts. We’ve asked a few of the buyers to send us photos and reports of all the fun items they see at market.

You may have seen news of several pre-fall fashion shows that occurred last month, including Oscar de la Renta (gorgeous!). Our buying team is on top of it – in fact, Jennifer Myers, Halls buyer for designer ready-to-wear and handbags, spent several days in Florence, Italy last month buying pre-fall and fall collection shoes and handbags at Gucci.

Unfortunately for us, Gucci doesn’t allow photos inside of their Florence showroom – so, you’ll just have to wait until next August and September to see what Jennifer chose! Jen did send us some beautiful photos of Florence at Christmastime though – we continue to live vicariously through Jen’s global buying trips!

Continuing our 2011 Gift Ideas in the women’s department! Jewelry, purses, fur vests, colored denim, hats and gloves – lots to choose from. Shop designer handbags and home accessories on the main floor of Halls Plaza. Or head to the Fashion Accessories, Ladies Shoes, Sportswear or Contemporary women’s departments at Halls Plaza or Halls for Her in Crown Center and check one more gift off your to-do list!

If you need a little help, be sure to ask one of our store associates – they’ve got a lot of great gift ideas!

Tory Burch iPad portfolios

Fashion jewelry – upstairs at Halls Plaza or at Halls for Her in Crown Center

Kate Spade knit hat (do you call it a stocking cap, a toboggan or something else?)

Handbags by Reed Krakoff in Designer Handbags at Halls Plaza

Gorgeous knit and woven throws for a chilly winter evening

Fashionable fur vest

Glittering Kate Spade pumps and fun bejeweled, stackable bracelets, available at Halls Plaza

Candles and scents for the home, available at Halls Plaza

Perfect, colored denim skinny jeans and denim leggings in awesome saturated hues for the season

Bangles by Alexis Bittar

A fabulous new leather jacket

A fun vest

Tory Burch bags and cases

And be sure to check out these links for more gift ideas:

• Gift Ideas 2011: Mens Clothing & Accessories

• Gift Ideas 2011: Watches

• Gift Ideas 2011: Beauty & Fragrance

Husbands, boyfriends, fathers, brothers and best guy friends can be difficult to buy gifts for. Rather than adding another not-quite-necessary tool or gadget to the gift pile, you might want to consider sprucing up his wardrobe a bit!

The Store for Men and Downstairs at Halls Plaza and Halls in Crown Center have a wide variety of gift options for the men in your life – some as inexpensive as a $25 keychain or $60 Nixon watch. Looking spend a little or a lot more than that? We’ve got ideas for you at several price points.

A few thoughts:

Smathers & Branson flasks, $65

Allegri jacket, originally $795, now on sale for $556

Paul Smith cufflinks, $125 to $175

Prada wallets, $398 (skull & hardware), $425 (dragon & chain)

Fur-lined winter hats by Wigens, Woolrich & Diesel, from $55 to $165

TOMS eyewear, $135 to $145

Thomas Dean shirt, $110, with Harris Tweed jacket, $350

Jack Spade iPhone case, $40 (and Halls gift cards!)

Raw by GStar sweater, $160

Robert Graham shirt, $228, and Robert Graham jacket, $495

Smathers & Branson belts, $165

Gucci scarves, $285, and sunglasses $275

Montcler coats, originally from $975 to $1395 (now 30% off!)

Jack Spade leather and canvas bags, from $325 to $495

Smathers & Branson keychains, $25

Check out a few more ideas (watches, skincare and fragrances) for your men here:
Gift Ideas 2011: Watches
Gift Ideas 2011: Beauty & Fragrance
Gift Ideas 2011: Women’s Clothing & Accessories

Can’t decide? How about a Halls gift card? Buy them in-store or online.

Continuing our theme of Gift Ideas for 2011 – let’s check out Halls watches. You’ll find watches at Halls Plaza and Halls Crown Center. Halls carries a wide variety of watches for men and women, priced from about $60 and up.

You will find brands like Gucci, Michele, Michael Kors, Breda, Nixon, Hamilton, Hermes, Victorinox, and many more.

Casio G-Shock watches, from $110 to $120

Victorinox watches, from $195 to $950

Nixon watches, from $60 to $200

Michael Kors watches (additional styles available)

Hamilton watches (additional styles available)

Michele watches, from $745 to $2395

Gucci watches, from $750 to $3295

Hermes watches (watch shown, $4,100)

See Also:

• Gift Ideas 2011: Beauty & Fragrance
• Gift Ideas 2011: Women’s Clothing & Accessories

Who’s left on your holiday gift list? Halls has plenty of ideas to cover everyone left on the list. Let’s start in the beauty and fragrance department (stay tuned for additional ideas from the rest of the store)!

You have plenty of time to stop in at Halls Plaza or Halls in Crown Center and pick up something like this:

Molton Brown bath/shower gels, $28

Laura Mercier portfolio palette, $98

Chanel fragrances – Chanel No. 5, Coco

L’Occitane soaps and lotions

Fresh gift set – Brown Sugar Body Cream, Sugar Lip Treatment, $28

Hermes fragrances for men

Laura Mercier Body & Bath duo, $45

Kiehl’s Favorites gift set, $36

Bond No. 9 fragrances

Be sure to check out these posts for more great gift ideas:

• Gift Ideas 2011: Watches
• Gift Ideas 2011: Beauty & Fragrance
• Gift Ideas 2011: Women’s Clothing & Accessories
• Gift Ideas 2011: Men’s Clothing & Accessories

Can’t decide? How about a Halls gift card? Buy them in-store or online.