Theresa Matthew Studio
The New MartSuite 1004(213) 486-0045tmstudio@pacbell.net For Theresa Matthew, the secret to surviving bad economic times is focus.
“We’ve got to quit talking about the bad economy constantly,” said the veteran showroom owner on what has become one of the top topics of conversation. “Those of us who have been doing it for a while know this, too, will pass.” Theresa Matthew Studio has been selling fashions since 1994.
Matthew said she’s not turning a blind eye to hard times. Rather, she said she believes there’s always business to be made. “We are always trying to add new clients,” she said. “There is never a lack of good stores to sell to.”
For the October 2008 market, Matthew moved her showroom to The New Mart’s 10th floor after spending four years doing business at the building’s suite 602. Her new showroom, a 1,700-square-foot studio with an industrial loft feel, is on a floor with great buyer traffic, according to Matthew, and has a focus on contemporary fashions.
At the top tier of the studio’s price range is the Los Angeles–based label Single. Price points range from $78 to $158 wholesale for Single’s dresses, which offer colorful daytime and cocktail styles.
Los Angeles–based dress line Molly New York offers novelty and contemporary looks that are wholesale priced from $49 to $119.
Another line, Priorities, based in New York, specializes in novelty tops and jackets with a bohemian feel for Spring/Summer 2009. Its wholesale price points range from $34 to $68.
Los Angeles–based line Tribute wholesales for $68 to $125 and offers a collection ranging from tops to skirts. Interlud offers silk tops and wholesales from $42 to $74. Toast offers knit tops and print dresses. Its sister company, Lucas & Lilly, offers sweaters from $28 to $68. Hem, a Los Angeles–based line, designs T-shirts and gauze tops. Wholesale price points range from $28 to $78.
Theresa Matthew Studio also offers German accessories line George, Gina and Lucy. The nylon handbags are accessorized with Alpine-chic mountain-climbing-hooks hardware. Its price points range from $97.50 to $615 wholesale. —Andrew Asch
