Barone, who founded Item Showroom in 2000, represents an
eclectic, but cohesive group of designers, primarily in the
accessories arena. Limiting the number of brands represented, the
Item Showroom team is able to focus the time, energy, resources and
commitment to customer service that builds each brand across all
retail channels. A strategic planner who focuses on the "big
picture," and not just the current season, Barone builds a strong
foundation, which ensures long-term success for each brand.
"In choosing partners we look to fill a void in the marketplace
because both department and specialty stores expect us to offer
items they won't find anywhere else. We work closely with retail
partners who want to develop exclusive merchandise; as
differentiation is an important element in today's marketplace,"
states Barone.
Successful collaborations over the years include Hat Attack, My
Flat in London, Twelve and Tamara Henriques, among many others. On
average, Barone grew each business approximately 35% each year.
Currently, Item Showroom represents a dozen designers encompassing
footwear, handbags and jewelry.
A New York native, Barone studied merchandising at FIT before
embarking on her career; first at Ralph Lauren and then DKNY. Prior
to launching Item Showroom, Barone was Director of Sales at Helen
Kaminski.